Electrix Tweaker User Manual

TWEAKER USER MANUAL

WWW.ELECTRIXPRO.COM

ELECTRIX TWEAKER User Manual

Table of Contents

1 Getting Started 4

1.1 Introduction 4

1.2 What‘s Included in the Box? 4

1.3 Product Registration 5

1.4 Height Extension Legs 5

1.5 Overlay Installation 5

1.6 Firmware & Utilities 6

2 Connections 8

2.1 USB 8

2.2 MIDI In 8

2.3 MIDI Out 8

3 Hardware Controls 9

3.1 Buttons 9

3.2 Encoders 11

3.3 LED’s (Button Indicators) 13

3.4 LED Rings 15

3.5 Pressure Sensitive Pads 18

3.6 Potentiometers 19

4 Default MIDI Settings 22

5 The Settings Channel 24

5.1 Encoder Settings 55

5.2 LED Ring Settings 28

6 SysEx Messages 32

6.1 System Exclusive Command Bytes 32

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ELECTRIX TWEAKER User Manual

6.2 Set Messages 32

6.3 Request Responses 39

6.4 Message Glossary 40

Safety Instructions

Read these instructions. Keep these instructions.
Heed all warnings. Follow all instructions. Do not use
the apparatus near water. Clean only with dry cloth.

Use in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions. Do not use near any heat sources such
as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus
(including ampliers) that produce heat.

Protect the USB cord from being walked on or pinched
particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and
the point where they exit from the apparatus.

Only use attachments/ accessories specied by the
manufacturer.

Refer all servicing to qualied service personnel.
Servicing is required when the apparatus has been
damaged in any way, such as damaged connectors,

liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the
apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain
or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been
dropped.

Please keep the unit in a well ventilated environment.

WARNING

To reduce the risk of re or electric shock, do not
expose this apparatus to rain or moisture. The
apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or
splashing and that no objects lled with liquids, such
as vases, shall be placed on the apparatus.

CAUTION

To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove
any cover. No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer
servicing to qualied service personnel only.

3

1. Getting Started

1 Getting Started

Thank you for purchasing the TWEAKER on behalf of the entire Electrix team. We hope you enjoy
performing with the TWEAKER as much as we enjoyed making it!

1.1 Introduction

TWEAKER is a universal controller that oers lots of options for customization, but for those who
want to get started right away, we included mappings and overlays for popular programs like
Traktor and Ableton.

For those of you who like to dig a little deeper, the included TWEAKER EDITOR lets you customize
settings and save your own presets for use with a variety of software applications. This manual also
contains lots of useful information on default settings, SysEx used by TWEAKER, and the Settings
Channel, which is used to send MIDI messages back to TWEAKER to change settings on-the-y.

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1. Getting Started

1.2 What’s Included in the Box?

The TWEAKER box contains the following items:

8 The TWEAKER Controller

8 A set of four height-extension legs

8 A USB cable

8 A Quick Start poster

8 An installation CD including: Traktor 2 LE, TWEAKER EDITOR software,

and the Ableton Live Remote Script

8 An overlay for the included Traktor 2 LE software

8 An overlay for the included Ableton Live Remote Script

1.3 Product Registration

Why not take a few minutes to register your new product? Registration enables us to keep a record
of your product in case you ever need assistance or warranty coverage. It also enables us to keep
you up to date on any software or rmware updates, availability of new mappings or overlays, etc.
In some cases, additional content may also be available for registered users.

To register your product, visit www.electrixpro.com and click on the Register/Login link at the right
corner of the site.

1.4 Height Extension Legs

A set of four legs is included to extend the height of the TWEAKER to match traditional DJ gear. With
the legs installed, TWEAKER is the same height as most DJ turntables. The legs screw directly into
the bottom surface of the TWEAKER using the provided screw-holes.

1.5 Overlay Installation

To place an overlay on the TWEAKER, simply remove the three fader knobs and place the overlay
on the face plate, making sure that it is tightly tted in the corners and around all the controls.

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1. Getting Started

The TWEAKER enclosure was designed to keep overlays in place with minimal movement during
performances.

1.6 Firmware & Utilities

The TWEAKER’s rmware updates via USB. Firmware updates may become available from time to
time. Visit www.electrixpro.com to register your product and sign up to receive TWEAKER updates.

1.6.1 Checking Current Firmware Version

You can check your current rmware version at any time by holding the three buttons down
indicated on the image below, simultaneously:

While these three buttons are held down, the rmware version will be indicated on the bottom
encoder LED rings on both mixer channels. The left LED ring indicates the number before the
decimal point, and the right LED ring indicates the number after the decimal point. For example,
to indicate version 4.3, four LED’s will light up on the left ring, and three LED’s will light up on the
right ring.

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1. Getting Started

1.6.2 Updating Firmware

1. Hold down the round rubber button located in the center of the four directional navigation
buttons, while connecting Tweaker to your computer,

2. A volume named TweakerDisk will mount on your system,

3. Drag the Tweaker rmware binary le and drop it onto the TweakerDisk volume,

4. The velocity pads will ash while the rmware is updating. Do not disconnect the USB cable

during this process,

5. It is safe to disconnect the USB once the pads have stopped ashing. Once the update is
complete you must reconnect the TWEAKER to return to normal operating mode.

1.6.3 LED Test

To test the LED’s, hold down button the large navigation encoder push button while connecting
Tweaker to your computer. All LED’s will light up. Press it again to exit and return to normal operating
mode.

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2. Connections

2 Connections

Any of the controls on TWEAKER can be congured to provide a wide range of functionality. Here
are some basic terms and uses for the controls.

2.1 USB

The USB port connects to your computer to send and receive MIDI message, update the rmware,
and power the unit. This port is available to your software as Tweaker Port 1.

2.2 MIDI In

The MIDI Input port provides a standard 5 PIN MIDI jack to connect other MIDI devices to TWEAKER.
MIDI input data is then routed over USB to the host computer, and is available to your software on
the second port named “Tweaker Port 2.”

2.3 MIDI Out

The MIDI Output port provides a standard 5 PIN MIDI jack for outputting MIDI from your computer,
over the USB cable, and to the MIDI jack. TWEAKER will also send its data from the MIDI Out jack. This
MIDI Output can be accessed on your computer via the port named “Tweaker Port 2.”

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3. Hardware Controls

3 Hardware Controls

Any of the controls on the TWEAKER can be congured to provide a wide range of functionality.
Here are some basic terms and uses for the controls.

3.1 Buttons

The TWEAKER has 7 encoder push buttons and 43 custom-designed, soft-touch rubber buttons.
All button parameters can be controlled using the TWEAKER EDITOR software. The specic MIDI
messages that the TWEAKER recognizes are also detailed below.

Most music programs are designed to use momentary buttons. For this reason, the TWEAKER’s
buttons are momentary: they send a Note On message when pressed, and a Note O message
when released. This is similar to the way piano keys operate.

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3. Hardware Controls

3.1.2 Mappability

Each button can be mapped to output Notes or CC’s. Each button may also function as a speed
control button for the encoders (detailed below). The assignment of each button may be modied
using the TWEAKER EDITOR or the ‘Set Button Mapping’ SysEx.

Note/ CC

Each button can be mapped to any note (0-127) and any CC (0-119). Multiple buttons can be
mapped to output to the same Note/ CC, but only one indicator LED can receive feedback on that
Note/CC. Each button has its own individual output channel.

The TWEAKER outputs a 127 ‘ON’ and 0 ‘OFF’ velocity when mapped as a Note or a CC.

Default Settings

Soft-touch buttons are mapped to Notes 1-43
Encoder push buttons are mapped to Notes 44-50
All buttons operate on MIDI Channel 1

Speed Control Button

The TWEAKER’s encoders are capable of increasing or decreasing their value at 2 assignable
encoder speeds. Any button may be mapped as a ‘Speed Control Button’ to toggle between these
two speeds. By default, the encoders increase values at about the same rate as a potentiometer,
and a little over a 3/4 turn achieves a full MIDI range of 0-127. This is encoder speed ‘5’. When you
switch to the default alternate speed for ne control with the speed control button, each click of
the encoder increments one value. At this speed, you need four full turns of the encoder to achieve
a full MIDI range of 0-127.

3.1.3 LED Feedback

All of the TWEAKER’s rubber buttons and pads are backlit by LED’s. Each LED can be controlled by
its respective button’s current state (on/o). By default, Button Local Control of LED’s is disabled
because it can interfere with software MIDI feedback.

All button indicator LED’s can also be controlled by incoming MIDI Messages. By default, all button
indicator LED’s have the same mapping as their respective buttons. This makes TWEAKER compatible
with most music software that use MIDI feedback by default.

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3. Hardware Controls

3.2 Encoders

The TWEAKER has 7 encoders. Each encoder is capable of outputting in Absolute or Relative Mode.
The output mode of each encoder can be adjusted using the TWEAKER EDITOR, the Settings
Channel, or using the “Set Encoder Output Modes” SysEx.

3.2.1 Absolute Mode

When in Absolute Mode, an encoder outputs very much like an ordinary potentiometer. By default,
the six channel strip encoders are in Absolute Mode. Absolute mode is generally used to control
eects, EQ settings, and other continuous parameters. As you turn clock-wise, the encoder will
output increasing values until it outputs 127. As you turn counter clock-wise, the encoder will
output decreasing values until it outputs 0. If Local Control of the LED rings in is enabled, the ring
will update the display the current value of the encoder.

Local Control for encoders in Absolute Mode can be controlled using the TWEAKER EDITOR or the
Ring Local Control feature of the Settings Channel.

Encoder Speeds

The angle of turn needed to complete a full 0-127 sweep on an encoder is dependent on the
declared encoder speed. This is a global control. The default speed is 5, and the default alternate
speed is 1. At a Speed of 5, the Encoder changes value at about the same rate as a potentiometer.
At a Speed of 1, the encoder’s natural speed, an encoder changes value at 1 value per encoder
click/detent (about one quarter of the rate of a potentiometer). Maximum Encoder Speed is 7, and
Minimum Speed is 1. The TWEAKER stores 2 encoder speeds at a time, and they can be toggled
between using a Speed Control Button.

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3. Hardware Controls

Encoder speeds are assignable by the TWEAKER EDITOR’s “encspeedA” and “encspeedB” functions,
by sending a message to an encoder on the Settings Channel, or using the “Set Encoder Speeds”
SysEx Message.

MIDI Feedback

Encoders in Absolute Mode accept standard MIDI Feedback. If the TWEAKER receives a message
with the same mapping as an encoder, it will use the value of that message to set the current value
of the encoder.

For example, If the message “CC57, value 127, on Channel 1” is received by a TWEAKER with default
settings, it will update its stored value for the top-left encoder to 127. If Ring Local Control is enabled,
the LED Ring will update the display the current value of the encoder.

MIDI Feedback Loops

In order to eliminate feedback loops that could lock an encoder at a value, the TWEAKER will
ignore a MIDI message that is mapped to an encoder that is actively being turned by the user. This
is especially helpful for TRAKTOR’s feedback system, which will send a message right back to the
TWEAKER after receiving it in some cases. The TWEAKER can still accept messages that are mapped
to the LED Ring that accompanies that encoder during this period if Ring Local Control for encoders
in Absolute Mode is disabled.

3.2.2 Relative

The TWEAKER’s encoders can also operate in Relative Mode. This version of relative mode is known
as “2’s Compliment.” When in Relative Mode, an encoder outputs continuously in either direction.
Relative Mode is generally used to cycle through long lists, adjust track position, and other
incremental adjustments that require more than the traditional 0-127 output. By default, the large
navigation encoder is in Relative Mode.

The TWEAKER only outputs two messages in Relative Mode:

8 Clockwise: +1 ( velocity/ value 1 )

8 Counter-Clockwise: -1 ( velocity/ value 127 )

One message is output for each click of the encoder (increment or decrement). There are
approximately 30 increments in one full rotation of an encoder. If Ring Local Control in Relative
Mode is enabled, the LED Ring will update to show the direction of the encoder’s last turn.

Ring Local Control in Relative Mode can be controlled using the Local Control feature of the Settings
Channel.

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3. Hardware Controls

MIDI Feedback

Encoders in Relative Mode are capable of accepting MIDI feedback to the LED Rings. If the TWEAKER
receives a message with the same mapping as an LED Ring, the TWEAKER will use that message to
set the current display of the LED Ring based on the LED Ring’s Display Mode and the value of the
message.

If Ring Local Control in Relative Mode is disabled, software applications capable of sending scaled
feedback to one of these LED rings can display absolute-style feedback to your TWEAKER for
controls that you are modifying with an encoder in Relative Mode.

3.2.3 Mappability

Note/ CC Messages

Each encoder can be mapped to output to any CC (0-119) using the TWEAKER EDITOR or the “Set
Encoder Mappings” SysEx. Multiple encoders can be mapped to output to the same Note/ CC, but
only one will be able to receive direct feedback via MIDI message in this case. Each encoder has it’s
own individual output channel that can be changed using the TWEAKER EDITOR.

3.3 LED’s (Button Indicators)

The TWEAKER has a total of 57 button indicator LED’s: 38 RGB LED’s, 13 red monochrome LED’s, and
6 blue monochrome LED’s for the encoder push buttons.

3.3.1 Reception Modes

The LED’s are capable of responding to Note / CC MIDI messages as well as button presses.

Note/ CC

LED mappings follow the mapping of the corresponding buttons or pads. By remapping the
matched button or pad, each LED can be mapped to respond to any Note (0-127) and any CC (0-

115) using the TWEAKER EDITOR or the “Map Buttons” SysEx Messages.

Each RGB LED has it’s own individual reception channel and mapping, which is independent of
the button mapping. Each monochrome LED shares its individual reception channel with the
corresponding button.

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3. Hardware Controls

Default Settings

8 The RGB LED’s are mapped to Notes 1-38
8 The Red LED’s used for the navigation style buttons are mapped to Notes 39-43.
8 The Red LED’s used for pressure sensitive pads are mapped to Notes 63-70.
8 The Blue LED’s to indicate encoder push button activity are mapped to Notes 45-50.
8 All LED’s are mapped to MIDI Channel 1

Button Local Control

These Button Indicator LED’s can also be locally controlled. In other words, they can light in reaction
to a Button’s Current State, but only if the Button Local Control is enabled for the Button.

Button Local Control can be turned on and o in the TWEAKER EDITOR’s Global Settings, or by CC
Message using the ‘Local Control’ feature of the Settings Channel (See Chapter 6 for details).

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