by dsperado
http://www.dsperado.com
Normal version. If you have a Rubicon interface, use the MIDI in disabled version.
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This information file goes along with "baby Hedgehog," a pattern
sequencer for Palm-MIDI applications. If you do not have a MIDI interface
for your Palm Pilot, this software won't be much use. Please visit
http://www.dsperado.com for information about Handheld-music.
This version of "baby Hedgehog" is pure beta and is being released to
gain bug reports and feature input. There will be many bugs.
Please send all comments to hedgehog@dsperado.com
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Why the "Death Synth / dsperado" is so interesting:
Think of all those crazy VST plugins kids write, and how fun they are
to play with. Now think of a board, the size of a deck of cards, that
you can take with you wherever you go, hook a Palm Pilot up to it, and
play with on the train that has all those crazy algorithms in it.
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"baby Hedgehog" is copyright 2000 Brian Whitman / dsperado
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Please visit dsperado: http://www.dsperado.com
Capers {Palm OS music environment} will be an expanded playground for
Hedgehog, Egg Timer, Tractor Pull, Cardinal, Blueberry, and other fine
dsperado applications. It will be available in Fall 2000 and bundled
with the Death Synth as well as being available independently. If you
like Hedgehog, you will love Capers. Believe us.
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Why "baby Hedgehog" is fun:
We like being able to tweak controllers, but it's even better when
those controllers are synced to the beat of the notes. "baby Hedgehog"
is a realized dream for us: to play on stage with just one tool,
controlling everything else in the universe. We use it with:
. The Death Synth (http://www.dsperado.com)
. Reaktor (http://www.native-instruments.de)
. MAX / MSP (http://www.cycling74.com)
. Akai Samplers, Ensoniq synths, Effect processors
We also like "baby Hedgehog's" Math functions (that window in the lower
right) especially Quantify and Markov Mess. Using them realtime is a
blast.
We have been using Hedgehog on stages across New York City for half a
year now and think it's time to let everyone else in on the fun.
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Q: Midi Sync In? I don't have a In port on my MIDI interface?!?
A: Get a better MIDI interface! There are cheap ones linked from
http://www.dsperado.com. Tell your favourite MIDI interface manufacturer
that you need MIDI input. We don't know why they didn't either.
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A Good Book
Richard Powers -- The Gold Bug Variations.
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Q: What's the difference between this and the "full version"?
And what's the "Capers version"?
A: Sorry to confuse. There are eventually three versions of every dsperado
application for the PalmOS. The first is the freely distributable version.
You're using that now. It either (a) might be in beta testing still, or
(b) have less features than the full version. The second version is the
PalmOS version. This is a full featured standalone application, just like
you'd normally use.
The third is the "Capers" version. For more information on "Capers" go
to http://www.dsperado.com/software.html. Capers is a replacement music
platform for PalmOS devices. Capers versions allow you to layer multiple
states of the same application ontop of another and sequence applications.
As far as Hedgehog goes, this is a possibly buggy beta version of the
full "baby Hedgehog," which is slot #2. In the Capers version, there is one
pattern per screen (instead of 12) but you can play multiple patterns at
once. Your call! Oh, yes, in slot #2 version, you can scroll the note grid
up and down to get extra-high and extra-low notes.
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Q: What controller does the Tweak Bar control?
A: The currently selected controller on channel 1.
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Some music to listen to (August 2000):
Hrvatski
The Moles "Untune the Sky"
Zammuto
People Under the Stairs
Matmos
Sugarplastic
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Q: Why does it say "Please Wait" when starting?
A: Hedge is drawing the 12 patterns and setting up everything so
that switching between patterns is as seamless as possible. It will
do this every time you start Hedge after running another application.
It will not do this if you turn your Palm off, then on, or if the
auto-off triggers.
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Something about the Capers API
If you know some C or C++ and want to make your own Palm MIDI applets
without all that timing or serial muss and fuss, the Capers API might
be for you. We have object code that will let you develop your own
MIDI applications with enhanced ease. You have access to a high-
resolution clock (forget that 10ms stuff, hah) and F8 (MIDI Clock) Sync
in and out. All you need is the free gcc compiler for PalmOS (many
platforms) and some spare time.
Contact capers@dsperado.com if this interests you.
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Q: I left a sequence playing and ran off for a weekend in Vermont.
When I got back, my pilot's batteries were dead! Doesn't it turn itself
off?
A: When running a sequence, Hedge turns the Palm into "Zombie Mode." At
this stage, nothing you do to the Palm outside of using Hedgehog matters.
We found it quite annoying to have the Palm turned off in the middle of a
sequence, so the Auto-Timer, as well as the Graffiti section, the Find
button, and power button, are all disabled. To go back to normal, just
stop Hedgehog from running.
Also, please note that the Pilot goes through twice as much battery as
usual when using the serial port. You hotsync-happy folks already know
this. If you're playing a 12 hour rave, please bring extra batteries.
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Other dsperado Palm Applications available now:
Eggtimer - the first handheld MIDI Syncable Arpeggiator (demo version)
Tractor Pull - controller matrix with LFOs (demo version)
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Q: How do I delete controller marks from the controller sequence?
A: Click on the delete note tool (the white block.)