Behringer IGNITE sequencer code lands on GitHub

Music Tribe has opened part of the software behind the Behringer IGNITE, a 64-channel multitrack sequencer, on GitHub. Developers can now read how the device works, though they cannot yet turn the repository into a working firmware.

What is in the repository

The repo holds the main application, an audio engine library called AudIO, and ComProtocol, the layer that handles communication with the hardware. A Buildroot tree for the device's Linux image is included too.

Music Tribe's own application, audio engine and protocol code are under the GNU Affero General Public License, version 3 or later. The Buildroot components keep their own licenses. Third-party parts keep theirs as well.

Not ready to install

Some third-party components were removed and must be replaced before the project can be built. The documentation says so directly. The release is meant to support community experimentation, and it is not a custom-firmware package. There is no official firmware release in the repository.

What the sequencer does

IGNITE organizes its 64 channels through songs, scenes, tracks and patterns. A pattern can run to 16 bars, and a scene can hold up to 200 bars.

Recording and performance tools include real-time recording, undo, fill, solo and skip, plus gang and sculpt functions. Transposition is built in, and the sequencer supports up to 10 user-defined scales.

An internal General MIDI sound engine lets the unit make sound without external instruments. For connections, the documentation lists five five-pin DIN MIDI input/output pairs, USB MIDI, and USB host MIDI for up to five more devices. It also lists MIDI clock sync, MIDI Machine Control and remote control. Eight CV outputs and eight Gate outputs, with calibration options, serve modular gear. Dedicated sync input and output jacks are there as well.

Wi-Fi, USB-C, a line/headphone output and a 12V DC input complete the documented rear panel. The front has a touchscreen, 16 RGB step pads with individual encoders, eight assignable knobs, a jog wheel, row and bar encoders, and transport controls.

Our take

Publishing code while the price and availability are still unannounced may let the community study the design early. Whether outside developers can replace the missing third-party pieces is the open question. Another sign to watch is whether Music Tribe adds an official firmware build.

Source: Synthtopia