Firmware-540 Operation

The microDig is powered by a power supply, communicates through a MIDI port using the MIDI message protocol, and can operate in host mode or stand-alone mode. Host mode is intended for using the microDig with a computer that processes the sensor data, while stand-alone mode is intended for using the microDig with MIDI-capable hardware.

To set the microDig mode, use the SET MODE command.

Power

The microDig is powered by a 9V battery and provides 5V power to the connected sensors.

Standalone Mode

Stand-alone mode allows you to use the microDig's internal signal processing so that another MIDI capable device can directly use the calculated end result. Processing and mapping of sensor data happens in the microDig itself, so once it has been programmed using our configuration software (free to download from our website) it can be patched directly to MIDI-capable software or devices using our Connect software. This mode allows sensor inputs to be mapped to channel voice MIDI messages. Stand-alone mode commands (including STREAM and INTERVAL), contrary to host mode commands, change the settings stored in non-volatile memory as well as volatile memory. Stand-alone mode commands are executed in both modes of operation, even though in host mode no channel voice MIDI messages are output to reflect any changed settings.

Host Mode

Host mode requires that the microDig is connected with a host computer to control and store the microDig settings, and process the sensor data. In host mode, unprocessed, raw sensor values are output only as system exclusive MIDI messages (ie. no stand-alone mode type channel voice MIDI messages processed from sensor values are output). When using Max/MSP software, host mode allows multiple iCube / oCube Max/MSP objects for each microDig (to this end, some of the commands are echoed back to the host computer). Host mode commands (except STREAM and INTERVAL), contrary to stand-alone mode commands, do not change the settings stored in non-volatile memory but only the settings stored in volatile memory. Generally, host mode commands have the same effect in either mode of operation.

Communication

To communicate with the microDig you need to have a MIDI interface, either connected to a computer or integrated into the musical instrument or other MIDI-capable hardware.

Protocol

In this documentation the communication protocol used by the microDig is based on the MIDI protocol.

LED status indications

IN LED definition	The microDig will give visual feedback via the yellow IN LED for any data received from its MIDI interface. Each time data is received from the interface the IN LED will be ON momentarily.
OUT LED definition	The microDig will give visual feedback via the green OUT LED, for any data sent to its MIDI interface. Each time data is sent to the interface the OUT LED will be ON momentarily.
POWER LED definition	The microDig will give visual feedback via the red POWER LED when power is applied to the battery connector. When the voltage is above 5.5V the POWER LED will be ON constantly. When the voltage level is below 5.5V the POWER LED will blink to show that the voltage at the sensor input connector is below 5V. Even if the battery voltage level is below 5.5V the microDig can still convert and transmit the sensor values, see BATTERY VOLTAGE LEVEL command.
POWER and OUT LED ON	If the POWER and OUT LED are ON immediately after power the microDig, the firmware didn't complete its bootup. Please contact us for help.
All LEDs ON	If all LEDs are ON, the microDig has encountered an unexpected error. Power it off and then on again to reset it.