Future Impact v3 and now V4

[Quatschmacher]

36 minutes ago, Buddster said:

Is anyone able to say how good the midi out is while playing? Can you for instance, use it to trigger a sound module to play a piano sound? 

Yes I posted clips during beta testing showing it triggering a DX7. Will be several pages back in this thread. 
 

Edit - here:

 

Edited February 27 by Quatschmacher

[SumOne]

On 25/02/2025 at 14:10, Quatschmacher said:

Panda FI4 in mini housing is available to order now. Shipping in April!

 

I wanted to call this the “FI Petit Four”

 

 

On 25/02/2025 at 14:10, Quatschmacher said:

Panda FI4 in mini housing is available to order now. Shipping in April!

 

I wanted to call this the “FI Petit Four”

https://www.pandamidi.com/store/future-impact-vip

 

They definitely should have gone with your 'Petit Four' suggestion. 

 

Looks good, main thing for me was the v4 having improved accuracy and the option of speed/accuracy option (I didn't like the octave jump thing) so I was already tempted, smaller enclosure option is a bonus. 

 

Realistically, for a gigging pedalboard I don't actually mind the bigger version as my size 12 boots in a dark pub need a big area with plenty of room for stomping error....although I'm already considering what would fit well in that space saved if I go 'Petit', something like a Zvex Mastotron would fit nicely beneath it.  

[Quatschmacher]

1 hour ago, SumOne said:

 

They definitely should have gone with your 'Petit Four' suggestion. 

Sadly, I thought of it after they’d had the samples back from the manufacturer, but before everything was finalised, so I guess it would’ve been extra hassle to redesign it around that if they’d wanted to use it. It’ll have to remain an informal moniker.

 

Morningstar switcher should also fit nicely in the extra space. 

Edited February 27 by Quatschmacher

[SumOne]

Exciting times! I've gone and got a full sized v4 from here and it all works well but I'm having trouble with the firmware update/connect for editor.

 

I think I'm doing everything correctly:

 

1. Midi Out to Midi In and vice versa 
2. Selected the Midi in/out on the FI firmware page (it recognises my 'UA Volt 2' interface)('auraplug' wants to make changes to your Midi device - accept)
3. Turn off/on FI with switches held down so the light is flashing for 'update' mode
4. Click update
5. .....'FI not present or communication error detected'

 

Editor doesn't connect to the FI either.

 

Any ideas? I did have a v3 and seem to remember there was something needed like not having any other Chrome tabs open (I have closed all), anything else simple like that I should try? 

 

The UA Volt 2 is a relatively new interface for me and isn't what I used when I had the FI v3, so it could be that - I'm hoping not though as it is a decent Midi interface that has worked with other things and I'd obviously like to avoid having to buy another interface just for the FI.

 

 

Edited Sunday at 07:03 by SumOne

[Quatschmacher]

49 minutes ago, SumOne said:

Exciting times! I've gone and got a full sized v4 from here and it all works well but I'm having trouble with the firmware update/connect for editor.

 

I think I'm doing everything correctly:

 

1. Midi Out to Midi In and vice versa 
2. Selected the Midi in/out on the FI firmware page (it recognises my 'UA Volt 2' interface)('auraplug' wants to make changes to your Midi device - accept)
3. Turn off/on FI with switches held down so the light is flashing for 'update' mode
4. Click update
5. .....'FI not present or communication error detected'

 

Editor doesn't connect to the FI either.

 

Any ideas? I did have a v3 and seem to remember there was something needed like not having any other Chrome tabs open (I have closed all), anything else simple like that I should try? 

 

The UA Volt 2 is a relatively new interface for me and isn't what I used when I had the FI v3, so it could be that - I'm hoping not though as it is a decent Midi interface that has worked with other things and I'd obviously like to avoid having to buy another interface just for the FI.

 

 

Ports probably the wrong way round. 

[SumOne]

 

30 minutes ago, Quatschmacher said:

Ports probably the wrong way round. 

 

'fraid not. definitely correct out to in, in to out  (and swopped just in case)

[Quatschmacher]

44 minutes ago, SumOne said:

 

 

'fraid not. definitely correct out to in, in to out  (and swopped just in case)

If you are using Windows, make sure there are no other USB-MIDI connections open. 

[SumOne]

2 hours ago, Quatschmacher said:

If you are using Windows, make sure there are no other USB-MIDI connections open. 

The UA Volt interface is the only thing physically plugged in to the Laptop, I'll look into that though - perhaps a virtual connection, or a competing driver or something else buried.

[SumOne]

It's a bit of a mystery.

 

No other Midi connections open, all other Chrome tabs closed, no programmes open (includes the FI editor), Midi cables correct, FI in pairing mode, interface recognised and selected (in and out).....and still 'FI not present'. This has now been about 4hrs of muck about.

 

Gotta say,this is the biggest downside of the FI (and I've seen many others with the same issue). 'user error' or 'wrong interface' 'not FI's problem' stops being a reasonable on a version 8 years after v1, clearly it isn't very user friendly/foolproof, could really do with a usb connection or something.

 

I'm going to have to fork out for another midi interface, and if that doesn't work then I'll be selling the FI - as good as it is, it isn't worth the time/faff.

[Quatschmacher]

1 hour ago, SumOne said:

It's a bit of a mystery.

 

No other Midi connections open, all other Chrome tabs closed, no programmes open (includes the FI editor), Midi cables correct, FI in pairing mode, interface recognised and selected (in and out).....and still 'FI not present'. This has now been about 4hrs of muck about.

 

Gotta say,this is the biggest downside of the FI (and I've seen many others with the same issue). 'user error' or 'wrong interface' 'not FI's problem' stops being a reasonable on a version 8 years after v1, clearly it isn't very user friendly/foolproof, could really do with a usb connection or something.

 

I'm going to have to fork out for another midi interface, and if that doesn't work then I'll be selling the FI - as good as it is, it isn't worth the time/faff.

We tested loads of cheap generic interfaces during development and everything worked just fine. This was precisely to make sure the problems of v3/interface compatibility weren’t present. 

 

If the interface is showing correctly in the editor then I still maintain something else is afoot. Is there an app for your interface? If so, and there’s the option, make sure sysex messages are enabled. I’d be happy to help troubleshoot over video call. 

[Quatschmacher]

Could be a combination of issues.

 

Did you try swapping the cables round when attempting connect to the editor? Do this without putting the FI into update mode. Select the in and out ports from the MIDI preferences menu, connect the cables and then move some sliders in the editor. You should see two horizontal lines in the FI display. If you don’t, swap the cables to the opposite ports and try again. If you do see two lines in the display, it shows the connection is working.

 

Another thought - make sure your interface has any MIDI thru functionality turned off - a MIDI loop would cause problems (with any interface).

 

Is your interface plugged directly into your pc or is it using a usb hub?

Edited 14 hours ago by Quatschmacher

[SumOne]

Thanks @Quatschmacher, that is much appreciated. 

 

The interface shows in the editor:

 

 

....but then moving the FI sliders does not do anything on the FI. (I have tried swopping Midi cables around, and this is while not in the 'update'mode).

 

 

There is a simple app for my interface, and ASIO setting changes via Reaper DAW, but no options for sysex messages:

 

 

 

The interface usb is going direct to the Laptop (no USB hub), and everything else is closed - no other USB things plugged in, no other programmes running.

 

Perhaps the Midi thru functionality is the issue, but the UA Volt app only has simple Status/Sample Rate/Buffer things that can be changed, Midi thru isn't an option.

 

I might order a second Midi interface from Amazon with free returns to see if that solves it. A cheap Bespeco one worked for me with FI v3 (I don't have either any more), but I remember a certain amount of un-intuative faff needed (something like the order of turning things on, only working with Chrome, not other internet tabs open) and then it was still a bit hit and miss.

 

It reminds me a bit of a time I worked for a mining association - miners kept jumping over a dangerous rock conveyor to get to the break/smoke area instead of the long walk around, some got hurt, the mine response was put up a big sign saying 'do not cross the conveyor', people still did it and got hurt and the mine response was 'user error - we told them not to' and then they spent a lot of money on fences which mysteriously started getting human-sized holes in them.  The issue was the lacking human centred design. I dunno, but FI editing and updates via Midi just seeems a bit fraught with 'user error', things like Source Audio, TC electronic, Line 6, Boss etc (admittedly much bigger complanies) all seem to be relatively simple via usb, 'plug into Laptop and it works'.  The only other thing I've had so much connectivity faff with has been the NUX MLD Preamp.

Edited 5 hours ago by SumOne

[Quatschmacher]

2 hours ago, SumOne said:

Thanks @Quatschmacher, that is much appreciated. 

 

The interface shows in the editor:

 

 

....but then moving the FI sliders does not do anythign on the FI. (I have tried swopping Midi cables, and this is while not in the 'update'mode).

 

 

There is a simple app for my interface, and ASIO setting changes via Reaper DAW, but no options for sysex messages:

 

 

 

The interface usb is going direct to the Laptop (no USB hub), and everything else is closed - no other USB things plugged in, no other programmes running.

 

Perhaps the Midi thru functionality is the issue, but the UA Volt app only has simple Status/Sample Rate/Buffer things that can be changed, Midi thru isn't an option.

 

I might order a second Midi interface from Amazon with free returns to see if that solves it. A cheap Becos ones worked for me with v3 (I don't have either any more), but I remember a certain aount of un-intuative faff needed (something like the order of turning things on, only working with Chrome, not other internet tabs open) and then it was still a bit hit and miss.

 

It reminds me a bit of a time I worked for a mining association - miners kept jumping over a dangerous rock conveyor to get to the break/smoke area instead of the long walk around, some got hurt, the mine response was put up a big sign saying 'do not cross the conveyor', people still did it and got hurt and the mine response was 'user error - we told them not to' and then they spent a lot of money on fences which mysteriously started getting human-sized holes in them.  The issue was the lacking human centred design. I dunno, but FI editing and updates via Midi just seeems a bit fraught with 'user error', things like Source Audio, TC electronic, Line 6, Boss etc (admittedly much bigger complanies) all seem to be relatively simple via usb, 'plug into Laptop and it works'.  The only other thing I've had so much connectivity faff with has been the NUX MLD Preamp.

I’m sure there must be a setting in there that needs altering, maybe the time stamps one as presumably reaper isn’t in use when using the FI.

 

Does Volt use any extra virtual ports or something? (My MC6 pro does so I have to make sure I select the correct one.)

 

Also, it appears that the MIDI ports are active in the volt app; that being the case, windows won’t allow them to be used with anything else. Try disabling them in the volt app and see if they still appear in the FI list. 

 

I tested with an interface that looks identical to this and it worked fine:

https://amzn.eu/d/hC65j9C

Edited 5 hours ago by Quatschmacher