Piccolo - polyrythmic errorist MIDI sequencer

Piccolo

updated april 2023

brand new forum, for exchanging tips, questions, solutions : https://piccolo.createaforum.com/index.php

Piccolo is a polyrythmic errorist and stochastic MIDI sequencer, slightly verging towards a proto-programmable interpreter, very apt to generative and process-based music.the current prototype ( PCBv3 ) is based on the Teensy 3.5 architecture and MIDI protocol. Right now, january 2021, we are busy with the design of PCBv4, for Teensy4.1 and new hardware for rotary encoders, OLED screen and a slider. The previous version ( PCBv2) was relying on ATmega2560. The step to Teensy3.5 had provided 10x more precision in time, and 10x more memory. For the next prototype, we are moving to Teensy 4.1 for even more accuracy and possibilites memory-wise. the best place to see some movies of the action of the current prototypes is on my fb page : https://www.facebook.com/Piccolo-MIDI-sequencer-230847087794581/ -i also compiled a few videos here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQdNbUFVs8c

there is a new video in the making and several records have been released as Sylvain van iniitu or 4LLP4 CH1N°, using Piccolo as its main core

the current software version (T2C27) running the sequencer, and fully written in C, features :

MIDI in
MIDI out
OLED screen ( 4 lines of 20 characters ), in place of LCD screen
tap tempo ( different styles )
4 time-independent layers
64 layer memories ( to store layers and load then when necessary )
4 levels of undo.
Unlimited duration loops ( unless you consider a maximum of 4 years as a limitation.. ), that can be independent. Precision of 1 msec.
full 16 Channel capacity ( 16 channel can be used on each 4 layers )
Unlimited notes by layer ( up till the time the memory is full… we haven’t got there yet when playing )
more than 100 matrix transformations of the sequences ( delay, variable delay, transposition, harmonization, modulation, tonulation, reverse, inverse, simplification, etc... ) - most of it is crazy stuff, you'll just need to dive in the manual to get a clue
modulation of the layers by sequences : useful for (ir)regular transpositions, by note or by layer, modification of velocity, modification of length of note, etc.
possibility to program regular events, launching a transformation, either in absolute time, or after a certain repetition of one (or several) layers
sending CC to any channel, either time-based ( ex. modifying the length of a reverb every 30 sec ), or by note ( modifying it every 5 notes )
possibility to save and load layers as .txt files on SD cards. you can simply edit those .txt files on any text editor on any platform
reading .MIDI files on the SD card ; possibility to glitch those at core level
USB cable alimentation - does not require a computer to work
non-destructive and non-permanent delays, under various forms : regular delay, quad delay ( adapted from Tambour ), fractal delay ( adapted from Dende )
step sequencer : material 8 steps, but virtual from 2 to 127 steps ; you can program it with any note from any channel

Big thanks to : Ikue Mori, Steve Reich, Two Lone Swordsmen, Christian Wolff, Seth Horvitz (Sutekh), Phillus, Burnt Friedman, Cylob and Actress for most inspiration on building this thing.

Development :

2 april 2023 : open-sourcing the code and schematics on github : https://github.com/SylvainVanIniitu
been busy in 2021 transplanting to Teensy 4.1 with an OLED display - our plan was to rewrite most of the code in C++ during the year.
Successful transplantation to Teensy 3.5 while using another project PCB ( Tambour/Dende ) – mid 2019 - rewriting most of the code from arrays to linked pointers
dispatching the newest prototypes to the beta-testers ( Antoine, Thomas, Eduardo ) = Piccolo PCBv2 – end 2018
latest development version was Piccolo IV ( prototype ) - 2018
Piccolo III : metal front prototype with Arduino Mega - 2017
Piccolo II : metal front prototype with Arduino Uno - 2017
Piccolo : Arduino Uno with simple breadboard - 2016

The future :

adding 1 fader to determine velocity in the step sequencer

Later on, most likely selling a few PCBs for those dont want to program and play, but not deal with the PCB production - get in touch if you are interested at ini.itu.rec@gmail.com

I will put the documentation online very soon

Archives :t

the "tambour" version, hosting Piccolo as well