Re: [xwax-devel] External control?

[Marc DM <ma...@fr...>]

On Wed, 2011-07-06 at 14:40 +0200, ewan colsell wrote:

> I'm looking for a way of controling xwax with a custom hardware controler.
> 
> Is there any way of sending messages to xwax? Via a pipe, python, midi,osc etc

via timecode :)


> 
> Or should i just make my controler emulate a usb keyboard?
> 
> My plan is this:
> I want t use xwax with one real deck, two xwax decks, and a two channel mixer.
> basicly all i need is a button to switch vinyl control between decks
> one and two, with an indicator light to show me which deck i have
> connected.
> 
> I could easily add a few more buttons to do things like loading songs
> into players
> 
> Ive got a few arduinos and switches lying arround, so i could put
> something together on a rainy afternoon.
>  I'll probably use the VUSB library to emulate a keyboard.
> 
> in search of an ultra lowtech solution i already tried joy2key with a
> game controler, but xwax  doesent receive the key events.
> 
> Any ideas?
> 
> Ewan.
> 


The thing is, xwax was designed to work with timecode; vinyl and cd. So,
to keep it light, there is no code in there that allows it to take a
control signal from something other than timecode audio.

However, if you could create an audio signal generator, then the sounds
u generate could be used as a timecode to make it go (or stop, loop
etc).  The other problem here is that when you specify an audio
interface to xwax (on the command line) it uses it as both input and
output. So, we'd have to modify the code so it can take input from 1
interface and send output to another. 

I think the best option would be to create the code to allow xwax to
accept MIDI input. That way we could make use of the Traktor and Serato
Itch control surfaces sold by ppl like Pioneer, Denon and Numark. AND
your project would be easier. 

How hard would that be? We could treat the midi control section as
another "timecode" with an external file to define the mappings.

What do you think Mark Hills?

I'll try to take a look at it when I get some time in another 3 or so
weeks. 

---
Marc DM
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