Follow-up to the SLOOP first-go video. People asked if MIDI works on the M-VAVE FM-1 with SLOOP custom firmware. Short answer: yes, after SLOOP 2.3.
TRS 3.5 mm to 5-pin DIN into a MIDI keyboard (Boss BMIDI-1-35). Channels 1–3 for the three synth tracks, channel 10 for drums. Pitch bend and mod wheel didn’t work here. USB MIDI is listed on the SLOOP site; this test is the hardware DIN cable. Yesterday it didn’t respond; after the 2.3 update it does. Boss BMIDI-1-35 TRS–DIN cable: https://link.amazon/B0e7TGFnu
Install SLOOP: https://isod89.github.io/sloop-fm1/webapp/installer/
Links: https://linktr.ee/darrenlock Timestamps:
0:00 Why this video (comments asked about MIDI) 0:34 SLOOP 2.3 update 0:52 TRS to 5-pin DIN cable 1:36 MIDI in — it works 1:53 Bass 2:26 Drums (channel 10) 2:57 No pitch bend / mod 3:05 Didn’t work yesterday 3:31 Which cable 4:22 USB MIDI 4:51 Why bother — £45 synth, more flexible 5:28 Uninstall video coming 5:43 Like & subscribe
#MVAVE #FM1 #SLOOP #MIDI #customfirmware #groovebox #synth #DarrenLockMusic #TRS #Boss
Like, comment and subscribe. Next one: how to uninstall SLOOP and go back to stock firmware. I'm an Amazon Affiliate and so gets a shiny penny if you buy a qualifying product via the links here.
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First session on the M-VAVE FM-1 with SLOOP custom firmware. SLOOP turns the cheap pocket FM synth into a free 4-track groovebox: three synth layers plus a drum machine, built on the Felucca engines (VA, 4-op FM, phase distortion, organ, formant, granular, sampler, lo-fi) with chorus, delay and reverb. Not a full review — first go, exploring the patch and the workflow. Install SLOOP from here: https://isod89.github.io/sloop-fm1/webapp/installer/ Links: https://linktr.ee/darrenlock Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
0:33 The SLOOP Firmware
01:47 Jamming with SLOOP
07:27 Thoughts on SLOOP
09:10 Browser Editor
11:21 Outro #MVAVE #FM1 #SLOOP #customfirmware #groovebox #FMsynth #synth #DarrenLockMusic #Felucca Like, comment and subscribe for more synth and gear experiments.
Music, socials, etc: https://linktr.ee/darrenlock I'm an Amazon Affiliate and so gets a shiny penny if you buy a qualifying product via the links here.
Music, socials, etc: https://linktr.ee/darrenlock I'm an Amazon Affiliate and so gets a shiny penny if you buy a qualifying product via the links here.
**21-09-26 Ambient Guitar Density | MIDI Guitar 2, Roland XV-5080 & Valhalla Delay** Ambient guitar session — dense pads and delays. MIDI Guitar 2 into a Roland XV-5080 plugin, Valhalla Delay on the wash. Improvised / live-in-the-box textural soundscape/. Gear in this one: MIDI Guitar 2, Roland XV-5080 (plugin), Valhalla Delay. Links: https://linktr.ee/darrenlock **Timestamps:**
0:00 Ambient guitar density Layering / MIDI Guitar 2 XV-5080 tones Valhalla Delay End #AmbientGuitar #MIDIGuitar2 #RolandXV5080 #ValhallaDelay #AmbientMusic #GuitarPedals #DarrenLockMusic #soundscape Like, comment and subscribe for more ambient guitar and gear.
**Does the Positive Grid Spark Pedal Work with Bass? | Fender Mustang Bass & Jazz Bass Test** Bass through the Positive Grid Spark Pedal — does it actually work, or is “bass compatible” just marketing? Demo’d with a Fender Mustang Bass and a Fender Jazz Bass. Spark Pedal is sold as electric / acoustic / bass: 33 amps, 43 effects, ToneCloud, looper, USB-C interface, battery fly rig. This video is the bass reality check — amp models, presets, FX mode, low-end, and whether it’s a real compact bass rig or a guitar pedal that also takes a bass input. Full Spark Pedal unboxing and guitar review are on this channel. Spark Pedal: https://amzn.to/3SGR3jI Links: https://linktr.ee/darrenlock **Timestamps:**
0:00 Can you use the Spark Pedal with bass? 0:40 What Positive Grid claims 1:20 Fender Mustang Bass 4:00 Fender Jazz Bass 7:00 Bass amps, cab feel & effects 10:00 Practice, looper, recording 12:00 Final verdict for bass players #PositiveGrid #SparkPedal #BassGuitar #FenderJazzBass #MustangBass #BassAmp #BassPedal #AmpModeller #DarrenLockMusic Like, comment and subscribe for more guitar and bass gear.
**Positive Grid Spark Pedal Review & Demo | Bias FX Hardware — Who It’s For (and Who It Isn’t)** Full review and demonstration of the Positive Grid Spark Pedal — Bias-style amp and effects modelling in a compact, battery-powered stompbox. 33 amps, 43 effects, ToneCloud presets, 60-second looper, MIDI, Bluetooth, USB-C audio, AI tone building, and up to about 7 hours on the rechargeable battery. This follows my Spark Pedal unboxing. Here I go through real-world tone, Amp vs FX modes, the app, looper, gig use, practice/recording, and the honest trade-offs: phone/app dependence, battery-only power (no mains adapter), and whether it replaces a proper multi-FX or just lives on the desk. **Why it might be a must-buy:** compact fly rig, huge preset library, familiar Spark/Bias tones, looper, easy knobs. **Why it might not be:** battery management, app-centric workflow, better as practice/recording companion than a set-and-forget pedalboard for some players. Get the Positive Grid Spark Pedal: https://amzn.to/3SGR3jI More links: https://linktr.ee/darrenlock **Timestamps:**
0:00 Intro — must-buy or not? 0:45 What the Spark Pedal actually is 2:00 Build, controls, Amp vs FX mode 4:00 Tone demo — cleans, crunch, high gain 7:00 Effects, presets & ToneCloud 9:00 App, Bluetooth, AI tones 11:00 Looper & live/practice use 13:00 USB interface & recording 15:00 Limitations (battery, app, power) 17:00 Verdict — who should buy it #PositiveGrid #SparkPedal #GuitarPedal #BiasFX #MultiEffects #AmpModeller #GuitarGear #PedalReview #DarrenLockMusic Like, comment and subscribe for more guitar gear reviews. Previous unboxing: search “FIRST LOOK Positive Grid Spark PEDAL” on this channel.