music.

[Deigh]

Now here is another problem for everyone to give me advice on!!!

I play jazz guitar, because of the difficulty of finding others to play with I have resorted to computer programs to provide my

backing and using Band in a Box and Encore have built up a good repetoire of numbers. I have a home version and a battery

powered computer/amplifer setup that I carry around with me in the campervan. I use Macintosh computers.

I like to play around with the tune for a few minutes before calling in the backing rhythm. To do this I have to hit the

spacebar of the computer and this is a problem because it means I have to take away a hand (and my eyes) from the guitar for

a few seconds and this causes a break in the flow of music.

Question is...how can I do this with my foot? I have a foot operated volume control to which I can add buttons.

I have considered....
1. Mechanical, where I have a wire running through a cable to a 'finger' on the keyboard.

2, Electrical, whereby an electro magnetic relay punches the spacebar.

3. Electronic, where I run a pair of wires into the keyboard and 'short' out the spacebar.

4. Radio, where I somehow utilise the radio mouse.

All of these have major problems. Anybody got a simpler way?







`

 

[TBennettcc]

Why do they have major problems?

Is there a way to change the key assignment in the software, so you don't have to use the spacebar? This might allow you to use a latching foot switch driving a transistor circuit.

Is the backing music the only thing going on with the computer? What about having it play, and using a mechanical footswitch to just break the connection from the computer audio out to the speakers? You could attach headphones before the switch so that you could keep track of the backing music and time it correctly to un-mute it.

 

[Deigh]

Is there a way to change the key assignment in the software, so you don't have to use the spacebar? This might allow you to use a latching foot switch driving a transistor circuit.The spacebar is the easiest way of triggering the program, it can also be done with the mouse but I'd like to know what you mean by a transistor circuit?

What about having it play, and using a mechanical footswitch to just break the connection from the computer audio out to the speakers? Don't think I'd like that solution, but thanks for offering it.

This problem has been irritating me for years, I've had the odd idea about how to do it but despite the fact that I am a serious 'problem solver' this has always beaten me. Throwing the question to this format is done in desperation. Any serious musician would understand the need for the modification.

 

[Deigh]

Why do they have major problems?

Is there a way to change the key assignment in the software, so you don't have to use the spacebar?

I have another idea. I am using a logitech chordless mouse. Is there anyway I can set this up so the

cursor is in the right box to trigger the playing and then I send a radio 'blip' from a footswitch to

kick the mouse into action?
`

 

[Digital_Angel_316]

Why do they have major problems?

Is there a way to change the key assignment in the software, so you don't have to use the spacebar?

I have another idea. I am using a logitech chordless mouse. Is there anyway I can set this up so the

cursor is in the right box to trigger the playing and then I send a radio 'blip' from a footswitch to

kick the mouse into action?
`

That, or step on the mouse??

Here is an overly complicated USB keyboard interface application:

http://atmel.com/dyn/resources/prod_documents/doc7602.pdf

I am sure there are many others that are simpler to interface a USB activation into the keyboard application. Not thinking of adding a USB keyboard, but rather a foot activated switch press that emulates the space bar key (code).

 

[(*steve*)]

Find a cheap keyboard. Take it apart and see if you can find the contacts for the space bar and connect some wires to them. See if touching the wires together emulates a press of the key. If so, connect the wires to a foot switch (I'd use a twisted pair cable) and see how you go.

You may even find that you can have both keyboards plugged in together. If this is the case (and if you're really clever (and lucky) you may be able to strip away most of the keyboard and fit the bits you need into the box with the key switch.

That approach would probably be most easy with something like one of the flexible (roll up) keyboards, but you'd have to sacrifice it for the cause and it may be a little expensive.

OK, maybe not so expensive.

 

[Deigh]

Couple of interesting ideas here...I have considered the opening up of the keyboard and looking for the contacts and may persue this road. The problem in this case is that my computers are Macintosh and rather old. If I stuff up the contacts I will lose my irreplaceable equipment and that would be unnacceptable.
thanks anyway!!!

 

[TBennettcc]

A roll-up USB keyboard should still work... USB is USB, right?

Which Macs and how old? Do they have USB?

 

[Digital_Angel_316]

Couple of interesting ideas here...I have considered the opening up of the keyboard and looking for the contacts and may persue this road. The problem in this case is that my computers are Macintosh and rather old. If I stuff up the contacts I will lose my irreplaceable equipment and that would be unnacceptable.
thanks anyway!!!

Here is the concept I presented in a commercially available form that applies to the MAC as well as PC keyboard and mouse emulation.
Keyboard Control
Foot Pedals and
Programmable Foot Switches

Foot Pedals can compliment your keyboarding providing greater comfort, higher productivity, and lessen wrist stress associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. The three pedal system will allow you to use one pedal for the shift key, one for the ctrl key and one for the alt. However, they are fully programmable to be any standard key on the keyboard, or to emulate a mouse click. For many users, the pain associated with mousing is caused by the action of clicking, not from moving the mouse.

• Plug and Play
• Factory Pre-programmed:
  Top Jack - Left mouse click
  Bottom Jack - Right mouse click
• Can emulate any standard keystroke
• Can emulate all mouse click functions
• Can create Macros for common phrases or key action - 1200 characters per module
• Programming software included with on-board memory chip to store functions
• Pedals are front hinged for easy triggering
• Low profile design
• USB Connection for PC, Mac, and Sun
• Works with Windows, all MAC OS-X, Linux, and Unix
• Only Windows 2000, XP, Vista or Windows7 offer full function of mouse clicks
• Using the downloadable programming driver allows
  reprogramming one or more of the pedals to perform
  any combination of keyboard actions

WEB SITE REFERENCE:
http://www.fentek-ind.com/FootPedal.htm

 

[TBennettcc]

He says his Macs are rather old. I don't know if they're running OS X or not, or whether they have USB. He will have to let us know. Good find.

 

[Digital_Angel_316]

He says his Macs are rather old. I don't know if they're running OS X or not, or whether they have USB. He will have to let us know. Good find.

Need to get to USB compatibility or adapter. you asked the right questions:

Which Macs and how old? Do they have USB?
​

I think there may be a serial port or ADB to USB product or an upgrade board.

One hates to recycle their beloved equipment, but we are reaching the end of an era and
maybe a school kid or hobbyist would love to get their hands on a good deal for an old
mac. But good products are also adaptable and that is why there is an aftermarket for
such adapters and upgrades.

 

[jackorocko]

I am not sure I see the issue. You want to step on the spacebar? This is a problem how?

You already complained about having to use the keyboard while playing so there seems to be no issue in having to use it for anything more then tapping the spacebar once with your big toe while it sits on the ground. You have two feet as well!!!

 

[Deigh]

A roll-up USB keyboard should still work... USB is USB, right?

Which Macs and how old? Do they have USB?

Using LC3 which is pre-USB. Marveleous machine, now been in use best part of twenty years, black and white, A4 screen, ideal for music. bit slow by modern standards, but so am I!
Other computer is powerbook 190 series. Keep ripping into it to effect repairs and have a couple of nearly dead ones for cannabillasation.

Hanging onto this old stuff for several reasons, one is that I'm in my 82nd year and not keen to spend lots of dough just to impress people. Second reason it that my Encore program would have to be replaced if I bought a new computer. So I put up with slow startup times and pretty lousy screen defiition so I can spend more of my pension on whisky.

 

[davelectronic]

Good on ya, nothing wrong with the old stuff, as you say works fine, i am using a 10 year old machine, and have another couple of old ones, one day there be of no use and obsolete, but for now they run fine, my eldest daughter disagrees saying to slow, i tell here to slow down whats the rush.
My old machines are good for at least another 4 years, and longer if updates are still available, and still longer if not, most software will still be supported.
Dave.

 

[(*steve*)]

Maybe keep an eye out on ebay for a compatible keyboard, or see if there's a mac user group in your area (probably all on-line these days) and see if anyone has a spare keyboard.

Maybe there's a "hacker space" in your area where you could get hands-on assistance with modifying the keyboard?

 

[Deigh]

Here is the concept I presented in a commercially available form that applies to the MAC as well as PC keyboard and mouse emulation.
Keyboard Control
Foot Pedals and
Programmable Foot Switches

What a pity, my Macs are pre USB

 

[Deigh]

I am not sure I see the issue. You want to step on the spacebar? This is a problem how?

You already complained about having to use the keyboard while playing so there seems to be no issue in having to use it for anything more then tapping the spacebar once with your big toe while it sits on the ground. You have two feet as well!!!

This idea has some merit but the keyboard is needed between tunes to set up for the next number and I aint keen on bending down to floor level to do this! Perhaps I could get my foot up to the keyboard to do the triggering. NAH, too many problems there!!!

 

[TBennettcc]

http://lowendmac.com/lc/macintosh-lc-iii.html

Wow. Quite a step back in time... 1993. $1,350 at launch. System 7. 25 MHz processor. Upgradeable to 36 MB of memory max.

It says it has an ADB port... I wonder if that's riggable to perform a specific additional function? (Although it's a serial bus, so it would involve some work...)

This might be of use:

http://macfaq.org/hardware/cards.shtml

 

[Deigh]

http://lowendmac.com/lc/macintosh-lc-iii.html

Wow. Quite a step back in time... 1993. $1,350 at launch. System 7. 25 MHz processor. Upgradeable to 36 MB of memory max.

It says it has an ADB port... I wonder if that's riggable to perform a specific additional function? (Although it's a serial bus, so it would involve some work...)

Thanks for reply. Apart from LC3 I also have performa 5200CD, and a couple of early iMacs. They are all still working. A few years ago I went into PC laptops because they had several music programs that were not particularily good on Macs. Since then I've had two which have gone to the great internet in the sky and am now on my third. Would like to get back to Mac but that would mean upgrading the Encore program.

Getting back to immediate problem, The LC3 is the home computer and is ideal for writing new stuff and tidying it up. Once that is done I transfer the data to the Powerbook 190
which is the portable part of the operation. It is mounted on a wheeled frame with an SC5 and a battery powered amplifier. I have installed extra batteries to service the SC5 and the powerbook. This unit lives in my campervan and with it I can play/busk for nearly 6 hours. It can all be recharged in the camper.

The trigger to press the spacebar must be applicable to both the LC3 and the Powerbook so really the answer has got to be an electromagnetic unit physically punching the spacebar as a finger would do! So this is the direction I am going to persue.

regards
Deigh

 

[(*steve*)]

How about a foot pedal operating a solenoid?

Or even easier, a foot pedal pneumatically operating a "finger".

The latter would be safer as the amount of force and the distance of travel would be more easily "modulated" by your foot action. (and it may be quieter too)