[A6] bugs and features

[Chris Pickett]

This is a list of bug fixes and features that we want for the A6 OS.  As 
I don't really know what they are yet, I can't contribute too much (I 
got mine a couple weeks ago).  However, I'll manage the feature / bug 
list.  If you have suggestions, please send them to the A6 list, and 
then I'll incorporate them here.  I can put the in-progress feature / 
bug list up on my server (saves redundant posts to the A6 list).

I think the best way is to comb the archives, one month at a time.  I'm 
reading each message, because sometimes people suggest RFE's or bug 
fixes that don't have the keywords "bug" or "feature" next to them, and 
you miss them when searching.  I'm also including features that might 
not relate to the OS directly -- just to keep track of them -- like #3 
below.

So far, I've done all the messages from July, and all the messages back 
to May that had "bug" or "feature" in them.  If someone else wants to 
read through the messages for June and post the list of extra features / 
bugs, that would be great ... or you can just contribute your own 
ideas.  I haven't found too many bug reports yet -- that's not 
necessarily a good thing w.r.t. getting Alesis to help out.

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BUGS:
=====

=========
FEATURES:
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1) (from Richard) a small software update to mark the steps as they are 
playing.

there is nothing in the display to tell you where the sequence is, so if 
you can hear something that needs changing - it can take many clicks to 
isolate the event in question

2) (from Mark) a Ribbon Split feature

why two Hold buttons? besides the obvious benefit of always having one 
withing reach, there was at one time some talk about a possible Ribbon 
Split feature

--> this needs some clarification.

3) (from Mark) facility to create patch bank offline (not part of OS, 
but still pretty useful):

im certainly planning something along those lines for the next version 
of my A6 Banker but im currently swamped by other projects that need 
attention. in other words: "as soon as possible"

4) (from Mark) A feature to (re)name patches offline is also sorely 
needed IMHO because that is too much of a drag on the A6 itself.

I once owned a Kawai SX240 (also sold under the Teisco brand IIRC) and 
this synth - quite a decent Jupiter 8 clone btw - had one brilliant 
feature: the keyboard "doubled up" as a character input device where 
each key pressed would enter a letter or number.  It has always amazed 
why this feature hasn't been adopted by other manufacturers; it cant be 
that difficult to add to any software driven engine. Perhaps its patented?

5) (from BrianK) Would LOVE to have a RANDOM arpegiio setting, like many 
old Roland synths.

Should be fairly easy.

6) (from Dan) sync the delays with the tempo (internal or external) 
without getting the calculator out...

7) (from Robert and -proto-) latched sequencer and arp together

 >is there a way to run a lacthed arp (no keys pressed) *plus*
>  the sequencer? The sequencer seems to stop the moment I
>  take my hands off the keyboard.

The arp can be latched, but as far as the sequencer, that doesn't look 
like an option (unless someone knows something I don't). Although, you 
can still turn both on and use them at the same time, the sequence will 
turn off as the keyboard is let go.

8) (from Larry) send MIDI notes out from the sequencer

I really like the sequencer. It allows for different sounding patterns 
compared to many synths. I just wish you can send the midi notes out. 
Now that would be some thing!