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pitchblender

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pitchblender
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  • Cable/setup for new "USB MIDI Host functionality"

    When you find the right Peli case, please post it here!

    Got an old Peli 1090 without lining which I'm lining with thin camping mat foam and mounting a KMI Quneo in the lid, once this new firmware is out and it all works with minimal external bloat-tech. The Deluge already fits well with a little foam protecting it but I don't need the many inches of foam around it like standard Pelis.

    According to the www data here are the dimensions;
    DELUGE: 305 x 208 x 46 mm
    PELI 1090: 381 x 287 x 49 mm

    so there's room for a powerpack / USB hub / junction box or whatever at the side.
    It is tight, and the main rotaries do click down when I close the Peli, but it's the best I can do for the size/weight/cash and as long as I don't chuck it off a bridge it's good for my purposes.

    I have also used a USB MIDI host box with the deluge's MIDI sockets but it's a bit big and might need another case with extra controllers/kit if I can't do what I want with a standalone Deluge/Quneo box. The Quneo is virtually indestructible and very thin, and can have 12 banks of MIDI control presets (easily switchable too), with 3 or 4 variables per quasi-slider/knob (note, pressure & CC, with X & Y on the pads) so it's pretty expressive but needs lots of practice to get the fullest out of it. Maybe stick an iPad in the lid for plugin pleasure, or even an old iphone...

    I also have a few other MIDI controllers I'm going to test with USB hub; Korg nanoKontrol especially for mixer levels, a couple of Faderfoxes for synth sound design, ROLI blocks for...er... TBC! I wish MPE were implemented too. All of my kit is secondhand too and the only reason I could afford a Deluge was my govt giving me tax back on 2 jobs...

    Hope this helps

    Cheers

  • Cable/setup for new "USB MIDI Host functionality"

    A future suggestion to avoid the USB adapter sticking out like a wobbly 'please knock me and lose your data or short the Deluge or damage the thing' afterthought - buy a short right-angle USB male A to female A extension cable (plus the mentioned adapter) so everything is compact and secure at the back of the Deluge. I'm using a common right angled male USB A to male USB B for charging and as a bonus it also protects the on/off switch from accidentally being switched off!
    Can't find a cable though with the required ends on it yet, if one exists at all...
    I'm probably going to velcro the adapter to the side of the Deluge (if I can find a cable short enough) or even splice a cable together from old broken ones once I know what the score is with v3.x.
    You could also get the more common USB A male to B male cable and use a female to female USB B adapter on the B end of that...
    All theoretical so far, but I want to fit my D into a Peli case with minimal extraneous dongle hassle...

  • New owner :- any advice?

    Hi, I got mine used and the audio stopping working after a couple of months. Over 2 years in a cupboard (skint!), then later I got it repaired but only discovered that it wasn't working 100% when wanting to use the built-in microphone, which didn't work. The repairer offere re-repair for free but I've yet to send it back again as I'm still skint. Yes, really skint.

    I'd recommend immediately testing all pads, knobs etc. by just messing around with it, and also testing all audio outputs/inputs and CV ports. Do this as soon as you get it as you'll definitely get lost in creativity and might overlook a problem which you'll bump into much later, after the return window has closed.

    It'll probably be overwhelming at first (obviously depending on your own mojo, experience and what you want it to do) as it's such a complex little beasty, but tutorials like RSKT's on YT are great and I've found keyword search in the PDF manual very helpful.

    Also, check the firmware and update if not the latest, or install the latest stable Community Firmware if you like, but you can't swap projects between these firmwares 100% so choose one and stick to it before getting serious with it. I have 2x SD cards with each firmware & projects separate, but I mainly use the Community Firmware, it really is amazing.

    I also replaced the battery with a higher capacity 18650 vape battery, and got a decksaver and MyVolts 9V centre-negative ripcord with USB powerbank, for USB MIDI and extended sessions away from mains power. Don't get your power polarity wrong!

    And lastly don't forget the clumsy USB-B to USB-A adapter for USB MIDI, which sticks out and imo is a total weakspot for wobbling and knocking. I got a right (or left, I can't remember)-angled adapter/extender cable to avoid that and it works great without risk of being knocked and loosening the socket/solder. Make sure it's the correct angle as USB MIDI only works when you have the Deluge plugged in to the 9-12V power.

    Hope this helps, and may it bring many hours of aural pleasure!

  • Power supply recommendations

    I recently tried using powered USB hub with Deluge connected to MyVolts 9V 1A centre-negative USB cable/adapter and I had problems with USB MIDI, even using a powered USB hub. I switched to an old 12V 3A centre-positive AC/DC PSU with polarity-switching cable adapter and it works fine. Maybe a current-draw issue?

    But then I also ended up getting the tiny Retrokits RK-006 USB/TRS MIDI hub and if you plug the Deluge USB into a USB hub (I used a standard shielded right-angled USB-B plug to USB-A plug cable) attached to the RK-006 instead, USB MIDI works a treat. I tried a 10x socket powered USB hub and every device attached to the hub was sending/receiving USB MIDI just fine, and the Deluge did not need extra power into the barrel DC socket, but was still charging off the USB hub. One less cable/PSU to worry about.
    The same RK-006 also leaves me with another 2x MIDI TRS INs and 10x MIDI TRS OUTs, so it's a powerful little device for the money. Even has latency compensation for each MIDI device, but you do need to plug it in to computer or phone to access settings.
    Pity it's not built in to the Deluge!