(10-15-2021, 02:53 PM)XORadmin Wrote: Just for your information:
The Expanders are now available again in the shop!

Also, the stable Firmware V1.25 has just been released. The Manual is updated (including keyboard shortcuts).

(06-30-2021, 08:40 PM)XORadmin Wrote: As I am short before the new firmware release which adds the 'More Video-IO' expander functionality, I'd like to share all possible pre-information about it.

First lets start with the specifications:
- 6 HP width (42cm/1.64"deep)
- HDMI (regular Type A connection) and composite video output
- USB Host for PC Keyboard
- NerdSEQ screen clone to bigger screens
- PC Keyboard with mapping for the authentic
  Tracker feeling
- Expander uses fixed NSA slot 4
- Available in black, grey or black/grey
- Power: ~60mA (+12V) 0mA (-12V) 0mA (5V)
  (without USB or HDMI connected)
- NSA and Midi Ports daisy chained so multiple
  expanders can be used
- Possible Firmware updates through the NerdSEQ

About the functionality. For the video output it can clone the NerdSEQ screen perfectly on either the HDMI or the composite output (note, it is either HMDI or composite, not both at the same time).
I also added some visual capabilities but these are very experimental and unfinished at the current stage. I plan to work on that, but the only guaranteed video function is the video cloning. (You can check the latest firmware release video from V1.24 which I actually made with these experimental functions (except for the text)).

The USB Host input can be used with a PC/Computer Keyboard. It is not working with USB-Midi keyboards currently. For this the much more advanced USB-Midi Expander is currently in development (and already in production).
The Keyboard Layout is as the following:

ENTER = OK
Right ALT = Stop
Tilde = edit on/off.   with shift: record on/off
Tab = toggle automator screens, toggle to functions in CV16 columns
Cursor Keys and Shift =  Same as with NerdSEQ
Caps Lock = fills in Note off where possible

Keyboard letters = 2 Octaves Keyboard input just like with Renoise or old trackers:
https://tutorials.renoise.com/wiki/Playi...r_Keyboard
Difference:
Space is only start (or with shift) behaviour like NerdSEQ on board start
Right ALT is the stop key, (or with shift) behaviour like NerdSEQ on board stop

When edit is off, then only play mode. When edit is on, then fill in of notes (or triggers) in note column or values wherever possible.

CTRL+C  =  Toggle Mark Mode
CTRL+V  =  Copy/Paste

Delete = Same as SHIFT+delete on NerdSEQ (including Page UP/Down)
Backspace : remove pattern line and shift up
Insert : insert empty pattern line and shift down

Number block 0 .. 9 = Self assignable functions (Not implemented yet)

F1..F12 = Change to screens

F1 SEQUENCER_SCREEN
F2 PATTERN_SCREEN
F3 PATCH_SCREEN
F4 TABLE_SCREEN
F5 CURRENT_VALUES_SCREEN
F6 AUTOMATE_SCREEN
F7 ENVELOPE_SCREEN
F8 TRACK_SETUP_SCREEN
F9 RANDOM RANGES
F10 PROJECT_SCREEN
F11 RECORD_SCREEN
F12 NERD MENU

Shift F1 TRACK_ASSIGN_SCREEN
...
Shift F5 Load Project
Shift F6 Save Project
Shift F7 Load Sample
...
Shift F9 CALIBRATE
Shift F10 GAMEPAD MAPPING
Shift F11 USER INTERFACE
Shift F12 SETUP_SCREEN

Left CTRL F1..F8 = MUTE/UNMUTE Track 1..8
Left ALT F1..F8 = SOLO/UNSOLO Track 1..8

Print Screen = Load Project
Scroll Lock = Save Project
Pause = Load Sample

+ and - on num block = Increase / decrease BPM

Home =  Keyboard octave +1
End =  Keyboard octave -1 

I also got some gamepads running with the USB-Host port, but some don't run well. I will provide support and information for the working ones (and these include some nice cheap ones) in a future update.

The Video functions will be enabled with the new coming NerdSEQ firmware which also adds some nice unrelated functions.
The new release candidate which enables the video functions can be downloaded from this thread:
https://xor-electronics.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=1147

The expander is now avaliable and in stock in the webshop.
It will also appear in other shops in the next days.

The expander is being shipped with 2 ribbon cables, one for the NSA port and one for the Midi port. Both are daisy chained and other NSA (port 1-3) can be used next to one of the Midi expanders. The Midi port is needed for the USB Keyboard support and possible firmware updates. It doesn't interfere with regular midi data.

(03-21-2022, 10:08 AM)durwin Wrote: Heya, how do you see the experimental visuals on the HDMI screen; I can only see the clone even after I enter some patterns in the video dedicated track? They also currently don't have FX columns activated, is that correct?

Cheers!

(03-21-2022, 10:11 AM)XORadmin Wrote:

(03-21-2022, 10:08 AM)durwin Wrote: Heya, how do you see the experimental visuals on the HDMI screen; I can only see the clone even after I enter some patterns in the video dedicated track? They also currently don't have FX columns activated, is that correct?

Cheers!

One command is to set from clone to visuals.

No FX columns, no copy paste etc...just simple editing somehow. Far from being finished but still already some nice effects possible.

(03-26-2022, 11:56 AM)eddhy Wrote:

(03-21-2022, 10:11 AM)XORadmin Wrote:

(03-21-2022, 10:08 AM)durwin Wrote: Heya, how do you see the experimental visuals on the HDMI screen; I can only see the clone even after I enter some patterns in the video dedicated track? They also currently don't have FX columns activated, is that correct?

Cheers!

One command is to set from clone to visuals.

No FX columns, no copy paste etc...just simple editing somehow. Far from being finished but still already some nice effects possible.

Hey Thomas,

allthough the visual-stuff is very experimental, I love it.
The visual output works great as a live input to erogenous tones 'structure'.


Its not a must have, but probably the greatest nice to have in the world for me: copy and paste in the visual lines... makes programming strobo-effects faster 

Keep up the good work!!

video pass: nerdseq

(03-26-2022, 03:40 PM)XORadmin Wrote:

(03-26-2022, 11:56 AM)eddhy Wrote:

(03-21-2022, 10:11 AM)XORadmin Wrote:

(03-21-2022, 10:08 AM)durwin Wrote: Heya, how do you see the experimental visuals on the HDMI screen; I can only see the clone even after I enter some patterns in the video dedicated track? They also currently don't have FX columns activated, is that correct?

Cheers!

One command is to set from clone to visuals.

No FX columns, no copy paste etc...just simple editing somehow. Far from being finished but still already some nice effects possible.

Hey Thomas,

allthough the visual-stuff is very experimental, I love it.
The visual output works great as a live input to erogenous tones 'structure'.


Its not a must have, but probably the greatest nice to have in the world for me: copy and paste in the visual lines... makes programming strobo-effects faster 

Keep up the good work!!

video pass: nerdseq

Oh nice!! I can’t wait to see it. The video is not active yet, right? It stays in ‘publication busy’ mode.

About copy+paste. I think what I can do it to allow some basic copy+paste for the next version but not more. I surely want to continue working on it but first the upcoming expanders and firmware. Maybe some small additions in between.