Keith McMillen SoftStep User manual

SoftStep Reference Manual

SoftStep V1.1 February 2011

Keith McMillen, Conner Lacy, Chuck Carlson, Nick Bonardi, Justin Catalana, Dennis Cao, Diane Douglas, Tom Ferguson, David Hishinuma, Sarah Howe, Keith Johnson, Daniel McAnulty, Michael McHam, Danny Piccione, Dennis Saputelli, and Barry Threw

No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or for any purpose without the express written permission of the copyright holders.

The content of this manual is furnished for informational use only, is subject to change without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by Keith McMillen Instruments. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this manual is accurate. No warranties, express or implied, are made with regard to the quality, suitability or accuracy of this document. Keith McMillen Instruments reserves the right to change the contents of this document and/or the associated products at any time without the provision of prior notice to specific persons or organizations. Keith McMillen Instruments shall not be held liable for damages of any kind arising from the use, or the inability to use this product or its documentation, even if the possibility of such damage is known.

Product and brand names contained in this document are used for identification purposes only. Keith McMillen Instruments, the Keith McMillen Instruments Logo, the SoftStep and SoftStep logo are trademarks of Kesumo LLC. Apple, Finder, GarageBand, Mac, MacBook, Macintosh, Mac OS and QuickTime are trademarks of Apple Inc, registered in the U.S. and other countries. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. SONiVOX is the brand name trademark of Sonic Network, Inc. VST and ASIO are trademarks and software of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. ReWire, Recycle and REX2 are trademarks of Propellerhead Software AB. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. All other names and designations of companies, products, trademarks, or brands used in this document are the registered property of their respective holders.

Table of Contents

1. Welcome ................................................................................... 4

1. Questions or Feedback? Contact Us! ............................................ 4

2. Before Getting Started............................................................... 4

1. System Requirements................................................................ 4

2. What's in the SoftStep Package................................................... 4

3. The Hardware............................................................................ 5

1. Practical Applications ................................................................. 5

4. How to Connect the SoftStep ..................................................... 6

5. SoftStep MIDI Expander ............................................................ 7

6. Getting Started.......................................................................... 8

1. Downloading the Software.......................................................... 8

1. Updating the Software ............................................................ 9

2. Updating the Firmware............................................................ 9

1. MAC .................................................................................. 9

2. WINDOWS.........................................................................10

7. Quick Start Guide .................................................................... 10

1. Standalone..............................................................................10

2. Using the SoftStep Application to Program the SoftStep ................12

1. Modlines ..............................................................................13

2. LEDs and Display ..................................................................15

3. Saving ................................................................................. 16

8. SoftStep Software ................................................................... 17

1. The Basics ..............................................................................18

2. Ports ......................................................................................18

1. MAC .................................................................................... 19

2. WINDOWS ...........................................................................19

3. Standalone vs. Hosted ..............................................................20

4. Main Window Overview .............................................................21

5. Saving Scenes & Presets ...........................................................23

1. Managing Scenes and Presets .................................................24

2. Factory Presets .....................................................................25

1. Hosted Mode...................................................................... 25

2. Standalone Mode................................................................26

6. Scenes ...................................................................................29

7. Setlist ....................................................................................29

8. Settings..................................................................................30

9. Sensor View ............................................................................33

10. SoftStep Keys..........................................................................34

1. Modulation ...........................................................................34

11. Nav Pad..................................................................................37

12. Preset Modulation ....................................................................40

9. Appendix ................................................................................. 40

1. SoftStep Sources .....................................................................40

2. SoftStep Parameter Destinations................................................43

3. Using SoftStep with Ableton Live (in Hosted mode).......................45

10. Glossary .................................................................................. 48

11. Troubleshooting ...................................................................... 51

1. DAW/Host Application Trouble ...................................................52

2. Display Trouble........................................................................ 53

3. Noise Trouble .......................................................................... 54

4. Connectivity Trouble................................................................. 55

Welcome

Thank you from Keith McMillen Instruments! We are excited to welcome you to the world of SoftStep, the world's most expressive foot controller.

Questions or Feedback? Contact Us!

If at any time you have any questions, please contact us:

Web: www.keithmcmillen.com Forum: forum.keithmcmillen.com Email: support@keithmcmillen.com

Before Getting Started

There are a few things that you need to know before you start using your SoftStep.

• When you first receive your SoftStep, please check the SoftStep downloads for the latest firmware and applications: http://www.keithmcmillen.com/

softstep/downloads/

• Keith McMillen Instruments cannot be held liable for damage

resulting from installation and operation errors or improper use.

System Requirements

We recommend the following for using the SoftStep and SoftStep applications:

MAC:

• An Intel Core 2 Duo 2.3GHz or greater Mac OS 10.5 or later

• has 90 MB free hard disk space

WINDOWS:

• Windows XP, or Windows 7

• 1GB of RAM with 50 MB free hard disk space

What's in the SoftStep Package

When you open up the box you should find:

• 1 SoftStep

• 1 USB A-to-USB B cable (15ft.)

• 1 SoftStep Protective Sleeve

• 1 eighth inch to quarter inch adapter for expression pedal

• SoftStep MIDI Expander (optional)

◦ 1 USB A-to-B Mini USB

4-pin cable (15ft.)

◦ 1 USB power plug ◦ 1 USB A-to-USB B cable

(6ft.)

The Hardware

The SoftStep is the worlds lightest, smallest, and most expressive foot controller. It weighs about 566 grams and is 105mm x 450mm x 24mm. The key pads are about 40mm X 40mm. The Nav Pad is about 50mm X 50mm and turned so that it is diamond shaped.

It's USB bus powered and has an expression port to plug in a expression pedal (volume pedals are not supported). There is also an Expansion port for the SoftStep MIDI

Expander (sold separately) to enable

use without a computer to control your MIDI synth and/or rack. Power can also be supplied through the expansion port.

It has blue backlighting so you can see it well on stage. There is a 4 character alpha numeric display that is user programmable. There are also LEDs for each key that can be programmed to display your choice of data.

The SoftStep is rubberized and has a carbon fiber back to give it maximum strength and stability.

Each key is responsive to 5 degrees of control: X and Y axis, clockwise rotation, counter-clockwise rotation, and pressure. These control sources are mappable to any MIDI or OSC destination.

Practical Applications

SoftStep is an extremely flexible controller allowing you to use it in a variety of ways.

You can use it with software on your computer to control effects, looping, sample triggering, etc.. Use it with DAWs to control punch-in, panning, levels, and transport functions. You can also use your SoftStep to control your MIDI synth and/or rack with the SoftStep MIDI Expander (sold separately). In addition to controlling sound, the SoftStep can be used with anything that will accept MIDI or OSC data: lighting effects, video, robotics, pyrotechnics, and more.

How to Connect the SoftStep

1. SoftStep foot controller

2. Computer - connected to the SoftStep via USB

3. Expression Pedal - connected to the SoftStep via Expression port

4. SoftStep MIDI Expander (Optional) - connected to the SoftStep via USB Expansion port

5. Effects Processor - connected to the MIDI Expander via MIDI cable (for use with MIDI Expander). You could also connect to an interface that is connected to the computer (for use with computer).

6. Musical Instrument - Plugged into effects processor via instrument cable (for use with MIDI Expander). Plugged into audio interface that is connected to the computer (for use with computer).

The SoftStep can also be set up with an iPad:

You can even use a MIDI Expander with an iPad:

SoftStep MIDI Expander

Setup A:

Connect the “Expand” port of SoftStep to the “to SoftStep Expand” port on SoftStep MIDI Expander using the USB A to mini B cable. Connect the SoftStep MIDI Expander “ to the provided USB power supply using either the 6 ft. or the 15 ft. USB A to B cable.

The SoftStep MIDI Expander enables you to use SoftStep with your hardware MIDI devices. Plug in your MIDI devices to the SoftStep MIDI Expander and you're ready to send and receive MIDI data with or without a computer.

Setup B:

Connect the “Expand” port of SoftStep to the “to SoftStep Expand” port on the SoftStep MIDI Expander using the USB A to mini B cable. Connect SoftStep to the provided USB power supply using the USB A to B cable.

Setup C:

Connect the “Expand” port of SoftStep to the “to SoftStep Expand” port on the SoftStep MIDI Expander using the USB A to mini B cable. Connect SoftStep to a computer using the USB A to B cable. There is no need to use the USB power supply.

Getting Started

Before you begin working with the SoftStep make sure you do all of the following in this order:

1. Purchase a SoftStep and the software application at http://www.mcssl.com/

store/kmi/softstep1

2. Download the application from http://www.keithmcmillen.com/softstep/

downloads/

3. Install the application onto your computer:

1. for mac: Install the application using the .dmg file

2. for windows: Unzip the file and move the entire SoftStep directory into your Program Files directory. Make sure you keep the SoftStep.exe in the SoftStep folder so that it stays with the presets.

4. Check to see if you need a firmware update and update your firmware if needed

5. Plug the SoftStep into your computer via USB

6. Open up the SoftStep application and you're ready to start

If you have problems with or questions about any of these steps see the chapters of this manual below that are devoted to them (linked to above). If you continue to have problems consult the troubleshooting chapter. If these problems persist e-mail us at support@keithmcmillen.com with an explanation of your problem. The more descriptive you are about your problem, the more we will be able to help you.

Downloading the Software

When you purchase a SoftStep you should also download the latest version of the firmware and software at http://www.keithmcmillen.com/softstep/downloads/

Make sure the software and the firmware versions are compatible with each other.

Note: If you used the Mac version 1.099 or RC1 please archive or delete them before updating to version 1.1 so you don't accidentally launch either of these older versions (particularly important if your firmware is not VK1 or higher).

The firmware version that goes with the version of the SoftStep application is located in the firmware folder of the SoftStep directory along with instructions for performing the update.

Once the software has finished downloading, install using the .dmg file (mac) or unzip it and drag and drop the entire "SoftStep" folder into your Program Files folder (windows).

The SoftStep folder will contain the SoftStep application, which should not be moved from this folder. The SoftStep folder will also contain your presets, this folder should not be moved out of this folder either unless you are transferring your presets from an earlier version. A Firmware folder will also appear in the SoftStep directory which contains the corresponding firmware version for your SoftStep to be compatible with this version of the software. There are also several useful documents including a version notes file which includes information about the current version you have downloaded and the full SoftStep Reference Manual.

Updating the Software

After downloading an upgrade from the SoftStep downloads site you can just unzip the file into your applications folder or program files folder. At that point you can keep your older version if you would like to, this will cause no problems or conflicts with the newer version. If you should decide to delete your old version remember to save your presets. See the Managing Presets chapter of the manual for more information on how to transfer your presets to a new version.

Updating the Firmware

Make sure the software and the firmware versions are compatible with each other.

To check which firmware version you have on your SoftStep just plug it into your computer and the firmware version will flash on the alpha numeric display for a moment just before it begins to flash "Soft...Step". Check this Version against the firmware version that is in the "firmware" folder with your application. It is also available here: http://www.keithmcmillen.com/softstep/downloads/. VK or VK1 is the firmware version that is required for software version 1.1 (the version this manual goes along with). If your SoftStep already displays this version there is no need to follow the steps below for your computer.

You can find tutorial videos for performing the firmware update for both Mac and Windows here: http://www.keithmcmillen.com/softstep/downloads/

These are the steps to perform the firmware update:

MAC

1. If you have not already, download and install SysEx Librarian from

http://www.snoize.com/SysExLibrarian/

2. Download or locate the firmware version you wish to install.

3. Plug in your SoftStep and open SysEx Librarian.

4. Click "Add…" in the lower left corner of the screen. When browser window opens, navigate to the latest SysEx file in the firmware folder: SoftStepVK1.syx, and hit "Open."

5. Select Port 1 from the drop down menu labeled "Destination."

6. Now select the file in the main window of the SysEx Librarian application. Once selected it should become highlighted blue.

7. Hit the "Play" button in the top left corner. At this point a progress bar will pop up, and the display on your SoftStep will go blank. The firmware will take a moment to update.

8. Once the update is complete the SoftStep will briefly display the firmware version and subsequently flash "SOFT" and "STEP." Make sure you see this happen on the SoftStep display before you exit the Sysex Librarian or disconnect your SoftStep.

A video tutorial on how to do this can be found here:

http://www.keithmcmillen.com/softstep/downloads/

Now you can open up the SoftStep application and begin!

WINDOWS

1. If you have not already, download and install SysEx Box from

http://miostools.midibox.org/ It's the one at the top of the page.

2. Download the latest firmware version from the SoftStep downloads page:

http://www.keithmcmillen.com/softstep/downloads/

3. Plug in your SoftStep and open SysEx Box.

4. Select the correct MIDI In and MIDI Out ports from the drop down menu. On Windows XP computers the port will most likely be "USB Audio Device 1". On other operating systems it will be something like "SoftStep Port 1".

5. Click "Open Sysex File". When browser window opens, navigate to the latest SysEx file (for example, SoftStepVJ1.syx), and hit "Open."

6. Hit the "Send Sysex" button and the display on your SoftStep will go blank. The firmware will take a moment to update.

7. One the update is complete the SoftStep will briefly display the firmware version (for example VJ1), and subsequently flash "SOFT" and "STEP."

Quick Start Guide

The SoftStep can operate two different ways. It can be used in HOSTED mode with the SoftStep application or it can be used in STANDALONE without the application and even without a computer if used with the SoftStep MIDI Expander.

Standalone

With your SoftStep equipped with firmware version VK or VK1, there will be some initial factory settings already downloaded to your SoftStep. These settings come in the form of several different banks (programs/settings/presets/etc...) that we call scenes. A scene encompasses 10 different presets, 1 preset for each numbered key pad on the SoftStep that tells that key what to do and what type of MIDI Data to send out. So in a nutshell a scene contains 1 set of instructions for all the keys.

You can use the diamond-shaped Nav Pad on the right side of the SoftStep to scroll through these scenes by stepping on the east and west sides (the x-axis). When scrolling through the scenes you will see the scene abbreviation appear on the alpha numeric display to the left of the Nav Pad. These are the default scenes that are available when using the SoftStep standalone:

PRGM = Program Change - This scene allows you to select programs 0 - 127 over MIDI Channel 1. The top and bottom keys of the Nav Pad let you scroll through

decades (10's). Then step on one of the 10 keys to determine the last digit (0-9).

This sends out the program change message.

TOGL = Toggles - This scene makes each key a toggle switch triggered by Foot On.

It sends these toggles out CC #s 20-29. The LED indicates whether the toggle is off

or on.

NOTE = Notes - This scene triggers MIDI notes 60 - 69 (C4 - A4). The note on message is triggered by a foot on and the note off message is triggered when you take your foot off. Velocity is 127.

PRES = Pressure Live - This scene uses the pressure of your foot on each key to send out values on CC #s 110 - 119.

11RK = ElevenRack Control - This scene works with an Avid Eleven Rack Processor. You will need the MIDI Expander in order to connect. The top row toggles effects and the bottom row modulates the effects’ parameters. Keys 1 and 3 use pressure on the top of the key to increase the value and pressure on the bottom of the key to decrease the value. For instant gratification, try this scene with the Eleven Rack’s factory preset program #3 - “A4 Subway God”.

POD = Line6 Pod Control - This scene works with most Line6 processors. You will need the MIDI Expander in order to connect. The top row toggles effects and the bottom row modulates the effects’ parameters. Keys 1 and 3 use pressure on the top of the key to increase the value and pressure on the bottom of the key to decrease the value. For instant gratification, try this scene with the Line6 Pod’s factory preset program #30 - “8C Vibro Blues”.

Using the SoftStep Application to Program the SoftStep

There may come a time that the factory scenes available on the SoftStep do not meet your needs or you want to change a few things to suite you better. At this point you'll want to use the SoftStep application in Standalone mode so that you can edit the scenes or program new ones. You might also at some point wish to take advantage of all the features that are available to you in Hosted mode.

Below is a quick explanation of the main things you'll want to edit with the SoftStep application. The pictures in this chapter are taken in Standalone mode to show the things that are unavailable when using the application as an editor for Standalone.

All things grayed out in the pictures are available when in Hosted mode.

The very first thing you need to check before using the SoftStep application is:

Make sure the software and the firmware versions are compatible with each other.

The firmware version that goes with the version of the SoftStep application is located in the firmware folder of the SoftStep directory along with instructions for performing the update.

When you open the SoftStep application make sure the SoftStep connected light comes on in the bottom right corner of the main window.

To alter the settings for a key select which scene you want to edit from the scene drop-down menu and open up a modulation window for one of the keys. Or if you want to make a brand new scene just open up one of the modulation windows for one of the keys.

Each key has 6 rows called modlines. Each row can use a different data source from the key so that you can have up to six simultaneous data streams for each key. Let's just start with 1 for now.

Modlines

on/off - click on the circle to enable the modulation line and it will show a blue-

green color. When disabled, the modline on/off appears dark.

mode (not available in Standalone) - this refers to the mode for the initial value which is how often you want the initial value to be sent:

• None - the initial value is never sent out

• Once - initial value is sent out only the first time that scene is recalled in a given session (session meaning from the time you open the application until the time you close the application). Every other time the scene is recalled it will recall whatever that modline's state was the last time you were in the scene.

• Always - the initial value is sent out every time the scene is recalled

init-val (not available in Standalone) - the initial value. This is the starting value in the absence of any raw data from the source. The mode (defined above) dictates when the initial value is used.

sources - Choose what data source will control the modline. Click on the box and many parameters will pop up in a scroll menu. For a complete list of sources and how they work, see the SoftStep Sources in the Appendix.

raw (not shown in Standalone) - The value coming directly from the source is displayed here (in Hosted mode).

gain - this is the first place where you can use math to modify the signal. Whatever number is put in the gain box is used to multiply the raw value coming from the source.

offset - set a number to add to the value after it has been multiplied by the gain value.

result (not shown in Standalone) - the resulting value of the source modified by gain and offset (in Hosted mode).

table - after going through the gain and offset the data is entered into the selected lookup table, and used to plot the index on a chart. There are a number of table options, each which will affect the modulation differently as it changes value over time. There are also two toggle options. These either toggle between 0 and 1 or 0 and 127 when a value above 0 is received by the table.

min / max - these allow you to constrain the data values between a minimum and a maximum number.

slew - The slew value represents the number of milliseconds that it will take to get to the target value. Use slew to smooth out data when it jumps from one number to another. The larger the slew, the slower the result will respond to the source.

parameter destination - Click on the drop-down menu to see the many options available: Note Set, Note Live, CC, Bank, Program, OSC (Open Sound Control), Pitch Bend, MMC, Aftertouch, Poly Aftertouch, GarageBand, and HUI. These options are further customizable by selecting the the note, velocity or control change, or the channel # on which to send the data out. For a complete explanation of parameter destinations see the SoftStep Parameter Destinations list in the Appendix. OSC, Aftertouch, Poly Aftertouch, GarageBand, and HUI are currently only available in Hosted mode.

device/route - this is where you select the port that you want all of your MIDI messages to go out to. If you'd like to send your data out through the SoftStep MIDI Expander then you would want to choose "SoftStep Expander" as your device. The SoftStep MIDI Expander is called "SoftStep Expander" on mac computers and sometimes "MIDIOUT2 (SoftStep)" or "USB Audio Device (2)" on windows computers.

For Standalone mode, if you want to send your data out to other applications on your computer (Ableton Live, Logic, Digital Performer, etc...) then you'll select "SSCOM Port 1" on Mac and Windows computers (or "USB Audio Device (1)" for some Windows users).

For Hosted mode you'll want to use the "SoftStep Share" device (for mac users) as your output device to send data to other applications on your computer. For windows users in Hosted mode you will have to set up an inter-application MIDI bus. We recommend using MIDI Yoke which is available to download for free at http://www.midiox.com/ (for instructions on setting this up see the Ports chapter of this manual).

output (not shown in Standalone) - this displays what data is being sent out to the device you've selected.

Tip: If you are in Standalone mode it's a good idea to use a MIDI monitor of some sort when editing the settings so that you can see the MIDI data you are sending out from the SoftStep. We highly recommend MIDI Monitor for use on a Mac computer which is available to download for free here:

http://www.snoize.com/MIDIMonitor/ Our recommended Windows alternative is

MIDI Ox, available to download for free here: http://www.midiox.com/

LEDs and Display

You can also program your LEDs and alphanumeric display to react to data from the modlines. There is a green LED and a red LED for each key. There are drop down menus for each color and on each modline so that you can select what you want the LED to do.

None - the light will not come on when you select none.

True - the light will come on when the output of the key is above 0.

False - the light will come on when the output of the key is 0.

Flash True - the light will flash repeatedly when the output of the key is above 0.

Flash False - the light will flash repeatedly when the output of the key is 0.

Flash Fast True - the light will flash quickly when the output of the key is above 0.

Flash Fast False - the light will flash quickly when the output of the key is 0.

Blink True - the light will blink once when the output of the key goes above 0.

Blink False - the light will blink once when the output of the key goes to 0.

Off - turns the LED off.

Above the LED menus you can select what information you want to see on the alphanumeric display. First decide which display mode you want to use:

None - selecting this mode will cause the 4 letter display box to show the scene's 4 letter display when using that key, instead of the key name or prefix.

Always - selecting this mode will display the key name whenever that key is the most recently activated key. In this mode the prefix is not used.

Once (not available in Standalone) - selecting this mode will display the key name once at the moment it is activated and will then show the prefix and parameter value.

Initial/Return (not available in Standalone) - selecting this mode will display the key name when the key is selected but not active, and will display the prefix and parameter value when in use. This mode only works well for continuously changing sources, not for toggles. When the display is showing a source value and the slew causes the output to persist after the foot is off the key, the display will no longer be updated, even though the parameter is still being altered. Initial/Return is only available as a mode for the keys, not the Nav Pad.

Immed Param - stands for immediate parameter. This will show the prefix and parameter value when that key is the currently activated key. The key name doesn't ever show up in this mode.

The dots to the right of the LED menus allows you to select which modline will be used with the prefix when in Initial/Return or Immed Param mode.

The reminder field next to that is just so you can make a little note to yourself about the modline you just created. This note serves no purpose except to just remind you about what that modline is for.

Saving

After programming your key's modulation windows you'll want to save your settings for that key into a preset. After saving all of your key's presets you'll want to save them all into a scene.

In the upper left corner of your key's modulation window is where you will find the save button for saving key presets.

The upper left corner of the main window is where you will find the save button for your scenes.

Make sure to save your key presets first. To save a preset click the Save button and type what you want its name to be in the Preset Name box.

In the picture to the left, if I were to click "save", my old preset saved under preset 3 "Toggles" would be replaced with the latest adjustments, and Preset 3 would be renamed "ProgramChange."

Instead, change the Preset Number to a blank "unnamed" slot (in this case "4") and type in a new name in the "Preset Name" field. This enables you to save multiple custom presets.

Now that you are done making a preset, you easily recall the key preset by hitting the increment/decrement box on the right in either the top of the keys modulation window or from the main SoftStep window.

If you edit a preset after saving or recalling it the save button in the main window will begin blinking red to remind you to save your preset.

You can also revert to your last saved setting by clicking the "revert" button next to the "save" button.

After saving a key preset you'll want to save your scene. First make sure you've set all of the keys to the correct presets for that scene. When saving a scene be sure to give your scene a 4 letter name for the alphanumeric display so that you have a way of knowing which scene you are on just by looking at the SoftStep.

The scene window is a bit different from the preset window. There is the option to save keys with scene so that you don't have to save all of the key presets individually. This will put all keys in the same slot (including the Nav Pad preset) and be named the same as the scene name with their key number.

If you are in Standalone mode and you want to download your scenes to your SoftStep for use without the application, put them in your setlist and click the "download" button. Make sure to save all of your changes before clicking download.

For more information see the Saving Scenes & Presets chapter of this manual.

The information presented in this chapter has been somewhat limited in order to get you started as quickly as possible. The discovery of more features and greater possibilities awaits in the following pages of this manual. Also check out the

troubleshooting chapter if you are experiencing any problems.

SoftStep Software

SoftStep is not your typical foot controller. Using the SoftStep with the provided application allows you the ability to create powerful control parameters in a simple, user friendly way.

The SoftStep application works with the SoftStep hardware controller to manipulate sensor data that gives the player a nearly infinite degree of control and possibility.

The SoftStep multitouch controller has 10 key pads, each with Sensor Key Technology enabling 5 degrees of freedom that are unique to each key. These parameters include X, Y, Clockwise Rotation, Counter Clockwise Rotation and Pressure. These sources can be mapped to destinations up to six times for each key providing the possibility of a dense data source from a single motion of the foot.

To begin using the SoftStep, plug in the controller via USB and open up the SoftStep application.

Make sure the software and the firmware versions are compatible with each other.

The firmware version that goes with the version of the SoftStep application is located in the firmware folder of the SoftStep directory along with instructions for performing the update.

Also make sure the SoftStep connected light comes on in the bottom right corner of the main window before you begin to use the application.

The Basics

The SoftStep application is set up so that when you first open it you see an arrangement similar to the arrangement of the SoftStep itself. The main controls for each key pad are all laid out with the controls for the diamond-shaped Nav Pad on the right. The keys and the Nav Pad all have their own modulation window where the sources, visible from the sensor view, can be mapped to various MIDI

destinations of your choosing using the modlines. Each modulation window contains

6 modlines. This means that you can control 6 different messages per key. After setting up your modlines you can save all of this information into presets for each key. The presets are then saved into scenes from the main window.

Additionally, you can move from scene to scene in whatever order you choose by using the setlist. The x-axis of the diamond-shaped Nav Pad is set to scroll through the scenes in the setlist. In Hosted Mode, each time you come back to any scene it will remember where you were in that scene last time you were there so you can pick right back up where you left off. For example, let's say that for one scene you have all of your program change messages set up. After editing your program changes with the foot controller you go to a different scene, one that is set up to control a looper, after turning on some loops you can go back to the program change scene it will remember what the last program change message you sent out was. Also when you go back to the looper it will remember which loops you turned on last time you were in that scene. By tapping either up/down on the Nav Pad the last data sent from that scene will be displayed in the alpha numeric display until you press another key.

The SoftStep application also provides you with the ability to alter the sensitivity

settings for the keys and the Nav Pad. Accessible from the main window, the

settings window also lets you set up a MIDI input device for use with the SoftStep

MIDI Expander and calibrate an expression or volume pedal for use with the

SoftStep's expression port. MIDI input can then be used as sources in the key's modulation windows and the Preset Modulation window, also accessible from the Main window. You can use Preset Modulation to allow other MIDI controllers to change scenes or presets for the keys or Nav Pad.

The SoftStep application also has the ability to turn into an editor for Standalone mode, which allows you to download all of your presets to the SoftStep hardware for use without the application or even without the computer if you have a SoftStep MIDI Expander. The features available in Standalone mode are a bit different than the features available in Hosted mode. For an explanation about the differences between Hosted and Standalone, see the Standalone Vs. Hosted chapter of this manual.

Ports

The SoftStep communicates with the computer via USB on 2 MIDI ports. The function of these ports will change when you select Standalone or Hosted mode:

SSCOM Port 1 and SSCOM Port 2 (for native English computers).

MAC

In the application's main window, select "SSCOM Port 1" for your MAIN INPUT PORT and MAIN OUTPUT PORT. Select "SSCOM Port 2" for your EXPANDER INPUT PORT and EXPANDER OUTPUT PORT. The word "port" in the name of the device may come up differently depending on what language your computer is set to. This is the reason the ports must be selected manually in the main window.

In Hosted mode, SSCOM Port 1 is the port on which data from the SoftStep travels to and from the SoftStep application. The SoftStep application uses this data to mold it into something you can use for your own purposes. You will need to use a virtual MIDI Port to communicate from the SoftStep application to other applications on your computer. The SoftStep Share Port is available as a virtual MIDI port after opening the SoftStep application. This is our own inter-application MIDI Bus. Use SoftStep Share as your device to route data to other applications on your computer. You may also use the IAC Driver Bus, which is Apple's inter-application MIDI Bus. To use these set the device/route to "SoftStep Share" or "IAC Driver Bus" in each key's modline. You will need to set other applications to receive data only from SoftStep Share or IAC Driver Bus and not SSCOM Port 1 so that the raw sensor data does not get mixed up with the data you are trying to send from the SoftStep application.

The SoftStep application in Standalone mode becomes the Standalone Editor.

When you use Standalone mode, "SSCOM Port 1" now becomes the input for user MIDI data to and from SoftStep. In this mode you need to set the device/route to SSCOM Port 1 in each key's modline and make sure that other applications use SSCOM Port 1 for MIDI Input.

To talk to external hardware with the SoftStep MIDI Expander in both Hosted and Standalone modes, set the device/route to "SoftStep Expander" in each key's modline. This may also appear as "SSCOM Port 2" in other applications.

WINDOWS

In the application's main window, select "SSCOM Port 1" for your MAIN INPUT PORT and MAIN OUTPUT PORT. Select "SSCOM Port 2" for your EXPANDER INPUT PORT and EXPANDER OUTPUT PORT. Windows XP computers often rename the ports to "USB Audio Device (1)" and "USB Audio Device (2)". The MIDI Expander port also is sometimes renamed to "MIDIOUT2 (SSCOM)". Variations of the port names can occur depending on your operating system and the language your computer is set to.

The port naming inconsistencies on Windows operating systems is why it is necessary to manually select the ports in the main window.

Windows does not come with a built-in MIDI bus but you can download one for free online. We recommend using MIDI Yoke. You can download that from here:

http://www.midiox.com/

Run the installer file. If you are running Windows 7 or Windows Vista you will most likely need to disable or turn off the UAC (User Account Control) in Control Panel on your computer in order for the installation to work. Here is a link where you can find instructions for doing this:

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/12/30/how-to-disable-and-turn-off-uac-inwindows-7/

After MIDI Yoke successfully installs on your computer the "Out to MIDI Yoke: [1-8]" device will automatically appear in your device/route list in your key's modlines.

You will need to set other applications to receive data only from the MIDI Yoke devices and not SSCOM Port 1 so that the raw sensor data does not get mixed up with the data you are trying to send from the SoftStep application.

The SoftStep application in Standalone mode becomes the Standalone Editor.

When you use Standalone mode, "SSCOM Port 1" now becomes the input for user MIDI data to and from SoftStep. In this mode you need to set the device/route to SSCOM Port 1 (or "USB Audio Device (1)" etc...) in each key's modline and make sure that other applications use this same port for MIDI Input.

Standalone vs. Hosted

There are a few important differences to be aware of when choosing whether to use the SoftStep application in Hosted mode or in Standalone mode. The major difference is that Hosted mode requires that the SoftStep be connected to your computer with the SoftStep application running, while Standalone mode allows you to use the SoftStep without running the application (or even without a computer if you have the SoftStep MIDI Expander).

Another important difference is that when using the application as an editor in Standalone mode the visual feedback available to you in the sensor view and modlines is unavailable. You'll notice that the sensor view button is grayed out and you cannot view the raw data coming in through the modline like you can in Hosted mode.

Tip: It's a good idea to use a MIDI monitoring program of some sort

when editing the settings while in Standalone mode so that you can

see the MIDI data you are sending out from the SoftStep. We highly

recommend MIDI Monitor for use on a Mac computer. It is available

to download for free here: http://www.snoize.com/MIDIMonitor/ Our

recommended Windows alternative is MIDI Ox, available to download

for free here: http://www.midiox.com/

Selecting which output device to use to send MIDI data is a bit different in Standalone mode. Since the data will be coming directly from the SoftStep, which has only two ports, inter-application ports become unavailable and unnecessary in Standalone mode. Select "SSCOM Port 1" (SoftStep's Port 1) as the device/route to send data through to applications on your computer. This can appear as "USB Audio Device (1)" on some Windows computers. Select "SoftStep Expander" (SSCOM Port

2) as your device to send data out through the SoftStep MIDI Expander. SSCOM 2 can appear as "MIDIOUT2 (SSCOM)" on some Windows computers. For more information on ports and devices in Hosted mode see the Ports chapter and the device/route definition in the Modulation chapter of this manual.

The state recall feature that allows you to change scenes and return to them and find everything how you left it is not available in Standalone mode. So in Standalone mode, the LED data and Toggle states will not be remembered as you move between scenes. Anytime you go back to a scene that you have previously sent data from, that scene will load as though it were the first time you've selected it after plugging the SoftStep in.

Standalone mode does not currently support modifications of the Nav Pad functionality. The Nav Pad modulation window in Standalone mode is grayed out. In Standalone mode the Nav Pad is hard coded for the x-axis (east and west sides of the pad) to scroll through the scenes that are selected for the setlist. The y-axis (north and south ends of the pad) is hard coded to count through numbers 0 through 12 which represent decades for values 0-120. For more information see the Nav

Pad chapter of this manual.

You will also find that Standalone mode does not support the full list of sources and parameter destinations. In Standalone mode, the sources list does not include MIDI Input, rotation, rot relative, the trigger sources, or Nav Y. Parameter destinations do not include OSC, Aftertouch, or Poly Aftertouch.

Main Window Overview

When you open the SoftStep application the following window will pop up. This image shows the use of one of the main factory presets:

A brief overview of the main window is as follows:

The shadowed box seen above holds 10 blocks that correspond to the 10 button keys on the SoftStep hardware. Each numbered box holds presets that pertain to that key. These presets can be edited by clicking the modulation box within each key. When you step on each key a blue background will appear around the corresponding block (as shown above on key 1).

To the right of the numbered pads are 4 dark grey boxes that mirror what is displayed on the LED display on the SoftStep controller. Under that is the control for the Nav Pad. This allows you to control the settings for the diamond-shaped pad on the right side of the SoftStep. When in Standalone mode, the Nav Pad modulation window is not selectable because it's features are hard-coded in Standalone mode. (See the Nav

Pad chapter of this manual for more information.)

The top left corner of the main window holds the scene that allows you to save and recall presets that belong to that scene. This scene encompasses the 10 presets of our 10 keys and the preset for the diamond-shaped Nav Pad.

Under the scenes control is the setlist control which allows you to put the scenes in an order that is useful for performances. The order that you save your scenes while you are programming your SoftStep might not be the order you end up wanting to use during performance. This way you can navigate through the scenes in whatever order you choose.

The display text field lets you set a scene abbreviation. This is what the alpha numeric display on the SoftStep will show when you navigate through the scenes.

The open preset mod button allows you to open a window where you can use the MIDI input sources to control presets. For example, you could set up a MIDI Input that you can use to change what preset key 1 is set to.

To the right of the preset mod control is where you can open the settings window and select it's presets. The settings window is where you set how the application will scale and accept data from the controller. The settings window is also where you set up an OSC port and declare MIDI Input channels.

Above these controls is the sensor view button and the rescan midi button. When clicked, sensor view will open up another user interface that shows you exactly how the controller is sensing data. Rescan MIDI will rescan your MIDI devices in case you've plugged in something new since opening the application.

You can also select whether you want to use the application as the host or as an editor for using the SoftStep standalone. Selecting Hosted will allow you to work with the application and all of the functionality that comes along with it, including visual feedback so you can see how the raw data from the SoftStep is being put to use.

Hosted requires that you keep the application running in the

background while using the SoftStep.

Selecting Standalone makes the application work as an editor that you use to program the SoftStep. The download button becomes available when in Standalone so that when you are finished setting everything up the way you want you can click "download" and then exit the application and use the SoftStep without it. Make sure to save all of your scenes and presets before clicking download. For more information on the differences between Hosted and Standalone see the Standalone

vs. Hosted chapter of this manual.

Saving Scenes & Presets

After programming your key's modulation windows you'll want to save your settings for that key into a preset. After saving all of your key's presets you'll want to save them all into a scene.

In the upper left corner of your key's modulation window is where you will find the save button for saving key presets.

The upper left corner of the main window is where you will find the save button for your scenes.

Make sure to save your key presets first. To save a preset click the Save button and type what you want its name to be in the Preset Name box.

In the picture to the left, if I were to click "save", my old preset saved under preset 3 "Toggles" would be replaced with the latest adjustments, and Preset 3 would be renamed "ProgramChange."

Instead, change the Preset Number to a blank "unnamed" slot (in this case "4") and type in a new name in the "Preset Name" field. This enables you to save multiple custom presets.

Tip: After clicking in the preset number box, you can then use the up/down arrows

on your computer keyboard to scroll up or down to unnamed slots. You can also

type in the number you wish to scroll to. Then hit enter and your scene or preset

will save.

Now that you are done making a preset, you easily recall the key preset by hitting the increment/decrement box on the right in either the top of the keys modulation

window or from the main SoftStep window. You can also click on the preset names and select the preset you want from a drop-down menu.

If you edit a preset after saving or recalling it the save button in the main window will begin blinking red to remind you to save your preset.

You can also revert to your last saved setting by clicking the "revert" button next to the "save" button.

Managing Scenes and Presets

When you save scenes or presets in SoftStep this information is stored in a folder within the SoftStep application. You're going to want to be aware of how to retrieve your presets so that you can save them and transfer them if you upgrade to newer versions of the software.

To retrieve the folder with your presets from previous versions of the SoftStep software, locate the preset folder from the older version. To use these presets in the newest version paste the contents of your "Presets" folder into the "Hosted" folder which is inside the "Presets" folder of the SoftStep directory. If you wish to backup the factory presets folder before replacing them with your presets make sure you store them in a directory outside of the SoftStep folder. If you have multiple preset folders inside the SoftStep directory the application will not know which presets you want to use.

We recommend keeping a folder outside of you SoftStep directory that contains all of the different presets folders that you want to save. You can move them in and out of the folder to use them or not use them. You can also rename the folders to be more descriptive of what you are using them for. Just be sure you don't rename or tamper with the files that are inside the folder.

Factory Presets

The SoftStep application comes with a number of scene presets already saved.

These are the scenes available from the factory presets:

Hosted Mode

Init - This scene loads the Init presets for all of the keys and the Nav Pad. This

provides you with a "clean slate" where you would want to start from if you were going to make your own presets from scratch.

Loop Toggles - This scene loads up a Toggle for each key which is triggered by the Foot On source. It sends these toggles out CC numbers 60-69 to the SoftStep MIDI Expander. The LED states reflect whether the toggle is off or on and the display will show you which key you're using.

Ableton Live Loops - This scene is basically the same as the loop toggles preset except that it sends the parameters out the IAC Driver device so that you can use it with Ableton Live. One other difference is that it uses the "Toggle 127" table which toggles between 0 and 127 instead of 0 and 1. This is because Live will only recognize toggles that go between 0 and 127.

Note Triggers - This scene sets up MIDI notes 60-69. The note on message is triggered by foot on and the note off message is triggered when you take your foot off. The device is set to come out of your computers internal MIDI synthesizer. The LED display turns green during the note on messages and turns off after the note off messages. The alpha numeric display will show you which key you're using.

Pressure Live - This scene uses the pressure live source on each key and sends it out via cc to the SoftStep MIDI Expander. The LEDs show green when the pressure exceeds 0 and turn off when at 0. The alpha numeric display will show you the prefix, "PL" (for Pressure Live), and the pressure data when your pressing a key.

Program Change Expander - This scene sends out program change messages out the SoftStep MIDI Expander. I works so that when you use the y-axis on the Nav Pad you can increment and decrement up and down by 10 with the display showing you where you are. Then you can step on one of the 10 keys and put in the last digit and send out your program change message. The alpha numeric display shows the message that you are sending out. The LEDs turn green and stay green for whichever key was the last key you activated.

Program Change Share - This scene is exactly the same as the Program Change Expander scene except that the messages are sent out the IAC Driver Bus instead so that you can use this preset inside of your computer for a DAW or other application.

DAW Transport - This scene uses foot on triggers to send MMC messages out. You would have to put in your own device ID for it to work whatever you wish to send it to. The alpha numeric display shows you the intended function for each key, not all keys are assigned to a function. The LEDs act as radio buttons for stop, play, record, and pause. The LED's for rewind and fast forward turn on when you step on the key and off when you lift your foot up.

Mussorgsky - This is a fun scene set up to play Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. If you start at key 1, the alpha numeric display shows you what note to play next. The chords are triggered with the Foot on source and are sent out to your computer's internal MIDI synthesizer. The LED display turns green during the note on messages and turn off after the note off messages.

Live Toggles & Parameters - This scene is intended for use with Ableton Live. The bottom row of keys are meant to be on/off switches for effects or tracks and the top row uses Y Increment as the source to control a parameter for the effect or track that is above it.

Ableton Live Demo - This scene is for use with the Ableton Live Tutorial set (Live_Example1_DrumLoops.zip) that comes with the SoftStep application package in the "application_examples" folder. All of the keys control different parameters in the Live set. Also check out the Using SoftStep with Ableton Live chapter of the

Appendix for more information on how this scene is used with the Live set.

Ableton Live Guitar FX Demo Looper - This scene is for use with the Ableton Live

Tutorial set (Live_Example2_GuitarFXLooper.zip) that comes with the SoftStep application package in the "application_examples" folder. All of the keys control different parameters in the Live set.

Logic Transport Demo - This scene is for use with the Logic Transport Tutorial file (logic_transport_tutorial.zip) that comes with the SoftStep application package in the "application_examples" folder. All of the keys control transport functions in the Logic project.

Garageband Transport - This scene works with the Garageband parameter destinations for transport control in GarageBand. In order to use this preset you'll need to download Garage Remote. It's a free program that is added to your system preferences that will receive MIDI data and translate for GarageBand. You can download it here: http://www.muratnkonar.com/otherstuff/garageremote/ downloads.shtml

Mainstage 51-60 Keys - This scene is for use with the Mainstage Tutorial file (mainstage_tutorial.zip) that comes with the SoftStep application package in the "application_examples" folder. All of the keys control effects in the Mainstage project.

Pro Tools HUI - This scene is set up to use the HUI parameter destinations to control transport functions in ProTools. See the HUI explanation in the SoftStep

Parameter Destinations chapter in the Appendix for more information.

Standalone Mode

Init - This scene loads the Init presets for all of the keys and the Nav Pad. This

provides you with a "clean slate" where you would want to start from if you were going to make your own presets from scratch.

Program Change - This scene allows you to select programs 0 - 127 over MIDI Channel 1. The top and bottom keys of the Nav Pad let you scroll through decades (10's). Then step on one of the 10 keys to determine the last digit (0-9). This sends out the program change message.

Toggles - This scene makes each key a toggle switch triggered by Foot On. It sends these toggles out CC #s 20-29. The LED indicates whether the toggle is off or on.

Notes - This scene triggers MIDI notes 60 - 69 (C4 - A4). The note on message is triggered by a foot on and the note off message is triggered when you take your foot off. Velocity is 127.

Pressure Live - This scene uses the pressure of your foot on each key to send out values on CC #s 110 - 119.

ElevenRack Control - This scene works with an Avid Eleven Rack Processor. You will need the MIDI Expander in order to connect. The top row toggles effects and the bottom row modulates the effects’ parameters. Keys 1 and 3 use pressure on the top of the key to increase the value and pressure on the bottom of the key to decrease the value. For instant gratification, try this scene with the Eleven Rack’s factory preset program #3 - “A4 Subway God”.

Line6 Pod Control - This scene works with most Line6 processors. You will need the MIDI Expander in order to connect. The top row toggles effects and the bottom row modulates the effects’ parameters. Keys 1 and 3 use pressure on the top of the key to increase the value and pressure on the bottom of the key to decrease the value. For instant gratification, try this scene with the Line6 Pod’s factory preset program #30 “8C Vibro Blues”.

DAW Transport - This scene uses foot on triggers to send MMC messages out. You would have to put in your own device ID for it to work whatever you wish to send it to.

The alpha numeric display shows you the intended function for each key, not all keys are assigned to a function. The LEDs act as radio buttons for stop, play, record, and pause. The LED's for rewind and fast forward turn on when you step on the key and off when you lift your foot up.

Ableton Live Guitar FX Demo Looper - This scene is for use with the Ableton Live Tutorial set (Live_Example2_GuitarFXLooper.zip) that comes with the SoftStep application package in the "application_examples" folder. All of the keys control different parameters in the Live set.

Logic Transport Demo - This scene is for use with the Logic Transport Tutorial file (logic_transport_tutorial.zip) that comes with the SoftStep application package in the

"application_examples" folder. All of the keys control transport functions in the Logic project.

Keyboard Demo - This scene is the scene used in the Keyboard video demo which can be viewed here: http://www.keithmcmillen.com/softstep/videos/ Keys 6, 7, and 8 are program changes and keys 9 and 0 hold notes which can be used for starting patterns on keyboards. Key 1 is used for pitch bend. The rest of the keys send out CC#s which can be used to alter parameters on keyboards that can be programmed to receive them.

iPad Demo - Korg iMS-20 - This scene is used in the iPad video demo which can be viewed here: http://www.keithmcmillen.com/softstep/videos/ It works with the Korg iMS-20 iPad app. This should automatically work and sounds best when used with the iMS-20 preset called "Bass 4".

Scenes

The SoftStep application lets you set up presets for each key pad and save and recall them all in a chosen scene. You can save new scenes after selecting all of the presets you want to use for the keys and the Nav Pad. You can then choose a 4 letter abbreviated scene name and save your scene so that it can be recalled later and added to the setlist.

The great thing about using scenes to control your presets is that the state of the scene is remembered even if you change to a new scene. When you go back to that scene again you can pick back up where you left off. This state recall feature has not been implemented in Standalone mode. You can use the setlist to pick which scenes you want to use and in what order you want them to occur. Additionally, the Nav Pad is automatically set up to scroll through the scenes that are listed in the setlist.

In Hosted mode you can program the presets for the keys to recall initial states. These initial states will be how they start out in any given session the first time the scene is recalled (when you start the application or first turn on the SoftStep). You can also select whether or not you want the initial states to be used every time you select that scene, only the first time, or never. (see the key's modulation chapter for more information on init values and init modes).

Setlist

From the main window of the SoftStep software find the setlist menu right under where you save your scenes and click the "open" button.

The Setlist window will open up. You'll see an array of text fields and number boxes with little circles in front of them. Using the circle buttons in front of each line you can turn on or off a scene that you choose to put in the text field. Choose which scene to use by selecting it from the dropdown menu when you click inside the text field, scrolling through the numbers, or pressing the inc/dec buttons on the right hand side.

The order of scenes listed in the set list will be the order of scenes when you scroll through them with the left and right arrows of the Nav Pad.

In Standalone mode the setlist will be limited to 16 scenes. The scenes that are not in the setlist will not be downloaded to the SoftStep.

Settings

The settings window allows you to edit sensitivity parameters for each key, set up a MIDI Input device, an OSC (Open Sound Control) port, and calibrate an expression pedal.

On the left side of the window are the Keys settings:

rotation slew (not available in Standalone)

- rotation plots the location of your foot on the key around a dial that goes from 0-127 which is then available as a source for data mapping. The rotation slew setting allows you to add slew while scrolling through the dial values, allowing you to slow down the rotation.

dead X - when using the X Increment source, this parameter designates the width of the horizontal dead zone, which indicates how much more weight to one side you need to be pushing down to begin incrementing or decrementing.

accel X - when using the X Increment source, this is how fast the inc/dec for the horizontal plane moves. The higher the value, the faster you'll move from one side to the other.

dead Y - when using the Y Increment source, this parameter designates the width of the vertical dead zone, which indicates how much more weight to the top or bottom

you need to be pushing down to begin incrementing or decrementing.

accel Y - when using the Y Increment source, this is how fast the inc/dec for the vertical plane moves. The higher the value, the faster you'll move from one side to the other

on thresh - here you can set the pressure value at which the "foot on" source will register. If set to 10 the pressure of your foot on the key has to reach a value of 10 before the "foot on" trigger is sent.

off thresh - here you can set the pressure value at which the "foot off" source will register. If set to to 5, the pressure of your foot on the key would have to be 5 or lower for the "foot off" trigger to register. Make sure this is lower than the "on" threshold.

delta (not available in Standalone) - If there is a positive change in pressure greater than the delta value it sends the delta trigger value that you can use as a modulation source.

multiple key mode enable - turn this on to be able to use two keys at a time - one per foot. The SoftStep automatically determines the key you mean to press and disallows adjacent keys from accidentally firing while your foot is applying pressure to one key. Normal setting (off) allows just one key at a time to be active.

global gain - amplifies all incoming data from each key. Adjust this first before adjusting other settings. This scales all of the sensor data from the SoftStep keys and can make the SoftStep more or less responsive to pressure. If you are 2 meters tall and 110 KG you would need less global gain than if you weighed half that.

Nav Pad:

on thresh N, S, E, W - just like for the regular keys you can set the sensitivity for the

"foot on" threshold for the four directions of the Nav Pad. If set to 7, you would have to put enough pressure on the key for it to register a value of 7 before the "foot on" trigger is sent.

off thresh N, S, E, W - just like for the regular keys you can set the sensitivity for the "foot off" threshold for the four directions of the Nav Pad. If set to 7, the pressure value would have to be 7 or lower for the "foot off" trigger to register. Make sure these are lower than the "on" thresholds.

Sensor Response - here you can select what type of key response you would like to use for your SoftStep. The SoftStep has 4 pressure sensors for each key. Maximum mode uses the largest of the 4 values. Average averages together all 4 values. The sensor response is useful for the Foot On and Pressure sources. The X and Y sources are determined differently and aren't affected by the sensor response setting.

The right side of the window is where you save and recall presets, set up a MIDI Input device, OSC output, and calibrate an expression pedal. In Standalone mode, MIDI Input, OSC, and pedal calibration will be disabled.

MIDI Input:

enable - turn on or off lines that receive

MIDI Input data.

device - set which MIDI port the MIDI Input data is coming from.

channel - set which channel the MIDI Input data is coming from.

parameter - choose between note, controller, or program change for what type of data is coming in.

# - if you chose note or controller for your parameter then you can choose which control number or note value the data is for.

value - shows the data coming in from the MIDI Input device.

OSC (Open Sound Control):

IP - select the IP address for where the OSC will be sent to.

port - select which port the OSC output will be sent to.

pedal calibration - if you have a pedal plugged into the expression port on the

SoftStep, here is where you can calibrate it. Clicking pedal calibration will open up this window:

Prior to calibrating you will see a plain linear table. Press the start button to calibrate and follow the on-screen instructions to calibrate your pedal.

Move your foot from heal to toe at the

rate of the progress bar.

You can always hit the blue reset button to go back to the linear table or press start again to re-calibrate. The test value shows the calibrated data from your pedal as you use the expression pedal.

You can set a pedal smoothing value. The trade off is smoothness vs. speed. The higher the value the more smoothing, the lower the value the less smooth. If the expression pedal value jumps around increase the smoothing.

The pedal calibration will be remembered between sessions. So every time you open up the SoftStep application the last pedal calibration table will be recalled.

Sensor View

When using the application in Hosted mode, the sensor view window gives you visual representations of the sensor data coming from the SoftStep. Sensor View is not available in Standalone mode.

Each key displays live pressure, a rotation dial, xy latch, pressure latch, inc/dec, and foot on/foot off information.

Notice in the screenshot above that some of the keys have at one time been activated but are not currently activated. The latch indications and the inc/dec and dial indicators are right where they were left. The only thing that doesn't latch is the dark, circular ("live") indicator. Key 6 is in use, which is why it is outlined in blue and displaying sensor data in the "live" display.

1 = pressure latch - this shows the pressure of your foot on the key. This shows the latching feature which means that when you release the key, this value will stay where you left it.

2 = foot on/foot off - this shows you whether or not the key is active. The foot on indicator will light up when a key is in use (as seen above on key 6 above).

You can set the on and off pressure thresholds in the settings window (see the settings chapter of this manual for more info).

3 = rotation - the rotation dial plots where your foot is on the SoftStep around a dial that you can rotate. If your foot pressure is weighted towards the bottom left corner of the key the rotation dial will be turned all the way down. You can then turn it all the way up by rolling the pressure of your foot around the key to the bottom right corner.

4 = live - the live display gives real-time readings of non-latching parameters: pressure, x, and y.

5 = inc/dec - this shows your foot incrementing and decrementing through the horizontal and vertical planes of the key. Step a few times on one side of the key and see the value increment or decrement at a speed determined by the acceleration setting in the settings window ("accel x" & "accel y" - see the settings chapter of this manual for more information). You can also hold pressure onto one side and it will inc

or dec smoothly towards one side. These values will show up in the modlines as "X Increment" and "Y Increment". You can also set a dead zone in the settings window.

6 = xy latch - this shows your foot's x and y axis position on a key. Latch indicates that when you release the key, this value will stay where you left it.

Tip: A good technique for getting the X (horizontal pressure) sources to respond is to put your foot down on the center of the key and just move your knee from side to side. A good Y (vertical pressure) technique is similar, put your foot down on the key with your heel up, lock your ankle and move your knee outward and then back in towards you.

SoftStep Keys

In the main window of the SoftStep application, there are 10 blocks that correspond to each pad on the SoftStep controller. Shown below is a labeled close up of Key 6.

save - click here to save a preset. You can also save presets from within the key's modulation window. (see the Saving Presets chapter of this Manual).

copy - the copy function allows you to copy settings from one key to another. Clicking the copy button on one key will change the copy buttons on all other keys into paste buttons. You can then click to paste the settings into that key. When you are done copying settings, click on the copy button again to return the buttons to read "copy".

LED Status - the circle to the right of the copy button mirrors the LED status on the SoftStep controller. These LEDs are user assignable.

Modulation Window - Clicking this box brings up the modulation window for that individual key, allowing you to edit the parameters in the preset (shown below).

Preset inc/dec - Clicking on the little arrows next to the preset number will increment and decrement up and down through the presets you saved inside of the modulation window. You can also use the number box to scroll or click the preset name and view a drop-down menu of all the presets for that key.

Modulation

Upon opening the modulation window, you will be confronted with an array of six identical "modlines" (Zoomed in below) that can be arranged differently for each key.

There are six modlines that can assign six data sources from an individual key to output different types of messages.

Let's take a closer look at the options available in every modline:

on/off - click on the circle to enable the modulation line and it will show a light bluegreen color. When disabled, the modline on/off appears dark.

mode (not available in Standalone) - this refers to the mode for the initial value which is how often you want the initial value to be sent:

• None - the initial value is never sent out

• Always - the initial value is sent out every time the scene is recalled

sources - Choose what data source will control the modline. Click on the box and many sources will pop up in a scroll menu. Each source uses data differently. Some sources send values from 0-127 and some send only 0-1. For a complete list of sources and an explanation of the behavior each one exhibits see the SoftStep Sources in the Appendix.

raw (not shown in Standalone) - The value coming directly from the source is displayed here.

gain - this is the first place where you can use math to modify the data signal from the source. Whatever number is in the gain box is used to multiply the raw value coming from the source. For example if the source is X live, clicking on the gain number box and typing "2" will double whatever value is received from the controller.

offset - set a number to add to the raw value after it has been multiplied by the gain value.

result (not shown in Standalone) - the resulting value of the source modified by gain and offset.

table - the result value is entered into the selected lookup table, and used to plot the index on a chart. There are a number of table options, each which will affect the modulation differently as it changes value over time. There are also two toggle options.

The "toggle" table will change between 0 and 1 each time a value above 0 is received

by the table. The "toggle 127" table will change between 0 and 127.

min / max - These allow you to constrain the data values between a minimum and a maximum number. If the min is set to 10 and the max is set to 15, then the output cannot be less than 10 or more than 15.

parameter destination - Finally the exciting part! Click on the drop-down menu to

see the many options available: Note Set, Note Live, CC, Bank, Program, OSC (Open

Sound Control), Pitch Bend, MMC, Aftertouch, Poly Aftertouch, GarageBand, and HUI.

These options are further customizable by selecting the the note, velocity, control change, etc..., or the channel # you wish to send the data out. For a complete explanation of parameter destinations see the SoftStep Parameter Destinations in the

Appendix. OSC, Aftertouch, and Poly Aftertouch are only available in Hosted mode.

device/route - this is where you select the port that you want all of your MIDI

messages to go out to. If you'd like to send your data out through the SoftStep MIDI Expander then you would want to choose "SoftStep Expander" as your device. The SoftStep MIDI Expander is called "SoftStep Expander" on Mac computers and either "MIDIOUT2 (SoftStep)" or "USB Audio Device (2)" on Windows computers.

For Hosted mode you'll want to use the "SoftStep Share" device (for Mac users) as your output device to send data to other applications on your computer.

For Windows users in Hosted mode you will have to set up an inter-application MIDI bus. We recommend using MIDI Yoke, which is available to download for free at http://www.midiox.com/ (for instructions on setting this up see the Ports chapter.

output (not shown in Standalone) - this displays what data is being sent out to the device you've selected.

Tip: If you are in Standalone mode it would be a good idea to use a MIDI monitoring

program of some sort when editing the settings while in Standalone mode so that you

can see the MIDI data you are sending out from the SoftStep. We highly recommend

MIDI Monitor for use on a Mac computer. It is available to download for free here:

http://www.snoize.com/MIDIMonitor/ Our recommended Windows alternative is

MIDI Ox, available to download for free here: http://www.midiox.com/

On the right side of the modulation window is where you can set display information for the LED lights and the 4 letter alphanumeric display screen on the SoftStep.

The top row contains the settings for the alphanumeric display screen. Setting the display mode is key for controlling this behavior. There are 5 modes: None, Always, Once, Initial/Return, Immed Param.

Display Modes:

None - selecting this mode will cause the 4 letter display box to show the scene's 4 letter display when using that key, instead of the key name or prefix.

Always - selecting this mode will display the key name whenever that key is the most recently activated key.

Once (not available in Standalone) - selecting this mode will display the key name once at the moment it is activated and will then show the prefix and parameter value.

Initial/Return (not available in Standalone) - selecting this mode will display the key name when the key is selected but not active, and will display the prefix and parameter value when in use. This mode only works well for continuously changing sources, not for toggles or triggers. When the display is showing a source value and the slew causes the output to persist after the foot is off the key, the display will no longer be updated, even though the parameter is still being altered. Initial/Return is only available as a mode for the keys, not the Nav Pad.

Immed Param - stands for Immediate parameter. This will show the prefix and parameter value when that key is the currently activated key. The key name doesn't ever show up in this mode.

The little button at the end of the modlines next to the reminder text fields are for selecting which modline's parameter will follow the prefix if you're in "Initial/Return" or "Immed Param" mode.

LEDs:

The green and red LED modes are also very useful. You can set the key to show you a red light or a green light in certain circumstances. There are several different modes for each light:

None - the light will not come on in this mode

True - the light will come on when the output of the key is above 0

False - the light will come on when the output of the key is 0

Flash True - the light will flash repeatedly when the output of the key is above 0

Flash False - the light will flash repeatedly when the output of the key is 0

Flash Fast True - the light will flash quickly when the output of the key is above 0

Flash Fast False - the light will flash quickly when the output of the key is 0

Blink True - the light will blink once when the output of the key goes above 0

Blink False - the light will blink once when the output of the key goes to 0

Off - turns the LED off

Nav Pad

In Hosted mode the modulation button on the far right of the main window is for making Nav Pad assignments. Standalone mode does not currently support modifications of the Nav Pad functionality.

In Standalone mode the functionality of the Nav Pad is hard coded for the x-axis (east and west sides of the pad) to scroll through the scenes that are selected for the setlist.

The y-axis (north and south ends of the pad) is hard coded to count through numbers 0 through 12 which represent decades for values 0-120. A value is not sent out until one of the numbered key's that uses the source "Nav Yx10 & Key" is pressed. This means

the count will be treated as the diget for the ten's place. For example: if you use the Nav N pad to increment up to count 4, this will enable the 40's decade. Use this in conjunction with the Source "Nav Yx10 & Key" on the numbered pads so that you can then select any number as the last digit. So after counting up to the 40's decade, stepping on key 5 would output 45. This is implemented in the "Program Change.. " factory presets. (See Factory Presets).

In Hosted mode the Nav Pad also has a few hard coded functions. The x-axis (east and west sides of the pad), like in Standalone mode, serves to increment and decrement through the scenes that are assigned to the setlist. The x-axis is not assignable in the modulation window. The y-axis (north and south ends of the pad) will show you the last value sent out from the scene on the alphanumeric display if the north or south pads are stepped on once. If stepped on a second time you will see the scene display name show up on the alphanumeric display. You can also assign the y-axis of the Nav Pad to do other things if you are in Hosted mode.

While in Hosted mode, first go to the main Softstep Window and click on the modulation button in the Nav box.

After clicking on it, the following window will pop up:

As you can see the outline is very similar to the modulation windows for each of the 10 keys. (see the SoftStep Keys chapter for a more detailed explanation of the modline functions.)

The main difference is the circle under the header "Y counter". This means that the Nav Pad value will count through the min and max values. Enable the "wrap" button and this will allow the counter to go bac to the min after it reaches the max. For example, if your min is set to 5 and max set to 120, stepping on the pad again when the value is 120 will set it back to 5. You can reset the counter by clicking on the little circling arrow.

Initial/Return is not available as a display mode in the Nav Pad modulation window.

The sources for the Nav Pad are as follows:

Nav Y - This counts through the range of numbers set in the counter. The Nav Pad's North/Top pad increments the counter while the South/bottom pad decrements the counter.

Nav Y Decade (hard coded to do this in Standalone mode) - This will count through the range of numbers set in the counter in "decades" and doesn't send the number out until one of the numbered key's is pressed. This means the count will be treated as the diget for the ten's place. For example: if you use the Nav N pad to increment up to count 4, this will enable the 40's decade. Use this in conjunction with the Source "Nav Yx10 & Key" on the numbered pads so that you can then select any number as the last digit. So after counting up to the 40's decade, stepping on key 5 would output 45. This is implemented in the "Program Change.. " factory presets. (See Factory Presets).

Nav Y Inc-Dec - Putting pressure on the Nav N pad will increment the value up to 127, putting pressure on the Nav S pad will decrement the value down to 0.

Nav N Foot On - Outputs a 1 when the Nav N pad is being pressed, and a 0 when not in use.

Nav S Foot On - Outputs a 1 when the Nav S pad is being pressed, and a 0 when not in use.

Nav N Foot Off - Outputs a 0 when the Nav N pad is being pressed, and a 1 when not in use.

Nav S Foot Off - Outputs a 0 when the Nav S pad is being pressed, and a 1 when not in use.

Nav N Trig - Sends pressure value out if foot on is held for 500ms on the North/top end of the Nav Pad. The value goes back to 0 after 100ms.

Nav N Trig Fast - Sends pressure value out as soon as you step on the Nav N pad, then goes back to 0 after 100ms.

Nav N Trig Dbl - Sends pressure value after 2 quick, consecutive steps on the Nav N pad, then goes back to 0 after 100ms.

Nav N Trig Long - Sends pressure value out after 1 second of holding down the Nav N pad, then goes back to 0 after 100ms.

Nav S Trig - Sends pressure value out if foot on is held for 500ms on the South/bottom end of the Nav Pad. The value goes back to 0 after 100ms.

Nav S Trig Fast - Sends pressure value out as soon as you step on the Nav S pad, then goes back to 0 after 100ms.

Nav S Trig Dbl - Sends pressure value after 2 quick, consecutive steps on the Nav S pad, then goes back to 0 after 100ms.

Nav S Trig Long - Sends pressure value out after 1 second of holding down the Nav S pad, then goes back to 0 after 100ms.

Pedal - after calibrating a pedal from the Settings window, you will be able to use an expression pedal plugged into the expression port on the SoftStep. The data will come through to this source if selected.

MIDI A...H - These receive the values from the lettered MIDI Inputs in the settings window.

Preset Modulation

MIDI input can be used as sources in the Preset Modulation window. You can use Preset Modulation to allow other MIDI controllers to change scenes or presets for the keys or Nav Pad. The Preset Modulation window opens when you click on the "open preset mod" button from the main window of the SoftStep application. This feature is not available in Standalone mode.

The sources that are available are MIDI Input sources A-H. These refer to the MIDI Inputs that you can set up from the settings window. The picture to the right shows the MIDI Input setup from the settings window.

You can choose the device the MIDI Input is coming from, the channel, what type of data parameter it is and the parameter number (CC number, Program Change number, Note Number, etc...). The numbers in the "value" column show the data coming in. This number would also be displayed in the "raw" column in the preset mod window.

Preset modulation works very similarly to key modulation. You can set a gain and an offset, put the data through a table, then set your min and max, and send it out to a destination.

The destinations that are available in Preset Modulation can increment or decrement a scene or preset. The inc and dec destinations will see a change from 0 to 1 as the cue to perform the increment or decrement. The destinations that do not say inc or dec will just go directly to the slot number that corresponds with the number from the source.

Appendix

SoftStep Sources

The following SoftStep sources are available in every key's modulation line:

Pressure Live - This value corresponds to the overall pressure sensed by the key (a higher value indicates more pressure applied). The value resets back to 0 when the key is depressed. There are 4 pressure sensors in each corner of every key. Depending on the sensor response mode you are in (average or maximum), which is selectable in the settings window of the application, the pressure data from the 4 sensors will either be

averaged together or the maximum pressure will be used. (See also the settings chapter of this manual).

X Live - This value corresponds to the overall pressure in the X-axis or horizontal direction of the key. Applying more pressure to the right side of the key increases the value, while pressure to the left decreases. The raw value resets back to 63 (centroid value between 0 and 127) when the key is depressed.

Y Live - This value corresponds to the overall pressure in the Y or vertical direction of the key. Applying more pressure to the top of the pad increases the value, while pressure to the bottom decreases. The raw value resets back to 63 (centroid value between 0 and 127) when the key is depressed.

Pressure Latch - This value corresponds to the overall pressure sensed by the key (a higher value indicates more pressure applied). The term "latch" indicates that after the foot is taken off, the last recorded value still remains and will not be reset back to 0 (unlike Pressure Live).

X Latch - This value corresponds to the overall pressure in the X or horizontal direction of the key. Applying more pressure to the right side of the key increases the value, while pressure to the left decreases. The term "latch" indicates that after the foot is taken off, the last recorded value still remains and will not be reset back to 0 (unlike X Live).

Y Latch - This value corresponds to the overall pressure in the Y or vertical direction of the key. Applying more pressure to the top of the pad increases the value, while pressure to the bottom decreases. The term "latch" indicates that after the foot is taken off, the last recorded value still remains and will not be reset back to 0 (unlike Y Live).

X Increment - This value corresponds to the horizontal plane in an increment/ decrement style. Step a few times on the right side of the key and see the value increment by different amounts corresponding to the pressure, also try stepping a few times on the left and see the value decrement. You can also hold pressure onto one side and it will inc or dec smoothly towards one side. You can change the acceleration of the incrementing and decrementing in the settings window under the "accel x" parameter (see the settings chapter of this manual for more info).

Y Increment - This value corresponds to the vertical plane in an increment/decrement style. Step a few times on the top of the key and see the value increment by different amounts corresponding to the pressure, also try stepping a few times toward the bottom and seeing the value decrement. You can also hold pressure at the top or bottom and it will inc or dec smoothly towards the top or bottom. You can change the acceleration of the incrementing and decrementing in the settings window under the "accel y" parameter (see the settings chapter of this manual for more info).

Rotation (not available in Standalone) - With your foot pushing down on the SoftStep controller, roll the pressure of your foot in a clockwise or counter clockwise oriented movement and watch the values change.

Rot Relative (not available in Standalone) - no matter where you put your foot initially you'll get an output of 63 (the center of the dial) and then if you rotate your foot clockwise from that the value will go up. If you rotate your foot counter-clockwise from that the value will go down.

Foot On - 1 indicates the foot is on (true) 0 indicates foot off (false). The foot on and off thresholds are adjustable in the settings window. If a pressure value above the foot on threshold is applied to a key, a foot on will register. (See also the settings chapter of this manual for more information on foot on/off thresholds).

Foot Off - Opposite logic to Foot On. 1 indicates foot off (true), 0 indicates foot on (false). If a pressure value below the foot off threshold is applied to a key, a foot off will register.

Wait Trig (not available in Standalone) - Trig is short for trigger. Triggers the pressure value if foot on is held for 500ms. The value goes back to 0 after 100 ms.

Fast Trig (not available in Standalone) - Triggers the pressure value as soon as you step on the key then goes back to 0 after 100ms.

Dbl Trig (not available in Standalone) - Short for double trigger, the pressure value is triggered after two quick impulsive steps on the key. The value goes back to 0 after 100ms.

Long Trig (not available in Standalone) - Triggers the pressure value after 1 second of holding down pressure on the key. The value goes back to 0 after 100ms.

Off Trig (not available in Standalone) - as soon as a foot off is received after stepping on a key, a 1 is sent out for 100ms before returning to 0.

Delta Trig (not available in Standalone) - measures change in pressure. If pressure greater than the delta setting in the settings window occurs, then you'll get a trigger.

(See the settings chapter of this manual for more information).

Wait Trig Latch (not available in Standalone) - Same as Wait Trig but the value doesn't go back to 0 after the trigger

Fast Trig Latch (not available in Standalone) - Same as Fast Trig but the value doesn't go back to 0 after the trigger

Dbl Trig Latch (not available in Standalone) - Same as Dbl Trig but the value doesn't go back to 0 after the trigger

Long Trig Latch (not available in Standalone) - Same as Long Trig but the value doesn't go back to 0 after the trigger

Pedal - This value comes from an expression pedal when connected to the SoftStep's expression port (next to the USB port). The pedal can be calibrated in the settings window of the application. See the settings chapter of this manual for more information on pedal calibration.

Nav Pad Y (not available in Standalone)- This source looks to the Nav Pad's y-axis as it counts through the range of numbers set in the counter. The Nav Pad's North/Top pad increments the counter while the South/bottom pad decrements the counter.

Nav Y x 10 & Key - This unique source works with the Nav Y Decade source for the Nav Pad. It takes the number you are at from the Nav Pad's counter, multiplies it by 10 and adds the Key number to that number. No value is sent out until the last digit is selected with the key. Stepping on the top of the Nav Pad increments the tens digit of the value, similarly the bottom of the Nav Pad decrements the tens digit. The final value is achieved after stepping on one of the 10 pads if they are using this source, indicating the ones digit. For example, step on the top pad 14 times to increment the counter to 14, then hit the number 2 key, and the final value will be 142. Use this setting to reach larger numbers quickly. The "Program Change..." factory scenes are set up to take advantage of this source to quickly select program changes.

Any Key Value - This value corresponds to which of the 10 keys is stepped on.

Stepping on key 7 gives the raw value of 7, stepping on key 2 gives the value of 2. For Example: If you use Any Key Value on key 1's modline and you press on key 3, a 3 will be output from key 1's modline.

Prev Key Value - This setting remembers the order of which pads you pressed down on and outputs the last key, not the current. If you step on key 2 then key 8, the value output would be 2.

This Key Value - This source will output whatever key value you are on whenever you step on it. For example, if I am in the key 7 modulation window and I choose This Key Value as a source, stepping on all other key won't trigger any value except when step on key 7, and the value "7" will appear.

Key 1...10 Pressed - This source will send out a 1 if you step on the key that corresponds with whatever "Key [#] Pressed" source you choose. For example, if you select "Key 4 Pressed" as your source a 1 will output if you step on key 4. This is extremely useful for programming the LEDs.

Other Key Pressed - When selecting this as a source for a key, stepping on any key other than the one you selected this source for will output a 1. For example: If key 4 is set to Other Key Pressed stepping on key 1,2,3,5,6,7,8,9, or 0 will output a 1. Stepping on key 4 would output a 0.

Mod 1...6 Output - This setting takes the output value from any of the other modlines as the raw value of its own.

MIDI A...H (not available in Standalone) - These receive the values from the lettered MIDI Inputs in the settings window

SoftStep Parameter Destinations

Note Set - When you select Note as your parameter destination any number above 0

will send a note on message and a 0 will send a note off message. After selecting Note as your destination you will have the ability to control the note number, the velocity, and the channel number you're sending it out on.

Note Live - This is similar to Note Set except that the value from the source will determine what note is being triggered. This destination does not work well with the trigger sources. Try setting up Pressure Live as the source for this Parameter Destination. You'll notice that the "note field" next to the parameter destination menu changes with the pressure live. Next to the Note you can set the Velocity and the channel number for the data to go out to.

CC - (Control Change) This will send out any number from 0-127. After selecting CC you'll be able to set the control number and the channel number that you want your value sent out on.

Bank - Sends out any number from 0-127. After selecting Bank you can set the channel number you want to send your value out on.

Program - This will receive numbers to be used as program change messages. After selecting Program you will be able to choose which channel the program change message is sent out on.

OSC (not available in Standalone) - (Open Sound Control) Sends out any number from 0-127. After selecting OSC you can set the route name for your values. In the settings window you can set the OSC IP address and port.

Pitch Bend - Sends out values between 0 and 127, with 63 as the center value for 0 pitch bend. The synth you send it to will determine the range. After selecting the Pitch Bend you can set the channel number for your value to output on.

MMC - (MIDI Machine Control) You can use this to control DAWs. The number next to the Parameter Destination menu will be the device ID for your message to output on.

Next to that is where you can select what type of message you're sending (stop, play, deferred play, fast forward, rewind, punch in, punch out, pause).

Aftertouch (not available in Standalone) - Sends out values from 0-127 for the pressure amount. After selecting Aftertouch you can select the channel number for your pressure amount to go out on.

Poly Aftertouch (not available in Standalone) - Sends out values from 0-127 for the pressure amount. After selecting Poly Aftertouch you can select the note number and the channel number for your pressure amount to go out on.

GarageBand - This parameter destination allows you to control transport functions in GarageBand. In order to use this you'll need to download Garage Remote. It's a free program that is added to your system preferences that will receive MIDI data and translate for GarageBand. You can download it here: http://www.muratnkonar.com/ otherstuff/garageremote/downloads.shtml

HUI (not available in Standalone) - HUI (Human User Interface) is a midi mapping protocol used for a hardware control surface to communicate with DAW (digital audio workstation) software. This communication protocol allows the SoftStep to control the DAW's transport as well as individual track functions such as fader volume, mute, solo, and record enable. HUI is selectable from the parameter destination menu in a modulation line. Once HUI is selected as a parameter destination, the menu to the right will let you chose which HUI command you would like to send. The transport functions such as play, stop, fast forward and rewind are global controls. The individual track controls such as fader volume, record enable, solo and mute are targeted at tracks 1-8 in whichever bank of 8 tracks is currently selected.

To setup your SoftStep to send HUI messages to Pro Tools: Open the SoftStep application before you open Pro Tools. Once Pro Tools is open, navigate to the Setup drop down menu at the top of your screen and select Peripherals. When the Peripherals window opens, select Midi Controllers. You will want to add a HUI controller, so for #1 under Type chose HUI. Once HUI is selected, you much change Receive From to receive midi from the SoftStep, so go ahead and select SoftStep Share or another MIDI Bus (Windows users might be using MIDI Yoke). You don't have to worry about the Send To menu, since we are only listening to HUI messages coming in and not sending HUI messages out. If for some reason you do not see SoftStep Share (or MIDI Yoke) as a menu item in the receive from list, go back to the Setup menu and select midi, then midi input devices. Make sure SoftStep Share is checked so Pro Tools can use its midi information. If SoftStep Share still does not appear in Midi Input Devices, you might want to try restarting the SoftStep application.

Thats it, Pro Tools is now ready to receive HUI commands directly from the SoftStep.

You can now either build your own custom HUI control layouts, or select the Pro Tools HUI Template from one of the built in presets. If you would like to use the Pro Tools HUI Template, please refer to the back of this manual where there is a further description on the Pro Tools HUI Template.

Note about HUI track control banks: HUI track control is grouped into banks of 8 tracks.

The 8 tracks which are currently selected will be highlighted with blue rectangles. If you want to control more than 8 tracks, you must use one of the bank select messages to move to the next or previous bank of 8 tracks. This gives you the ability to make control assignments targeted at the track number inside the currently selected bank. For example; when you have a HUI record enable command being sent to track 1, this will record enable the first track in whichever bank of 8 tracks you have currently selected.

This is very useful for navigating through a larger session with more than 8 tracks.

Using SoftStep with Ableton Live (in Hosted mode)

Ableton Live is an incredibly versatile performance and composition environment and the SoftStep integrates easily into the Live universe.

Setup:

For the SoftStep to communicate with Ableton Live on a Macintosh, all modulation destinations in the SoftStep program must be set to the SoftStep Share device (for mac users). Windows does not come with a built-in MIDI bus, so you must download one and use that as your destination. See the Ports chapter for more information. Then in Ableton, select the Live drop-down menu and select Preferences. Click on the tab that says MIDI Sync. Under Midi Ports, you should see a line that says "SoftStep Share" with 3 On/Off buttons to the right. Turn all 3 of these buttons on so that they show up yellow. The rest of this window can be configured to match your setup, or left completely off. All Ableton needs to know to work with the SoftStep software is that it needs to listen for data coming in on this internal MIDI bus.

If you wish to follow along, unzip the "Live_Example1_DrumLoops.zip" file which is in the "application_examples" folder of the SoftStep application package.

This includes a Live Set with some samples and effects created to be controlled by SoftStep factory preset 12, called Ableton Live Demo. The preferences and MIDI assignments are already setup. If you do not already own a copy of Ableton Live, then go to:

http://www.ableton.com/downloads/

Here, you can download a free trial version of Live version 8. Follow their installation instructions and then open our file Live_Example1_DrumLoops.als.

Background on Ableton Live:

An Ableton Live file (called a set) is built around audio samples called clips. A Set has two environments - the Session view and the Arrangement view. This example is concerned with the Session view, which holds clips in a grid of slots. Vertical columns (tracks) can hold as many audio clips as you want, but only one can be played back at a time. Horizontally, you can have as many tracks playing back as you like.

For example, if you wanted a drum loop and a bass loop to play back together, you would make two tracks - let's call them Beats and Bass. Then you would click and drag your drum loop into slot one of the Beats track, and the bass line into slot 1 of the Bass track. Then you can play those back using the play button in the left corner of each clip

- or you can start them both at the same time by clicking the play button in slot 1 of the Master track on the far right.

If you wanted the drum beat to change but the bass line to continue, you would drag your second drum loop to slot 2 of the Beats track and click its play button. The first drum beat will stop when it gets to the end of the current bar and the second beat will start looping.

To record a new clip into a slot, assign your audio input/output devices in the preferences window, then arm the track by clicking the record button at the bottom.

Now all of the little stop/play buttons in each slot will turn into circles, signifying that recording is enabled. When you click one of these circles, playback of any other active tracks will start and a clip will be created in that slot for you and recording will begin.

On the left side of the screen one can select devices (Audio effects, plugins, MIDI effects and instruments) by clicking and dragging them to a track. The example Set has one track set up with a lowpass filter, delay and reverb. The lowpass filter and the reverb have both been bypassed by clicking the power button in the top left corner of each module, this allows dry audio to pass through.

Assigning Live functions to the SoftStep:

Live accepts continuous controller data, midi note on/off data and pitchbend data, so in the SoftStep application in the destination menu for each modline you would select Note, CC or Pitchbend. Live has many continuous parameters (such as wet/dry on the reverb and delay) and their ranges automatically default to 0-127, just like the non-triggered SoftStep sources. Live also has many useful triggered functions (such as play, stop and record on each slot, or the bypass button on each device) and these can also be easily assigned to the SoftStep keys.

To view MIDI assignments in Live, click the MIDI button in the top right corner of the screen.

All the parameters that may be assigned to MIDI control will light up blue, and a list will appear showing what you have already assigned. All of these highlighted parameters can be assigned to the SoftStep.

To make a new assignment, set up the modline in the SoftStep software first. Then, while in Live in the MIDI assignment view, click on any parameter that is highlighted blue that you would like to assign to that modline. Now press the desired key on the SoftStep and as soon as Live receives a MIDI message, the desired parameter will always be controlled from that MIDI source.

In Live_Example1_DrumLoops:

In Factory Preset 12 (Ableton Live Demo) SoftStep keys 6-10 are assigned to trigger (and retrigger) the 5 clips located on track 1, slots 1-5. In the modline, I have selected "Foot On" for my source, which outputs a 1 when I press that key. The gain has been changed to 127 so that when I press the key, the modline outputs 127. When I take my foot off, that key outputs a 0, but clip launch buttons in Live do not respond to 0 so the clip will continue to loop until I trigger a different one using a different key. If I press the same key again, the clip will start looping from the beginning again. Or, I can stop playback altogether by pressing Key 1. This is also set up with a Foot-On source and a gain of 127, but its destination is the stop button at the bottom of track 1. These modlines are sending out note numbers on channel 1 with the modline value (0 or 127) setting the note's velocity.

Any Note-On message (a note with a velocity greater than 0) can be assigned to Live's triggers. A continuous controller destination would have the same function, but for Live to recognize it as an on-trigger, the controller value must be 127 (not just greater than

0.) This is easily setup in the SoftStep application by using a gain value of 127, as in this example, or using the table Toggle 127. Every time this table receives a 1 after a 0 it toggles back and forth between outputting 0 and 127. For more on this method, see Factory Preset 3: Ableton Live Loops.

Key 2 and Key 3 have been set up to control the Wet/Dry parameter and the bypass button in Live's Auto-Filter and Reverb devices respectively. Both of their top modlines have their source set to Pressure Live. This is being scaled and sent out as continuous controller values to the filter frequency (like a Wah pedal) and to the reverb Wet/Dry amount. Modline 2 sends the Foot-On source through a gain value of 127 to control the bypass button on each module. This way, when you take your foot off of the key, the device is bypassed.

Key 4's modline is setup using a continuous controller destination too, but its source is Y-Increment. It is controlling the Delay device's Wet/Dry amount, but unlike the

previous 2 keys, when you take your foot off of Key 4, the Delay's parameters will stay where you left them and the device does not turn off because we have not assigned the bypass button.

Last but not least, Key 5 uses the Foot-On source and Note destination to tap in a tempo. This was set up by clicking the MIDI assign button in Live as usual, and then clicking on the TAP button in the top left corner of the screen.

Tapping Key 5 four times will set the tempo for all samples to play back. It can be changed in real time for interesting dynamic effects.

There are many, many more functions in Live that can be assigned in creative ways to SoftStep sources, for more ideas you can download the Ableton Live manual here:

http://www.ableton.com/pages/downloads/manuals

And be sure to watch for more examples on our website in the future!

Glossary

The SoftStep manual uses much vocabulary that is specific to the SoftStep and the SoftStep Application. When skimming through the manual as most people do instead of reading everything, you might come across a word that confuses you because it was initially defined earlier. Instead of having to go in search of the explanation you can just look for our quick definition of the word here. There are also several links on words like this that will bring you here to the glossary for more information.

alphanumeric display - the 4 letter display on the SoftStep just to the right of the numbered key pads.

DAW - stands for Digital Audio Workstation. A computer application that allows you to record, edit, and playback audio and MIDI. For example; Ableton Live, Logic, Cubase, Pro Tools, Digital Performer, etc...

decade - in reference to incrementing and decrementing in decades with the y-axis of the Nav Pad. A decade is the number in the tens diget. A wider range of numbers can be reached by incrementing and decrementing in decades and using the numbered keys to fill in the last digit of the number.

destination - see parameter destination

device - the Port on which the MIDI data will travel. Be sure to use the same device as

the MIDI Input for whatever you are sending the data to.

false - in reference to programming the LEDs false means 0. When the LED state is set to false the LED will light up when a modline outputs a 0

firmware - firmware is software that is programmed into the memory contained in a hardware device. We provide users with firmware updates from time to time in order to improve performance and add features. Sometimes a firmware update will be required when a new software version is released in order to keep the SoftStep compatible with the software.

host application - if using the SoftStep with an application on your computer (other than the SoftStep application) this application can be referred to as the host application.

Hosted mode - running the SoftStep Application in Hosted mode gives you access to all of the features the application has to give, but means that the SoftStep application must be open in the background in order to send programmed data.

HUI - stands for Human User Interface. This refers to a data paradigm that some DAWs recognize to control things like transport functions (stop, play, record enable, rewind, etc...).

init (modline) - abbreviation of the word initial. This refers to the initial value and mode for the initial value in a modline of the SoftStep application. Setting an initial value for a modline allows you to begin a scene with that modline set to a certain number. The mode determines how often an initial value is used. Practical application:

if you assigned a modline to control a volume level and wanted to start with the volume all the way up you might set an init value at 127.

init (preset or scene) - all presets for each key pad, the Nav Pad, the settings window, and the Preset Modulation window contain one init preset which you can use as a blank slate for the creation of a new preset from scratch.

key - refers to one of the numbered pads on the SoftStep. The word key is used to refer to these instead of pad in order to differentiate them from the Nav Pad. They aren't referred to as buttons because they are much more than just on/off switches.

key-lockout - The SoftStep is programmed to only recognize one key press at a time so that accidentally triggering an adjacent key is not possible while another key is in use.

We call this key-lockout mode and this can be turned off from the settings window by selecting "multiple key mode enable".

latch - refers to a type of data source from the SoftStep that stays in place after releasing a key. For example, X Latch stays where you left the pressure of your foot in the x-axis after releasing the key as opposed to X Live which returns to 63 every time your foot is released.

LED - each numbered key on the SoftStep has a green and a red light next to the upper right hand corner. These can be programmed to turn on, to flash at two possible speeds, or blink once. The green and red LEDs can be combined to make yellow for an additional state.

live - refers to a type of data source from the SoftStep that does not stay where you leave it. For example, Pressure Live will return to 0 when you release your foot from a key.

MIDI Bus (inter-application) - a special MIDI port within the computer that you can use to route MIDI data from one application to another.

MMC - stands for MIDI Machine Control. This refers to a data paradigm that some DAWs recognize to control transport functions (stop, play, record, pause, rewind, etc...).

modline - a single line of logic available in the modulation windows for SoftStep keys and the Nav Pad. This is where you set up the data that you want to send out from the SoftStep.

modulation window - there is a modulation window for each key, the Nav Pad, and also one for preset control. This is where you set up what data you want to send out with the SoftStep using the modlines. The 10 key pads have 6 different modlines each for sending out up to 6 different types of data per key.

Nav Pad - the diamond-shaped pad on the right side of the SoftStep is referred to as the Nav Pad. There are 4 points of pressure on this pad, North, South, East, and West.

OSC - stands for Open Sound Control. It is a format for messaging among computers, sound synthesizers, and other multimedia devices that are optimized for modern networking technology.

pad - In this manual the word pad is used mostly to refer to the Nav Pad. The word key is used for the numbered pads in order to differentiate.

parameter destination - This is the type of data that you want to send out. Control Changes messages, Program Change messages, MMC, OSC, etc... are all parameter destinations.

port - The SoftStep hardware has 2 ports: One for the SoftStep to send up through USB to the computer (port 1) and one for sending data through the SoftStep MIDI Expander.

You can think of these ports as roads on which data travels, each road going somewhere different. In Hosted mode you need a MIDI Bus to send Data to other applications. We include our own MIDI Bus in the mac version called SoftStep Share.

preset - a set of saved modulation settings for keys. Presets for each key can then be saved together in a scene.

scene - A scene determines which preset for each key you are using and what Nav Pad preset you are using with them. Other similar terms used by other foot controllers could be: bank, program, set, cue, preset, etc... We call ours a scene to differentiate it from other functions that use similar names within the application.

scene abbreviation - this refers to the 4 letters that are saved with each scene that show up on the SoftStep's alpha numeric display when scrolling through scenes. These four letters are typed into the box labeled "display" in the Main window of the SoftStep application next to the scene menu.

setlist - this contains the chosen scenes that you can then scroll through using the SoftStep Nav Pad's x-axis. This way when you're performing a show you don't have to scroll through all of your scenes to find the one you want to use. In Standalone mode the setlist is currently limited to 16 scenes.

slew - Slew uses the output of a modline as a target value. Each new value output from a modline becomes the new target value, and the slew time (ms) sets the time it takes for the current output value of a modline to move to its new target value.

source - refers to the different ways the sensor data from the SoftStep keys are interpreted. These sources are presented visually in the sensor view window. Pressure Live, X Live, Y Increment, Foot On, etc... are examples of sources.

SSCOM - This is what the SoftStep ports are called.

Standalone mode - putting the application in this mode allows you to use the

application as an editor and then download your settings to the SoftStep so you can use it without the application.

state recall - When moving between presets, state recall retains the state (or current parameter values of inc/dec, led, rotation, latching, etc...) of a particular scene. When the user changes these parameters, then navigates away from a scene, and subsequently returns to it, these parameter values are recalled.

threshold - A numerical boundary point or dividing line. A threshold creates a switch, where as soon as the incoming data goes above this threshold number, one thing happens, but as soon as it crosses back something else happens.

toggle - refers to data which goes back and forth between 2 different numbers every time you step on a key. For example; If using the toggle 127 table used with Foot On as the source in the SoftStep modlines for keys, the first time you step on the key the output will be 127 and when you step on the key again the output will go back to 0. You can continue stepping on the key and it will go back and forth between the 2 outputs.

trigger - refers to one of the sources that go from zero to a positive number when you step on a key.

true - in reference to programming the LEDs true means 1. When the LED state is set to true the LED will light up when a modline outputs a 1.

x-axis - this is the horizontal plane of the SoftStep's keys and the Nav Pad. Shifting the weight of your foot from side to side will cause the x-axis data to increase and decrease.

y-axis - this is the vertical plane of the SoftStep's keys and the Nav Pad. Shifting the weight of your foot up and down will cause the y-axis data to increase and decrease.

Troubleshooting

Make sure the software and the firmware versions are compatible with each other.

The firmware version that goes with the version of the SoftStep application is located in the firmware folder of the SoftStep directory along with instructions for performing the update.

If you are having trouble of any kind make sure you double check the following before moving on to the chapters below that address specific problems:

1. With your SoftStep plugged in check Audio MIDI Setup's MIDI view and make SoftStep's SSCOM icon is active (not grayed out). If it is not active try these:

1. Unplug your SoftStep and plug it back in.

2. Unplug your SoftStep, restart your computer, and plug your SoftStep back in.

3. Try a different USB cable

2. Make sure you are using the correct firmware. The firmware that goes with each version of the software is located in the firmware folder for that version. If the firmware version does not correspond to the version that flashes on the alpha numeric display of the SoftStep when you first plug it in, then you are not using the correct firmware. There is also a text file in the firmware folder which contains instructions for installing the firmware.

3. Make sure your SoftStep application is in the same directory with your presets folder. It's best to keep the SoftStep folder as is after downloading so that everything that is relevant to the version you downloaded stays together. You can make an alias or shortcut and then put that wherever you wish.

4. Reselect the Main Input and Output ports in the Main Window of the SoftStep application and restart the application. Select "SSCOM Port 1" for your MAIN INPUT PORT and MAIN OUTPUT PORT. Select "SSCOM Port 2" for your EXPANDER INPUT PORT and EXPANDER OUTPUT PORT. Windows XP computers often rename the ports to "USB Audio Device (1)" and "USB Audio Device (2)".

The MIDI Expander port also is sometimes renamed to "MIDIOUT2 (SSCOM)". Variations of the port names can occur depending on your operating system and

the language your computer is set to.

5. Delete your SoftStep Preferences folder: "/__User__/Library/Preferences/ SoftStep Folder/" then restart your computer

DAW/Host Application Trouble

If you are having problems getting a DAW or other host application (Ableton Live, Logic, Digital Performer, Mobius, GarageBand, etc...) to "learn" the correct MIDI information that you are trying to send with your SoftStep make sure you double check and try out the following:

1. Make sure the SoftStep application is communicating with the SoftStep. Check the Sensor View screen to make sure you can see the interface reacting to your interactions with the SoftStep. If you do not see anything responding to your foot presses check out the Connectivity Trouble headline of this Troubleshooting chapter and then come back to this headline if you still experience problems getting MIDI into your other application.

2. If in Hosted mode, check that in the SoftStep application you are using either SoftStep Share or a MIDI Bus (IAC Driver Bus or MIDI Yoke) as the device/route in the modulation windows of all the keys. See the Port chapter of this manual for instructions on using MIDI Yoke. If in Standalone mode, make sure your device/route is set to SSCOM Port 1 (sometimes called "USB Audio Device (1)" in Windows XP) and that your selected MIDI Input in your DAW is set to SSCOM Port 1 also.

3. Make sure you open up your host application after you open up the SoftStep application. If you are using SoftStep Share as your device, the host application will not be able to find it unless the SoftStep application is open. Some applications do not automatically update their Port list after a new device has become available.

4. Now that you have the data outputting from the SoftStep application, if you're in Hosted mode make sure that you understand that Port 1 of the SoftStep will also still be sending raw sensor data for the SoftStep application to mold. Because both Port 1 and SoftStep Share (or your MIDI Bus) will be sending information at the same time you will need to filter out Port 1 from being seen by your DAW.

For more information on the Ports of SoftStep check out the Ports chapter of

this manual.

To filter out Port 1 from your DAW or host application you can usually find a preferences or MIDI settings menu somewhere where you can select which MIDI Inputs you want to be available. Here is a screenshot of Ableton Live's MIDI Preferences menu:

6. If your host application does not give you the ability to filter out or select a specific MIDI Input device (like Logic or Mainstage) you could either select your MIDI data manually instead of using the learn function, or you can try this:

When in Learn mode instead of pressing on the key on the SoftStep foot controller, go to the SoftStep application's modulation window for the key you want to be "learned" and wiggle the output number box toward the end of the modline. This will send out just the data you want the learn function to receive from the application and will prevent Logic from being confused by the data coming from Port 1. Then when you're out of learn mode you can step on the keys all you want.

Display Trouble

If you are having problems getting the alpha numeric display and LEDs to respond to display changes from the Application try this:

1. If your computer's language settings are set to something other than English:

1. Set the language to English in the "System preferences / Language&Text".

2. Restart your computer to make the change take effect.

3. With the SoftStep disconnected delete the SSCOM icon in the Audio MIDI setup utility.

4. Plug in the SoftStep and the SSCOM icon appears with the English named ports "Port 1".

5. Set the language back to the language you had it set to before in "System Preferences / Language&Text".

6. Restart your computer one more time for the changes to take effect.

2. Make sure you have the latest firmware installed on your SoftStep. The current latest firmware that goes with software version 1.1 is VK. See the updating the

firmware chapter of this manual for instructions on updating the firmware.

Windows users should make sure they select "SSCOM" or "SSCOM Port 1" as the Main Input and Output in the Main window of the SoftStep application.

There could be variations of the port name depending on your operating

system. Windows XP does not use our name so if it is the first device you have

plugged into your computer it will most likely be called "USB Audio Device (1)" or something similar to that.

Mac users should make sure they follow these steps after updating the firmware:

1. unplug your SoftStep

2. go to your Audio MIDI Setup utility and look at the MIDI view

3. Find the SoftStep icon in the list and delete it

4. Plug your SoftStep back in and make sure the new icon says "SSCOM"

3. If using multiple USB devices, unplug ALL of them, then restart the computer, then try plugging in the SoftStep by itself. If that works, add the other devices back in one by one to see if there is a conflict.

4. If using multiple USB devices, use a powered usb hub. If a device like a printer or webcam is taking too much power, this could interfere with USB communication.

5. Update your Mac OS to the latest version.

Noise Trouble

If you are experiencing noise or hum in your audio setup that you believe is caused by the SoftStep check to see if this is due to the Electro-Luminescent (EL) backlighting of the SoftStep by going into the Settings window of the SoftStep application and set the EL to off. If this makes the audio noise stop then what you'll want to do is adjust the grounding of your audio set up. Here are a few suggestions that could help you to be able to use the SoftStep with the EL on:

1. Try using a powered USB Hub for the SoftStep. Having the SoftStep separated from audio device plugged into USB could help because something else could hoarding the power or the computer might not be providing enough. Having a separate powered USB hub ensures the SoftStep is getting the correct amount of power.

2. If you are using a laptop try using it without the power charger plugged into the laptop.

3. Make sure all power for your audio setup is coming from the same wall socket.

Using 2 different sockets can sometimes cause hum in cases like this because

different power sources can be producing slightly different amounts of AC.

Here is a diagram of a good way to set up that likely won't have grounding problems:

black connections are power cables blue connections are audio cables green connections are USB cables

Note: Everything is connected to the same power outlet. The laptop in the picture is not hooked up to power because often a power charger connected to a laptop will be a source of noise. If using a desktop computer that requires power to turn on, you'll want it plugged into the power strip.

Connectivity Trouble

If you are having trouble with the SoftStep staying connected on your computer try the following:

1. Make sure you plug the SoftStep in before opening the SoftStep application.

2. Keep in mind that the SoftStep is not currently "hot-pluggable". If you leave your computer for a while with the SoftStep connected and the application open the computer might go to sleep. This will cause the SoftStep to loose power and disconnect from the application causing you to have to restart the SoftStep application. This will not be a problem when the SoftStep is operating in Standalone Mode without the application running in the background.

4. If using multiple USB devices, use a powered USB hub. If a device like a printer or webcam is taking too much power, this could interfere with USB communication.

5. Open Applications>Utilities>Disk Utility. Select your hard drive and click on "Repair Disk Permissions." This has solved connectivity issues before.

6. Try reseting the PRAM.

1. Shut down the computer.

2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.

3. Turn on the computer.

4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.

5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.

6. Release the keys.

7. Try reseting the System Management Controller. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964?viewlocale=en_US

Press Command + Option + Escape to force quit any application that is not responding. Put your Mac to sleep by choosing the Apple (?) menu from the upper-left menu bar and then choosing Sleep. Wake the computer after it has gone to sleep. Restart your Mac by by choosing the Apple (?) menu from the upper-left menu bar and then choosing Restart. Shut down your Mac by by choosing the Apple (?) menu from the upper-left menu bar and then choosing Shut Down.

Then to reset SMC. Procedure varies from computer to computer, but all steps are listed at the link above. For Macbook Pro:

Shut down the computer. Plug in the MagSafe power adapter to a power source, connecting it to the Mac if its not already connected. On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time. Release all the keys and the power button at the same time. Press the power button to turn on the computer. Note: The LED on the MagSafe power adapter does not change states or temporarily turn-off when you reset the SMC.

If you still have questions please visit the SoftStep user forum at forum.keithmcmillen.com or feel free to e-mail support at support@keithmcmillen.com

Keith McMillen SoftStep User manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Welcome

Questions or Feedback? Contact Us!

Before Getting Started

System Requirements

What's in the SoftStep Package

The Hardware

Practical Applications

How to Connect the SoftStep

SoftStep MIDI Expander

Getting Started

Downloading the Software

Updating the Software

Updating the Firmware

WINDOWS

Quick Start Guide

Standalone

Using the SoftStep Application to Program the SoftStep

Modlines

LEDs and Display

Saving

SoftStep Software

The Basics

Ports

WINDOWS

Standalone vs. Hosted

Main Window Overview

Saving Scenes & Presets

Managing Scenes and Presets

Factory Presets

Hosted Mode

Standalone Mode

Scenes

Setlist

Settings

Sensor View

SoftStep Keys

Modulation

Nav Pad

Preset Modulation

Appendix

SoftStep Sources

SoftStep Parameter Destinations

Using SoftStep with Ableton Live (in Hosted mode)

Glossary

Troubleshooting

DAW/Host Application Trouble

Display Trouble

Noise Trouble

Connectivity Trouble