Using SamplerBox

Introduction

SamplerBox has two system modes available which is determined by the SYSTEM_MODE option in config.ini.

System mode 1	config.ini: SYSTEM_MODE = 1 A more advanced system that allows the user to: manage the order of their sample-sets (setlist mode) manage variables defined in a sample-set’s definition.txt map MIDI controls to various playback and system functions manage system settings by modifying the config.ini
System mode 2	config.ini: SYSTEM_MODE = 2 A simpler system that relies on the user preparing sample-sets and config.ini on a computer. Some functions available.

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System mode 1

Displaying current preset ‘3 Mello+Sawtooth’ which has 2 voices available. The next preset is ‘4 Korg Little Bits’. The ‘S’ indicates samples are still loading in the background

A menu system has been implemented to access:

• Setlist functions
• Edit Definitions
• Auto Chords
• MIDI Mapping
• System Settings
• Invert Sustain
• Reboot System

In the menu system

Warning

This feature assumes you have a HD44780 LCD module wired to your Raspberry Pi, or you have purchased an official SamplerBox Player. You may need to manually define the GPIO pins it is connected to in your config.ini file.

Setlist functions

SamplerBox can manage your sample-sets by using a setlist. On startup new folders will be detected and appended to the end of the setlist. Using the menu system you can rearrange your sample-sets.

Edit Definitions

You can manage the global behaviour keywords of a sample-set’s definition.txt file from the menu system. These include %%gain, %%mode, %%velmode, %%release, %%transpose, %%pitchbend, and %%fillnotes. More information about global behaviour keywords can be found here.

Auto Chords

SamplerBox has the ability to play chords types based on the notes you play and (optionally) in a specified key.

Chord Mode

Mode	Description
MAJ scale chords	Will play chords based on a specified major key.
MIN scale chords	Will play chords based on a specified minor key.
All MAJ chords	All notes will trigger a major chord based on its root note.
All MIN chords	All notes will trigger a minor chord based on its root note.

Root Key

Allows you to select a key to base your chords on. Only works with chord modes MAJ scale chords and `MIN scale chords.

MIDI Mapping

Function to map	Description
Master volume	Map any control, ideally a fader or pot, to affect the SamplerBox’s master volume.
Voices	Map any control to each of the 4 voices.
Pitch bend	Map any control to the pitch bending function. Useful if your keyboard doesn’t have a pitch wheel.
Sustain	Map any control to the pedal sustain function. Useful if your keyboard doesn’t have a sustain pedal input.
Panic key	Map a key to kill all sounds.
SamplerBox Navigation	Map MIDI controls to each of the 4 navigation buttons (left, right, enter and cancel). Mapping a control to one of these functions will not override any other controls mapped to the same function, thus allowing multiple mappings.
Reverb	Map any control, ideally a potentiometer, to any of the 5 reverb parameters. Room size, damp, wet, dry, and width.

System Settings

Some system settings can be modified from this menu. Changing these options will save their values to the config.ini and be read again upon a restart.

Option	Description
Audio device	Select default audio device to use every time (if it can be found).
Max polyphony	Range: 1-128. The maximum number of samples that can be played simultaneously.
MIDI channel	Range: 0-16. 0 = all channels.
Sample rate	Options: 44100, 48000. Choose a sample rate compatible with your audio device and sample-sets. 44100 is usually safe.
Reverb	Experimental. Options: ON/OFF (requires reboot).
Set RAM limit	Set the amount of RAM the system can use for samples. For example, a setting of 95% will see SamplerBox attempt to load as many presets into memory. A setting of 5% will likely only allow for one preset at a time to be loaded into memory.

Invert Sustain

Invert the polarity of your sustain pedal if it is functioning in the opposite way of what is expected.

Reboot System

Reboot the system from the menu – safer than powering off and on again.

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System mode 2

This system mode was developed in a way that assumes the user has prepared their sample-sets and configured the config.ini file correctly on their PC before usage with a SamplerBox.

Note

This system mode was developed by Hans Hommersom. Some more detailed information and instructions can be found on his site here.

Warning

This feature assumes you have a HD44780 LCD module wired to your Raspberry Pi. You will need to manually define the GPIO pins it is connected to in the config.ini file.

Setup

Three buttons (up, down and function) must be defined in the config.ini. They may be GPIO buttons and/or MIDI controls.

GPIO buttons. Red=+ Black=function Blue=-

Usage

Physical buttons for manual control

The box has three buttons: a function select button and two +/- buttons. The select button walks through the available functions with the second display line showing this until a MIDI message needing the display is received. Then the underlined letter will show on the right of the second line preceded by an asterix (*).

Implemented functions (some can be disabled via the local config parameters):

Function	Description
Program/patch/preset	Range = 1-128 This is the default and the second display line will just show the actual selected patch.
Volume	Range = 0-100 (%) This controls the ALSA mixer = output volume. The actual volume is shown as a percentage on the first display line. Boot-up volume is set in the script.
MIDI channel	Range = 1-16 Changes the channel listened to, default = 11.
Transpose	Range = -99 to +99 Changes the pitch/speed (thus also the length of any loops) in semitones. The actual transpose value is shown in the last value on the first display line.
Specials	For reprogramming presets and controllers: + Button = Renew USB will force reload of the current patch. - Button = Midi mute stops the box from listening to MIDI signals. Pressing this or any other key will unmute.
Chords	Empty or chord name Empty is single note (“normal play”), others are defined in Chords definitions in the local config. Currently 15 chords are implemented.

Control via the MIDI controller

Your midi controller device may be capable of sending midi controls via buttons, levers or wheels. These may be customizable, otherwise you may have to adapt the SamplerBox script to fit to your controller.

This SamplerBox is configured to recognize next control change messages:

MIDI message	Description
Message 12	Program change Changes preset = sample folder. In the default implementation the MIDI values (0-15) are translated to human program numbers (1-12). Depending on your controller’s implementation you can change this with the local config to get it aligned.
Message 14	Pitch bend (wheel / joystick / knob) Pitch bend depth can be configured from 1 to 12 semitones via the local config globally and per sample set via the definition.txt. Future enhancement include an extra continuous controller for this as well.
Message 11	Continuous controller messages: Controller 7: Volume slider/knob. The LSB (controller 39) is ignored. Controller 64: Sustain pedal Controller 80: General purpose, now used for selecting voices Controller 81: General purpose, now used for selecting chords Controller 120/123: “All sounds off”/”all notes off” Both will stop playing sounds/samples and pending sustains. Panic button usually sends such messages.

Loaded loop set without selecting further specials

Selected a major-7 chord and voice#2 in the set “3 Voices”

SamplerBox Player (beta)

[Information about the official PCB]