Approaching: norns

Plym · 2018-05-01T14:06:42.358Z

tehn:

norns does not need to be programmed. a collection of scripts will be included and updates will bring new instruments for use with grids or midi or OSC or all by itself.

but changing code is encouraged— we’ve focussed on making this process inviting and intuitive. scripts and engines are edited through a web browser. (1)

I’m so sold on this thing! I’m always eager to try to learn some scripting / programming / coding, but I’ve yet to really get down to it. Maybe if I totally jive with this it’ll be encouragement enough to finally pick up on it. But I’m sure the collection of scripts that are already done and included will be more than enough to justify a instant purchase. It has been said many times now, but a hardware MLR is just to good. And I’m super excited to see how Norns will implement with the modular stuff, especially how it may talk to Ansible and Teletype.

Very impressed with the collective craftsmanship and work behind this thing - kudos to all involved parts!

GoneCaving · 2018-05-01T14:07:59.001Z

My 2c, based on what I’ve read so far…

PeteCT:

So does that mean it’s like an Organelle?

Seems to me that it’s similar.

PeteCT:

Will I have to know what “OSC” means?

Depends if you want to use Open Sound Control messages to control it. If you’re happy using an attached grid, or MIDI device, then no.

PeteCT:

In other words, will we be able to open the box, plug in, dial up something cool, and start making music?

If you’re happy to use the existing stuff and have suitable input devices, then yes.

PeteCT:

Or will I spend 10 hours on lines asking dumb questions while everyone else is posting Supercollider scripts and having a different kind of fun?

Supercollider development isn’t required usless you’re trying to modify the DSP. Lua scripting might be required if you’re trying to change how the DSP responds to inputs.

Jonny · 2018-05-01T14:25:15.290Z

PeteCT:

In other words, will we be able to open the box, plug in, dial up something cool, and start making music? Or will I spend 10 hours on lines asking dumb questions while everyone else is posting Supercollider scripts and having a different kind of fun?

Seems like you’ll be able to load scripts/sounds from others pretty simply. If you want a preset box, this thing would probably not be for you, but it’s too soon to tell I think.

speakerdamage · 2018-05-01T14:26:07.482Z

Minor question that might save my job while I’m using Maiden at work: is there a dark theme?

digitalohm · 2018-05-01T14:26:53.125Z

in my experience so far with supercollider, installation, configuration and updating have caused issues for a lot of people, although I’m comfortable with using ssh to handle these things, what will the configuration and updating procedures look like?

I haven’t tried running it on a embedded device yet, but how many stereo channels can realistically be used within the engine before passing them out to the main 1/4" outputs?

If this had SuperDirt capabilities then I can envision some pretty cool things already, but the problem there is keeping versions updated etc.

dani_derks · 2018-05-01T14:36:34.753Z

tehn:

(3) called maiden

(4) called matron

this is a wonderful detail.

disquiet · 2018-05-01T14:38:24.007Z

tehn:

(5) further testing nesting possibilities

norns is further testing nesting possibilities

equipoise · 2018-05-01T14:43:25.626Z

Skins and themes would be a wonderful, if cosmetic, feature of the UI… I’m sure it’s all CSS anyway, so likely it’s themeable. How easily? Would be up to the CSS layout and dependency tree, but if they use some form of compiled CSS it wouldn’t be too hard to extract the key elements out into a config file and build themes from there.

anon45924993 · 2018-05-01T14:48:41.937Z

You crazy kids and your compiled css.

:old man yells at cloud:

rvense · 2018-05-01T14:51:33.293Z

If it’s web it can be themed, the question is how hard you need to hammer it to do so.

But my guess is “not very”, it’s just a web server running on the thing and we’ve SSH access.

speakerdamage · 2018-05-01T14:58:15.854Z

I was mostly joking - I’ll be able to customize css if need be.

tehn · 2018-05-01T14:59:58.765Z

slipped through the cracks (like so much other detail because there are many) re: OSC. norns is autodiscoverable, ie, by touchOSC. and then you can touch glass and norns will respond.

Leverkusen · 2018-05-01T15:00:28.591Z

dani_derks:

(3) called maiden

(4) called matron

this is a wonderful detail.

Maybe I do not get the linguistic details here but to be honest I am not sure if I find this a wonderful detail. Sounds as if I would have to explain this to someone but couldn’t…

saintcloud:

Livecode in a box might make my modular disappear…

I thought it was Livecoding on a computer with an attached box? Or controlling readymade SC scripts loaded to a screen- and keyboardless computer with a grid instead of connecting the grid to the computer? Maybe I just have to wait until this is fully unveiled. It confuses me.

dani_derks · 2018-05-01T15:06:53.604Z

Approaching: norns Monome

this is a wonderful detail.

Leverkusen:

Maybe I do not get the linguistic details here but to be honest I am not sure if I find this a wonderful detail. Sounds as if I would have to explain this to someone but couldn’t…

For me, I appreciate the flip on the old master/slave language. It’s a prickly linguistic thing in the US. I also appreciate that this terminology is in line with the namesake of norns.

jkbrogan · 2018-05-01T15:07:47.009Z

“tomorrow’s nord micro”

trickyflemming · 2018-05-01T15:15:40.993Z

tehn:

(6) there is capacity for a lot of scripts. you’ll more likely start to fill up the internal storage with the digital tape function (recording output straight to disk!)

Yes! This is the only feature I was holding my breath for. The beauty of the OP-1 and ER-301 is that I can record everything and go back to the computer later.

When we fill up the internal storage, can we also record/transfer to a USB stick attached to norns?

greenanother · 2018-05-01T15:15:43.011Z

Imagine the possibilities with norns>ansible in midi/cv mode!

Leverkusen · 2018-05-01T15:22:58.189Z

dani_derks:

For me, I appreciate the flip on the old master/slave language.

Ah, now I got it.

EDIT: After a bit of thinking I am still not sure if this is the most elegant way to deal with masterhood and male supremacy…but what do I know and it’s certainly your language not mine - how about mistress & servant?

robbbiecloset · 2018-05-01T15:40:32.903Z

I write code for a living and love it. That said, my professional experience has been entirely with dynamic languages (Ruby, Python, Javascript).

When I got back into writing music, I was excited by the possibility of bringing these two worlds together. Coding for hardware though, seemingly done largely with C-based languages (at least in Monome-land), isn’t something I’m well-versed in at the moment.

Could I fumble my way around it & learn over time? Yeah, I’m sure I could.

But, looking at these code examples from today, I’m instantly excited, and confident that I could immediately start playing around.

Only remaining concern: does the web-based editor have a Vim mode

GoneCaving · 2018-05-01T15:42:54.655Z

robbbiecloset:

Only remaining concern: does the web-based editor have a Vim mode

Emacs only for 20 chars of trolling