Getting Started

The Concept

Hot Hand was originally conceived as a controller for guitar effects that could be used only with Source Audio effects pedals.  The Idea was to provide a new means of dynamically controlling effect parameters using motion-sensing accelerometers.  Our new Hot Hand 3 controller does this as well as adding an expression output jack enabling users to connect the HH3 directly to 3rd party effects units.  The Hot Hand USB brings motion control to the electronic musicians by directly converting the ring motion signals into MIDI messages for Ableton Live, Traktor, Logic, Reason, or any other DAW or effects software.

The Hardware

The Hot Hand USB package consists of our wireless 3-axis sensor ring that communicates directly to a Windows or Mac PC through a small USB stick.  The ring has a rechargeable battery that will last for 6+ hours of performance time with a full charge.  Please use only the included power supply to charge the ring.  While charging, the blue LED on the ring will blink quickly and turn off when the charge is complete.  Charging time is around 1.5 hours.

To install the hardware, just connect the USB receiver stick to an open USB port.  We use standard USB drivers that are built in to Windows and OSX so it's not necessary to install any driver files.  The USB stick will appear as a generic MIDI device to the system.  So it will be seen as a MIDI input for any MIDI compatible software.

Once the receiver is installed on the system, the STATUS light will begin to blink slowly.  This means that the receiver is looking for a ring to pair up with.  Now press the small button on the side of the ring and both the STATUS LED and the blue LED on the ring should be solidly lit showing that ring and receiver are communicating properly.

The Software 

By default, the HH USB will create MIDI CC messages on Controller numbers 7, 8, 9 using the X, Y, and Z signals from the ring respectively.   This is only a basic configuration and most users will want to edit and tweak the ring response and MIDI message types.  This is done using the Hot Hand USB Software Editor.  It is available on the main Hot Hand USB product page:
http://www.sourceaudio.net/products/hothand/hothand_usb.php

The software application is available for Windows or Mac.  Simply download the .zip file, unzip it to a desired location and run the hhusb application. The software does not need to be installed.

When you first start the software editor, it will load a 3-axis basic preset that match the default configuration which is preloaded on the USB receiver.   You can use the application to edit, save, load, and burn presets to the USB receiver.  Once a preset is burned, it will be automatically loaded when the USB receiver is connected to the computer without having to open the software editor.

Axis Modules

The software is arranged in modules.  The three axis modules show the raw data from each axis.  Try moving your hand in different directions to how each axis responds.

Processor Modules

The next set of modules are the processors.  The process modules can use any of the three axis inputs to create a more useful signal range.  This is where the signal range can be adjusted for desired response.  The depth control will increase or decrease the total signal range.  The smoothing control will filter out "jittery" motion that might be undesirable.  Invert will flip the signal range.  Center will set the center of the range using the current level from the ring.  This can be used to calibrate the center position for the processor.

MIDI Modules

The MIDI modules selects the processor input to be used, the MIDI message type, the controller numbers, MIDI Channel, and minimum and maximum values.   The MIDI module can also be set to Continuous or Trigger mode.  In continuous mode, the signal is constantly changing and updated based on ring motion.  In Trigger mode, you can set a threshold and when that value is crossed, the MIDI output will ramp up or down between the specified Start and Stop value.  The speed of the ramp can be adjusted with the Ramp Speed knob.

Trigger Mode Single will start a ramp when the input signal to the module crosses the threshold either going up or down depending on the setting of the Up/Down button.  Trigger Double Mode will start a ramp when the threshold is crossed going either direction.  The Up/Down button will invert the ramp output in this case.

The green button in the upper right corner enables or disables the MIDI output.  The "S" button is used to solo the selected MIDI output.  This is a very useful feature when assigning MIDI messages in your DAW software.  Most software packages use a MIDI learn mode that relies on a single MIDI message coming in to assign it to a control.  Use the solo button to make sure you are only sending one MIDI message at a time.