Midi Input
The Continuum Fingerboard can be controlled by sending standard Midi messages to it's Midi input. Additional configuration can be acheived by sending NRPN values, as outlined in the Midi Configuration page.
Round Rate Controller (controller 5 on channel 16)
The Continuum Fingerboard can automatically round finger positions to the nearest half step after you complete a glissando, or at any time during a note. If you are playing vibrato, the average finger position will be rounded so that the vibrato will be centered at the nearest half step. The rate at which the rounding occurs is called the Round Rate. A Round Rate of 0 means no rounding; small Round Rates cause a slow drift to half-step finger positions; larger rates round more quickly. The maximum Round Rate of 127 causes immediate rounding; with this rate you will get a piano-style glissando when you slide a finger over several half steps.
The Round Rate can be modified at any time during a performance using controller 5 on channel 16. In the absence of controller 5, the Default Round Rate is used. You can configure the Default Round Rate with Midi In (see the Configuration page), or using the Configuration Strip (see the section on Overlay Strips.)
This Round Rate mechanism is a separate feature from rounding initial finger positions, and both rounding mechanisms can be separately or together.
Instant Round Switch (controller 67 on channel 16)
While the Instant Round footswitch is down, the Continuum Fingerboard will use the maximum Round Rate of 127; with the switch down, you will get a piano-style glissando when you slide a finger over several half steps. When the switch is up, the Round Rate is determined by the Round Rate Controller (if you have one) or the Default Round Rate.
Just Tuning for Rounded Finger Positions (note numbers 48-59 on channel 16)
The Continuum Fingerboard allows you to choose between Just tuning and Equal tuning for rounding finger positions to the nearest half step. You select one of twelve Just tuning tonic centers by sending a note on channel 16 in the middle C octave to the Continuum Fingerboard’s Midi in. If you send middle C, the Just C tuning will be selected, the C# above middle C, Just C# tuning will be selected, etc. In this Just tuning, any of the major triads (I, IV, V) will have perfect 4:5:6 frequency ratios in the rounded finger position, and the ii and vi minor triads will have perfect 10:12:15 frequency ratios. You can change the tonic key for the tuning at any time, even while fingers are pressing on the Continuum Fingerboard’s playing surface; the Round Rate mechanism will correct the positions of those fingers to the new tuning. As in equal temperament tuning the time the tuning rounding takes is dependent on setting of Round Rate. To switch back to Equal tuning send a note on channel 16 outside of Midi notes 48 - 59 to the Continuum Fingerboard’s Midi In.
Sustain Pedal and Sostenuto Pedals (controllers 64, 66, and 69 on channel 16)
The Continuum Fingerboard looks for Sustain Pedal (controller 64) and two Sostenuto Pedals (controllers 66 and 69) on channel 16. If the pedal's data value is 127, the sustain or sostenuto will be at full volume; smaller pedal values can be used for lower volume (if you use a continuous-valued pedal as opposed to a switch pedal). The Continuum Fingerboard will wait until the sustain or sostenuto pedal is released before it sends Midi Note Off. If you use a continuous-valued pedal and release it gradually, the sustained notes will fade out. If you use the two sostenuto pedals at the same time, you can control two sets of sostenuto notes.
Mono Function (controller 65 on channel 16)
Single-note lines can be performed with legato, retrigger, or solo transitions between notes. The Mono Function (controller 65 on channel 16) selects legato (controller value 0), retrigger (controller value 64), or portamento (controller value 127). In the absence of controller 65, the Default Mono Function is used.
Mono Switch (controller 68 on channel 16)
Single-note lines can be performed with legato, retrigger, or solo transitions between notes. If one finger is down and another is pressed, the Continuum can perform this as two consecutive single notes with a legato, retrigger, or portamento transition. It is sometimes desirable to perform such single-note lines when the continuum is configured for Polyphony greater than 1. The Mono Switch (controller 68 on channel 16) enables single-note lines when Polyphony is greater than 1, for notes that are within the Mono Interval.
Octave Toggle Switch (controller 14 on channel 16)
Pressing the Octave Toggle Switch will transpose the playing surface down by one octave. Pressing the switch again will remove the octave transposition. This octave transposition is in addition to the octave shift configured with Midi In (see the Configuration page) or using the Configuration Strip (see the section on Overlay Strips).
Red Switch (controller 111 on channel 16)
Configuration changes may be made from the Continuum Fingerboard's playing surface (see the section on Overlay strips). The Continuum Fingerboard's Red Button must be pressed for such configuration changes, or as an alternative, the Red Switch (controller 111 on channel 16) can be used in place of the Red Button.
Duplicate Midi Messages (other controllers and program changes on channel 16)
Since the Continuum Fingerboard transmits on multiple Midi channels, you may want your Midi pedals or Midi foot switches to affect all of those Midi channels. If you connect Midi pedals or Midi foot switches to the Continuum Fingerboard's Midi In on channel 16, the Continuum Fingerboard will automatically duplicate and merge the continuous controller messages and program changes into all the channels it uses on Midi Out. (Controllers 5, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 98, 99 and 111 on channel 16 are an exception; they have special meaning to the Continuum Fingerboard, and will not be duplicated and merged with the output.)
Midi Merge (channels 1-15)
The Continuum Fingerboard merges Midi In messages it receives on channels 1-15 with the Midi generated by fingers touching the playing surface. By default this merged Midi is sent to Midi Out, Kyma, and the CVC. You can configure the Merge function via Midi In as outlined on the Configuration page or by using the Configuration Strip.