A Patch Editor for the Nord Stage (based on Ctrlr)

[iaorana]

even though the documentation for the NS Classic also only contains how to request and send dumps of programs or the edit buffer, this "most likely" works also on the NS2 ??!

Likely! Anyway, with a MIDI monitor such as the one included in Ctrlr, it is easy to "decipher" SysEx sent by the NS2

I checked and compared the MIDI specs of the NS2 vs. the Classic/EX and found a number of differences. See the attached Excel File.

Based on that I built a first version of the Patch Editor for the NS 2 that you can find here (..)

Thanks again Johannes.

The drawbars and LEDs come from a photo while the panel is a drawing from Nord (only high res image of the NS 2 Panel I could find.)

Unfortunately, it refers to Rev. A Some graphic editing would be needed to get a Rev. B version...
[EDIT] The Rev.B Synth panel photo can be found here

[Scott]

I agree that the physical knobs are the Unique Selling Position of the Nords so I don't think they will or should get rid of it. However, a software tool (or ipad app for that matter) could be useful to study patch settings, see all settings at once or whatever.


After some hours the weekend, I am proud to present the first Release Candidate of the Patch Editor for the Nord Stage EX & Classic!
Now, it uses ALL CC messages the NS understands and displays them using the typical Nord elements (knobs, LEDs,...a lot of photoshop work there...)
I also added the FX knobs for each effect so one can see all three FX's setting always. Also, I changed the standard MIDI values to the ones Nord uses (approx.). All LEDs that can be controlled via CCs work now like on the Original.

What is missing?
-Sysex interpretation (right now, you have to use MIDI + Send Panel A/B in order to initialise all values, but not too complicated.)
-for now only one Panel (both panel at the same time would require Sysex interpretation to get it all straight)
-some conditional elements will require some programming, but I won't have the time for the next couple of months.
-Some elements just don't send CCs so they will (unless read by Sysex) never work. Those include Piano Type & Model, Synth Slot, Split Settings, Morph Assignments.


But the most important elements are all there, and here is how it looks:

Nord Stage EX CTRLR Patch Editor.PNG (382.98 KiB) Viewed 6372 times

I also made a short video where you can see how it all moves as you play and tweak, not perfect, but looks pretty sweet to me Kudos to the guys from Ctrlr.org
Sorry for the playing, had to turn all those knobs and press the buttons at the same time

[youtube][/youtube]

Download: Nord Stage C/EX Patch Editor (If you have Ctrlr already installed/downloaded from http://ctrlr.org/page.php?p=downloads)
Then choose your MIDI I/O Interface and channels of the Panel you want to control.
To initialise the Screen with your current settings, hit SHIFT+MIDI then scroll to the Option "Send MIDI Ctrl". Select the Panel you want to edit/view (A or B) and press the red STORE button.
Voilá!
Remark: To change the values on the screen (I don't see the point but still), move the knobs, or click ON the LEDs (not the switches but the LEDs themselves!!)



A NS2 version would take more time and a guy with a NS2 to do some editing so for the moment this is Classic/EX only. Moreover, given the Classic/EX does not have the SHIFT+Dial feature to view a value of a knob without changing it, this editor is IMHO more useful for those. Plus, the panel I found is not a photo but design, which is only available for rev A. The Synth Panel is a photo, does not match perfectly...



Cheers,

Johannes

[Frantz]

I did not imagine that usage of the "patch editor ctrl" tool : tutorial making, for learning what button does what. We can see what's done on the sound we hear. I like the video very much

[alexp]

^+1 If they go touchscreen we might as well buy a Triton (or a Kronos)

[mon8169]

Hi Johannes,

the standalone version doesn't work on my pc, it says it isn't a valid win32 application. Anyone else? What could be the probem?

Ramon

[Johannes]

Hi Ramon,
hmm, no idea why. I just completely reinstalled Win64 and it works out of the box. Maybe you have 32bit?? WOuld have to check which version to use. Maybe the one I created only works on x64.
EDIT: I just checked that Ctrlr is now one version for both bit versions, no more distinction, not sure what that measne or where the problem comes from. But could you just try downloading the original exe file and see if it runs?? (http://ctrlr.org/ctrlr/download.php?os=win&type=stable).
If not, please could you tell me your Windows version plus whether you have x64 or x68? So I could check with the developer of Ctrlr (atom). Thanks!

[mon8169]

yes, I have a 32bit version.... yes, I have the ctrlr installed and the panel works fine there, I'll try to create the standalone version myself.

thanks!

Ramon

[Johannes]

Hi,
I just updated Ctrlr and created a 32 version (see the same link where now you can select which version you want. HOpe it works but glad you got it working anyhow.
Ctrlr is actively developed so it changes quite rapidly. In fact, I asked for a couple of things that might be needed to polish the Panel - will see how it goes!

[mon8169]

You are quick!!

Great!, it works beautiful!!

Many thanks!

Ramon

[dchristian44]

This is terrific work. I have been looking for something like this for quite awhile. I'm trying to use the 32-bit version and getting stuck though. The problem is that my midi device is not showing up. In the instructions in these posts it says "Setup your MIDI interface using the "Devices" Button, followed by "Select your MIDI in and ouput device and channel in the Tool bar drop down menus."

However, I don't see a "Devices" button -- ?