Arturia Beatstep - Relative Mode Rotary

[powermat]

I've tried all 3 relative modes on the rotaries. Is there a BitWig setting that I need to set for it to work?

[ThomasHelzle]

You need to use/write a script that uses it

Cheers,

Tom

[powermat]

You need to use/write a script that uses it

Cheers,

Tom

Would a script enable me to change the input type on the linked rotary (BitWig side) when I change it in the software that came with the Beatstep?

[ThomasHelzle]

We set the rotary mode explicitly to relative via Sysex in the Arturia KeyLabs Script that was just released with the 1.0.11 Version of Bitwig Studio. And you can set basically everything the MIDI Control Center can do via a Script.
When you open the Midi Console in the Control Center, you can copy and paste the SysEx that is sent to the Controller each time you change something. So you don't even need to know exactly what it means. Just be sure you check exactly what was sent - in the KeyLabs series, it's 5 lines for most controls to set their complete behaviour. Switching on and off a light is only one line.
Check the KeyLabInit.js file, that's where we concentrated most of the code dealing with Sysex.

This is how such a line from the Control Center would be sent to the Controller from a script:

Code: Select all

// Set Global Absolute Mode for Controls:
sendSysex("F0 00 20 6B 7F 42 02 00 40 02 01 F7");

As for relative encoders: In the KeyLab, they send different values centred around "64" depending on how fast you turn the encoder. So Claes created this simple variable in "onMidi":

Code: Select all

var increment = midi.data2 - 64;

Which will be -1 to -3 when turning the knob in one direction and 1 to 3 when going in the other direction - very simple and effective.

So for all values the knobs control we used the .inc() method which is explicitly made for relative value changes. Here for example we set the Pan of the cursor track to directly use the increment variable above. The "128" is the resolution of the control, which for Midi usually is 128 (0-127):

Code: Select all

kL.cTrack.getPan().inc(increment, 128);

I hope this helps.

Cheers,

Tom

[powermat]

That does help, if I'd like to change the script every time I want to change how the knob functions. I was just hoping that there was an easier way, ala FL Studio or others, to quickly change (without closing the DAW) the rotary interpretation.

Being that you can change it in the Midi Control Center software (via sysex upload or proprietary), I was hoping that BitWig would understand one of the methods that the Midi Control Center software attempts to use (Relative #1, Relative #2, Relative #3).

I know that it was a long shot to ask if BitWig had that functionality, but I figured I'd ask before going down the technical wormhole (scripting), rather than staying in the creative one.

Thanks, though!

[ThomasHelzle]

Why would you want to do that? I fear I don't fully understand what you are after?

Cheers,

Tom

[powermat]

One of the beauties of being able to assign knobs on the fly is being able to pick whichever parameter you'd like. However, on parameters with more than 127 (or 128, with 0) values, setting knobs to relative really helps out. However, depending on the needs of the project, you may need more of one than the other.

Scripting is a solution, however not a part of my preferred creative process. It's all good, though!

Thanks!

[ThomasHelzle]

I see. Yeah, I understand what you mean, but ATM that's the way it is.
And the relative mode works pretty well for everything in BWS so I'm not sure if there is much point in having a toggle?

Cheers,

Tom

[powermat]

Hm... Yeah, all relative would work. I guess that I'll forgo the creative hat and put my tech hat on, tonight. But, the BCR2000 would benefit from on-the-fly switching between rotary and toggle (is that the "normal" rotary state?), for those more-than-127 value'd parameters.

[ThomasHelzle]

Not following your wording here?
Rotaries can either send absolute values between 0 and 127 or relative values of which there are several ways to do it.
I don't understand what you mean with "switching between rotary and toggle" in the context of rotary encoders? Do you mean when pressing them down?

Rotaries that can rotate freely usually make the most sense to use relative, since then they are value independent - you get no jumps, no matter where the value is in BWS when using .inc, which is the main drawback of absolute mode.

Still not sure we are talking of the same things but I hope I make sense anyway

Cheers,

Tom

[powermat]

And the relative mode works pretty well for everything in BWS so I'm not sure if there is much point in having a toggle?

Cheers,

Tom

You had said "toggle", I guessed you meant absolute mode, so no, I mean absolute mode. You can change them between relative and absolute in the software. Both for the Beatstep and for the BCR2000.

[ThomasHelzle]

I meant: Having a toggle between Absolute and Relative mode

Cheers,

Tom

[Spring Goose]

I can't write scrtipts. I just wanna be able to use the knobs on the beatstep with Bitwig, am i missing something? I can't find any info about it.

[Spring Goose]

It's ok i figured it out

[ThomasHelzle]

Wow, 10 year old thread.
Just realised that Bitwig will have it's 10th anniversary soon!

Amazing