Balron_40h is a Max/MSP patch I whipped up to interface the Monome 40h with the rest of my MIDI gear and software as a controller instrument.
The Monome’s main limitation as melodic controller is the number of interaction points per row: 8 pads versus the 12 keys we’re accustomed to in the Western scale. It makes a great rhythm grid, but you can’t squeeze accidentals in where there are no places to press.
Turning lemons into magical drinks is a prime creative activity, so I built Balron_40h to lay a multitude of 8-tone scales over the 8 x 8 grid. A side benefit: because the grid then uses a refined system of notes, everything automagically sounds good!
Utilizing 4 cell-shifting MIDI delays, repeating patterns and transposing chords can be created. The potential for discovering interesting progressions is high. Sending patterns of low notes into a monosynth can create instant acid basslines.
After a few days of using Balron_40h in serious song building, I’m amazed and surprised at what one hand can accomplish with such a densely packed controller: finger spans of over 8 octaves give acrobatic rolls and unexpected melodies from thin air. The tight pad layout imparts abilities closer to a guitar or Chapman stick than keyboard.
Version 1.0 is running well on both MacBook Pro and PowerBook G4 under Max/MSP 4.6.2.
Released, of course, under the QYBL-NC (Question Your Beliefs License – Non-Commercial):
Balron_40h.mxb.zip (228k, single Max/MSP patch version)
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Hi just downloaded balron. i really like it and was wondering if you can include a chromatic scale in the drop down menu. That be greatly appreciated.
Happy holidays,
Fellow monomer
I’m playing around with the ability to add custom scales in a coming version of Balron, so you’ll be able to define your own intervals, eventually.
Since Balron is physically structured around triggering within 8 tone scales, how do you envision it working for the twelve notes of the chromatic scale?
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