016 I added a Footswitch and a Midi Controller to SDR Console. Is it any good?
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- čas přidán 10. 09. 2024
- Using SDR software on a PC has a lot of advantages, like the big screen. But it has a significant disadvantage: It must be operated with the keyboard and the mouse. Today we will change that and add a footswitch and a Midi console to the SDR Console. Now we can feel like a disk jockey when we operate. But is it worth the effort?
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Usually the capacitive sensor plate on the decks is there to disambiguate two kinds of inputs. So when you put your finger on the top, it stops the playback and you can scratch or cue; if you just jog the wheel from the rim, you nudge the playback just a little to keep two playing decks in sync manually, that's the bend. So there are simply two different MIDI events for whether you activate the capacitive sensor or not, and you can just map both so it works in gloves!
Also "Vinyl" button usually turns off the touch sensor and just makes the whole jog wheel operate as if it was operated from the rim. In many controllers, it's fully implemented in firmware, so not only is the status of the button relayed via MIDI, but it also changes the control messages for the jog wheel correspondingly, but i can't say whether they do this on this one. There is yet a third control for when the Shift button is pressed.
You can use MIDI-Ox to discover the MIDI events that the controller sends so you can adjust or make your own mapping. Oh wait i can just look into Mixxx mappings for the controller. So scratch control is 0x0A and the bend control is 0x09. Either is sent as MIDI CC so command is 0xB and the channel corresponds to the deck, so the left deck should be 0xB1 and the right being 0xB2.
A lot of good info. Thank you. I have to have a look at this MIDI thing…
@@HB9BLA Yeah basically every standard MIDI event is 3 bytes, excluding SysEx which are messages, not events, and aren't used for controller mappings. Command byte, parameter 1 byte, parameter 2 byte. Command byte consists of two nibbles, high nibble is command type, such as CC = Control Change or Continuous Control, used for potentiometers and such, is command type 0xB. The low nibble is MIDI channel, there's a total of 16. Channel 0x0 (usually called channel 1 in most software) is used for most asymmetrical inputs/outputs and the crossfader on this one, channel 0x1 (usually called Channel 2) is used for left deck, 0x2 (usually called Channel 3) for right deck, then a few more channels fit events that didn't fit elsewhere logically. Then the next byte, parameter 1, is the CC number, like 0x0A or 0x09 in this example, Then the last byte, parameter 2, is the actual value, limited to 7 bits, so 0x7F is the maximum value and 0x40 is the neutral value when there is no input.
Disco got to love it.
:-)
A DJ rig for communications... great ingenuity !
Indeed!
I use both the footswitch and the midi controller. I like it a lot and it allows me to control SDR console in the background while the focus remains on my logging program. So I don't need to jump between applications when working on QO-100.
That is a good argument for the midi console!
I like that DJ controller for the radio, seems much more natural than using the mouse. I’d just ask the writers of the software if they know if it’s possible to keep the specific frequency in the middle of the waterfall. As you say, it’s probably just an config file change.
It is for sure not complicated. Maybe I create a feature request…
Learned something new about the serial port, thanks Andreas!
I think the solution here is definitely in the software. We just need to have SDR software support MIDI natively.
Someone with the right programming skills could probably knock this out in a few hours.
It is indeed a disappointment that it doesn't work better but I think if we check back in a few months or years this problem will be solved.
SDR console supports MIDI. We just have to map the right elements. Unfortunately, I have no MIDI know how.
@@HB9BLA this dj MIDI controller device was made for a software program called Serato. In Serato there is a feature called "MIDI learn" .
With midi learn you click on the button or slider you want to control, inthe software, and then you move the physical button or slider that you want to map on the control surface. It senses the moving slider and maps it automatically.
This is the kind of MIDI mapping that the SDR software needs to support out of the box.
@@dustinmcdermont699 That would be nice. But maybe MIDI is not so much in the focus of an SDR developer as it is for a Serato developer...
I have used a Behringer controller for several years, I as yourself, found it to be a bit clunky. I recently bought a used Elad FDM DUO which came with a TM2 USB Tuning system (TMATE) which is a USB accessory. Simon has done a great job integrating it into the console. I replaced the Behringer MIDI box with it. It is a bit pricey about twice as much a new MIDI controller. Send Simon Brown a note, if you would come up with a USB CW keyer protocol, I am sure he would get it implemented, he has always been very receptive to practical additions! tom, N3LLL
I also looked at the Elad but also found it pricey... For the moment I try to get my midi console better integrated.
I am sure Simon knows about the CW need. Maybe it is already on his list. But maybe I will ask him.
I'm using cheap DJ console DJ2GO2 with quisk and pihpsdr. It is really useful and very useful on contests when you have to react quickly.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I thought it is more valuable in contesting. With the QO-100 things are much slower...
Why not just use the pedal's normal cable and phone plug, and just wire a phone jack to the 232 connector?
(Edit: I just realized I'd do it that way because I also use the pedal on a synthesizer, etc).
These cheap pedals do not come with a cable…
I set up my Stream Deck for WebSDR's, it makes using WebSDR's a mostly 1 handed task. Girly confident I could do the same with other non-Web based SDR's such as the Excalibur or even SDRsharp. It doesn't have to be Using a Stream Deck, I have 4 other Programmable keyboards that can be used including 2 different models previously used for retail use.
Using a Stream Deck makes life easier as it becomes a one hand task to do more than 85% of tasks with one hand. If I need a variable tuning dial I can use those cheap USB volume controls you can find on eBay for £24-25 as these are Atmel based and contain a secret menu that lets you re:purpose them or if you wish you can reprogram completely using Arduino IDE because they are an Arduino in all but name.
These keyboards are all HID hardware, so they are set up to run keyboard macros, hit hotkeys, known shortcuts and other normal multikey functions in one key instead of several.
I have other profiles set up for other tasks including 3D printing and design, web development, video editing and anything else I feel like being lazy with 😂
These stream desks are good tools. As far as I understand more for scenarios where you need switches. Here we want mainly knobs which makes the things a little more complex.
@@HB9BLA this is true, for knobs as I said I can supplement then with USB volume controls frequently found on eBay. These are effectively Arduinos with a broad use code that has a secret menu to enable extra functions, as these are HID devices they are easily modified and reprogrammed if needed. The boards have serial pins and these are enabled and have so many uses not just as volume controls.
(I speak of them being almost Arduino devices, they use the same Atmel chips, not sure about the bootloader, but I do not believe they have locked them based upon the contents of the secret menu. The secret menu is accessed (from menu) by opening a text editor, plugging in while holding the knob down, the instructions and a long list of functions you can use are printed to the text editor as fully formatted, plain text. Even if you don't need one they are worth buying and playing with.
@@dennis8196 I have such a button. I have to have a look at it. Thank you!
I really enjoy your videos.
Thank you!
Is it worth it the difference between the price of the original Adalm Pluto vs the Pluto+?
73 from Spain
The difference is smaller now. And I needed the Ethernet connection. It never worked for me on the original.
@@HB9BLA I could never get my Pluto+ to work. I think it must be faulty as sometimes it will run the F5OEO code and other times it won't even respond to DFU mode :-(
@@dogastus I did not change the software.
I made my own SDR software for raspberry pi and use a Contour Shuttle express, this works quite well, think this also works with SDR Console. I had a DJ console also but it did not work. An other solution I use is a ESP32 and an optical encoder. I have connected the ESP to the USB bus of the raspberry PI. I now plan to connect also a keyer to the ESP32. The sdr software already is able to decode CW quite well. Maybe it saves me learning CW :)
I own a Contour but I use it for video editing. It is for sure smaller that the midi console... I did not know it is able to decode CW. Maybe because I can do it myself ;-)
You are a hero if you are able to program your own SDR software! I assume you have to have a lot of know-how for such a task.
@@HB9BLA The contour is for remote controle, CW decoding is done by raspberry pi :). But It would be nice to have a look at radioberry a SDR HAT for raspberry pi. Supports both receive and transmit. I wanted to implement a classic tranciever, a box on the table so to say. Made a small demo of it czcams.com/video/ycU_IUmV8j4/video.html 73 PA0PHH
Hi, I recognized the same issue as you did, the touch sensitive Wheel (or Pad on top) destroyed the proper VFO control. I found a simple solution e.g. for Thetis. I store the midimap file (export in Thetis) and manual overwrite the Midi ID. In my case it was Id8 and I could change the frequency by tipping on the pad..... I changed it to Id10 (the wheel) and the store/reload the midi mapping. Now it run smooth and as it should be (only point => it still require my finger on the wheelpad). Hope that helps and could prevent to sell that nice device. vy 73
Thank you for the tip!
Andreas you also get ready build midi footswitch? I think you do not need to edit the xml file. I it not possible to assign the midi function to the program function? Midi is not so a complicate protocol to add you morse to the software
The XML file keeps the information on the mapping of the midi messages to the SDR console commands. A midi switch should be easy with an Arduino Micro. But not needed here.
Interesting and sorry it didn't fully work out. Unfortunately I'm on a steep learning curve here and don't have a solution for you.
I also do not have the needed know-how. Maybe I contact Massimo…
Haha, I expected it to be a joke. But looks like an ergonomic and useful interface! 😎
It looks like, but needs considerable tweaking…
Would it not be much easier to use a cheap USB foot pedal that look exactly the same as yours, and bind the pedal to a key combination that triggers the sending in the software. Instead of soldering the switch to some usb-modem interface and using the CTS level?
This is a Maker channel ;-) Anyway, SDR console expects this signal and I do not know if it also offers a keyboard shortcut.
I considered the midi deck but went with a shuttleexpresss from Contour. I programmed one of the buttons for TX. Early days but I think it is a keeper. Only problem is the SDR Console window must be active for it to work. On the Mac I use keyboard maestro scripts to activate the window when I press a button.
The Contour is also a good alternative. I am not sure if it supports frequency changes and dials. It seems that the SDR console supports Midi for those operations.
@@HB9BLA It does, I use it with SDR Console. It emulates the mouse scroll wheel.
I've been thinking about a DJ console for HF listening. I do miss the physical knobs of a hardware radio.
There are solutions for typical radios available. Not cheap, though.
Good day. I came across your video while doing a search for MIDI info, pertaining to the use with SDR Console. The days are getting short, Nov.13-2022, so more time is spent indoors! Time to build stuff!LOL! One project I've been wanting to do, is to interface an optical encoder with a PIC processor and control/tune the SDR Console PGM. Not much details from Simons website (the author).
Doesn't like to respond to emails much, and the forum is useless. Anyways about the VFO control. Microchip has a couple of dedicated ASIC that will emulate RS232 with a USB port, or you can use the pic18f4550/pic18f2550, etc. if you like to program, and build from scratch, I do! I have only spent about an hour or so, trying to get things figured out. Not sure what to do about the XML file? or even how to implement any of this, in other words, how in the world does SDR console recognize a MIDI device!? Must be the XML file. I just wanted to touch base with you and see your response, or ideas. And of course more research.
On the other hand, my setup here is multiple structures located on my 100 acres, 100% off grid....So the main cabin is apx. 500 feet from the tower building and communications is via 12 fiber cable. The tx building has the Ettus radio's, embedded server to control the tuner, filters, etc. My point here is since the radio is remoted as well the filters, tuner etc. I wrote a GUI PGM using QT5, and one of the features was to implement auto control of the filters, etc.. In other words capture the Ethernet packets from SDR Console PGM with the remote server (PIC controller) and process the data. I did mention this to Simon and asked about the data structure from his PGM, but the response was less than helpful, mind you in order to talk with Ettus radio's and others, the UHD and USRP protocol must be used, so I guess WireSharc will get some use! Also SDR Console is still using UHD ver. 3.15!!! OMG! Two years I've been asking him to update.
I was going to email you via QRZ, lookup, but decided this approach for now.
73's
Dale
ve3aam
I did not look into the communication protocol myself. I just used the work of F5UII and IU4FIR. So they are probably a better source of information.
I also abandoned the project because I like the point and click with the mouse more for my satellite work. It is faster.
Maybe I will reconsider the project with my new Flex Radio on HF.
I just connected log4om with CAT control on the sdr console
Log4om has a ptt hot key so i just stay on my freq and key away.
Although i am sure thete is a way to lock the span.
So far I do not connect it to Log4om. Do you have a link on how to do it? The logging of Satellite coms is not straight forward…
I only use a mouse with an encoder in the place of the scroll wheel. It feels as if you're tuning with a conventional radio.
Even the scroll wheel is ok for me... An encoder is probably closer to the "original feeling"
Hi, still have the console?
Yes.
Nice work, but this is not for me, as I don't currently use SDR.
I hope that I remember this video if I ever get SDR, maybe years from now. :-)
I am not sure it will take years… SDRs are everywhere now ;-)
They make satelite work much easier. I currently use an sdr for receive and a seperate radio for transmit. Full duplex but without having to buy a satellite radio or two rigs.
Im going to hamzilla and hopefully im ging to purchase an SDRPlayDX and Im going to try using my shuttle controller with it....
I never looked at how they allow remote consoles (if they support keyboard shortcuts)
@@HB9BLA What a day got the makings of a datv system, with a Pi in!!! a bladerf 115 with xb200 which im also going to do some sort of portsdown4 system replacing the limesdr for the blade. Enough solder sucker parts and sma pigtails for a life time, and the wonderful SDRPlay rspdx.. My first ham fair and what a interesting time it was!
It is worth the effort but not the million emails you get after asking how to do it!!
I hope it was clear how it has to be done. Otherwise my video was not good enough and I deserve the pain ;-)