PRENOTE
You do not have to download patches manually to your GripBeats® device. Instead, you can use the GripBeats® Android or Apple app.
The GripBeats® device is worn or used as a surface MIDI controller to make music using various music apps.
If you'd like to know how to wear your GripBeats® in what we call Grip Mode, then please read here.
ABOUT THIS ARTICLE
This article will teach you how to download a GripBeats® patch, specifically the ALPHA patch file, to your GripBeats® device manually.
Note that once you have downloaded a patch file to your GripBeats® device, you will be able to use your GripBeats® to create music using movement on any music software which receives MIDI over Bluetooth e.g. Garageband/Logic/Ableton on your Mac, Garageband on your iPhone/iPad, or FluidSynthMIDI on your Android etc.
ABOUT PATCH DOWNLOADS
Every patch is different. One may use movements to create music, while another might use pressure or acceleration. A patch may even combine all three of these control parameters and even more! One of our patches, the DESKTOP patch, is a patch made specially for using GripBeats® on the GripBeats® Desktop app.
Please note that the explanation for each Patch is provided in each Patch Blog and Patch Download Page.
The patch download being demonstrated in this blog is for the first patch, patch ALPHA which you can read more about here.
Please note that the Google Drive which was originally being used to host GripBeats® Patch files has now been substituted with a direct Patch Downloads Page found here.
CHOOSE YOUR MOBILE DEVICE
I'm using an Android device.
I'm using an Apple device.
ANDROID
WATCH THE VIDEO
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
STEP 1 (downloading the ALPHA patch)
Download the latest Patch Alpha file found here.
Locate the file named ALPHA.
Download the file named ALPHA by clicking the DOWNLOAD button.
STEP 2 (flashing the ALPHA patch to your GripBeats® device)
Open up the nRF Connect app on your Android device.
Navigate to the page called SCANNER and click the top right button, called "SCAN".
Find your GripBeats® device and click "CONNECT".
Click the top right button, called "DFU".
Select the ALPHA patch file from the menu provided.
Wait until the DFU (flashing) process has been completed. You can track the progress by either selecting the tab called GRIPBEATS® (showing a % graph of the flashing progress) and/or wait until your device has turned off (which indicates the process has been completed).
Come off the nRF App - you won't be needing it any more.
STEP 3 (using your GripBeats® device with FluidSynthMIDI, an app for making music and testing your GripBeats® on ANDROID)
Open the FluidSynthMIDI app.
Put on your device but DO NOT turn it on.
Position your hand in the ORIGIN position (imagine pointing at something directly in front of you with all fingers outstretched, perpendicular to (at a 90-degree angle) to your body. For further information on how to wear your GripBeats® device or perform the exact different Gesture positions, please visit the blog here.
While holding this position, press and hold the power button on your GripBeats® device until it vibrates (has turned on). DO NOT move your hand from the ORIGIN position until the initial GREEN or BLUE lights have become a solid RED (indicative of the automatic calibration being completed).
Once your device has completed the calibration, feel free to relax your hand.
At the top right button of the FluidSynthMIDI App, select "MIDI Bluetooth".
Find your GripBeats® device and click on it (connecting to your device).
Go back to the main page on FluidSynthMIDI where you can see a list of musical instrument names and click the button MIDI next to where it says "Input port not connected!".
Select GripBeats. You can now make sounds using the FluidSynthMIDI App!
Enjoy!
APPLE
WATCH THE VIDEO
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
STEP 1 (downloading the ALPHA patch)
Download the latest Patch Alpha file found here.
Locate the file named ALPHA.
Click OPEN WITH and then select the nRF Connect App.
STEP 2 (flashing the ALPHA patch to your GripBeats® device)
Open up the nRF Connect app on your Android device.
Navigate to the page called SCANNER and click the top right button, called "SCAN".
Find your GripBeats® device and click "CONNECT".
Click the top right button, called "DFU".
Select the ALPHA patch file from the menu provided.
Wait until the DFU (flashing) process has been completed.
Come off the nRF App - you won't be needing it anymore.
STEP 3 (using your GripBeats® device with GARAGEBAND, an app for making music and testing your GripBeats® on APPLE)
Open Garageband. Choose a new project e.g. Piano.
Put on your device but DO NOT turn it on.
Position your hand in the ORIGIN position (imagine pointing at something directly in front of you with all fingers outstretched, perpendicular to (at a 90-degree angle) to your body. For further information on how to wear your GripBeats® device or perform the exact different Gesture positions, please visit the blog here.
While holding this position, press and hold the power button on your GripBeats® device until it vibrates (has turned on). DO NOT move your hand from the ORIGIN position until the initial GREEN or BLUE lights have become a solid RED (indicative of the automatic calibration being completed).
Once your device has completed the calibration, feel free to relax your hand.
At the top right of the page, click the toolbar button and select "Song Settings".
Select "Advanced"
Select "Bluetooth MIDI Devices"
Find your GripBeats® device and click on it (connecting to your device).
Go back to the main page on FluidSynthMIDI where you can see a list of musical instrument names and click the button MIDI next to where it says "Input port not connected!".
You can now make sounds using Garageband!
Enjoy!
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VOTING FOR THE NEXT PATCH RELEASE
If you've got ideas or any special requests for what you'd like to see in the next patch release, then we'd like to hear them. Enter your vote in the poll here!