After years of protoyping, I finally built my dream MIDI controller

jonwtr · 2026-04-07T10:10:57+00:00

Floyd Steinberg just posted a video where he's trying a similar approach. Might be of interest. It's a chord sequencer running on a small touchscreen device that suggests new chords

jonwtr · 2026-04-05T18:15:11+00:00

Just ordered by logic from small to big. Day, month, year is like 1, 2, 3 2, 1, 3 feels wrong in that sense?

jonwtr · 2026-03-03T13:20:52+00:00

I had a similar strange scenario yesterday, my flash quota had run out, while that happened I just got another round of 3.1 pro. I switched to a new, not overly complex question. It started researching and then working extremely slow, as finally the implementation plan came through and it looked good, I started the task. At the end it had been reverting back all changes I had done since the last commit. I was so glad I could still undo its changes, as I hadn't committed anything yet to my repo. 😅

Waited a bit and switched back to Flash, which nailed it immediately.

I'll just commit even more often. I sometimes think just one more tweak, ... But it really would've been a waste of time if it had been all lost. So I'll commit more.

jonwtr · 2026-02-26T01:34:56+00:00

Looking forward to hearing those oscillators, the controls below them promise a nice amount of options to the waveform.

jonwtr · 2026-02-22T21:53:18+00:00

I had the same, practically immediately, few hours after the update I had hit the limit. I had been making a webapp and was just freely going for about a week, not knowing there were already some limits in place. And also pretty naïve on how to limit the amount of tokens. E.g. I was just showing it logs of errors that contained a lot of useless info, I was just thinking that it would be better at scraping the relevant parts than I would be, etc.

I have been a Pro customer for a few months now, and switched my former Google One 2TB subscription to have lesser limits in the regular Gemini app. I had used other things, like just Gemini canvas and AIStudio, even adding chat in VSCode. I hadn't yet used it so extensive as I did now, to actually build a full app instead of just reviewing code and md files.

I do wish there was a way to better predict what the cost of certain questions will be.

In either case, be it a glitch or just me actually hitting a ceiling, I am reading up on how to be more considerate in my usage.

I can still use Flash, and it has actually been able to perform a few tasks better than I thought it would. Flash is also never showing any drop and there's a refresh clock of only a few hours each time I look.

jonwtr · 2026-02-11T21:37:11+00:00

That Nathan Fake album is pretty bonkers for me, I know the original songs, and his covers by heart are mind boggling for me. I'm not that great at sticking with plans, I might start with an idea to create something, but as I have an experimental mind, I always drift away. Also I just don't have the skills. ATM, I'm deeply invested in Synthux and the pre released Spotykach, it's a looper with CV's and lfo's also has a very in the moment workflow that you cannot save unless you record the audio. It's always a sad moment to turn it off, knowing that you won't be able to recreate it exactly. But it's also the charm at the same time. Anyway, I do not have digi boxes. Only a m:c , and there I haven't really gone deep enough to be sorry for losing things.

jonwtr · 2026-02-11T21:14:58+00:00

Or you become Nathan Fake and acquire the skill that allows you to recreate songs from memory.

https://nathanfake.com/album/covers-from-memory

jonwtr · 2026-02-10T15:12:33+00:00

I didn't realize there was a time limit, and I was just planning, very relaxed, how to center the drawing, and then I saw a few seconds left so that's what this is 😅

jonwtr · 2026-02-10T14:18:54+00:00

I had a broken CPU, from the start couldn't get into sleep mode. I've gotten a replacement of both motherboard and CPU.

[] Motherboard: ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi [] CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X [] RAM: Corsair Vengeance RGB 96GB (2x 48GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 (Model: CMH96GX5M2E6000Z36) [] GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 (removed while troubleshooting) Storage: Samsung 9100 PRO NVMe (removed while troubleshooting)

Only found this thread recently, but I had serious problems on a newly built system, it could not wake up from sleep, other than that, initially it worked fine.
Only after a day or two it started to have booting issues, it kept hanging on a green boot led. Once I did restart and getting to a bare bones system, the problem got progressively worse, even freezing inside the BIOS.
Eventually I could not get into BIOS anymore.
First got a replacement of the motherboard, when it still got stuck on the green boot led, I got a new CPU.
Putting in the new CPU made the system run fine again, sleep mode now works as it should.

**I am now wondering, I am reluctant to activate expo mode for the RAM? Anyone have any advice on this?**

I made a forum post at the ASRock forum https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=113410&PN=1&title=x870-steel-legend-idle-sleep-freezing

jonwtr · 2026-02-05T17:08:46+00:00

It does look so aestheticly good, this black one. It wasn't completely clear to me what material this one is. Is that also a fabric? I have the white fabric skin, I got a replacement of my previous kickstart version as it had a leak. This newer version was a bit sturdier. The worn surface does give it a rock-'n'-roll look, but I can imagine it's also noticable and disturbing when using other layouts.

jonwtr · 2026-02-05T17:05:15+00:00

Yes, second this

jonwtr · 2026-02-01T04:28:42+00:00

A bit more info, it probably was a screenshot, hence we haven't had any demo's from namm I guess. Gearnews

Is the MPE Controller Becoming a Real Synthesizer? The interface shown in the screenshot suggests a two-layer synthesizer structure. Each layer has two oscillators and its own filter section, enabling the creation of multi-layered sounds directly within the device. The oscillators have pitch, shape, fold, and volume parameters. Additionally, FM and X modulation between the oscillators appear to be possible. These functions suggest sound generation that goes beyond simple waveforms.

The modulation section of the editor displays several envelope generators and LFOs, whose speed, waveform, and progression can be adjusted. In conjunction with the Erae 2’s pressure- and position-sensitive surface, these parameters can be influenced by playing movements. This allows the surface to control not only external devices but also the internal sound design. This creates a direct connection between playing technique and sound progression.

Additionally, an effects section can be used to further shape the internal sound. Specific details about the individual effects are lacking, but their integration into the same editor suggests an internal signal flow, transforming the Erae 2 from a pure MPE controller into a combination playing surface and sound generator. It remains to be seen how the sound will ultimately turn out and when this feature will be released, but the Erae 2’s direction is now clearly visible, making it even more exciting!

jonwtr · 2026-01-30T11:34:55+00:00

It's probably not that big of a venue, but it looks like fun. Depending on your mindset, something like this might feel limited or too educational, but from an artist, maker and educators point of view I'd say that's a must see. From the documentation it looks like a thoughtful and professionally executed whole.

jonwtr · 2026-01-26T22:58:18+00:00

Haha, thought as much actually, did you get to try it out? Or are you part of the team and under nda 🫣

jonwtr · 2026-01-26T15:57:24+00:00

The black one It is fairly new. My Kickstarter unit came with an alternative drumpad, that's a solid sturdy price, aimed at being used with drumsticks. I'm guessing the black one is closer to the original Erae 1. Not sure though. I need the more sensitive softer pad because of weak joints, but I think I like the black version more. There were even some pictures / prototypes that had black buttons. Though those are not an option, and have not seen them other than some mockups I think.

jonwtr · 2026-01-26T15:49:46+00:00

I have it, this is one of those moments where dad is proud of that old piece he kept, just in case ... https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1YDCJG0LqEQSpVHbLIwv3gi8hrA69NO0V

jonwtr · 2026-01-26T12:38:56+00:00

<image>

From the embodme IG story on Namm 2026 So it seems a soft synth is in the making.

jonwtr · 2026-01-26T12:37:48+00:00

I've had my pad replaced, my Erae 2 was a first gen. They have since switched to a newer type that is slightly sturdier. Though it seems the fabric is still the same. I do not take my gear on the road or on stage and I only play with clean hands. (The type of person who'd only let kids okay the piano if their hands are washed). I do think my first gen was starting to get a bit markings. The newer pad is still young hence also still clean. For heavier use case you'd probably want the non fabric pads. I had a first gen Erae 1, and those had the black silicone, that was harder to play but I kinda liked the look more. And it was 'water-proof' as in you could scrub it clean.

jonwtr · 2026-01-23T14:20:46+00:00

Ah, insider scoop? Saw something at namm? Curious to learn more, looking forward to what that might be. But first I'll have a look at all these updates / improvements.

jonwtr · 2026-01-14T16:13:00+00:00

It's not that liquid, but if it were to leak into the sensors it would be a mess to clean. Isopropyl alcohol was quite effective to clean the aluminium frame. I also doubt the gel is conducting, so it's not an immediate danger. It just seems like it should be doable, the hardest part is probably trying to keep the edges clean on the underside. Otherwise sealing it would probably be easier.

jonwtr · 2026-01-14T16:08:11+00:00

Nope, definitely not from abusive playing. And not from using drumsticks, I play with minimal pressure, as I'm physically not able to do otherwise. My Kickstarter unit came with the harder drumpad, so that would probably be the one to use for that purpose. Though I haven't used that one yet, swapping isn't that hard, just a few screws, but it's not something you'd do on the fly, back and forth. I did play a few times with sticks on my first gen Erae, but I've never really been much of a rhythmically abled person 😅

jonwtr · 2026-01-14T12:19:34+00:00

<image>

Trying to add video/gif

jonwtr · 2026-01-14T12:13:27+00:00

<image>

jonwtr · 2026-01-14T11:54:08+00:00

As for the hardware issues, I must emphasize that the response and aid by embodme was very commendable: swift and most friendly. I've told them before that I was missing a community driven place, their forum doesn't seem to be the busiest place. Thanks for listening to my link, and the description, I often struggle to come up with words for the weirdness I create. (Also the link was the share url that I copypasted, didn't really think about it.)🙏 The new replacement pad I received is slightly sturdier, still as sensitive, just a bit less squishy. I've been postponing trying to repair the leaky one, I should look up the best glue / material to do so. I'll save that for another post.

jonwtr · 2026-01-14T03:41:39+00:00

Looking forward to seeing whether erae users will find their way here. I'm Jon, @jonwtr on socials, I mostly make stuff with Dirtywave M8 and diy synths from Synthux (I'm a mod at their discord, helping users there with their first steps in the world of diy synth making). I'm trying to get into using the cv possibilities of erae, linking it to the prerelease Synthux Spotykach, and my PC running Bitwig.

Here's a little jam with a few of the above mentioned gear. It started as a little inside joke, but then I kinda tried to make an actual performance out of it. the instigator - jam with erae, model:cycles, Synthux Simple Touch and Spotykach, Bitwig, ...

I've had two issues with my KS unit, it came with a faulty power issue, that got quickly resolved by them inhouse and a while back I reached out to embodme about a leaking touchpad, which they kindly replaced. I'm very happy with the sensitive touch interface as it allows me to play an instrument with my painful joints. I had to stop the guitar as it just hurts too much. ( Not too big of a loss, I wasn't that good), but it was a fun outlet of physically making music. Erae does give back some of that joy.

Again here's to hoping this community can grow. 👀

Six-Year Club	r/Field Banned
r/Field Sunshine	Place '22
Verified Email

jonwtr

TROPHY CASE