Orca is a visual programming language, designed to create procedural sequencers on the fly.

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Requirements

Norns or Fates or device.

Orca for Norns supports 4 different engines, but in order for them to work they must be installed.

• FM7 engine
• Passersby engine
• PolyPerc engine
• Timber engine

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Install

Orca for Norns is available for install within Maiden. Update the Community feed and then scroll down to Orca and Install.

If you're looking to contribute with code checkout the documentation for Contributing.

• <tab> Info bar: Toggles info bar visibility
• <esc> Unfocus: Removes selection focus
• <space> Play/Stop: Toggles play state, stop kills all notes.
• cmd/ctrl + > Adjust BPM: Increments BPM + 10.
• cmd/ctrl + < Adjust BPM: Decrements BPM - 10.

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Documentation

Please refer to original docs for general Orca operation.

Operators

• A add(a b): Outputs sum of inputs.
• B subtract(a b): Outputs difference of inputs.
• C clock(rate mod): Outputs modulo of frame.
• D delay(rate mod): Bangs on modulo of frame.
• E east: Moves eastward, or bangs.
• F if(a b): Bangs if inputs are equal.
• G generator(x y len): Writes operands with offset.
• H halt: Halts southward operand.
• I increment(step mod): Increments southward operand.
• J jumper(val): Outputs northward operand.
• K konkat(len): Reads multiple variables.
• L less(a b): Outputs smallest of inputs.
• M multiply(a b): Outputs product of inputs.
• N north: Moves Northward, or bangs.
• O read(x y read): Reads operand with offset.
• P push(len key val): Writes eastward operand.
• Q query(x y len): Reads operands with offset.
• R random(min max): Outputs random value.
• S south: Moves southward, or bangs.
• T track(key len val): Reads eastward operand.
• U uclid(step max): Bangs on Euclidean rhythm.
• V variable(write read): Reads and writes variable.
• W west: Moves westward, or bangs.
• X write(x y val): Writes operand with offset.
• Y jymper(val): Outputs westward operand.
• Z lerp(rate target): Transitions operand to input.
• * bang: Bangs neighboring operands.
• # comment: Halts a line.

IO / Norns

Operators

• $ r.note(scale-mode note): Outputs random note within scale.
• ? levels(param value): Sets selected volume level on bang.
• / softcut(playhead rec play level rate position).
• \ softcut param(playhead param value): Sets softcut param on bang.
• | synth(octave note): Plays a note with the synth engine.
• - synth param(param value): Sets synth param on bang.
• : midi(channel octave note velocity length): Sends a MIDI note.
• % mono(channel octave note velocity length): Sends monophonic MIDI note.
• ! cc(channel knob value): Sends MIDI control change.
• & midi in(channel): Outputs received midi note.
• ^ cc in(cc): Outputs received midi cc value.
• ~ crow cv(channel octave note attack release level):
• ] crow ii jf note(channel octave note level): Just Friends over i2c in voice mode.
• } crow ii jf voice(octave note level): Just Friends over i2c in note mode.
• ` crow w/syn(octave note level):
• > g.write(x y value): Sets Grid LED on bang.
• < g.read(x y): Reads specific coordinates. If value > 6 outputs bang.
• ( a.read(enc): Reads Arc encoder value
• = OSC (path;x;y..): Locks each consecutive eastwardly ports. ; is delimeter for values.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Controller	Description	Values
<tab>	Info bar	Toggles info bar visibility
<esc>	Unfocus	Removes selection focus
<space>	Play/Stop	Toggles play state, stop kills all notes.
cmd/ctrl + >	Adjust BPM	Increments BPM + 10.
cmd/ctrl + <	Adjust BPM	Decrements BPM - 10.

Key/Encoder

Controller	Description	Values
K1 + E1	Select operator	A–Z, $, ?, /, \, `
K1 + E2	Select value	0–z
K1 + E3	Select note	A–G
K2	Clear character
K2	Toggle play/stop

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$ R.NOTE

The R.NOTE operator $ takes 2 inputs(scale-mode, note).

This operator generates a scale based on the given mode (default is Dorian) and note/key (default is C). For example to generate an F natural minor scale enter $2F. There are 35 different modes to choose from:

• 1: Major
• 2: Natural Minor
• 3: Harmonic Minor
• 4: Melodic Minor
• 5: Dorian
• 6: Phrygian
• 7: Lydian
• 8: Mixolydian
• 9: Locrian
• a: Gypsy Minor
• b: Whole Tone
• c: Major Pentatonic
• d: Minor Pentatonic
• e: Major Bebop
• f: Altered Scale
• g: Dorian Bebop
• h: Mixolydian Bebop
• i: Blues Scale
• j: Diminished Whole Half
• k: Diminished Half Whole
• l: Neapolitan Major
• m: Hungarian Major
• n: Harmonic Major
• o: Hungarian Minor
• p: Lydian Minor
• q: Neapolitan Minor
• r: Major Locrian
• s: Leading Whole Tone
• t: Six Tone Symmetrical
• u: Arabian
• v: Balinese
• w: Byzantine
• x: Hungarian Gypsy
• y: Persian
• z: East Indian Purvi

? LEVELS

The LEVELS operator ? takes 2 inputs(param, value).

There are 9 different params that can be modulated on the fly with this operator:

• 1: level output channels
• 2: level engine master
• 3: level softcut master
• 4: level ADC input
• 5: reverb engine level
• 6: softcut reverb level
• 7: reverb DAC level
• 8: softcut ADC level
• 9: softcut engine level

In order to trigger parameter setting a bang * has to occure on the left side of operator. The value is simply the percentage to set the level 0 is 0% z is 100%. For example ?5z will set the engine reverb to 100%, or ?2h will set the engine volume level to 50%.

/ SOFTCUT

The SOFTCUT operator / takes up to 6 inputs (playhead rec play level rate position).

This operator receives a MIDI note from a MIDI controller, based on the channel value (default is channel 1).

• playhead
  • values: 0: beginning of buffer, z: length of buffer.
• rec
  • values: 0: disables recording/overdub; 1–z: recording level and amount of overdub preserve
• play
  • values: 0: disables play; 1: enables play
• level
  • values: 0: 0, z: 35
• rate
  • values: 0: 2x speed (reverse), i: normal (default), z: 2x speed (forwards)
• position
  • values: 0: beginning of buffer, z: length of buffer.

\ SOFTCUT PARAMS

A subset of Softcut's params are availabe with the SOFTCUT PARAMS operator \ (playhead param value). These 3 params are always required (along with a bang) to modulate a given parameter.

• playhead

  • values: 0: beginning of buffer, z: length of buffer.

• 1: Source

  • values: 0: 0 ADC level, 0 Softcut engine level; 1: 1 ADC level, 0 Softcut engine level; 2: 0 ADC level, 1 Softcut engine level; 3: 1 ADC level, 1 Softcut engine level;

• 2: Pan

  • values: 0: full left, 1: centered, 2: full right

• 3: Rate slew time

  • values: 0: 0s, z: 35s

• 4: Level slew time

  • values: 0: 0s, z: 35s

| SYNTH/ENGINE

The SYNTH operator | inputs vary based on selected engine, but (octave, note ...) are always required (along with a bang) to produce sound.

There are 4 different engine supported by Orca FM7, Passersby, PolyPerc, and Timber. Within the params menu engines can be changed. Note: when changing engines you will have to reengage the clock by pressing K3.

FM7

A "Polyphonic Synthesizer for Norns With 6 Operator Frequency Modulation". When this engine is selected, the SYNTH operator | takes up to 4 different inputs (octave, note, voice, amp). For example |4C.. will play a C at the 4th octave (Midi scale).

• octave
  • values: 0-7
• note
  • values: A–G
• voice
  • values: 0: 0s, z: 1.5s
• amp
  • values: 0: 0.0, z: 1.0

PASSERSBY

A "West Coast style mono synth". When this engine is selected, the SYNTH operator | takes up to 6 different inputs (octave, note, velocity, timbre, pitchBend, pressure). For example |4Cz... will play a C at the 4th octave (Midi scale) with a velocity of 255.

• octave
  • values: 0-7
• note
  • values: A–G
• velocity
  • values: 0: 0, z: 125
• timbre
  • values: 0: 0.0, z: 1.0
• pitchBend
  • values: 0: 0.0, z: 1.0
• pressure
  • values: 0: 1.5, z: 3.0

POLYPERC

A "simple polyphonic filtered decaying square wave". When this engine is selected, the SYNTH operaptor | takes up to 2 inputs (octave, note). For example |4C will play a C at the 4th octave (Midi scale).

• octave
  • values: 0-7
• note
  • values: A–G

TIMBER

A sample player engine and two scripts for norns. When this engine is selected, the SYNTH operator | takes up to 5 inputs (octave note sample level position). For example |4C1 will play the first sample and tune it a C at the 4th octave (Midi scale).

• octave
  • values: 0-7
• note
  • values: A–G
• sample
  • values: 0: 1, z: 36
• level
  • values: 0: -48db, z: 16db
• position
  • values: 0: start of sample z: end of sample

Note, in order for the position param to affect a clip, Timber only supports audio samples that are maximum: 10 seconds mono and 5 seconds stereo, as stated in the Timber source code. Longer clips (maximum 2 hours @ 44100 sample rate) can be played back, but position will have no effect.

Additional details

However, By reducing the sample rate you can use longer clips with the `position` param, because there's a direct relationship between mono/stereo, sample rate, and length of audio.

Stereo

• Max 5 seconds stereo @ 44100 sample rate
• Max 10 seconds stereo @ 22050 sample rate
• Max 20 seconds stereo @ 11025 sample rate
• and so on...

Mono

• Max 10 seconds mono @ 44100 sample rate
• Max 20 seconds mono @ 22050 sample rate
• Max 40 seconds mono @ 11025 sample rate
• and so on...

- SYNTH PARAMS

Each synth engine has numerous settings to modulate its sound profile. The SYNTH PARAM operator - are (param value) (except for FM7 see below) these 2 params are always required (along with a bang) to modulate a given parameter.

FM7

When this engine is selected the SYNTH PARAM operator - takes up to 3 inputs (param value voice). This particular engine allows for a complex combination of params. For example -5i1 sets the "Osc(illator) Amp(litude) Env(elope) Attack" to 5.14 seconds for voice 1. Load the included to fm7-demo.orca demo to see more params (be sure to select FM7 within the params menu first).

• 1: Osc Frequency Multiplier (Hz)
• 2: Osc Phase (radians)
• 3: Osc Amplitude (decibels)
• 4: Carrier Amplitude (decibels)
• 5: Osc Amp Env Attack (seconds)
• 6: Osc Amp Env Decay (seconds)
• 7: Osc Amp Env Sustain (decibels)
• 8: Osc Amp Env Release (seconds)
• 9: Osc1 Phase Mod Osc (decibels)
• a: Osc2 Phase Mod Osc (decibels)
• b: Osc3 Phase Mod Osc (decibels)
• c: Osc4 Phase Mod Osc (decibels)
• d: Osc5 Phase Mod Osc (decibels)
• e: Osc6 Phase Mod Osc (decibels)

PASSERSBY

When this engine is selected the SYNTH PARAM operator - takes up to 2 inputs (param value). For example -51 sets the "Envelope Type " to "LPG". Load the included to passersby-demo.orca demo to see more params (be sure to select Passersby within the params menu first).

• 1: Amp
• 2: Attack (seconds)
• 3: Decay (seconds)
• 4: Drift
• 5: Envelope Type
  • values: 1: LPG, 2: Sustain
• 6: FM Low Amount
• 7: FM Low Ratio
• 8: FM High Amount
• 9: FM High Ratio
• a: Glide (seconds)
• b: LFO Frequency (Hz)
• c: LFO Shape
  • values: 1: Triangle, 2: Ramp, 3: Square, 4: Random
• d: LFO > Attack
• e: LFO > Decay
• f: LFO > FM Low
• g: LFO > FM High
• h: LFO > Frequency (Hz)
• i: LFO > Peak
• j: LFO > Reverb Mix
• k: LFO > Wave Folds
• l: LFO > Wave Shape
• m: Peak (Hz)
• n: Pitch Bend All
• o: Pressure All
• p: Reverb Mix
• q: Timbre All
• r: Wave Folds
• s: Wave Shape

POLYPERC

When this engine is selected the SYNTH PARAM operator - takes up to 2 inputs (param value). For example -3z sets the "Release" to 3200ms. Load the included to polyperc-demo.orca demo to see more params (be sure to select PolyPerc within the params menu first).

• 1: Pulse width (%)
• 2: Amp
• 3: Release (seconds)
• 4: Cutoff (Hz)
• 5: Gain
• 6: Pan
  • values: 0: left, i: center, z: right

TIMBER

When this engine is seleted the SYNTH PARAM operator - takes up to 3 inputs (param value sample). For example -811 sets the filter type to "high pass" for sample 1.

• 1: Amp env attack
• 2: Amp env decay
• 3: Amp env sustain
• 4: Amp env release
• 5: Detune cents
• 6: Stretch [percentage]
• 7: Filter freq
• 8: Filter resonance
• 9: Filter type
  • values: 0: Low Pass, 1: High Pass
• a: Quality
  • values: 0: Nasty, 1: Low, 2: Medium, 3: High
• b: Freq mod LFO 1
• c: Freq mod LFO 2
• d: Filter freq mod LFO 1
• e: Filter freq mod LFO 2
• f: Pan mod LFO 1
• g: Pan mod LFO 2
• h: Amp mod LFO 1
• i: Amp mod LFO 2
• j: Freq mod envelope
• k: Filter freq mod envelope
• l: Filter freq mod velocity
• m: Filter freq mod pressure
• n: Filter tracking
• o: Pan mod envelope
• p: Envelope attack
• q: Envelope decay
• r: Envelope sustain
• s: Transpose
• t: Stretch [length]
• u: Stretch [bars]
  • values: 0: 1/64, 1: 1/48, 2: 1/32, 3: 1/24, 4: 1/16,5: 1/12,6: 1/8,7: 1/6,8: 1/4,9: 1/3,a: 1/2,b: 2/3,c: 3/4,d: 1 bar
• v: Pan
  • values: 0: left, i: center, z: right
• w: Amp
• x: Envelope release
• y: Start frame
• z: End frame

: MIDI

The MIDI operator : takes up to 5 inputs (channel octave note velocity length).

See Orca's Midi documentation

% MIDI MONO

The MONO operator % takes up to 5 inputs (channel octave note velocity length).

See Orca's Midi Mono documentation

! MIDI CC

The CC operator ! takes 3 inputs (channel knob value).

See Orca's Midi CC documentation

& MIDI IN

The MIDI IN operator & takes 1 input(channel).

This operator receives a MIDI note from a MIDI controller, based on the channel value (default is channel 1).

^ MIDI CC IN

The CC IN operator ^ takes 1 input(channel).

This operator receives a MIDI CC message from a MIDI controller, based on the channel value (default is channel 1).

~ CROW CV

The CROW CV operator ~ takes up to 6 parameters (channel octave note attack release level).

• channel
  • values: 0: crow out 1 is 1v/Oct CV and out 2 is an AR envelope; 1: crow out 3 is 1v/Oct CV and out 2 is AR envelope.
• octave
  • values: 0-7
• note
  • values: A–G
• attack
  • values: 0: 0s, z: 1.5s
• release
  • values: 0: 0s, z: 3s
• level
  • values: 0: 0V, z: 10V

For example ~04Chhz sets channel to value 0, plays a C4 note with a 750ms attack, 750ms release, at 10V.

] CROW JF II NOTE

The CROW JF II NOTE operator ] takes up to 4 parameters (channel octave note level). For this operator, channel can be set 0-5 and sets which channel the voice is playing from.

} CROW JF II VOICE

The CROW JF II VOICE operator ] takes up to 3 parameters (octave note level).

` CROW W/SYN

The CROW JF W/SYN operator ` takes up to 3 parameters (octave note level).

> G.WRITE

The G.WRITE operator > takes up to 3 inputs (x y value) and activates Grid LED at given x, y coordinate.

< G.READ

The G.READ operator < takes up to 3 inputs (x y value) and read Grid at given x, y coordinate.

( A.READ

The A.READ operator ( takes 1 input(enc) and reads given Arc encoder value.

= OSC

The OSC operator = takes up to 1 input(path;x;y..) locking each consecutive eastwardly ports. ; is delimeter for sending OSC values.

See Root Orca's OSC documentation

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Tutorials and Demos

When Orca is installed, a number of tutorials (original) and demos are available to demonstrate basic and Norns specific functionalites.

• Engines
• Basics
• Logic
• Projectors
• Variables

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Import/Export

This Norns port of Orca is capable of loading and exporting Orca .txt files. The creates interoperability for repositories such as Patchstorage.

Note change the file extension for files downloaded from Patchstorage to .txt. Upload the file to your Norns using SSH or FTP and use "> Load project" in the params menu to load a .txt file.

Conversely, you can also use this online coverter for either .txt files or even copying from other Orca's such as the web version or orca.wtf. This converter will import/export .txt, .json. or .orca (Norns) filetypes, which can then be uploaded to your Norns via SSH/FTP.

Cut and paste the following into the online coverter to see how it works.

..Cc............
..3B6...........
...3A1..........
.R..4.O#AMAZING#
.tYt4XZ.........

If you using MacOS, simply connect to your Norns via Finder's "Connect to Server". Alternatively, you can upload a file via sftp — such as an exported .orca file — to Norns (replace <filename> with name of your file).

$ sftp we@norns.local
$ put ./<filename>.orca /home/we/dust/data/orca/<filename>.orca

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Contributing

If you're a developer interested in contributing features or fixes, checkout the contributing documentation.

There are 2 main branches used for maintaining quality of experience.

• Primary is the stable branch and also the branch that is pulled into the master branch referenced by Maiden.
• Dev is the "bleeding edge" branch and should only be used by those that are helping debug, contributing, or those that like to live dangerously.