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Not sure I could let my Octabvre go as I still love it for what it is. However, continued unemployment may end up forcing my hand…
I have the latest Octabvre. I wasn't wowed by it. Tracking is ok. Variety of sounds is ok but limited to the hollow square wave thing which wa already sick of when I first got a OC-2 in the early 80s. Will be sold soon.
Yeah I was using an OC-2 in the 80s as well. I thought I'd give the Octabrve a shot for old times sake but was similarly unenthusiastic. I also sold my other 3Leaf pedals, the Doom fuzz and their envelope follower, once I had my FI figured out.
I think it is really setting-dependent whether it can track intricate/fast playing or not. A slow attack, for example is never going to do well, and some of the crazier sounds don't like it either. I find I alter my playing depending on the sound that I'm using. I'm absolutely loving the portomento.
I had the same experience and over the years completely switched to playing the FI with a pick. Maybe it's the short attack or the additional frequencies added by the pick- the tracking algorithm seems to love the pick. Watching guitar player tutorials on alternate picking and palm muting will get you to the next level. Or check out Cody Wrights pick bass lessons.
Yeah palm-muting IME makes for the best tracking on any of these kinds of devices- I do palm-muted plucking too, but for fast lines I think the pick will give the most accurate tracking
Flats for sure, though compared to other pitch-trackers (the MXR Synth) I find the string type is somewhat less of an issue for me with the current FI algorithm (with v3 it was definitely more finicky)
Future Impact V4 + CME U2MIDI Pro – Solution
If the interface is visible in the editor list of devices but communication with the pedal isn't working, it's almost always due to the cables being plugged into the wrong ports. It's the first thing I always suggest trying.Future Impact V4 + CME U2MIDI Pro – Solution
Hi everyone,
I'd like to share my experience in case it helps someone else.
I couldn't get my Future Impact V4 to communicate with the FI Editor using a CME U2MIDI Pro on Windows 11. The Editor was unable to detect the pedal.
After some troubleshooting (with the help of ChatGPT and the support of András Szalay), I solved the problem.
The steps that worked for me were:
1. Download and install the official CME UxMIDI Tools from the CME website.
2. Update the firmware of the CME U2MIDI Pro to the latest version.
3. In my case, communication only worked when connecting the MIDI cables MIDI IN → MIDI IN and MIDI OUT → MIDI OUT.
After these steps:
- the FI Editor immediately detected the Future Impact;
- I successfully backed up all 99 presets;
- I updated the pedal to firmware 4.51;
- communication with the Editor is now perfect.
After I informed András Szalay, he kindly replied:
"Glad that it works. Some 'smart' companies write MIDI OUT on their MIDI IN, so this is what people should connect to the MIDI IN on the instrument. Very frustrating."
So, if you're using a CME U2MIDI Pro and the FI Editor can't detect your Future Impact, updating the interface firmware and checking the MIDI cable orientation may solve the problem.
Many thanks to András Szalay for his support, to ChatGPT for helping me troubleshoot the issue, and to the TalkBass community for all the valuable information shared over the years.
I hope this helps someone else.
Best regards,
Enzo Senatore
Greetings from Naples, Italy!
I had tried swapping the cables, but without success. I only found the solution after updating the interface's firmware with CME UxMIDI Tools. I should also add that I discovered that to properly initiate communication between Panda Editor and Future Impact, I need to follow this procedure: 1) turn on Future Impact; 2) connect the CME U2MIDI Pro interface to the computer; 3) start the editor.
It could also be an error or issue with the USB connection or the computers USB utility. I have to restart/rebboot my PC regularly as there is eventually a point where the various devices are no longer recognized. This in part is due to me using several different devices connectd by USB from different manufacturers. Also USB to MIDI devices don't like being conneted through a hub, a direct port insert is necessary.
Have you messed with the Note On setting? You will need to send a relatively even signal in to get the best tracking, but once you've found that comfortable level you should set the Input Gain then the Note On to the point where it is triggered with every note but not too high that it is also trying to track string noise and other extraneous noises. Also if you are getting a really brightly aggressive tone from the bass you are more likely to cause the tracking to glitch up an octave, best to send a rounder and more even tone (hitting the strings less hard and/or changing pickup/tone settings).
You are still learning the machine and that it takes a certain touch, that can be different from your normal playiung styles. Some of that comes from having the proper set up for input signal, range or instrument mode, I tend to run mine a bit hot with lots of peak or red lighting, that allows me to also get the synth to glitch, I have developed a touch to use those sounds in a musical way. That is in a way learning to make lemonade out of lemons.
