Exploring the Octopy - A Raspberry Pi Audio/MIDI Sequencer for Live Music using Python

I've got a new project to share with you! Need an inexpensive way to sequence audio and midi together to synchronize your drum machines and keyboards on stage? The "Octopy" may be a good fit, and if you're a raspberry pi enthusiast like me, you might already have the equipment to get started laying around!
Download: github.com/dco...
More Information: github.com/dco...
Article: dcdalrymple.co...

[@publicspace234]

Dude this is so cool. I’m working on my own pi/arduino sampler/synth sequencer projects.
I just checked out your other videos. I’m surprised your channel doesn’t have more engagement. I’m stoked to check out your other stuff and what you’ve come up with.
Thank you for the in depth walkthrough. I’m stoked to try these out.
I still don’t have a shield but I’ve been focused on making a MIDI controller with an Arduino first.
I was thinking of writing my own software for the sampling since I haven’t found anyone that’s made exactly what I’m looking for.
But your video popped out of nowhere! Octopy sounds fucking sick, and I love the name dude.
Cheers

[@relic985]

I'm glad you like it. I've made a couple of updates recently to the repository, so it's running pretty solid nowadays and becoming a great option for live shows. And by the sound of it, you may be interested in my other project, pico_synth_sandbox. It's definitely capable of midi sequencing and sampling. pico-synth-sandbox.dcdalrymple.com/

[@seabrig29]

Sound file question: I've got a midi controller that I want to play a soundfont file. Is your setup able to load a soundfont file and play multi channel?

[@relic985]

The system is designed specifically for pre-recorded WAV/Midi files. If you're wanting to use your Pi like an instrument, I recommend looking into SamplerBox though even that uses Wav samples. I'm not aware of a specific soundfont project for the Pi.

[@relic985]

After a little more research, I think it might be possible to integrate the sf2_loader python library into the program and have an sf2 file associated with each song. It seems like the only challenge involved is combining the sf2_loader audio into the alsaaudio output buffer and properly handling midi input.

[@therishabhpatel]

Hi, Can it work with qlc+?
Suppose we have two raspberry pi, One can run OctoPy and another QLC+ and take MIDI input from the OctoPy.

[@relic985]

You know, I was recently debating adding in some form of DMX or ARGB control directly from the device, but I can tell it's a bit of a rabbit hole. You could definitely use 2 RPis if the QLC+ Pi is somehow being triggered by the Midi output. You could potentially run it all on 1 pi as long as there is enough headroom, but the software isn't configured out of the box to talk to any other software running on the Pi. Maybe you could utilize a Virtual Midi port and have QLC+ listen to it there.

[@relic985]

Midi clock output should be fully functional as well now. So any chases or other timed DMX stuff should be synchronized as long as the midi clock is set as the master.

[@therishabhpatel]

@@relic985 Yes, That might work. I will try to use it via Virtual Midi port.
Thanks for the quick reply :)

[@gaz312]

Python? I always associated that with data analysis more than creating computer programs.

[@relic985]

Python and R are the standard languages for data analysts, but trust me, Python is used for a whole lot more! Games, tools/utilities, computer vision/ai. Heck, it's even made it's way onto microcontrollers! (see MicroPython/CircuitPython) Simple, yet very powerful stuff. I even use it professionally from time to time to make small data organization/processing scripts.

[@gaz312]

@@relic985 Cool I did course on using it for Data Analysis and loved it.
Not just the coding but learning about data analysis.
Wouldn’t say I was an expert. Cool to see other uses for it. Keep saying I’ll need to get back into it one day.
Maybe looking into things like that will inspire me.

[@manuelotin88]

sorry, dude! midn telling me what's that computer keyboard? Thanks!

[@relic985]

Ha! Good eye. It's a TypeMatrix 2030. Not the best switches, but ergonomically it's a godsend. I vastly prefer it to the standard layout.

[@manuelotin88]

@@relic985 thanks! appreciate it!

[@BsYtHandle]

"... and a little custom midi board..." aaaaand I'm out lol.

[@relic985]

It's (relatively) simple, I promise! But you can also just buy a dedicated hat to do the work for you. If you have the skill, it's typically much cheaper to build your own. www.smbaker.com/raspberry-pi-midi-hat-building-a-raspberry-pi-midi-jukebox