[Answered]Speed dial/Expression Pedal Question

[Sixgun77]

I was able to set up a speed dial and get my expression pedal to control it. However, it changes the duration of whatever function is active to the value of where the pedal is. Is it possible to have the pedal ADJUST the duration rather than completely overriding it? My goal is to be able to use my foot to slow down or speed up the lights mid song if need be. My pedal has a pot in it, not an encoder. Could that be the problem? My controls are a paint audio foot captain and midi Captain STD.

[GGGss]

If your pedal is sending 0-127 values (which I assume), the speed dial will adopt this input signal.
You could limit the range of your pedal by using some Loopback magic. The channel modifier and slider set to limits are things to look at.

[MichelSliepenbeek]

Have a look at this example:

Expression Pedal.qxw

(7.59 KiB) Downloaded 21 times

It uses Loopback Channnel 1 (Abs. Loopback Slider) to control the Speed of the Speed Dial (check the Properties of the Speed Dial).
Loopback Channel 2 (Rel. Loopback Slider) acts as a Relative Control (Up - Down) on Loopback Channel 1 (check the Properties of Slider "Speed").

You should connect your Expression Padel as External Control to Slider "Pedal Up/Down".


As a relative slider has a neutral value of 127 and your expression pedal does not automatically return to the middle position, it is important to use this Channel Modifier:

Relative Slider.qxmt

(710 Bytes) Downloaded 20 times

It will change your Expression Pedal to a "5 position switch": Fast Up - Slow Up - Neutral - Slow Down - Fast Down.
Copy this file to the ModifiersTemplates Folder in your User Library (and restart QLC+ to make it active).

Feel Free to customize it to your needs.

[Sixgun77]

If your pedal is sending 0-127 values (which I assume), the speed dial will adopt this input signal.
You could limit the range of your pedal by using some Loopback magic. The channel modifier and slider set to limits are things to look at.

Thanks, I will poke around in there and see what i can figure out.

[Sixgun77]

Have a look at this example:

Expression Pedal.qxw


It uses Loopback Channnel 1 (Abs. Loopback Slider) to control the Speed of the Speed Dial (check the Properties of the Speed Dial).
Loopback Channel 2 (Rel. Loopback Slider) acts as a Relative Control (Up - Down) on Loopback Channel 1 (check the Properties of Slider "Speed").

You should connect your Expression Padel as External Control to Slider "Pedal Up/Down".


As a relative slider has a neutral value of 127 and your expression pedal does not automatically return to the middle position, it is important to use this Channel Modifier:

Relative Slider.qxmt


It will change your Expression Pedal to a "5 position switch": Fast Up - Slow Up - Neutral - Slow Down - Fast Down.
Copy this file to the ModifiersTemplates Folder in your User Library (and restart QLC+ to make it active).

Feel Free to customize it to your needs.

I'll give that a try, i haven't done anything at all like that yet(and didn't know it was possible). I only know what's in the documentation. I'm hoping that works so that the pedal doesn't change anything at all until i actually move it.

Would this be simpler with an encoder instead of a potentiometer?

[GGGss]

Would this be simpler with an encoder instead of a potentiometer?

An encoder will make things even worse. The speed dial needs a 'hard' value. A 'plus one' signal cannot control it.

[Sixgun77]

Would this be simpler with an encoder instead of a potentiometer?

An encoder will make things even worse. The speed dial needs a 'hard' value. A 'plus one' signal cannot control it.

I use recordings of the band to try to set all of the hold and duration times for all of the songs. I just want to be able to manually adjust that timing to compensate for is playing a little faster or a little slower. Is it possible that this is something that version 5 would be better suited for? I haven't tried 5 yet because there's a warning saying not to use it.

[GGGss]

Would this be simpler with an encoder instead of a potentiometer?

An encoder will make things even worse. The speed dial needs a 'hard' value. A 'plus one' signal cannot control it.

I use recordings of the band to try to set all of the hold and duration times for all of the songs. I just want to be able to manually adjust that timing to compensate for is playing a little faster or a little slower. Is it possible that this is something that version 5 would be better suited for? I haven't tried 5 yet because there's a warning saying not to use it.

v5 will use the same methods as in v4. So unless you guys play to a click band, there will not be a subtle solution to change the tempo. QLC+ is not a timecode machine. Michiel's solution above is the closest you will get.

[Sixgun77]

v5 will use the same methods as in v4. So unless you guys play to a click band, there will not be a subtle solution to change the tempo. QLC+ is not a timecode machine. Michiel's solution above is the closest you will get.

Thank you very much. I swear, I really AM reading the manual, but beyond the very basics it either assumes you already have advanced info or it doesn't explain much. I run into the same thing with my midi controller. It says it has an advanced "time engine" but doesn't really explain what it does or is for.

[GGGss]

That is what creativity stands for: a bass guitar has four strings. How you use them is up to you. If you want a funky sound, you must slap-thumb the snares...
If you want to use your midi pedal to influence your tempo, the equations of 'how much' and 'how to return to the basic set BPM' are difficult.
It is not that a device has a capability; its manual will explain how to use this capability for your specific use case.

[MichelSliepenbeek]

DMX512 and MIDI are industry standards.
A manual for DMX software or a MIDI controller does not have to explain the Standard (they only have to refer to specific parts when needed). *1

I suggest you start with WikiPedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DMX512
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIDI

At the bottom of each page you will find usefull links to continue your search.


*1.
In the same way you will not find an explanation of all traffic signs in the manual of your car.