KymaConnect & PacaConnect
Delora KymaConnect, an OSX user agent program for the Mac, is "Command Central" for all your Kyma* connectivity needs.
KymaConnect reduces cost and setup complexity while offering expanded capability and customization of MIDI device connections to/from your Paca(rana) or Capybara.
KymaConnect reduces cost and setup complexity while offering expanded capability and customization of MIDI device connections to/from your Paca(rana) or Capybara.
* Kyma is a trademark of the Symbolic Sound Corporation.
KymaConnect's Key Features and Benefits
Paca(rana) & CapyLink Proxies
KymaConnect's "Paca Proxy" connects a Paca or Pacarana on one network to "clients" connected to a second network. The PacaProxy is the key ingredient that makes it possible to have wireless control of Kyma with a set up as simple as just your MacBook! It can eliminate the need to add network switches and even Wi-Fi access points if your Mac features a built-in AirPort connection.
Applications that follow the Pacarana's OSC conventions can have full bidirectional control of the Paca(rana). This includes Delora's vKi, vKi lite, vKiP, and other applications like Kyma Control and TouchOsc. The CapyLink proxy handles a small yet powerful subset of the Paca(rana) OSC commands, including MIDI-over-OSC, and translates them into Capybara compatible MIDI and other actions.
"Virtual MIDI Patchbay" Features
KymaConnect provides an always available connection between up to four (4) MIDI devices and the Paca(rana) or Capybara, without additional software or hardware. KymaConnect saves you the expense of an external MIDI merger box, as well as a USB MIDI interface for the Pacarana/Capybara. Since KymaConnect is normally set up to run whenever you log into your Mac, the Paca(rana) or Capybara can be played and controlled from an external MIDI keyboard or other controller without running a sequencer or other software.
Advanced MIDI Routing and Mapping Capabilities
Routing makes it possible to specify which MIDI sources send to which destinations. Channel mapping can change a message's MIDI channel before it reaches its destination. You can even selectively mute a channel's messages to filter out unwanted MIDI traffic. All controlled from an easy-to-use routing table.
On-Stage Benefits
The combination of the proxies and "virtual MIDI patchbay" can reduce overall system complexity, whether on stage or in the studio. For example a viable Kyma performance set up (not including the Paca(rana) soundcard and audio connections) can now be assembled with a Mac Book or Mac Book Pro, a Paca(rana), and a simple RG45 network cable. No other external boxes, such as routers or Ethernet switches are needed. Furthermore by using a USB keyboard or other controllers, full MIDI performance control over a Kyma sound can be achieved without additional MIDI cables or components. Exert full wireless remote control of the Kyma VCS using an application like vKi running on the iPhone/iPod touch, or vKiP running on an iPad, plus other Paca(rana) OSC compatible controllers.
Studio Configuration Benefits
KymaConnect's system streamlining features are not just for live performance. Studio set ups can also benefit by removing unnecessary external devices like MIDI mergers, a USB MIDI interface connected to the Paca(rana), and potentially WiFi access points and other networking hardware and cables. iMacs, MacMinis, and some Mac Pro models include built-in AirPort WiFi connectivity. You can set up special "computer-to-computer" WiFi networks (also called "Adhoc WiFi networks") with these Macs to provide a dedicated wireless network for interacting with Kyma using OSC. This type of dedicated network affords enhanced reliability as well as reduced control latency, features not only essential for live performance but also of great benefit in the studio.
KymaConnect's "Paca Proxy" connects a Paca or Pacarana on one network to "clients" connected to a second network. The PacaProxy is the key ingredient that makes it possible to have wireless control of Kyma with a set up as simple as just your MacBook! It can eliminate the need to add network switches and even Wi-Fi access points if your Mac features a built-in AirPort connection.
Applications that follow the Pacarana's OSC conventions can have full bidirectional control of the Paca(rana). This includes Delora's vKi, vKi lite, vKiP, and other applications like Kyma Control and TouchOsc. The CapyLink proxy handles a small yet powerful subset of the Paca(rana) OSC commands, including MIDI-over-OSC, and translates them into Capybara compatible MIDI and other actions.
"Virtual MIDI Patchbay" Features
KymaConnect provides an always available connection between up to four (4) MIDI devices and the Paca(rana) or Capybara, without additional software or hardware. KymaConnect saves you the expense of an external MIDI merger box, as well as a USB MIDI interface for the Pacarana/Capybara. Since KymaConnect is normally set up to run whenever you log into your Mac, the Paca(rana) or Capybara can be played and controlled from an external MIDI keyboard or other controller without running a sequencer or other software.
Advanced MIDI Routing and Mapping Capabilities
Routing makes it possible to specify which MIDI sources send to which destinations. Channel mapping can change a message's MIDI channel before it reaches its destination. You can even selectively mute a channel's messages to filter out unwanted MIDI traffic. All controlled from an easy-to-use routing table.
On-Stage Benefits
The combination of the proxies and "virtual MIDI patchbay" can reduce overall system complexity, whether on stage or in the studio. For example a viable Kyma performance set up (not including the Paca(rana) soundcard and audio connections) can now be assembled with a Mac Book or Mac Book Pro, a Paca(rana), and a simple RG45 network cable. No other external boxes, such as routers or Ethernet switches are needed. Furthermore by using a USB keyboard or other controllers, full MIDI performance control over a Kyma sound can be achieved without additional MIDI cables or components. Exert full wireless remote control of the Kyma VCS using an application like vKi running on the iPhone/iPod touch, or vKiP running on an iPad, plus other Paca(rana) OSC compatible controllers.
Studio Configuration Benefits
KymaConnect's system streamlining features are not just for live performance. Studio set ups can also benefit by removing unnecessary external devices like MIDI mergers, a USB MIDI interface connected to the Paca(rana), and potentially WiFi access points and other networking hardware and cables. iMacs, MacMinis, and some Mac Pro models include built-in AirPort WiFi connectivity. You can set up special "computer-to-computer" WiFi networks (also called "Adhoc WiFi networks") with these Macs to provide a dedicated wireless network for interacting with Kyma using OSC. This type of dedicated network affords enhanced reliability as well as reduced control latency, features not only essential for live performance but also of great benefit in the studio.
KymaConnect in Summary
- Native OSX user agent program that runs silently in the background on your Mac running Snow Leopard or Lion. "Set up once and forget about it" ease-of-use.
- Provides full bidirectional OSC control of Paca or Pacarana running on a different network than the OSC control client.
- Dramatically reduces on-stage Mac Book or Mac Book Pro setup complexity by eliminating the need to have some type of WiFi router/switch/hub.
- Makes it straight forward, without extra components with any WiFi enabled Mac, to establish an optimal dedicated wireless OSC control network with improved robustness and reduced latency.
- Adds up to four always available MIDI control inputs and outputs to the Paca(rana) or Capybara, plus a "virtual MIDI port" for software applications.
- Saves the expense of a Paca(rana) USB MIDI interface, MIDI cables, and reduces network hardware requirements.
- Compatible with wireless OSC applications running on the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad: e.g., vKi, vKiP, Kyma Control and TouchOsc.
- MIDI connectivity fully supports external MotorMix or BCF2000 VCS controllers, as well as other MIDI "knob boxes" that can be used with the VCS's "MIDI Learn" feature.
- Extends the Paca(rana) OSC command set to include common Kyma shortcut commands, including starting Kyma remotely.
- Enhanced multi-client support over native Paca(rana) OSC.
- Brings a small, powerful subset of Paca(rana) OSC commands to the Capybara, including MIDI-over-OSC.
- Provides advanced MIDI customization options. Control where each MIDI device sends and receives from, or alter the MIDI channel as needed.
- Supports Kyma systems with both Paca(rana) and Capyabara sound engines.
KymaConnect vs. PacaConnect
PacaConnect has a subset of KymaConnect's features. PacaConnect should be your choice ONLY if your Mac is running OSX 10.5 (Leopard). PacaConnect only works on this system - it will not run on Snow Leopard or Lion. KymaConnect only runs on Snow Leopard (OSX 10.6) and Lion (OSX 10.7) systems.
KymaConnect has these additional features:
PacaConnect has a subset of KymaConnect's features. PacaConnect should be your choice ONLY if your Mac is running OSX 10.5 (Leopard). PacaConnect only works on this system - it will not run on Snow Leopard or Lion. KymaConnect only runs on Snow Leopard (OSX 10.6) and Lion (OSX 10.7) systems.
KymaConnect has these additional features:
- Supports both Paca(rana) and Capybara Kyma systems; PacaConnect only works with Paca(rana) sound engines
- Allows connection and routing of up to 4 external MIDI devices to/from the Paca(rana) or Capybara; PacaConnect allows up to 2 to/from the Paca(rana)
- Includes advanced MIDI capabilities and customization, including channel mapping
- Enhanced OSC command set
