Releases

16 June 2007: I-CubeX editor v3.05 incl. blueMIDI v1.30 (MacOS X on Intel)

If you encounter any problems with this version (eg. on Leopard - see bugs listing below) you can try I-CubeX editor v2.55b incl. blueMIDI v1.3 (MacOS X on Intel)

Check the Download page for older releases, including for PowerPC. A Windows version is also available.

If you are interested in modifying the editor or if you need sourcecode to develop software tools to deal with I-CubeX sensor data, please contact our tech support.

Improvements in this version

• Aqua UI look and feel
• Integration of Bluetooth communication into the editor (search devices, establish connection, etc.)
• Virtual MIDI driver routing for each Wi-(mini)microdig with storage in editor configuration file (.cfg)
• Bulk load of different Wi-mini/microDigs on start-up (list of connected Wi-mini/microDigs is stored when closing the editor session)
• Capability of swapping between different digitizers with different firmware while using the editor
• Upload the editor status to a newly connected digitizer (re-map all values according to firmware)
• Remapping of constant, noise and other sensor processing parameters on selection of pitch bend and virtual joystick mapping
• Faster display of sensor data in sensor window
• Active sensing control
• Running status control
• Debug information available in toolbar by ctrl-clicking on the message window

System requirements

Version 3.05 has been confirmed to run properly on MacOS X 10.4 on Intel. A digitizer with firmware v4.1 or higher is required.

Installation notes

The default browser has to be set in order to be able to click on links in the news section at the top-right of the editor.

Manuals and tutorials

For the Wi-microDig, here are (Windows / MacOS X) quickstart docs to get you up and running. For the microDig and Digitizer, use the v2.5 editor manual.

A few essential notes wrt. this version of the editor:

• When using a wireless digitizer in standalone mode, the editor will setup communication through Bluetooth using the "Configure | Connections" dialog. Click "Search for device(s)", then connect to your device(s). When asked by MacOS, enter "1" as the passkey for pairing.
• When using a wireless digitizer in host mode with a 3rd party software, communicate using just the Bluetooth serial port, or via the BlueMIDI application (included in the editor installation package) using a virtual MIDI port - no need for the editor. If using multiple wireless digitizers (upto a maximum of 7) run a separate instantiation of BlueMIDI for each wireless digitizer.
• MIDI mapping: Select any of the MIDI messages from the "Mapping" pull-down menu in the sensor window. When using a wireless digitizer set the MIDI device to output MIDI data using the "Configure | Connections" dialog.
• When you encounter problems configuring a Wi-microDig with the editor, re-plug the bluetooth adapter (if possible), make sure the Wi-microDig batteries are fully charged, re-power the Wi-microDig and then restart the editor.

Features

• Mapping: map sensor values to any MIDI channel voice type message ie. note-on/off, key-pressure, control-change, program-change, after-touch (all 7 bit resolution) or pitch-bend (12 or 10 bit resolution, but only available for at most 16 sensors - each one on a separate MIDI channel).
• Sensor data processing: inversion (increasing sensor values result in decreasing MIDI data values), thresholds (the sensor values within the specified range are offset and scaled to the MIDI data output range), zooming (set the sensitivity of an input to a specific voltage range), averaging (reduce noise by averaging over up to 16 sensor values), differentiation (output only the difference between two successive sensor values), peak/dip detection (detect the largest/smallest value of up to 16 sensor values over time and output it, or a preset value), noise gate (output only when the sensor value changes more than a user-set difference from its current value).
• Gesture recognition: gesture onset detection (through peak or dip detection mapped to e.g. note-on event with velocity value corresponding to peak or dip value), post-onset processing (continuous averaging and/or differentiation, mapped to e.g. after-touch or pitch-bend messages), gesture end detection (sensor value above/below threshold, mapped to e.g. note-off event).
• Actuator output control (Digitizer only): trigger/toggle (outputs turn on/off with one MIDI message or turn on with one MIDI message and off with the next one), power-up initialization (set the outputs to on/off upon power up), output mapping (outputs respond to note-on/off, control-change or key-pressure messages), threshold (set the MIDI value beyond which the output turns on/off.
• Configuration management: edit, save, load, name and manage configurations involving multiple digitizers, with integrated MIDI & Bluetooth connections configuration, sensor presets for easy setup, real-time viewing and recording of sensor data to file, control of active sensing and running status, and LBNL, a factory reset option allows you to return all digitizer settings to its original settings when it was first shipped to you.

Known bugs

We are aware of the following bugs/problems at this time:

• On MacOS 10.5 (Leopard): the sensor window is a bit small (still usable) and the Wi-microDig will not pair. Until this is resolved, lease use v2.55b instead.
• There is no support for losing a Wi-mini/microDig connection, nor any indication of the Bluetooth signal strength. If the connection is lost, you may need to restart the editor.
• MIDI protocol errors may occur when communicating with a Wi-mini/microDig.