I've been working on a programmer for the Roland Alpha Juno and MKS-50 that has a robust MIDI implementation, plus a suite of performance features that are useful and unique. I'd like to know if anyone has any other features that they would like in a programmer that I've not yet included. Below is a list of the stats for the MPG-50.
Enclosure:
The case is a 370mm (14.5") x 149mm (6") x 40mm (1.5") desktop-style controller. The rear panel has MIDI IN, MIDI OUT, and an expression pedal/pot input. Power is supplied via an external ACDC supply.
Panel: The front panel includes 37 pots and sliders, plus a programmer section with an OLED menu readout. Sliders are 30mm type.
MIDI: The MPG-50 has a robust MIDI implementation. The MKS series of synths do not play well with MIDI streams that have too much channel data (data from channels other than the one the MPG and JUNO are set to receive on) The MPG will merge incoming channel data with outgoing sysex data to the Juno, thus eliminating the need to use a MIDI merge to control the Juno with an external keyboard and the MPG simultaneously.
Each slider, switch, and knob on the MPG has an associated MIDI CC, allowing for external MIDI hardware to control the MPG parameters remotely without using sysex messages. The MPG can also be set to transmit MIDI CC messages from the sliders and knobs, allowing for it to be used as a generic MIDI controller. The MPG will send sysex to the Alpha Juno unless the MIDI OUT mode is set to CC ONLY, in which case, the unit will transmit CC messages instead.
AUX A, AUX B, and Expression Pedal
The MPG-50 has 2 AUX sliders and an expression pedal input, all of which can control up to 5 parameters on the Juno simultaneously. Each of the three controllers can be programmed using the ASSIGN button.
When ASSIGN button is pressed, a dialog will appear on the screen asking which controller you want to program. When a controller is selected, it will ask for the first parameter that you want to control. In this case, let's say VCF Cutoff is the first parameter that we assign to AUX A. Then the dialog asks what the range of that control should be. If you select 50-127, then the AUX A slider will send VCF Cutoff messages from 50 -127 (bottom of the slider will transmit 50. Moving slider to max position will increment up to 127.) The dialog will also ask if you want to invert the parameter (bottom of slider AUX A = 127, top = 50), which allows that parameter to turn filter cutoff DOWN by moving the slider up. Up to 5 parameters can be controlled simultaneously with one control, and each parameter can be customized. This allows for a user to use one control to do something like turn up the cutoff and resonance, while slowing down the vibrato LFO and increasing the release time of the envelope. Doing this kind of thing allows for some incredible sounds from the Juno that I had not heard before. Each of the AUX sliders has a MIDI CC, allowing for one MIDI CC message to control all of the parameters assigned to that slider. AUX slider and EXP Pedal assignments can be stored in memory and recalled for later use in performances.
Patch Generator
The MPG-50 has a unique patch generator mode. There are 3 basic types of patch generator modes. Random, Manual, and Scratch. Manual does exactly what it sounds like; transmits the position of all 35 parameters on the programmer to the Juno. Random patch generator will generate random programs on the Alpha Juno. Users can also select which parameters they want randomized, then save that setting for future use. For example if you only want to randomize the envelope settings, then you can set only those parameters to get randomized, then save that patch generator setting for future use. Scratch program generator is used as a basis to start work on a new sound. This generates a basic sawtooth, open VCF, gated amp env sound. Users can also create their own scratch patch generator template and save it for future use. Up to 32 individual patch generators can be saved in memory.
MIDI PANIC
Holding the MIDI button will generate an ALL NOTES OFF MIDI message in the event that the Juno locks up or has stuck notes.
Menu
In the main menu, users can select MONO or POLY mode, adjust bend range, turn on Chord Mode, edit chords and save and recall AUX/Pedal assignment settings.
When not in MIDI, MAIN, or ASSIGN menu, the display will show the name of the current parameter being edited, as well as the value.
The portamento ON/OFF button can be configured as a toggle or a momentary button. When configured as a momentary button, glide will only be active when the button is held down, which is very useful for performing solo lead lines on the Juno.
SETUP
In the Main menu, there is a setup dialog. A setup is comprised of the settings for AUX A, AUX B, Patch Generator mde, Glide button mode, and MIDI settings. Setups can be recalled manually or by using program change messages. Currently 16 setups can be saved in memory, though the final product may include more if we end up using a chip with more EEPROM memory.
So that's the list of features at the moment. I'd love to get some feedback and other ideas. The product will probably begin shipping in early to mid fall. If there's some feature that you really want let me know. Thanks for your help.
Voor dat geld heb je 3 a 4 Behringer BCR2000s!
