MAINFRAME-B Basic Principles

The character of the lights from MAINFRAME is based on a few factors:

Notes activate lights: Each “note on” triggers the beginning of an animation. The note length has an impact for most animation modes, either modifying the length of the animation or the amount of light. No notes, no lights.
Parameter values: Each parameter changes the lights in different ways, either the hue, saturation, brightness, decay time, speed and mode of animations, etc.
Note pitch and velocity: When a parameter is modulated, the incoming MIDI note’s pitch and/or velocity will make it take on a parameter value based on the selected range for that parameter, as well as the range for either the input pitch or velocity.
Zones/Channels and blending: MAINFRAME-B is designed to blend all notes and zones together, which opens possibilities for interesting patterns and colors by assigning different MIDI channels to different zones with their own parameter values.

There are two ways to use MAINFRAME-B, either as something for you or your audience to focus on, or something to create ambiance within the room.

Focus: MAINFRAME-B can be used as a focal element by:

Using LED grids, rings and Christmas lights. LED strips can also be used though the effect is not as good.
Facing the LEDs directly towards you or your audience.
Turning down the brightness so the LEDs are not blinding, but instead form small dots. You can also set the “max brightness” low within the global configuration menu (ADD LINK)
Experiment with animation modes and layering zones. Adding one or more randomly-modulated parameters will keep the patterns interesting and non-repetitive.

Ambiance: MAINFRAME-B can also be used to “paint the room” and create ambiance for live performances by:

Using LED strips mostly, though 8x8 grids and christmas lights can also be used.
Face LEDs towards the wall or another surface. A white surface is best so it takes on the color of the LEDs.
Maximize brightness within the global configuration menu, and use higher values for the brightness parameter within each zone. If layering multiple zones, try lowering the brightness within each zone a bit so they can blend properly. If all zones are max brightness, the colors saturate easily.
Use sweeping patterns from long notes because subtle patterns will not be visible as LEDs blend.
Experiment with placement of LEDs and especially distance from the reflecting surface to get different looks.

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