Friends of norns: gear, accessories, etc

[pfig]

I’ve used a Roland UM-ONE mk2 with no issues. Recently got a midiglue box, and that’s been excellent on the MIDI mangling side of things, not so much when it comes to the firmware, which is a bit buggy (but it’s been receiving steady updates).

[mmml]

Am I correct that the UM-ONE mk2 requires a driver for Mac (compared to the class compliant design of the Mio)? I know Roland does not have the best track record for keeping drivers updated.

[okyeron]

@zebra

have you considered using a uC with two USB ports, instead of gluing together two uCs? (though i certainly appreciate the expediency of the latter)

I was going down the road of still using 2 controllers, but looking at 2 SAMD21 chips (or similar) on a single board instead of bolting on full uCs (though more or less the same as that). The approach there is mostly because I’m comfortable with Arduino and it’s easy for users to re-program, etc.

I’ve not done enough research to see what other chips might have multiple ports.

@zebra

it also seems a pity to use so much horsepower as a simple pipe.

True - but was hoping to add more functionality and configurability, etc.

@zebra

i’ve done some firmware prototyping on a device

I think this may be similar to what @scanner_darkly and I had worked on awhile back and I got stalled on hardware, although maybe not as robust as what you describe.

[pfig]

I seem to recall installing a driver, yep. I’ve been using it for a few OS releases (now on Catalina) without any issues.

[Frederickk]

FWIW I stumbled across your (@okyeron) 2Host work a while back as I was working on my own solution using I2C between 2 ATmega32U4 boards. Work slowed my progress, but if there’s any interest I’ll push out a GitHub repo to share in the next week or so.

[Philternaut]

The FaderFox EC4 has become a great friend of this (DIY fates) norns, particularly now that we can midi map AUDIO Params.

Bonus feature: It handles MIDI DIN in and out so long as you mind your channels/routing modes. I use a TRS cable from EC4 to another FaderFox for basic host-to-host midi connections.

[encephalitislethargi]

what’s that keyboad? i just realized that no bluetooth keyboards excludes usb dongles. trying to get one that will fit on my desk without feeling like an ipad keyboard

[GoneCaving]

There are two modes. TAB is class compliant, COMP requires a driver.

[Philternaut]

It’s an older iPazzPort mini keyboard; it’s… OK… ‘cheap & cheerful’ with a spongy ‘keybed’ and useless laser pointer but it’s about 5 years old and still serves its function.You can maybe see its wireless receiver nub at the top-right of the fates/norns. Plug in and go.

This looks like the closest ‘modern’ version by iPazzPort.
The Rii X1 2.4G looks almost identical.

[encephalitislethargi]

nice, i was actually about to order a similar one two days ago but the delivery was delayed until the end of april. looks like the same thing applies to these. i guess prime shipping means nothing in a global pandemic. thanks for the recc

[swhic]

I want to connect a USB midi controller (Faderfox) to control two Norns. Possible ?

[Philternaut]

Can you get a cheap 1 in/1 out USB-MIDI adapter, like the ones discussed recently above? The FaderFox should be sending the same messages out to both the USB port and the MIDI out port.

Faderfox USB >> Norns A
Faderfox MIDI Out >> MIDI IN on the USB adapter >> Norns B

(edit to add: This is for 4th generation FaderFox units; Gen 3 only has USB, gen 1 and 2 only have MIDI DIN)

[JaggedNZ]

I’ve got some AtMega32U4’s on hand that I plan to make a USB-Midi dongle from. Would be interested to see your code…

[kveye]

Anyone tried their Norns or Norns Shiled with Novation Launch Control or Arturia Beatstep?
Can Norns successfully power them over USB? I’m looking to expand my control options for Norns shiled and looking into readily acessible options since overseas delivery are kinda no go right now.

[jasper_ryder]

I’ve plugged a beatstep pro into Norns and it did work fine. Power wasn’t an issue.

[encephalitislethargi]

the fates powers my nanokontrol and launchpad pro no problem

[MaxMyriad]

A shoutout to an old friend and perfect norns companion - the novation SLmkii series controllers. They’re great controllers (if a tad bulky) and secretly a MIDI interface. I had been using them for years and meticulously made templates for different gear but just realized last night if I attach norns via USB then not only does norns get access to faders, pots, encoders, buttons (and a fatar keybed on the keyed versions), but it also equips norns with bidirectional DIN midi! Now it’s super easy to clock and sequence norns, or have norns sequence other gear.

I’ve got the zero key and 61 key version and bought each for 100$ or less as they’re not the sexy new thing anymore.

[Quru]

Novation seems to pack a bunch of handy stuff in their affordable gear. I held onto my Ultranova for several years just because it was usb-powered and had audiointerface built in, it was just so simple to plug-in a single cable into a laptop and have both audio out and a controller.

[encephalitislethargi]

wow, i should have looked for one of these before going with the nanokontrol2. nice one

[okyeron]

3d printed USB/HID dual footswitch with a little library to map the HID codes to norns buttons.

Here controlling Pools

denki oto

The footswitch is based on this guide from adafruit. I’ve just added a second switch and wired it into the same Trinket M0 microcontroller. The Trinket can do 4 switches, so maybe a larger one is next?