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Hi John,
What is the status on the midi ports on the base station pro?

- Is the hardware side complete?
- Is the firmware in the base station complete?
- Is it just the EigenD code missing?

I noticed there is code in EigenD (commented out), is this something I could work in?
Im getting quite into EigenDs code base these days, so feel comfortable, that if the effort lies in this area I could probably complete this.

However, if its firmware then of course I will not be able to do anything, as I dont have source code.
If this is the case - How much do you think it would take (money) to get the firmware completed? Perhaps If we as a community could raise this we could pay (or contribute) to this? would Eigenlabs be willing to do this?
Once the firmware was complete, again id be willing to do or to contribute to the EigenD side.

Thoughts?

Base station pro owners
- Would you be willing to contribute towards this feature?
it may be a 'significant' contribution, it may have be a 'payable' feature....
I do NOT want a debate on this, this is not 'it should be there already feature'... it WILL NOT happen, unless we can fund it! (also its too early to discuss the form this should take)
The funding is only for eigenlabs (and any sub contractors required) for firmware side, Im willing to undertake eigenD side.

Thanks
Mark Harris

Hi Mark

I've just had a chat with Jim about the MIDI ports and apparently there is a version of the firmware that has the necessary serial logic in. This is not the currently installed version, but is thought to work. This would need to be compiled from the VHDL and tried, then the EigenD end finished to allow a virtual MIDI port to be exposed on the host computer.

If you are serious about writing the host end, we'll have a go at compiling that version of the VHDL. It's some work (we had a toolchain issue the last time it was attempted and gave up due to lack of time), and please bear in mind that it's not guaranteed to work as it's never got as far as proper testing, but you might have some fun giving it a go. And I'm sure that all the Alpha owners out there would appreciate it.

The feature was originally intended to support the use of hardware MIDI footpedals and pedalboards btw, a function for which I think it would still be handy.

@Mike - I'll check the status of the extension feature, I have no idea what state that's in.

John

Thanks, John

Your use case for the MIDI ports makes a lot of sense. This would be particularly true with the BSPro at the far end of the long cable

I'm still in time to add my 2 cent here (was one of the few users "sad" that this feature was missing)
- EigenD total integration
Putting EigenD in the front row receiving and sending MIDI with "nothing" in between be it hardware or software; and it would allow a clean cabling inside everyone's racks ;-) (BSPro to sound modules rack e.g.)

I'm always available to help "Eigenworld" within my humble capabilities.

António

excellent, that sounds like good news all round.

im familiar with base_loader for loading the firmware ( I was looking at that at the same time as alpha_loader, hence my alpha_loader upgrade question ... to move to 1.7)
Im also familiar with ezq,ezload etc, and the runtime ihx file (not sure what you call it :o) ) ... so if I need to use a new version of that, I also know how to handle that.

totally understand the 'bricking' issue etc, but as you've tested it on your boxes, thats ok... I assume it has the usually firmware 2 phase load and commit, and checksum safety measures.
so im fine with this.

have you tested the back out, i.e. reloading old firmware, just in case as you say, there is bug somwhere else in code.

Im still learning with the alpha, so worst case shipping back would not cause a big problem - though Id miss not having it around to practice on :o)

thanks again, will be nice to help move things on.