SamplerBox not reading my thumbdrive (or keyboard?)
Started by hdoa




3 posts in this topic
hdoa

12 posts 5 threads Joined: Feb 2021
Sad  06-03-21, 22:03 -
#1
From Windows, I formatted a new thumbdrive, FAT32, and put the folder "1 GrandPiano" on it, containing the piano instrument found on SamplerBox.org

When I start up the SamplerBox, the keystrokes on my M-Audio Oxygen 61 keyboard do nothing.  They don't play any notes.  I do not hear the Grand Piano instrument, nor do I hear the default square synth instrument.  Nothing happens.  They keyboard is plugged in and lit up.  Previously, it would let me play the square synth.  Now it's nothing. 

I ran lsblk to see if SamplerBox was even recognizing the USB device.  I see a disk that is titled `-sda1  7.2G 0 part, which I am assuming is my thumb drive???

I am getting so frustrated, because my live music show is in only 6 days and I still don't have a working keyboard. Would GREATLY appreciate help in getting this working.

Thank you.
hansehv

168 posts 17 threads Joined: Dec 2020
06-03-21, 23:02 -
#2
Hi hdoa,
I understand your frustration, however:
From the start of posting issues you did not feedback anything useful on requests for more/debug information so that others could help you. Instead you ignored most feedback hints and tried other things with conclusion "still it doesn't work".
Both is against forum guidelines.
If you like to demand support, you should buy a commercial product. Now you waste other people's free time as well as resources on MY forum which I provide for free (as I do with the software as well by the way).
Bottom line: my moderator patience is getting strained as well.

But understanding what pressure can do, I will ignore above (for now) and try to help.

The piano sample set on samplerbox.org is not compatible with the default settings of my samplerbox. I can explain - also you would have seen it when you'd followed the feedback you got and/or read the docs, but again time, time, time pressure....
Please use the set in the download area of this site, to save time: direct link.
hdoa

12 posts 5 threads Joined: Feb 2021
07-03-21, 01:16 -
#3
Hans,

I sincerely apologize if I've sounded demanding, or if I've not been articulate enough regarding these issues. 

I did not fully grasp the differences between your distro and the original.  Regarding the issue that I wasn't providing enough information on the problem, I simply realized that without a working Linux machine, and thus an inability to access the remaining two partitions, I simply could not contribute to debugging certain issues, hence me simply giving up on the /samples/ partition issue and going the external thumbdrive route.  I have scrutinized the documentation provided on this site, but somehow I missed that pertinent compatibility issue.  I'm sorry. 

I have always understood and appreciated the time you have put into this site and its documentation, I have simply had much difficulty in navigating it to find the pertinent information to solve the seemingly minor issues I was facing, which is why I attempted to engage in a quick chat.  Not to waste your time, but in an attempt to not clutter your forum or waste your time further.  I understand that time is money, and you are not paid for this, and have no obligation to help me.  You have done wonderful work to expand upon this project. 

Your work is recognized and appreciated.

After a fresh install of your SamplerBox distro, some necessary config.txt adjustment, a fresh format of a thumbdrive, and an installation of your adaptation of the Grand Piano instrument, I am happy to say that my SamplerBox is FINALLY WORKING!  Smile   I am still having trouble figuring out how to get instrument switching to work, despite scrutinizing your documentation and the configuration.txt file, as my keyboard's native track + and - don't seem to work, but this finally relieves the deadline pressure.  If you are willing, or have the time, I would greatly appreciate, but not demand, any tips. 

Your help is greatly appreciated.  Thank you so much for the help you have given me.  I know it is not owed.  Thank you.

- Ryan
hansehv

168 posts 17 threads Joined: Dec 2020
07-03-21, 22:54 -
#4
Hi Ryan,
Thanks for your post, very good news.

First of all that you have a working solution before the deadline - be it some sort of bypass for some wishes you have. It works, phew....

I'm also glad that my "frowning" was caused by misunderstanding, where time pressure and limitations of e-communication may have done the rest of the job (and yes, I'm human too). Chat sessions can be facilitated by help desks, but not by individuals. I tried and found it suppresses all other activities. Free/open software requires DIY and/or patience - completely incompatible with deadlines.
Your post is crystal clear, so I'd say: let's continue without hard feelings.
In fact having proper feedback & questions help and inspire me, so my helping you is not one-way traffic.

Having said that, resume of open points:
  • Reading the samples area on SD from Windows is solved in upcoming release by converting it to NTFS
  • Documentation for this upcoming release has improvements (still working on that), so "it's in the docs" will be easier. I welcome feedback on improvements for docs - I understand that I consider things obvious, because I'm deeply involved.
  • Instrument switching for M-Audio Oxygen requires some investigation. Reading the manual I noticed there seems no button equipped with the standard midi program change ("preset change" often refers to a proprietary feature). I propose to proceed this subject via PM's, preferably without ambition to solve this before your performance.
    My intention was/is/remains to give midi devices control over all SB's functions except for editing definitions or maps. If the limitation is on the midi device ("no buttons.."), this can be bypassed via buttons+screen on the box. The Oxygen looks well equipped, so I'm optimistic on that (as a side effect I hope to be able to produce some sort of howto for doing this).
    Bottom line: no PC's needed on stage. The webgui is a nice to have tablet/phone gadget with special bonus of editing definitions/maps becoming more and more available (programmer's challenge...).
  • A working linux machine is not necessary for getting debug info if you can establish a network connection with the box. This can be either via just wiring it to your home network or adapting /boot/wifinetworks.txt with your home network info and the Commandline access and debugging is possible.
All above to be addressed in separate threads or PM's; this thread is closed in my opinion as the subject has been achieved.
Thanks & regards, Hans