All user reviews for the Eowave Ribbon

Monophonic Controller noon to touch and pressure-sensitive surface with a pad of modulation, which also features a small lofi synth.

Connectivity, Eowave has chosen to do in the multi-task: food, setting the device, and output midi data is done via the USB connection; and only 3.5 jack is used either audio output (mono) or CV for controlling a modular synth.

In operation, a pretty blue LED illuminates the instrument translucent Plexiglas, which earned him a small mention "This instrument is not a lightsaber, please use with caution" in the manual.

UTILIZATION

The manual pdf is essential, and yet I found lack of detail. But it is impossible to set the sound Ribbon without reading. Setting which, moreover, is relatively simple once you read the manual, but requires the installation of Max 5 Runtime software. Fortunately, this software can run free (contrary to what a quick search on the net could pretend a neophyte).

But even when all these conditions are met, it sometimes surprises. Most often, simply exit the software, disconnect the device and restart to make it work.

That said, the software is not necessary if we simply use the device mode

SOUNDS

"Lofi" is a politically correct term meaning that the sound is poor: So there are artifacts in the treble.

There is a choice between several waveforms: sawtooth, square, triangle, sine, or noise (utilité. ..?)). These sounds are quite typed "Ondes Martenot".

The pavement modulation Ribbon "too" sensitive modulation of sound is almost "all or nothing". Frequency modulation is a fairly typical dubstep sound effect, and the amplitude modulation is in fact a direct control of the output volume.

About this block modulation, I do not know what the technology but it is extremely sensitive (which can be fixed with a post-it not too thick, but hey, it is not to talk DIY), I noticed that he was sensitive to moisture and condensation in souflant gently above, one can gradually increase the ... er, capacity? sensor. Progressive sound effect interesting.

As for the touch tape itself, it sends three types of MIDI data: the / note-off-on note, pitchbend depending on the pitch of the note, and the "volume" pressure dependent on the tape ( in synth mode, feels little influence).

We note in passing that it is possible to configure the behavior of the touch tape: either it sends a base note, plus an absolute pitchbend (ideal for controlling a synthesizer); or it sends a note on a scale of 0 to 127 (not in my opinion to play something musical as well); or it sends the nearest position of the finger notes, with or without pitchbend on (which is perfect for controlling an instrument, piano-player or a sample).
In the latter setting, however, requires that the target instrument (VSTi for example) accepts pitchbend -48 to +48 semitones. Unfortunately, I've realized after purchase, all of these settings pitchbend are available for use in midi controller mode.

It takes some pressure to trigger a note, so the virtuosity takes a hit. In addition, use synth lofi, the instrument should be considered "frettless" if you allow me the comparison with string instruments: outcome, just a novice will hardly even a month after buying the device. Indeed, silkscreen little help because it does not really correspond to the notes.
If I were to give advice to beginners: Use the first as controller, one tames the instrument and easier.

Last tip: this is a monophonic instrument, but the position sensor uses resistive technology. So if you press the tape in two places, one note is played, the "average" of the two. In reality, this is not really the average algebraic sense, it is a logarithmic averaging only nerds like me can find simple.
Fortunately, there is a "geometric" trick to play fair (This is the picture in surprise at the end): it's all about equal proportions ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 3 months now and I start (just) to master. Like any new instrument, it must often use to acquire dexterity.

The synth is a bit gimmicky, but it's nice to have an all-in-one does not have to depend on a sound module ...

I use it mainly with software that I use to physical modeling of instruments (bass, cello, flute ... et cetera) and it is a pure delight. The use of samples is not easy because they tend to resent 48 semitones ptichbend unaltered! However, some hosts samples are doing very well anyway.

With experience, I certainly would do this choice; although I know with some knowledge of electronics and a half lower budget one is able to do almost the same thing.

The Eowave Ribbon is a ribbon controller to CV / Gate and midi / usb, which also has an integrated digital monophonic synthesizer "lofi" 8 bits, which is controlled via the tape and pad.

Level connections, there is a mini-USB and mini-jack output stereo jack.

The usb is for MIDI control (data) for communication with the software publisher, and food. If you do not have a computer at hand, we can also supply the Ribbon via an adapter with transformer on one side and usb on the other, we find for cheap everywhere (supermarkets, etc.).

The mini-jack meanwhile is used as an audio output if the onboard synth is used, or when CV / gate way (you can not do both simultaneously, the choice is made via the editor. Synth In Fashion you can still use the midi out simultaneously).

To control a CV / gate device, use a Y cable stereo mini jack on one side and two mono jacks on the other. The latter two will send the position data of the tape (5 Volts), and either pressure (tape or pad), or Gate. Must make a choice, it's a shame, unlike Doepfer ribbon (the A-198/R2M) which allows you to send 3 voltages (CV 2 and 1 gate).




UTILIZATION

The publisher is to download from the site Eowave is an app for MAX, both are free. No installation problem for me.

This editor allows you to configure the particular Ribbon, noon, the waveform synth action pad, the CC messages sent, etc.. 16 papers are arranged, the first always being that the Ribbon, which is saved to extinction (eg home, I always leaves synth lofi way).


SOUNDS

The game tape takes practice. You really have to work fingering her, the tactile sensation is a bit strange at first, there is a little resistance when doing glissandi, we must bow his finger and put the good part of the pulp on the tape, and anticipate these movements. It should also be exercised to be able to maintain a constant pressure during these glissandi and crescendo and decrescendo manage.
The vibrato is a very natural way. The game quickly became very expressive, thanks to the pressure.
Phrasing may seem difficult to play because of the impression of "resistance" that I mentioned above, and must really work.
In any case it is necessary to develop a technique game, a bit like any instrumentalist. The string instrument players may have more ease than I am keyboardist.

Note that to use the full dynamic pressure, better use in HP: indeed, the onboard synth does not have much dynamic since it is 8 bits, and it feels good in the low values ​​of pressure as the sound starts with a jerk. It is much more progressive and precise CV so.

The onboard synth however convenient for instant play, without connecting anything else, and because of an autonomous instrument Ribbon. The sound is roots and possibilities for very small "synthesis": there is only a single oscillator with 4 waveforms (sine, triangle, sawtooth or square).
The sound is really lofi, with lots of aliasing in rich as the square wave or saw-tooth. Frequency modulation (FM), whose intensity is controlled through the pad, adds a layer.
On the other hand sinus, FM allows to further increase the expressiveness of the instrument with a very singing tone at times in severe is approached almost a bowed string instrument.

The tape position modulates the pitch of 4 octaves, and the pressure (or pad) modulates the volume. The pad, if it is not used to control the volume, also possible to apply the FM.

The pad is curious. I do not know how it works, it seems to measure the applied pressure (or maybe a kind of tactile resistance) but it is very subtle, sometimes a light touch is sufficient to achieve a great value. Very expressive, especially when playing with the tape laid flat ahead.

Game effects how Theremin / Ondes Martenot are easy to reproduce, even if it remains in a much less air register.

CV controller, despite the limitation to two orders sent tensions, the possibilities are really interesting. I use it with a Doepfer Dark Energy and MFB NANOZWERG and two passive modules, multiple and an attenuator.
This allows me for example to precisely control the volume through the filter + pressure and height and other stuff via the position of the tape. I never use the gate, no utility yet.

MIDI things are very interesting also. Here, no limitations: the Ribbon sends the position (note messages + pitch bend), the pressure and the pad. The latter two are assignable to any control change message (CC).
The game is super-interesting with ethnic sounds such as configuring the ranks of the pitch bend on large values ​​(+ / - two octaves), while using the pad to control the resonance of a filter, for example, it opens great perspectives and allows to re-discover its machines and virtual instruments.

OVERALL OPINION

The Eowave Ribbon is a particular instrument. It was time that I was eyeing the side of this type of controller, I also bought my first analog synthesizer, Doepfer Dark Energy, solely for that purpose, to give me a trip way Ondes Martenot poor (although in the end it does not really close Martenot waves, or even a Theremin).

I hesitated with the Doepfer ribbon controller, but the lower prices Eowave, synth and integrated side all-in-one-nothing-to-connect (handy for the live) tipped the balance for the Ribbon.

It is certain that it is an instrument to address a certain way, which requires practice, and we will not use it daily or exclusively.
And having tested once in concert, it really brings something extra, both musically and visually (I play holding it like a violin, and the tape is illuminated in blue). And stirs the curiosity of the public good too