pKing is a MPC/groovebox style interface to Renoise for the Korg padKontrol.
Now, I am aware that (unfortunately) the padKontrol is discontinued, but since this tool was originally written for personal use, and it is the controller I own, it's padKontrol specific. Sorry about that. Note that because it is discontinued, they are fairly inexpensive second hand
The version 2 rewrite has enabled a much more consistent interface and the addition of many more features.
With pKing you can perform many actions directly from the padKontrol hardware, including:
Selecting / inserting / cloning / deleting and clearing of tracks / note columns / patterns / instruments / samples
Note editing of note and volume / panning / delay columns
Inserting / deleting rows
Assigning and modifying sample maps
Modifying sample parameters (e.g. volume, panning, nna, transpose, fine tune)
Tap tempo functionality
Basic mixer functionality
Pattern track matrix slot mutes
Automatic mapping of pads to sample slices
Sample slicing
Sample autochop
Demonstration Videos
Since words cannot easily explain the workflow with this tool I have created some quick demo videos of version 2 during the alpha and beta testing stages. Apologies for the jerky editing, I had to hold the camera with one hand while using the padKontrol with the other.
Version 2.x alpha quick demo:
Version 2.x Jackson beat demo:
Recreating the "Catacombs" beat:
Download
Download the tool and the extensive manual and quick reference from the pKing tools page.
Acknowledgements
This would not have been possible without the following people:
Jenoki and Dread from #renoise who tested the alpha versions of pKing 2.
Bantai for writing the Tempo Tap tool from which I added tap tempo functionality.
Spoiler
This information relates to version 1 which has been superceeded by version 2 on the tools page.
With a (little bit of) fanfare, I present my latest tool: pKing
Introduction
pKing is a MPC/groovebox style interface to Renoise for the Korg padKontrol.
Now, I am aware that (unfortunately) the padKontrol is discontinued, but since this tool was originally written for personal use, and it is the controller I own, it's padKontrol specific. Sorry about that. Note that because it is discontinued, they are fairly inexpensive second hand
If anyone wishes to take this code and port it for a different controller, feel free to do so.
The pKing tool takes control over all aspects of the padKontrol device and provides dedicated buttons (with led feedback) for various options within Renoise. There are currently two completed operating 'modes' - 'Pattern Edit' and 'Song Sequencer / Mixer'. A third mode - Instrument Edit - is currently in progress.
Some of the notable features include:
Dedicated buttons for actions with led feedback.
Input prompts for parameters with accept and cancel options.
Realtime note entry via the pads.
Automagic pad mapping to banks of individual slices for sliced samples.
Simplified edit position display (bar, beat, subbeat).
Simplified record quantize display (in note terms - e.g. 1/4, 1/8, 1/8 triplets etc).
Tutorial / Demonstration Videos
Since words cannot easily explain the workflow with this tool I have created three quick 'tutorial' videos for the pKing tool. Apologies for the jerky editing, I had to hold the camera with one hand while using the padKontrol with the other.
Version 2.x alpha quick demo:
Version 2.x Jackson beat demo:
Pattern Edit Mode (version 1.x):
Song Sequencer / Mixer Mode (version 1.x):
Instrument Editor Mode (work in progress, version 1.x):
Step Sequencer Mode (new for 0.6, version 1.x):
Installation / Setup
Once installed, you will need to modify both the Renoise midi inputs and set up the pKing preferences as follows:
The padKontrol has three midi input ports and two output ports.
By default, the midi is transmitted on input port #2. When pKing starts, it remaps midi input to the port #3. Thus, you will need to modify Renoise's midi input settings.
pKing uses the second port as the control port. Thus, in the pKing preferences, you need to select padKontrol port #2 for both input and output ports. Additionally, in the pKing preferences you can toggle the illuminating of pads during note entry.
The pKing preferences, start and stop commands are in the Tools -> pKing menu.
On Windows the settings should be as follows:
Renoise midi input from padKontrol (non pKing): padKontrol PORT A
Renoise midi input from padKontrol (with pKing): padKontrol PORT B
pKing control midi input port: padKontrol PORT A
pKing control midi output port: padKontrol CTRL PORT
On Linux, the ports are simply names #1 to #3 so the settings should be as follows:
Renoise midi input from padKontrol (non pKing): padKontrol MIDI 2
Renoise midi input from padKontrol (with pKing): padKontrol MIDI 3
pKing control midi input port: padKontrol MIDI 2
pKing control midi output port: padKontrol MIDI 2
I do not know what the ports are called on Mac OSX, so if someone could provide this information, that would be very helpful.
Downloads
Download version 0.5 beta and quick reference from this post. pKing 2 has been released - download the tool and manual from the tools page.
Further Developments
As mentioned previously, the instrument editor mode is fairly sparse at the moment. Any suggestions for this mode or any other suggestions would be much appreciated. However, since the videos were recorded, sample recorder dialog visibility, sample record start/stop and sample record cancel have been added to the instrument editor mode.
Possible future features:
Slicing of samples
Sample editing (crop, convert, etc.) - this would pend API access to these functions
Track DSP editing
Instrument envelope editing
Musical key based pad mapping (select a root note and a scale)
Step sequencer edit mode - done
Changelog
0.6
Gracefully handle song closing and opening
Step sequencer edit option added to Pattern Edit mode
0.51
LCD displays note names rather than midi note numbers during sample mapping prompts
Gracefully handle missing midi ports on startup
Made live input more responsive by optimised the edit position LCD updates when recording live (updates on change of beat rather than per line when recording and play line follow is enabled)
Fixed a bug of continuously sending pad led data in song sequencer / mixer mode - this has the unfortunate affect of not picking up pattern matrix pattern track mute changes from other sources - I'm looking into a fix
Fixed an off by one bug when removing patterns from the pattern sequence in song sequencer / mix mode
0.5 - First public beta
Many thanks to Jenoki for testing alpha versions of this tool on Windows.
dont have a controller myself right now, but im very interested in groovebox workflow like that you got going here. perhaps it time to get the a pk once again
Guruh Motha Fakka is Levitating and Knows Everything About Renoise Member
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Posted 29 July 2012 - 10:58 AM
infinite knobs rule
by the way mxb: I'm inspired to post my controller code too, so, please don't get mad when a post much like this appears
I also like to know how you made the .pdf, thumbs up
This post has been edited by Cas: 29 July 2012 - 01:03 PM
Yet another new version this morning! Version 0.6 is in the first thread post.
This version fixes some issues with loading/closing of songs, and adds a step sequencer pattern edit mode.
Cas, on 29 July 2012 - 10:58 AM, said:
infinite knobs rule
by the way mxb: I'm inspired to post my controller code too, so, please don't get mad when a post much like this appears
I also like to know how you made the .pdf, thumbs up
Inspiring people is excellent! I won't get mad if you post your tool.
If your tool is for a different controller, then that's excellent. If it's for the same controller, then competition drives progress, also excellent!
Basically, it's a win-win situation.
The pdf is made in a presentation tool (Powerpoint, OpenOffice etc.). I set the image of the controller as the slide background, and drew shapes with text over the top. Then export as pdf.
Hope this helps and look forward to seeing your code soon.
Some issues I have in pking 0.6. I'm using Windows 7 64bit and Renoise 2.8.1
In pking's Edit Mode, the pads will not flash on note entry, but notes will still be entered.
In pking's Mixer Mode, the pads do not mute or unmute channels and pads do not flash. If I manually mute and unmute cells in the pattern matrix, the pad's lights will update after switching tracks.
In pking's Step Sequencer Mode, the pads will not let you enter or disable notes. Sysex works (only to turn off lights on pads from notes which are already directly in renoise entered)
This post has been edited by newb: 30 July 2012 - 08:38 PM
------------------------- CPU AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition 3.4ghz OS Windows 8 Pro 64bit Audio Focusrite Saffire Pro 24
In pking's Step Sequencer Mode, the pads will not let you enter or disable notes. Sysex works (only to turn off lights on pads from notes which are already directly in renoise entered)
confirmed here. I cant turn off the light when pressing the pad, but it has no effect in renoise, and it's lit on again when I switch pages.
Other features seems ok.
I miss an edit step on/off and settings.
Some issues I have in pking 0.6. I'm using Windows 7 64bit and Renoise 2.8.1
In pking's Edit Mode, the pads will not flash on note entry, but notes will still be entered.
In pking's Mixer Mode, the pads do not mute or unmute channels and pads do not flash. If I manually mute and unmute cells in the pattern matrix, the pad's lights will update after switching tracks.
In pking's Step Sequencer Mode, the pads will not let you enter or disable notes. Sysex works (only to turn off lights on pads from notes which are already directly in renoise entered)
Silicon/Silicium, on 03 August 2012 - 06:47 PM, said:
confirmed here. I cant turn off the light when pressing the pad, but it has no effect in renoise, and it's lit on again when I switch pages.
Other features seems ok.
I miss an edit step on/off and settings.
Ok, I have an idea about what the problem is, I'll look into it.
It probabaly makes the most sense to make the edit step the same as the record quantize step (dual purpose rotary).
sup guys. i've discovered this tool via createdigitalmusic.com and interested in pairing my old trusty padkontrol with msi wind u135dx netbook. i've heard about running renoise on atom netbooks, but have no expirience with trackers - so i've got a few questions:
- is my netbook capable of using renoise demo i'm downloading now with this tool? any good experience with this config?
- as i mentioned i'm not familiar with trackers but willing to try renoise. how steep the learning curve is? can my madskillz in fl studio help me learning it quick enough to perform on renoise by the next 6 months?
sup guys. i've discovered this tool via createdigitalmusic.com and interested in pairing my old trusty padkontrol with msi wind u135dx netbook. i've heard about running renoise on atom netbooks, but have no expirience with trackers - so i've got a few questions:
- is my netbook capable of using renoise demo i'm downloading now with this tool? any good experience with this config?
- as i mentioned i'm not familiar with trackers but willing to try renoise. how steep the learning curve is? can my madskillz in fl studio help me learning it quick enough to perform on renoise by the next 6 months?
Hi xero,
Renoise works perfectly fine on a netbook as long as you don't use too many CPU intensive activities. If you use no/limited VST instruments (render to sample is your friend here) and limit use of 'heavy' DSPs such as reverb. Don't expect Renoise to magically fix your machine if it struggles with plugins in FL Studio. The best thing is just to try the demo and see.
Hint: Most of my tools have been written on and for a netbook
As for learning Renoise/trackers. The best way is to load up the tutorial / demo songs which come with Renoise and examine how they achieve certain sounds/effects. For some people, they pick it up quickly, others take longer.
I'm not sure your experience in FL Studio will assist with navigating Renoise, but the general music knowledge should help. It may assist to think of the Renoise pattern as a large step sequencer to start with (the 'toggle switches' in the step sequencer in FL Studio as the individual lines in Renoise).
Hope this helps and if you have any questions either ask in the forum or on IRC.
I'm finding it fun to use, but the original code is fairly spagetti like, so I'm doing a rewrite with what I've learned along the way and also fixing bugs as I go (e.g. pads work fully on Windows now).
Once it's at approximately equivalent feature level, I'll post a beta.
I'm finding it fun to use, but the original code is fairly spagetti like, so I'm doing a rewrite with what I've learned along the way and also fixing bugs as I go (e.g. pads work fully on Windows now).
Once it's at approximately equivalent feature level, I'll post a beta.
Great to hear that! Just joined the forum to let you know how much I enjoy playing with this and making beats right now!!!
Oh and btw:
the midi port names on a mac:
padKONTROL (MIDI IN)
padKONTROL (PORT A)
padKONTROL (PORT
Mr mxb , I was just browsing the wonderful web when I stumbled upon your article in CDM ... well I watched the vid in about 2 minutes jumped on a webstore and purchased a padkontrol HA! love your work feel free to rip any of the code from the MPD tool for tap tempo and slice..
This looks awesome! I might get a PadKontrol to try it out.
Quick question: In Instrument Edit Mode, can you also set the attack and release of a sample? And can you layer them in any way (either by resampling or by assigning one pad to different notes/samples)?
Apart from the bug fixes, pKing 2 has a lot of new features which I'm sure you'll enjoy.
However, there is currently no modification of sample envelopes at this time, as I have tried various implementations and have not found one that 'feels right' and is comfortable to use so far.
Hopefully all the other 100 or so features will make up for it
Once I've written a sensible manual I'll be posting it on the tools pages.
Sound awesome!
I tried to look it up in the manual, but could not find an answer to these questions:
1) Can I layer two, let's say Kicks, by assigning two samples to the same pad?
2) Can I layer two, let's say Kicks, by choosing both and resampling them into one sample?
Sound awesome!
I tried to look it up in the manual, but could not find an answer to these questions:
1) Can I layer two, let's say Kicks, by assigning two samples to the same pad?
2) Can I layer two, let's say Kicks, by choosing both and resampling them into one sample?
pKing only presents a different interface to the native Renoise features, so both of these are possible. However, #2 cannott be performed directly from the controller.
To perform #1 from the controller, load two kick samples into the same instrument. Enter instrument edit mode and perform 'Generate drum kit'. Then select the second sample and use the sample mapping note edit prompt to shift it to overlap with the other sample mapping. Then they will both play at the same time.
Help
