The FH-1 by Expert Sleepers is a USB-MIDI host in an 8hp Eurorack module. It can be used to convert the Seaboard's MIDI to several channels of control voltage and to control a modular synth with each of the dimensions of touch.
Each note from the Seaboard carries several different pieces of information, each expressing one of the dimensions of touch. In this guide we'll use outputs 1–7 from the FH-1 to create the CV signals for a monophonic path with full response to the Seaboard's Strike, Press, Glide, and Slide dimensions of touch, and the RISE's XY Touchpad.
After setting up the FH-1, the outputs will carry the following signals:
- 1: Pitch
- 2: Gate/Trigger
- 3: Velocity (Strike)
- 4: Aftertouch (Press)
- 5: Slide
- 6: RISE's XY Touchpad X
- 7: RISE's XY Touchpad Y
Step 1 – Prepare the FH-1
- Download the attached hex file.
- Switch off the FH-1.
- Copy the hex file onto a USB stick.
- Plug the USB stick into the FH-1.
- Switch on the FH-1.
- Wait until all the LEDs start flashing red and blue.
- Hold down the encoder for 1 second and then wait until all the LEDS stop flashing.
Step 2 – Prepare the Seaboard
- Connect the Seaboard to your computer by USB and open up ROLI Dashboard.
- Select MIDI Mode: Single Channel.
- Set MIDI Channel to 9.
- Select Press Mode: Channel Pressure.
- Set the XY Touchpad's outputs to their defaults of CC113 & CC114.
- Adjust the Pitch Bend Range to 48.
- Disconnect the Seaboard from your computer – all of the Dashboard settings will be saved on the Seaboard – and connect it by USB to the FH-1.
Step 3 – Set the FH-1's pitch bend range
- Click the encoder to enter menu mode.
- Rotate the encoder to move the blue LED to the third one down (C position), and click the encoder again.
- Click on position 1 on the red LED to change the pitch bend depth.
- Move the encoder so that only the blue LEDs in positions 5 and 6 are on. This sets the pitch bend range to 48 semitones, matching the range set in Dashboard.
- Click the encoder to save the pitch bend range and exit menu mode.
Step 4 – Hook up the FH-1's CV outputs to your synth and play!
Additional information
Modifying the script
If you'd like to modify the script for your own purposes, you may download the script attached below. See the Expert Sleepers page on FH-1 scripts for details on writing and compiling scripts.
Using "Gated Aftertouch"
Version 1.7 of the FH-1 firmware introduced support for "Gated Aftertouch," allowing you to use the Press dimension of touch to directly control a VCA, for example. See here for details on modifying your script to enable this feature.
Using the FHX-1
With the FHX-1 expander, you may use the Seaboard to control additional CV outputs. By default, the FHX-1 responds on expansion channel 1, so its outputs will be CV channels 9–16.
You may modify the above script or create your own depending upon your needs and how many FHX-1 expanders you are using. The following script, for example, allows you to use the RISE duophonically, with the following CV outputs:
FH-1 (voice 1)
1: Pitch
2: Gate/Trigger
3: Velocity (Strike)
4: Aftertouch (Press)
5: Slide
6: RISE's XY Touchpad X
7: RISE's XY Touchpad Y
FHX-1 (voice 2)
9: Pitch
10: Gate/Trigger
11: Velocity (Strike)
12: Aftertouch (Press)
13: Slide
14: Left Touch Fader
15: Center Touch Fader
16: Right Touch Fader
To use this script with the RISE, download the 2-voice-image.hex.zip file below and follow the instructions above for the FH-1 but replace Step Two with the following:
- Connect the Seaboard to your computer by USB and open up ROLI Dashboard.
- Select MIDI Mode: Multi Channel, and a Channel Range of 9–10.
- Select Press Mode: Channel Pressure.
- Set the XY Touchpad's outputs to their defaults of CC113 & CC114.
- Make sure that the Touch Faders are set to their defaults, CC107, CC109, and CC111.
- Adjust the Pitch Bend Range to 48.
- Disconnect the Seaboard from your computer – all of the Dashboard settings will be saved on the Seaboard – and connect it by USB to the FH-1.
For more information on the FHX-1, check out the user manual.