ACSensorizer 0.4
After over two years development, I am very proud to present a freely available DIY-SensorBox that provides more features than any other available device for incredible low costs! The new version of the ACSensorizer can produce harmonized and quantized MIDI-Notes or Controller Messages from connected sensors like infrared distance sensors, pressure pads, ribbon-controllers, breath-pressure-sensors, pots, whatever you can think of…
It provides an auto-calibration helper, patch storage, 20 built-in musical scales and auto-detects incoming MIDI-Clock signals or uses its internal BPM-settings (Auto-Master/Slave).
The main target are sensors delivering not exactly 0 V (min) to 5 V (max), which most sensors don’t do – but for the vast majority of sensorBoxes a full voltage range is required to get a reasonable output. With calibrateable inputs and scale-/restrictable outputs, the ACSensorizer takes the sensory processing one step further. With just a quick turn on an encoder wheel you can restrict the output of the sensor to one octave and have therefore super-fine control of your intuitive hardware while maintaining easy-to-use menus and named patches. I am using the sensorBox for performing live music with my band zeichensprecher and for interactive sonic media installations.
Features v0.4:
– supports up to 8 sensors
– enable/disable single inputs
– assignable MIDI CH and Controller-Number – or – Note_On generation (!)
– built-in harmonizer with 20 scales (minor, major, blues, spanish…) ⇒ harmonizes generated or received (by MIDI!) note-signals
– built-in syncronizer: master/slave mode (autodetect clock input switches to slave) and selectable BPM
– quantizes events: 1/2/3/4/6/8/12/16/24/32/48, selectable per sensor
– adjustable input range by sense-min and sense-max (10bit values, ignore if not matched)
– adjustable output range with “scale from and scale to”
– sense-factor: used for signal interpolation… uses fast bitshifting or complex division depending on value
– AUTO-sense feature: auto-calibration of sensor, detect MIN/MAX and automatically adapts sense-factor!
– invert signal
– pedal modes:
– filter ⇒ only forward if pedal down
– panic ⇒ send panic on release pedal
– combinations of all pedal mode options are possible
– detect release: send 0-value if signal drops below sense-min
– slowdown: slows down the signal and increases the gaps between generated values
– bankstick support: 1 connected bankstick provides 2 banks with 127 patches each
– midi configurable: full configuration possible with NRPN-messages
– Mac OS X Onscreen Config Program and MiniAudicle Setup Script examples included!
– LCD (2×16) with clearly structured menu for sensor-select, prg-select, sensor-config & -settings
– redesigned HUI input to enable better control with less hardware requirements
– for developers: ACSim Console Debugger: code integrated and ready to use configured for XCode2
The ACSensorizer is a C-Application programmed for MBHP/MIOS (midibox hardware platform/midibox operating system), which is a non-commercial (!) PIC microcontroller hardware platform developed by Thorsten Klose, offering an extremely stable and low-latency environment for computer musicians and DIY enthusiasts.
I released all plans, software and building instructions under a GPL license on midibox.org, where you can also find links to shops where to order PCBs and necessary parts. The costs for building the ACSensorizer are approx. 25 to 150 €, depending on configuration and parts qualities. Preburned PICs are available, MIOS and applications like the ACSensorizer can then be transferred by MIDI (SysEx), this way you mustn’t get in touch with IC Programmers which is usually the hardest part. No programming required, just a soldering iron and some hours assembling time.
Download & Links:
· ACSensorizer 0.4 (midibox.org)