Vestax VCI-100

3 of 3 wish i knew how to add a link duh

Listing 2: The Audio Unit Returns Info about the Gain Parameter

ComponentResult MyVolumeUnit::GetParameterInfo(AudioUnitScope inScope,
AudioUnitParameterID inParameterID,
AudioUnitParameterInfo &outParameterInfo)
{
ComponentResult result = noErr;

outParameterInfo.flags = kAudioUnitParameterFlag_IsWritable
| kAudioUnitParameterFlag_IsReadable;

if (inScope == kAudioUnitScope_Global) {
switch(inParameterID)
{
case kParam_Gain:
AUBase::FillInParameterName (outParameterInfo, kParameterOneName, false);
outParameterInfo.unit = kAudioUnitParameterUnit_LinearGain;
outParameterInfo.minValue = 0.0;
outParameterInfo.maxValue = 1;
outParameterInfo.defaultValue = kDefaultValue_Gain;
break;
default:
result = kAudioUnitErr_InvalidParameter;
break;
}
} else {
result = kAudioUnitErr_InvalidParameter;
}

return result;
}
Listing 3: The Parameter Type is used to Determine the Suffix for the Slider

CAAUParameter::CAAUParameter(AudioUnit au,
AudioUnitParameterID param,
AudioUnitScope scope,
AudioUnitElement element)
: mParamTag (0),
mNumIndexedParams (0),
mNamedParams (0)
{
mAudioUnit = au;
mParameterID = param;
mScope = scope;
mElement = element;

UInt32 propertySize = sizeof(mParamInfo);
OSStatus err = AudioUnitGetProperty(au, kAudioUnitProperty_ParameterInfo,
scope, param, &mParamInfo, &propertySize);
// ...

char* str = 0;
switch (mParamInfo.unit)
{
case kAudioUnitParameterUnit_Boolean:
str = "T/F";
break;
case kAudioUnitParameterUnit_Percent:
case kAudioUnitParameterUnit_EqualPowerCrossfade:
str = "%";
break;
// ...
case kAudioUnitParameterUnit_MixerFaderCurve1:
case kAudioUnitParameterUnit_LinearGain:
str = "Gain";
break;
default:
str = NULL;
break;
}

// ...

if (str)
mParamTag = CFStringCreateWithCString(NULL, str, kCFStringEncodingUTF8);
else
mParamTag = NULL;
}
The custom Cocoa view you created in Interface Builder can only be viewed in an application that can host Audio Units with a custom Cocoa view, such as GarageBand. There is a testing application in the CoreAudio SDK that supports Cocoa views located at /Developer/Examples/CoreAudio/Services/CocoaAUHost.

Versioning
Undoubtedly you will end up creating, testing, and possibly shipping multiple versions of your Audio Unit. Using the templates, you only need to increment version number in your Audio Unit's Version.h file (here, MyVolumeUnitVersion.h). Since Xcode will invoke Rez to compile the resources, and each of the .r files in the project use the values defined in MyVolumeUnitVersion.h, this is a great convenience.

Listing 4 defines the version number, manufacturer code and subtype. Notice the "suggestion" to change the subtype and manufacturer values in order to avoid namespace collisions. Also note that if you place multiple versions of the same manufacturer and subtype in the same folder, the Component Manager will only access the highest version.

Listing 4: File MyVolumeUnitVersion.h

#ifdef DEBUG
#define kMyVolumeUnitVersion 0xFFFFFFFF
#else
#define kMyVolumeUnitVersion 0x00010000
#endif

//~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Change!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~//
#define MyVolumeUnit_COMP_SUBTYPE 'Pass'
#define MyVolumeUnit_COMP_MANF 'Demo'
//~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~//
Validating with the AU Validation Tool
The next step is to run the validation tool, AUValidation. This command tests the Audio Unit for conformance with expected interfaces. (It cannot determine that the Audio Unit works as advertised; that task is your responsibility.)

First, check that the Component Manager has discovered MyVolumeUnit. The command auval invokes AUValidation. The -a flag lists all available Audio Units of any type.

Listing 5: Output from the AU Validation Tool

Mertz:~ asd$ auval -a

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AU Validation Tool
Version: 1.1.1b11
Copyright 2003-4, Apple Computer, Inc.

Specify -h (-help) for command options
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

aufx Pass Demo - Acme Inc: MyVolumeUnit
aufx bpas appl - Apple: AUBandpass
aufx dcmp appl - Apple: AUDynamicsProcessor
aufx dely appl - Apple: AUDelay
aufx greq appl - Apple: AUGraphicEQ
aufx hpas appl - Apple: AUHipass
aufx hshf appl - Apple: AUHighShelfFilter
aufx lmtr appl - Apple: AUPeakLimiter
aufx lpas appl - Apple: AULowpass
aufx lshf appl - Apple: AULowShelfFilter
aufx mcmp appl - Apple: AUMultibandCompressor
aufx mrev appl - Apple: AUMatrixReverb
aufx pmeq appl - Apple: AUParametricEQ
aumu dls appl - Apple: DLSMusicDevice
aumx 3dmx appl - Apple: AUMixer3D
aumx mxmx appl - Apple: AUMatrixMixer
aumx smxr appl - Apple: AUMixer
aufc conv appl - Apple: AUConverter
aufc vari appl - Apple: AUVarispeed
auou ahal appl - Apple: AudioDeviceOutput
auou def appl - Apple: DefaultOutputUnit
auou genr appl - Apple: GenericOutput
auou sys appl - Apple: SystemOutputUnit
Mertz:~ asd$
It's there, so test MyVolumeUnit using:

Mertz:~ asd$ auval -v aufx Pass Demo
The -v flag indicates that the next arguments specify the type and manufacturer information. aufx is the component type, and indicates an Audio Unit effect. Pass is the subtype, as defined in the resource file MyVolumeUnit.r, and Demo is the manufacturer name, also defined in the resource file.

Listing 5 shows partial output from the above command. Each step or phase results in either a PASS or FAIL. The file AUValidationReadMe.rtf (included with the AUValidation download) discusses the phases, possible outcomes, and options for AUValidation.

Listing 5: Output from the AU Validation Tool

Mertz:~ asd$ auval -v aufx Pass Demo

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AU Validation Tool
Version: 1.1.1b11
Copyright 2003-4, Apple Computer, Inc.

Specify -h (-help) for command options
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

--------------------------------------------------
VALIDATING AUDIO UNIT: 'aufx' - 'Pass' - 'Demo'
--------------------------------------------------
Manufacturer String: Acme Inc
AudioUnit name: MyVolumeUnit
Component Info: Acme Inc's Revolutionary Volume Unit
Component Version: 1.0.0 (0x10000)

* * PASS
--------------------------------------------------
TESTING OPEN TIMES:
COLD:
Time to open AudioUnit: 28.872ms
WARM:
Time to open AudioUnit: 0.091ms

* * PASS
--------------------------------------------------
VERIFYING DEFAULT SCOPE FORMATS:
Input Scope Bus Configuration:
Default Bus Count:1
Default Format: AudioStreamBasicDescription: 2 ch, 44100 Hz, 'lpcm' (0x0000002B) 32-bit big-endian
float, deinterleaved

Output Scope Bus Configuration:
Default Bus Count:1
Default Format: AudioStreamBasicDescription: 2 ch, 44100 Hz, 'lpcm' (0x0000002B) 32-bit big-endian
float, deinterleaved

* * PASS
--------------------------------------------------
VERIFYING REQUIRED PROPERTIES:
VERIFYING PROPERTY: Sample Rate
PASS
VERIFYING PROPERTY: Stream Format
PASS
VERIFYING PROPERTY: Maximum Frames Per Slice
PASS
VERIFYING PROPERTY: Last Render Error
PASS

* * PASS
--------------------------------------------------
VERIFYING RECOMMENDED PROPERTIES:
VERIFYING PROPERTY: Latency
PASS
VERIFYING PROPERTY: Tail Time
WARNING: Recommended Property is not supported

VERIFYING PROPERTY: Bypass Effect
PASS

* * PASS
--------------------------------------------------
VERIFYING OPTIONAL PROPERTIES:
VERIFYING PROPERTY Host Callbacks
PASS

* * PASS
--------------------------------------------------
VERIFYING SPECIAL PROPERTIES:

VERIFYING CUSTOM UI
Carbon View Components Available: 0

Cocoa Views Available: 1
CocoaFactoryView
PASS

VERIFYING CLASS INFO
PASS

TESTING HOST CALLBACKS
PASS

* * PASS

// output truncated...

--------------------------------------------------
AU VALIDATION SUCCEEDED.
--------------------------------------------------
Mertz:~ asd$
Now that MyVolumeUnit has been built and validated, you can use it in GarageBand, Logic, and other audio applications.

Integrating with GarageBand
Once the Component Manager has located and registered your Audio Unit (which occurs during startup and login), GarageBand will automatically display it as an effect that can be applied to either the Master Track or any of the Instruments. Use the menu command Track > Show Track Info or <Command-I> to display the Track Info window. Figure 5 shows MyVolumeUnit selected as an effect for the instrument named "Gain-Adjusted Grand Piano". Clicking the modify icon in the far-right column displays the Volume Unit user interface. Notice that it lacks the adornments added by AudioUnitHosting, and instead displays the custom Cocoa View created in Interface Builder. You may want to verify that your interface looks correct in any apps you expect it to work with.

 

wma files

works fine loaded 3.2.2 on dell insprion 8100 6 years old pentium 3
no problems controller works great
im sure this delay is being improvised with cue points by all right?
just set the cue with the pause set cue and jog buttons keep tapping the pause until it hit perfect or alternativly watch the wave form then ahh press play scratch press play ect. ect. great for stabs and killer intro mix ups

 

No Problems

Ive had exceptional experience with this unit i dj at least two parties a week with it often times a lot of musicians ie dj rappers producer radio station program directors are around and use it as well very few complaints i did have to take the unit apart to fix the tension on the jog wheel see earlier posts otherwise the people that complain after using my units usually suck and ive got every kind of music long time digital dj mostly ive been using blenders 500 greatest songs from an issue two years ago and dmc 1999-2002 audio files and the current this is why im hot and ran my key cross his souped up 4 wheel drive - country to hip hop misfits suicidal tendancies ive been really mixing it up we have a sk8 ramp and get a lot of visitors this unit works absoutly flawless for me

MacBook INTEL core 2 1 gig ram blah blah(new)
or
Dell inprion 8100 1ghz 512 ram(old)
10 - 100 gigs of music mp3 wave and wma

Scratch amp turntables mixer
vci 100
404 sampler
303 sampler
pro mix mp3 controler
pro scratch 2
more mixers
more microphones
lots of cables
creative extigy soundcard (taking it back to the old school)
all available software YOu kno reason live soundforge acid magix, garageband pro tools logic what else?? blah blah blah

btw my buddy (pro tools operator) and me have been talking about the integrity of the files and ive yet to do real world experiments but on my vinyl timecode or the vci wheels we're thinking a wave will be easier or not easier but more realisticly represted (sonicly speaking) than a compressed file (mp3 or wma) can anybody throw some feedback on file integrity for acurate sonic repersentation

OH and the scratch amp and turntables are another world away from the vci you do not have even remotly similar control or sound the turntables are prefecto the vci is well.... digital

 

here is a vci-100 review posted by halcyon days in the ableton forum.

http://www.remix.net/weblog/?p=107

 

Phil,

thanks for the tip...for my earlier inquiry...i found a solution by assigning the jog wheel to "deck jump snap fine" on a seperate tks file...otherwise you might be able to assign to a seperate midi page if you specify a channel and disable the omni option...anyway i think there was one other poster who was interested in the jog wheel assignment conundrum so i thought i would post my solution

 

I'm sorry mate, but besides from that fact that the unit works well for you and that you have a lot of different music on you laptop, I'm having serious trouble figuring out what you're trying to say. A few periods might be in order...

Good to hear it's working out for you, anyway.

M

 

possibility

Awesome review... Thanks for posting the link

To solve this i thought maybe you could change the midi assignment somehow to play on release - a data signal is sent after your done scratching to tell the program to play, can't this be reassigned to the play button??????

i cant decipher the midi settings at all excepting i have a tks for c & d control when i use my scratch amp and turntables on a & b
can anyone put a new tks file together that would do a play/pause on initial touch so you could play as drums then keep the scratch on the rotate signal and get a play on release signal then you could just set cues and go to town

 

Hey, I'm halcyon days on the Ableton Forums.. Check out my post http://www.native-instruments.com/forum_us/showthread.php?t=49319

I'm digging deeper into the issue and a workaround until a fix can be provided.

 

http://www.paddydj.com/vci100/vci-100_Scratch_Settings.tks

Load this TKS into Traktor.
Hold the metal part. Press play. Scratch and when you want the track to be released press the vinyl mode button.
Keep holding the metal to pitch bend. Scratch mode will be enabled when vinyl mode is active.

 

Thanks for the post

this seems really helpful
i've finally starting practicing dmc style techniques
the juggling works perfect its really if you pull your hand straight up
or slide it off the platter that will either create the tempo dip or avoid it (when juggling, scratch is different)

you have to compensate by pulling back an extra 1/8 inch on the waveform before the beat
What the REAL DEAL is though... Practice Practice Practice
DMC Champions will practice 3 - 8 hours a day for months for a 6 minute set this is from interviews in a berklee press book with q bert mixmaster mike ect. ect.
The scratching is a little wack but this ain't vinyl it never will be
it's a different medium with entirly different dynamics
i think in a couple months after we all practice on this thing it will
be or IS revolutionary i mean i have the original american dj pro mix unit from six years ago, pro sctratch 1 and 2, and i use the cdj's - this is a big step forward... I LOVE MY VCI!!

 

Numark & Pioneer

admin will probably delete this but ive ben trying the vci with cue and can't get the mapping xml file right any takers?
Also im thinking the pioneer software might work nice(er) than traktor
These are dj companies serving dj's where native instruments is a software company serving musicians

 

Well wide of the mark there mate - most of the traditional DJ gear manufacturers missed the boat on the whole digital thing and are now frantically trying to catch up. NI have the most mature, featured, tested and stable DJ App (in the form of TDJS).

I'd be interested to hear how you find the Pioneer App.

What is your problem with Cue and the VCi - I didn't understand the question?

 

numark q midi mapping

midi mapping is saved/loaded in an xml file format for the cue program all the parameters of the vci have to be mapped out i was hoping someone had the xml file i believe both total control by numark and vci will use the same xml file

as for the dj companies thats simply not true thats like saying nintendo missed the boat on computer applications (they make hardware/application specific computers similar to cdj or pro scratch of pioneer and american dj) the dj companies have perfected the digital realm long ago with the traditional format -cda tracks- which are essentially wave files - which fyi are the pro tools standard and ive had an american dj mp3 controler (pro mix) discontinued since xp came out in 2001 or some such date pioneer has had the software in the cdj's for years and they offer it as a pc software application now on their website or at pssl.com
but hey im a dj since radio shack and realistic mixers so im real loyal to the good people who manufacture dj equipment

 

Sorry, by the whole "digital thing" I meant Software specifically, and Midi Controllers.

You should have tried to get a midi controller two years ago (thanks Faderfox, KDJ and Feena)!

I still firmly believe that the trad gear manufacturers (with the exception of A&H) still don't understand this market or the needs of software DJ's.

The VCi is a good example - close but no cigar.

It's telling that the best controllers are made by independent outfits I think.

 

I'd agree with you on the whole.

Having sold my FMDJ, I am currently looking for something to replace it and toying with the idea of moving towards a traditional mixer. So the Nuo 4 came to mind, but I have a couple of reservations with itwhich are unfortunately offered by other, similar devices (which, of course, lack in other areas).
I can imagine that it is difficult and expensive to produce a device that caters for all wishes that can be sold an 'affordable' price (whatever that is).

I think just stick with a MIDI controller, and my next purchase will be a VCI. Although it comes '(close, but) no cigar included', so do all other options.

Confused, prospective lottery winner,
London

 

Yes you're right, there definitely seem to be two shools - those who want to use an external mixer and those, like me who want to control everything by midi.

I'm willing to bet that it won't be a trad gear manufacturer that is first to roll out a transport/loop/filter/fx unit for you fellas that are using extenal mixers.

 

The VcI-100 must be a very popular controller. I ordered it from Alto Music about Apr 5 and I was just told that they can't get it until the end of June. I think there was a little under estimation of demand.

 

preorderd it in march an got one of the first.... and of the last so far...

 

I'm hearing the same thing all over. everyone seems to be out of them...


guitarcenter.com has them suposedly...

glad i got mine.

 

I ordered mine from Guitarcenter last week and had it in three days.