FAQ
What is XStremeTouch?
XStremeTouch is an ongoing project with the aim of producing a suite of applications that enable a Yamaha XS owner to edit Voices, Performances, Mix templates, Drumkits and System settings via a Lemur touchscreen interface in conjunction with a corresponding set of applications running on a PC or Mac.
Is a Lemur required to use XStremeTouch?
No, you don't need a Lemur to access the capabilities of the software. A Lemur is an important, but optional extra. If you do not have a Lemur you can run the software on your PC or Mac just as you would any other application. Instead of controlling everything via a touchscreen you will use the mouse and keyboard to drive the XS. The software contains its own Graphical User Interface which provides similar controls to the Lemur - sliders, knobs, buttons etc. All of the core functionality, including all of the editing capabilites, will be available to you through this interface.
Are multiple Lemurs supported?
Yes! You will be able to connect up to 8 Lemurs simultaneously all of which are 'live' at all times, so you can access different screens on different Lemurs at the same time.
I have a touchscreen that isn't a Lemur - is this supported?
If you have a touchscreen that acts as a replacement for, or works in conjunction with a normal mouse and keyboard then you will be able to drive the software applications just as you drive any other software. At this time the Lemur is the only external touchscreen with specific support. Should things go well, I would like to extend this support to other kinds of touchscreen but that rather depends on a number of factors that are as yet unknown. I'm giving this some thought.
Are there any differences between the Lemur touchscreen interface and the interface provided by the standalone applications?
For editing purposes, the two will be very similar and provide the same level of access to the XS internal parameters. The range of XS controls and features will be the same on both, although the 'look and feel' will be different on the Lemur vs. PC/Mac. The Lemur interface is a heck of a lot more fun to use however. Additionally the Lemur interface will have 'physics' settings which enable you to opt for different behaviour when certain controls are moved. For example it's possible to set a fader object on the Lemur to have no friction, which means that when you move it and let go it will continue to cycle up and down between its minimum and maximum settings indefinitely. This means you can use the editors to autonomously control parameters in realtime (even while you are playing the XS) in ways that are not possible using the Mac/PC software alone. See this video for a good example of this. There will also be additional 'bonus' performance features available on the Lemur such as specific screens to control cutoff frequency and resonance of filters in any mode using Lemur-specific controllers, for example.
How will Tap Tempo be implemented?
Tap Tempo is a feature that many users are hoping to see on the XS in a future OS upgrade. There are hardware devices that can generate MIDI clock information for the XS and other synths to slave to based on the time differential between taps, but these require the XS to be sync'd to them in order to work. Due to the intimate nature of XStremeTouch's interaction with the XS it will be possible to leave the XS using internal sync and have XStremeTouch actually set the tempo parameter within the synth directly, so you don't have to use MIDI sync. Exact implementation details are pending but a working version of this feature is expected to be released earlier rather than later as a standalone demo of the software.
What about the Step sequencer?
The step sequencer is something I'm pretty excited about myself. It will offer a range of features, many of which can be used on any synth but of course there will be special 'XS only' features which use SysEx to do cool stuff. An example will be the ability to dynamically modify internal parameters such as the amplitude of individual elements within a voice (when the XS is in voice mode) or frequency cutoff/resonance values of individual parts in performance mode. This is in the very early stages right now but I expect to release a basic version sooner rather than later and then have it evolve new features over time from that point on.
Will the step sequencer write directly into the sequencer memory?
In a word, no. This is not possible (or at least I am not aware of any way of doing this) using SysEx. However you will be able to slave the XS to the step sequencer, or slave the step sequencer to the XS and record the MIDI data it generates into the XS sequencer for subsequent playback. More details will follow later.
How many people are working on XStremeTouch?
One. Me. This is my personal project. If you would like to get involved then by all means get in touch via the contact details on the main page. I would be particularly interested to hear from you if you are familiar with Max/MSP, the Lemur or both.
How can I get involved?
Two main ways:
Firstly, I will be posting development/beta versions of the standalone applications for download from this site in due course. Initially these will be for Mac OS X only, but PC versions will appear sometime later. I would highly value user input from these test apps in the shape of usability feedback and bug reports.
Secondly, I also welcome ideas, wishlists, feature suggestions and any other constructive input you have to give. What would you like to see in these apps? The more info I get the more likely we are to achieve better results.
Can XStremeTouch be extended to work with other MIDI devices?
The technology I'm using to implement this project permits as much control and interaction over any device as MIDI (including SysEx) and/or OSC permits. I see no reason why it could not be adapted and reworked to provide editors and tools for any synth. It's just a question of resources. Right now I have my hands full with the XS version - who knows what I'll turn it to next... the S70/90XS springs to mind but we'll have to see :-)