SquaredHeads Nora: Arpeggiator (2.5 Released!)

[squaredheads]

i think though there should be an indicator on each track in the playlist so you can see the midi channel assigned to each track and adjust it here too.

Good one. There will, maybe not in this next release, but in the next one.

[squaredheads]

Digging deeper into Nora2 within Ableton 9 and Lives midi output limitation effectively means there's no way to control more than one Arp at a time. (without resorting to multiple instances) Unless I've overlooked something.
It seems Ableton 9 isn't capable of separating Nora's individual outputs. Ableton has suffered this midi issue for years and no amount of complains or feedback has made the slightest difference to them.

Is it possible for Nora2 to send midi out to virtual ports such as midi yoke?

Mac OS includes by default a Virtual MIDI Port driver. That's why I can enable them from Nora. Windows cannot. However, I could create a combo box to select one of the avaliable MIDI Outputs from your PC (which includes MIDI Yoke when you're running it). But I think there is a better way:

Could you please try this? Add a Nora instance in any Live track, then route this track to any MIDI Yoke free port. Once you have it, create few instrument tracks, and select as input the MIDI Yoke port with the desired Channel. I think this could work, and would be perfect for a Live tutorial. Let me know, please.

[kurodo]

Mac OS includes by default a Virtual MIDI Port driver. That's why I can enable them from Nora. Windows cannot. However, I could create a combo box to select one of the avaliable MIDI Outputs from your PC (which includes MIDI Yoke when you're running it). But I think there is a better way:

Could you please try this? Add a Nora instance in any Live track, then route this track to any MIDI Yoke free port. Once you have it, create few instrument tracks, and select as input the MIDI Yoke port with the desired Channel. I think this could work, and would be perfect for a Live tutorial. Let me know, please.

I tried the above method but it didn't seem to work.
I also tried using loopmidi with little success.
I gave it my best shot before giving up though. (4 hours) hehe

At this point I have no way of confidently saying why it doesn't work, it could be my setup?
Most likely windows Live's limitation though.

So if at some point (when you get the time - I know how busy you must be) you could add the combo boxes or whatever does the trick it would be appreciated.
Assuming someone doesn't get back and provide a working method.

The way I currently see it is Ableton won't respond unless the virtual midi devices reveal themselves somewhere from within Nora directly which isn't the case at the moment.

For example within the pattern editor there are midi in's and outs but currently only the 16 midi channels
are listed along with (all and off)
I am sure if Nora could see the virtual midi ports within that list section it would be a simple matter of routing them to whatever tracks are required via Ableton's midi from dropdown.

You've gone through a lot of effort adding the pattern editor to Nora and it would be a shame to not see it fully exploited in the way it was intended.

There is a good reason for including that ALT modifier, and it's that the most host intercepts Ctrl+C/X/V and don't allow they reach Nora. However, in the same way we allowed changing the colours/etc we will do the same with keys and mouse shortcuts.

Looking forward to the keyboard mods
Ctrl+alt+x reminds me of Starcraft 2 micro
I think it'll be the first thing I remap.

[ezelkow1]

I noticed some note oddities last night in bitwig. I had a 2 bar sequence of a chord going in to nora feeding a synth. It was going fine playing the sequence out of nora until I closed the gui. Then after a while it would start dropping notes and then only play a note or two out of the sequence. However once I re-opened the gui then nora would start acting normal again

When I get a chance Ill see if I can come up with a reliable way to reproduce it

If you achieve it, let me know to fix it asap

Do you guys have bitwig? I could try sending a project file. I couldnt fully reproduce it, though I thought I heard a dropped note here and there with a different sequence. However the original sequence/preset I have in nora does seem to do it pretty reliably. I do need to try using it with some different patches/synths just to make sure its not the synth doing it. Ill also see if I can record the midi out since that would show right away if it was missing notes

[powermat]

What I'd like to do is chop up the MIDI that I've written over the years and basically remix/rescale/play with it in a speedier fashion than having to stop the music and adjust. I use PIZMIDI's plugin (don't remember the name right now) to keep the notes in the same range and I use scaling plugins to keep the notes in the same scale.

At the current version, I think Nora isn't the tool you need for that. I may make up with some nice words but I don't want to lie. Hey, but just at the current version

Exactly what I needed to know! Thanks! And I'll keep my eye on your plugin(s) for something I may need! Great service!

[stikygum]

This is becoming painful. I want to use Nora, but I can't. Cubase crashes every time I try to scan my plugin folder. And when I try to set up Nora in Logic X sending midi out from Nora to a vst instrument, for so reason it's not communicating. Though I'm not sure if I'm setting up Logic correctly….

[squaredheads]

At this point I have no way of confidently saying why it doesn't work, it could be my setup?
Most likely windows Live's limitation though.

So if at some point (when you get the time - I know how busy you must be) you could add the combo boxes or whatever does the trick it would be appreciated

I'll try my best. However I must experiment with it, I don't know if it's even possible. Still, loading plugins inside Nora is another solution. Both of them are to solve other host limitations and could be expensive in time, so there is a mid priority to do them.

Looking forward to the keyboard mods
Ctrl+alt+x reminds me of Starcraft 2 micro
I think it'll be the first thing I remap.

It will be something different from mod, you will be able to load/save controls presets. It's still wip.

[squaredheads]

Do you guys have bitwig? I could try sending a project file. I couldnt fully reproduce it, though I thought I heard a dropped note here and there with a different sequence. However the original sequence/preset I have in nora does seem to do it pretty reliably. I do need to try using it with some different patches/synths just to make sure its not the synth doing it. Ill also see if I can record the midi out since that would show right away if it was missing notes

I have the Bitwig demo, which I think it can load other projects, right? If you're using VSTs in your project, try they are free ones or Spire/Sylenth1. You can email me it to juan@ or support@

[squaredheads]

This is becoming painful. I want to use Nora, but I can't. Cubase crashes every time I try to scan my plugin folder. And when I try to set up Nora in Logic X sending midi out from Nora to a vst instrument, for so reason it's not communicating. Though I'm not sure if I'm setting up Logic correctly….

I will email Steinberg right now. Hopefully they can ease me a NFR license , since there is no Cubase demo. About Logic: maybe, and I cannot promise, next patch will include a MIDI FX version of Nora. It should be released in a couple of weeks.

Is someone using Nora in Logic?

[squaredheads]

This is becoming painful. I want to use Nora, but I can't. Cubase crashes every time I try to scan my plugin folder. And when I try to set up Nora in Logic X sending midi out from Nora to a vst instrument, for so reason it's not communicating. Though I'm not sure if I'm setting up Logic correctly….

I will email Steinberg right now. Hopefully they can ease me a NFR license , since there is no Cubase demo. About Logic: maybe, and I cannot promise, next patch will include a MIDI FX version of Nora. It should be released in a couple of weeks.

Is someone using Nora in Logic?

Hi again, I have now a beta Logic MIDI FX version (v.2.01) . If you, or someone else from our registered users, wish to test it, drop me an email to juan [at] squaredheads [dot] com

[kurodo]

I'll try my best. However I must experiment with it, I don't know if it's even possible. Still, loading plugins inside Nora is another solution. Both of them are to solve other host limitations and could be expensive in time, so there is a mid priority to do them.

Understood
I think its possible, for example some VSTI such as Sonic Charge's Microtonic come in two flavors, the vanilla and the multi.
The multi allows 8 outs which Windows Ableton has no problem with.
Btw last night I spent some more time trying various combinations, channel filters, IL's minihost etc and in all cases it would appear that Ableton is merging all of the midi tracks to midi Channel1.

But yeah from your point of view its probably expensive on time. time that would be better spent on resolving more important issues.

It seems unforgivable that Ableton have left this issue unresolved for Windows users for so long, leaving developers like yourself and end users with a massive headache.

For now though Ableton 9 works very well with Nora 2 as an advanced Arp, Chord Arp, Chord chopper and Harmonizer. Those features alone are worth their weight in gold.
The pattern editor and playlist are innovative features but not necessarily essential.
Actually I am quite happy with the playlist as that still allows me to chain/build complicated varying Arp patterns very quickly.

I am not sure if other users have tried but loading NoraHarm into an Ableton track then sending that track into Nora, one fingered chords built from any scale that become arpeggiated is a lot of fun and a constant source of inspiration.

Keep up the good work.

[stikygum]

Hi again, I have now a beta Logic MIDI FX version (v.2.01) . If you, or someone else from our registered users, wish to test it, drop me an email to juan [at] squaredheads [dot] com

Awesome, I'm game! I'll email you.

I think Naenyn in this thread was able to get Nora 2 to work in Logic X. I followed his instructions and it didn't work for me. I set up up the Midi Output in Nora to send midi over channel 1. I then set up my virtual instrument synth to midi Channel 1, but it still didn't work. That 'should' do it, but it didn't.

[squaredheads]

Understood
I think its possible, for example some VSTI such as Sonic Charge's Microtonic come in two flavors, the vanilla and the multi.
The multi allows 8 outs which Windows Ableton has no problem with.
Btw last night I spent some more time trying various combinations, channel filters, IL's minihost etc and in all cases it would appear that Ableton is merging all of the midi tracks to midi Channel1.

Looking at Microtonic specs, it seems it allows eight audio outputs. No MIDI. Am I wrong?

But yeah from your point of view its probably expensive on time. time that would be better spent on resolving more important issues.

Yes, I must manage carefully my time. We're a pretty small business, and we cannot allow ourselves fix every host limitations, but as I'm telling you, I'll investigate the (external) problem after this release. If I discover something I'll PM you or maybe I'll ask you test a Nora version with a MIDI Output - but as I told you before, I don't know if this is possible for a plugin in Window.

For now though Ableton 9 works very well with Nora 2 as an advanced Arp, Chord Arp, Chord chopper and Harmonizer. Those features alone are worth their weight in gold.
The pattern editor and playlist are innovative features but not necessarily essential.
Actually I am quite happy with the playlist as that still allows me to chain/build complicated varying Arp patterns very quickly.

Aditionally, and pretty soon, the Phrase Editor will have another aditional and optional dimension, easy to set up, and it will give the final output and incredible touch

I am not sure if other users have tried but loading NoraHarm into an Ableton track then sending that track into Nora, one fingered chords built from any scale that become arpeggiated is a lot of fun and a constant source of inspiration.

Keep up the good work.

I love playing with it, specially with transposition of selected. I love that feature

[squaredheads]

Awesome, I'm game! I'll email you.

I think Naenyn in this thread was able to get Nora 2 to work in Logic X. I followed his instructions and it didn't work for me. I set up up the Midi Output in Nora to send midi over channel 1. I then set up my virtual instrument synth to midi Channel 1, but it still didn't work. That 'should' do it, but it didn't.

Did you emailed me? I received two request for the MIDIFX beta, but they are before you posted it. For the people that requested it: I'll email you today (maybe tomorrow) with the instructions.

[kurodo]

Looking at Microtonic specs, it seems it allows eight audio outputs. No MIDI. Am I wrong?

Edit:
Indeed audio out.
it has all the necessary seperate Midi out functions but doesn't fully function as expected in Ableton 9


Sorry to send you on a wild goose-chase all my microtonic projects were saved using Ableton 8 where it seemed ok.
Ableton obviously changed something in Live 9 and took midi out back to the dark ages.
Is Ableton 9 the only professional host that has broken midi out?
It certainly looks that way.
I promise to never mention Ableton 9 midi out ever again its a busted flush.
I am seriously thinking of switching to Bitwig after a few more revisions.

Aditionally, and pretty soon, the Phrase Editor will have another aditional and optional dimension, easy to set up, and it will give the final output and incredible touch

Awesome, I really like the phrase editor, the visual feedback it offers works for me. Its very intuitive by design.
Of course any additions to it are always welcome.

I love playing with it, specially with transposition of selected. I love that feature

hehe
I am surprised you can get any coding done on Nora, last night I started playing with the Mutator/Randomizer. My original intention was to spend 20 mins or so on it, the next thing I knew it was 3 hours later I was having so much fun.

Talking about NoraHarm do you have any future plans to include a midi link environment within it?
I think it would be really powerful to change its presets on the fly, the option to cycle through a user defined set of scales would be awesome. Then real time key signature changes would become so easy.
My idea is to predefine some chords scales in the editor, force them all so the melodies and chords would also switch perfectly.

Perhaps too much of a greedy request?

Anyway thanks for getting back its appreciated, you are a very good developer with a very good product.