#552

Has anyone used a USB splitter of some kind to toggle a grid between a computer and norns? I’m basically wondering if there’s something comparable to a Switch just not for eurorack.

Also: has anyone messed around using a KMI Softstep 2 with norns? I was thinking of getting one for some foot-controlled cheat codes action

#553

i saw someone else recommend this usb switch https://plugable.com/products/usb3-switch2/

i grabbed one to use for switching my grid between norns and ansible, seems to work so far but i haven’t had it for too long.

3 Likes
#554

@anxietymachine I’ll have to pick up one of the Plugable switches!

A while ago I tried this sort of thing with a Sabrent sharing switch (USB-SW20), which I do not recommend: It appears to leak voltage between both connected hosts. Pulled the circuit board out, and yep: It only switches the data lines. The 5V power lines are all tied together. No expert here, but that seems like a recipe for an expensive disaster.

@grs I have an oft-neglected SoftStep2 in the closet. Anything I could try out for you? I like its concept better than its actual use. Props to KMI, though, I managed to rip the USB connector right off the PCB and wanted to repair it myself, and they sent me the repair manual with tips on alternative patch points since I had lifted off some pads in the process.

2 Likes
#555

another thought, it might be worth getting a ground loop adapter so that you power the grid with a steady source, and just use the switch for the data lines. I have one of those adapters on the way currently.

1 Like
#556

Hmm, good point, that takes care of the grid’s power needs.

But the problem with the Sabrent one is that the two computers are still sharing voltage between each other in a way that doesn’t seem healthy – am I overthinking it? Seems weird for a USB device (the switch) to be sending +5v power upstream to the host on the same lines that the host is trying to send +5v power downstream to the device.

Anyways… don’t want to derail this thread!

1 Like
#557

@anxietymachine thanks for the suggestion. Sounds like a good call with the ground loop adapter.

@Philternaut thanks for the heads up with the Sabrent one! It’s a concern I have too and wouldn’t be savvy enough to pop it open and check out the PCB.

For the softstep I was mainly thinking about using it with a midi fighter twister and grid for a cheat codes2 performance setup. For example triggering recording while playing keys/guitar and maybe some mapping for the delay sends. I have wondered how usable the pressure/direction control actually is but in theory i like the idea of using pressure to control delay parameters. I won’t ask you to do a cheat codes SS mapping test haha but in general have you ever used it with Norns?

2 Likes
#558

I find it pretty fiddly to get anything smooth and precise out of it without some work in the SS editor and setting bounds in whatever you’re mapping it to. I 3D printed off some plates to go over the outside pads to give myself some more surface area.

The advanced editor has several pad modes for dealing with cases such as increment and decrement, resting state values, etc.

For toggles or whammying on the pressure sensor it’s fine. Suffers on softer carpets. Not much typical mechanical feedback, but that’s just how KMI equipment tends to be.

X-Y control: Depends on your shoes, honestly. The top row pads are raised more, so they’re better targets for that.

Cheat Codes: Set your delay value bounds and it could be fun! For giggles I tried that out. Full range pads mapped to rate etc = wild sweeps and difficult to keep things tame, but yes, fun!

I wasn’t able to figure out a good way to punch in/out for recording to buffers, which might be because of the mapping options in CC2’s Params. Looking at the manual section for the OP-Z it does seem like that is hooked up somewhere for midi control but I couldn’t figure it out. As a workaround, maybe set a SoftStep pad to Toggle mode, which then sets the recording overdub amount?

Hope those are some of the impressions you were looking for!

2 Likes
#559

correct! but changing this is actually the focus of next week’s update :slight_smile:
I’m going to basically mirror every major grid action in a “MIDI triggers” section of the parameters, so you’ll be able to map your footswitches and button boxes to nearly everything that has a grid key! :sparkles:

9 Likes
#560

Thanks so much for all this info, very insightful! Don’t want to derail this thread so I PMd you about the 3D printed pad idea :slight_smile:

@dan_derks Very exciting and perfect timing!

2 Likes
#561

Edit to say to say this is specifically about clocking
Does anyone have suggestions for a minimal device for getting a gate signal out of Norns USB midi without using crow or another euro module? (I have crow btw)(and apologies because my use of midi to date has been limited) .
I am trying to make a minimal live setup with Norns Cheat Codes, and Lorre Mill Double Knot.
I’ve tried this https://www.tindie.com/products/valpower/arpsync-plexy-usb/
It does snot seem to work with the Double Knot or Eurorack even through a pre amp. It shows up as a midi device in norns through. The same maker has a USD to cv/gate device which I am checking also passes clock on although I expect due to the simplicity this is not the case.
Any suggestions or feedback welcome.

1 Like
#562

Mutable Instruments CV Pal: although you can mount it in a rack you can also just use it stand-alone, it doesn’t require any power from a Eurorack system and is instead just powered via USB. I think there is a template for an acrylic bottom plate out there, for using it standalone.

5 Likes
#563

there’s also kenton usb solo. it’s a little expensive, but all their products are very well built and super reliable. it also gives you a little more than you’re asking for (clock, gate, cv, built in synced lfos etc all configurable).

1 Like
#564

I’m thinking of trying one of these out one day, but for a session was recording yesterday I used a Volca as a quick and dirty way of converting Norns midi clock to a sync pulse for a 0-Ctrl, which worked OK as a hack.

1 Like
#565

Whatever multitimbral synth. Blofeld Is an example. You could also find some used 90s synth (PCM) on ebay which would work also.

1 Like
#567

nice, will check it out. thank you!

#568

rad didn’t know you planned on CV :smiley:

1 Like
#569

I have a Norns Shield (complete with RPi etc) arriving imminently. I see a lot of videos where people are using Grids to control them and the workflow looks excellent. I don’t have a Grid (yet) but I do have a few Launchpad Minis. Can I use those with Norns in a somewhat similar fashion for the time being? Is anyone doing so?

EDIT: I had searched before I posted but have since found some interesting information in the Norns: alternative grids thread.

1 Like
#570

I had been looking at a bunch of pedal preamps for guitar/bass (and occasional mic) -> norns and a Pettyjohn Lift mkii came up really cheap (relative to new, which is too much for me). high quality analog build, hi/low cut, 30db clean boost at 9v (can use up to 15v to open it up even more), and option to mix in harmonic drive/mild dirt. really impressed so far.

#571

Hopefully everything over in the thread should sort you out with the Launchpad Minis (Mk 3s in my case) as a grid, which I have been using happily with many scripts for a few months now. There may be some configuration tweaks for the minis required to match particular use cases (it’s been a while since I set mine up) such as midi device names to be aware of, and feel free to ask for assistance if you need it.

Norns is amazing, and even with a limited form of grid it becomes so much more playable.

1 Like
#572

Brilliant - thank you! I absolutely can’t wait for my Norns to arrive. The vast majority of videos I’ve seen show it paired with a Grid of some sort so I figured that it was pretty essential to have something of that nature to access some of the playability of the scripts.

This might be a very obvious question but does it sync with other MIDI devices (will it accept MIDI clock, for example?)?