Hold keys via sustain pedal - wish for feature

[Michael1]

Here a short update due to my status in developing the hardware midi hold box. The prototype is completed and works without any delay for two 61 key manuals. It currently includes a complete mapping for the NordC2d including all drawbar sets and optional functions. I will post again when I am ready to deliver the hardware.

For all people who are interested feel free to Private Message me and ask any questions/requests.

Michael

[Valpurgis]

Definitely very interested in your midi hold box. Have some questions:

Will the box be powered via midi from connected controller or/and will it be powered by battery or external psu?

Will it hold/delay all incoming notes on all midi channels when receiving sustain/hold on a specific midi channel, or will it delay only notes on the same midi channel as the received sustain/hold controller change? If playing a chord on the lower manual it would be natural for me to hold this chord but if simultanously playing solo lines on the upper manual this should not be held.

Will the midi controller change number for sustain/hold be fixed or configurable?

Really hope you will realize this project as the HX3 expander as it is now is parked at home instead of substituting the Hammond SK1 as I planned. I think the HX3 sounds clearly better but it does not fit my needs without the hold feature.

[Michael1]

Hi,

-We have an external power solution at the moment via usb, power adapter with 9V/5V so you are also able to use a battery if you want to.
-Currently the box is configured for the Hx3 model to hold Upper and Lower Manual. In my custom solution for the C2D I have included to turn it off or on via other CC commands which are in the prototype state not customizable.
-All midi commands that do not match the Hx3 profile will be forwarded unchanged.
-We have already designed a solution to connect the midi controller directly to the Hx3 mainboard. But this is still in design state and not even tested yet. Then the 5V supply from the Hx3 pu can be used.
-We try to offer a custom firmware for some extra money so everyone is able to use this solution for all keyboards and special requests.

Michael

[Christian]

Hi everybody, this is my first contribution to the forum. So I have to introduce myself. My name is Christian and I have been team playing with Carsten for many years. Currently I am working part-time with his company KeyboardPartner.

I am here to announce that the HX3 MIDI expander will support MIDI CC #64 (Hold) as well as MIDI CC #66 (Sostenuto) in the future. We expect to implement this feature in the next major revision. So there will be no need for an external box, I believe. Michael1, thank you for your commitment. I really do hope you did not invest much time and money in developing a Hold box. Sorry about announcing this so late.

Christian
KeyboardPartner

[drawbar12]

That is good news, Christian. Does "major revision" mean hardware changes to the board, or is hold/sostenuto possibe to implement via firmware update?

In other words, does this development include existing HX3 modules?

[Gast]

Firmware only.

Christian
KeyboardPartner

[Valpurgis]

Agree, very good news. However I feel a bit sorry for Michael who have put efforts in an external solution based upon the feedback from the forum moderator. Look forward to the firmware update!

[Valpurgis]

Holy Grail !!

Just installed the betaversion 3.85 which implements sustain/hold and it works great so far! Very impressed by Carsten who has made this change and I love how it works. Just tested it with my Nord Stage 2 and the sustain definite is channel associated, meaning that it works pr midi channel so it is possible to sustain which of the manuals you prefer (upper/lower or both).

Thanks again, love this update.

(there is something going on when switching the leslie simulator from fast to slow which makes the unit sound a bit out of tune for a couple of seconds after going to slow, however this is hopefully something that can be fixed before the final version)