Suggestion new module: Pitchstrip

[scheichreisuli]

Hello,

your mouse-sequencer inspired me to the idea of a pitchstrip-module.

Some hardware has a pitchstrip, that provides a range of CV (scale from n to n1). The Arturia Keystep has two of them (pitch and mod).

What about a module in VCV-Rack that provides this functionality?

There should be a selector for the CV-range (CV-controlled knobs or right-click-menu). Clicking on a strip-position, the module provides the entire CV as long as the mouse-button is pressed. Moving the mouse while clicking provides gliding CV-values.

It would be nice to implement the option to connected the module to a midi-controller, where a knob or a slider gets the functionality of the clicked mouse-button (always pressed = on).

Maybe there is a similar module out there in VCV Rack and I have not found it yet. 'Knobs' from Vult is nice, but clicking on a strip-position to get a CV-value is a different experience.

If a similar module already exists, I beg your pardon for this post.

Btw, your collection is very nice. Thank you for this work.

Peace

[docb]

Hi, could you please look at the module CV (dbRackSequencer)? Maybe this does the job, or if not you may tell me what it is needed. Thanks!

[scheichreisuli]

Thank you for mentioning the CV-module. This module is very close to the thing I'm looking for.

The CV-module currently delivers CV-values in noticable steps over 2 octaves, not as continuous as the modules 'Knobs' or '8vert'. And it would be nice to have an input/knob to send/set/modify values for the root-CV-value and the range of the 'glider'. '8vert' offers a root-value-input, the 'Befaco DualAtenuverter' has offsets and ranges, to mention only a few modules with interesting functionalities.

I tried the mentioned modules with the CV-module, I tried envelopes with a special attack and decay to send a smoother (changing) CV-value from the CV-module. I tried Bogaudio's 'SLEW', too, but to be honest, none of my ideas did work well. None of my tries led to a solution that could compare with a hardware-pitch-strip or a knob-functionality.

I have no idea how complex it is to simulate a continuous pitch-strip. So please apologize this suggestion if it means too much work for you.

Have a nice day.

[docb]

Ok i have not recognized that you want to have continuous CV. But what is the difference to a simple fader or slider

In this example there is 10V put in to the slider module which has a slider ranging from 0 to 1. So the resulting CV Range is from 0-10 V. Then there is an Ofs connected. By changing offset and scale the desired output range can be achieved.

[docb]

of course this works also with VCV VCA

[scheichreisuli]

Hi,

yes, that was my first idea, too, using a modulated slider.

BUT

what I have in mind is a little bit different. Moving the slider always gives you gliding CV-values. A a hardware-pitch-strip works a little bit different..

My main synthesizer, a Kurzweil K2500S (a kind of workstation) has a pretty long horizontal pitch-strip. This strip is touch-sensitive. Touching the strip at any position sends the entire pitch and a trigger/gate. This can be used for oscillator-frequency-pitch or any other modulation. The gate is open as long as the strip is touched. This can be changed to a S&H for the gate. The CV-range of the strip can be set. So you can send gliding CV-values (moving the finger while touching the strip) or single CV-values (just touch the strip at any position).

This strip is a wonderful part of the K2500S for modulation. But you can use it as a kind of 'keyboard' like a fretless bass, too.

The idea of the strip is not new. The good old Trautonium fe. already had a similar functionality. It created the sounds of the birds in Hitchcock's 'The Birds'.

Here are some video-links to show you what you can do with the idea of a pitch-strip:

Exploring the 1st Buchla 100 Modular Synthesizer [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiqhM-bNBrY] starting at 32:00

LudoWic - Mixtur Trautonium (exercise #10) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlIS4V_I4BI]

Prison Air Jam on Trautonium [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4kiv3w_ZQE]

Oskar Sala - Live-Concert 1991 - Mixtur-Trautonium [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tQQEChMq1A] (please watch it to the end to see the string)

Replacing the string of the Trautonium by a touch-strip was the thing I have in mind. The CV-module is close to it. And afaik there is no module for VCV Rack that gives you the functionality of a pitch-strip.

Have a nice day.

[docb]

OK that sounds interesting, i will take a look into that and make a suggestion for a new module.

[docb]

here another approach with the XY module, does this fit somehow? If not whats the difference?

https://github.com/docb/dbRackSequencer/assets/1134412/a237e875-67fa-47fa-9aa6-feb00c609c5d