GM Arts
Fractal Fanatic
IMHO, the MFC-101 has a fantastic implementation for a version 1.00 firmware. I’m on the waiting list, and the only thing I’ll really miss is something I’ve found invaluable on my own foot-controller: a BACK function.
Simply, it goes back to the previous patch (optionally with IA selections). It’s handy for short lead breaks and indispensible for toggling between 2 sounds (you know, those songs with a short lick at the end of every line). The BACK footswitch toggles between the last 2 patches used. Here are some examples, and further below, a suggestion of how I think it could work well in the MFC-101.
EXAMPLES
A simple example first, let’s say you make these selections in order:
- Patch #1
- Patch #5
- Patch #2
- Patch #3
- BACK goes back to Patch #2 (the previous patch used before the current patch #3)
- BACK goes back to Patch #3 (the previous patch used before the current patch #2)
- BACK goes back to Patch #2 (the previous patch used before the current patch #3)
Note how repeated use of BACK toggles between the last 2 patches used, it doesn’t go back through patch history.
Now something more interesting. Let’s say you have the IA backtrack option ON as well as PC (patch) backtracking:
- Patch #2
- Chorus ON
- Delay ON
- Tap / Tap (to set tap tempo)
- Patch #3
- BACK goes back to Patch #2 with Chorus and Delay ON as well as tap tempo set
- BACK goes back to Patch #3
With IA backtracking on, the previous patch is recalled with any IA changes you’ve made!
And one final example of even more power, again with the IA backtrack option ON as well as PC (patch) backtracking. Also with options set so that a second press of the current patch recalls the saved patch:
- Patch #2
- Chorus ON
- Delay ON
- Tap / Tap (to set tap tempo)
- Patch #2 (reverts to saved patch: turns Chorus and Delay off, resets tap tempo)
- BACK goes back to Patch #2 with Chorus and Delay ON as well as tap tempo set
- BACK goes back to Patch #2 with Chorus and Delay OFF and tap tempo reset
This example shows how repeated use of BACK can toggle between a raw patch and the same patch with IA changes.
IMPLEMENTATION IN MFC-101
Here’s an idea on how it could be implemented. There needs to be 2 config options: PC backtracking off/on and IA backtracking off/on. If PC backtracking is off, then the MFC-101 works as it does now, end of story.
With PC backtracking on, the EDIT button is used for back tracking. Edit functions are still available by holding down EDIT for 2 seconds (maybe configurable?) BACK really needs a dedicated footswitch, because re-pressing the current patch already has other functions (resetting the current patch or optionally recalling the global patch).
The CC backtracking option simply sends CC messages for any of the previous patch’s IA states that do not match the initial/saved state. All of this is ridiculously easy to program: When changing patches either by PATCH or BACK footswitch, the current patch and IA states and tap tempo are saved. The BACK footswitch swaps current and saved settings.
I’m not sure how the MFC-101 displays the current patch, but my implementation flashes the current patch LED if it’s not from the current bank (due to BACK being pressed, or after choosing another bank).
Simply, it goes back to the previous patch (optionally with IA selections). It’s handy for short lead breaks and indispensible for toggling between 2 sounds (you know, those songs with a short lick at the end of every line). The BACK footswitch toggles between the last 2 patches used. Here are some examples, and further below, a suggestion of how I think it could work well in the MFC-101.
EXAMPLES
A simple example first, let’s say you make these selections in order:
- Patch #1
- Patch #5
- Patch #2
- Patch #3
- BACK goes back to Patch #2 (the previous patch used before the current patch #3)
- BACK goes back to Patch #3 (the previous patch used before the current patch #2)
- BACK goes back to Patch #2 (the previous patch used before the current patch #3)
Note how repeated use of BACK toggles between the last 2 patches used, it doesn’t go back through patch history.
Now something more interesting. Let’s say you have the IA backtrack option ON as well as PC (patch) backtracking:
- Patch #2
- Chorus ON
- Delay ON
- Tap / Tap (to set tap tempo)
- Patch #3
- BACK goes back to Patch #2 with Chorus and Delay ON as well as tap tempo set
- BACK goes back to Patch #3
With IA backtracking on, the previous patch is recalled with any IA changes you’ve made!
And one final example of even more power, again with the IA backtrack option ON as well as PC (patch) backtracking. Also with options set so that a second press of the current patch recalls the saved patch:
- Patch #2
- Chorus ON
- Delay ON
- Tap / Tap (to set tap tempo)
- Patch #2 (reverts to saved patch: turns Chorus and Delay off, resets tap tempo)
- BACK goes back to Patch #2 with Chorus and Delay ON as well as tap tempo set
- BACK goes back to Patch #2 with Chorus and Delay OFF and tap tempo reset
This example shows how repeated use of BACK can toggle between a raw patch and the same patch with IA changes.
IMPLEMENTATION IN MFC-101
Here’s an idea on how it could be implemented. There needs to be 2 config options: PC backtracking off/on and IA backtracking off/on. If PC backtracking is off, then the MFC-101 works as it does now, end of story.
With PC backtracking on, the EDIT button is used for back tracking. Edit functions are still available by holding down EDIT for 2 seconds (maybe configurable?) BACK really needs a dedicated footswitch, because re-pressing the current patch already has other functions (resetting the current patch or optionally recalling the global patch).
The CC backtracking option simply sends CC messages for any of the previous patch’s IA states that do not match the initial/saved state. All of this is ridiculously easy to program: When changing patches either by PATCH or BACK footswitch, the current patch and IA states and tap tempo are saved. The BACK footswitch swaps current and saved settings.
I’m not sure how the MFC-101 displays the current patch, but my implementation flashes the current patch LED if it’s not from the current bank (due to BACK being pressed, or after choosing another bank).