JOUE Pro Essential Pads Pack User Manual

User Manual
Version 1.0.0 – December 2020
by Joue Music Instruments

The Joe Pro is an expressive and modular MIDI MPE controller that feels like a real instrument.
It’s an innovative and evolving instrument that simplifies digital music playing and offers experimented and professional musicians a unique level of expressivity and spontaneity.
The Pro Board is made of wood and metal and is equipped with a pressure- sensitive sensor on which the Pro Pads are placed. The Pro Pads can be assimilated to different instruments such as piano keys, guitar strings, drum pads, or different effects controllers to provide an infinite playground for musicians.
This manual details the use and functions of the Pro Board and its Pro Pads. If you’re beginning with MIDI controllers or simply curious about the Joue Pro possibilities, we recommend visiting www.jouemusic.com and downloading the Joue Demo Sessions for Bitwig Studio 8 Tracks and Ableton Live. These sessions feature fully prepared sounds and samples that give you some insight into the Joue Pro’s capabilities. You will also find some tutorials, tips, and demos on Joue Music Instruments’s website.
Enjoy music production with your Joue Pro!
The Joe Team

Introduction

The Joe Pro is an expressive MPE MIDI controller that reacts like a real instrument. Sensitive to natural gestures such as vibrato, bending, and aftertouch, it brings your virtual instruments to life. The Pro Board is the main element of the instrument, you need to plug it to your computer and download the Joue Editor. The Joue Editor is used to configure the Pro Pads. Every MIDI message sent by the Pads such as MIDI channel, note number, control change, pitch bend range, and velocity range can be tuned. Alone, the Pro Board won’t make any sound, it is the medium on which we can place Pro Pads.

Important safety instructions.

• Read carefully the instructions
• Respect the instructions
• Do not use the device near a water source
• Use a dry rag to clean up the device
• Do not put the device near a source of heat
• Be careful not to bend the USB cable
• Only use the accessories provided by the fabricant
• Un-plug the device during storm periods or for an extended period of non-use
• Entrust all repairs to a qualified technician. Maintenance is required when the device has been damaged in any way
• No fire should be in contact with the device
• Malfunctioning may appear if the device is placed on metallic support, especially if it is iron

WARNING Interference due to magnetic fields!

This product generates permanent magnetic fields (> 150 mT) that might interfere with cardiac simulators and defibrillator implants (ICDs). Please maintain a distance of at least 30 cm (12″) between the instrument and any cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator implant.
The Pro Board contains magnets and RFID readers, the Pro Pads contain metallic particles and RFID tags. Tags and RFID readers enable pads to be detected automatically by the board. We recommend not placing the Joue Pro next to other magnetic devices or metallic support to avoid altering its functions.
WARNING: RFID tags in the pads must not be programmed with software than the one given by Joue Music Instruments. Do not try to program RFID tags with another software, it may damage RFID tags and compromise their use.

Environmental declaration.
Compliance Information Statement: Declaration of Compliance procedure Product Identification: Joue Pro Address: 87 Quai des Queries, 33100 Bordeaux, France
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
For the USA – to the User:
– Do not modify this unit! This product, when installed as indicated in the instructions contained in this manual, meets FCC requirements. Modifications not expressly approved by Joue SAS may void your authority, granted by the FCC, to use this product.
– Important: This product satisfies FCC regulations when high-quality shielded cables are used to connect with other equipment. Failure to use high- quality shielded cables or to follow the installation instructions within this manual may cause magnetic interference with appliances such as radios and televisions and void your FCC authorization to use this product in the USA.
– Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help

Box content.
Pro Board Pro Pads (depends on your purchase) USB C to USB C Cable Getting started flyer Software licenses (depends on your purchase)

How does it work?

Jose Pro overview.

The Pro Board.
The Pro Board is built around a highly sensitive multi-touch sensor that can capture very subtle pressure changes. The Pro Board has 3 slots that can be filled by Pro Pads. Each slot is equipped with an RFID reader allowing real- time pad detection. The Pro Board connects to a computer, a tablet, or a smartphone thru its USB-C to USB-C cable. The Pro device is USB powered. It starts automatically when plugged into a computer and its activity LED lights. The Pro device is automatically powered off when unplugged.
The Pro Pads.
The Pro Pads are made of soft and elastic silicone which transmits every single pressure variation to the sensor. Thanks to that, the Joue Pro offers a unique feeling of interaction based on natural gestures normally reserved for traditional instruments.
The Pro Pads fit with the sensor to provide different layouts of playing and control: the Joue Pro can alternatively be a standard MIDI controller, an effect control, a very expressive instrument, or even all at the same time!
Each pad will respond to vertical, horizontal, and pressure movement, and send MIDI data (ie. Control change, pitch bend, etc.) to the connected device. This data is then used by the device or software to trigger sounds and control effects. etc. The MIDI standard allows for 16 independent channels. Each Pro Pad is set (by default Ito a separate MIDI channel, so they are completely independent of each other (see Pads factory settings).
Making sounds.
The Joe Pro itself doesn’t produce sound, it has to be connected to a MIDI- compatible audio software to make music. Any DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), virtual synthesizers or MIDI compatible audio app can be used in correlation with the Joue Pro. Visit our website to have more information about how to connect your Joue Pro to the most popular audio of wares.
The Joue Editor.
The Joue Editor is used to configure the Pro Pads. Every MIDI message sent by the pads such as MIDI channel, note number, control change, pitch bend range, and velocity range can be tuned. To configure a physical pad, create a new preset for this pad and configure it. Once it’s done, store the preset into the pad’s memory by simply dragging your preset from the library (or from the main edition window)and dropping it on the according pad which is placed on the Pro Board in the device view. The configuration is stored in the physical internal memory of the pad (RFID tag)allowing for hassle-free swaps during a live performance. You can have several presets for the same physical pad. We recommend you to organize your workflow by using folders, for instance by song or project. You can re-organize the presets list by dragging each item into the list. A preset can also be duplicated easily for a fast configuration.
To read the physical pad configuration which is stored in its memory, click on the according pad on the device’s view and read the properties. These properties cannot be changed (read-only). You can create a new preset out of an existing physical pad memory. Simply drag & drop the pad from the edition window to the preset list. It creates a new preset containing the pad configuration.
MIDI Mapping tips.
In order to quickly map continuous controls to a sound parameter, you can select which axis of the sensor sends MIDI data. It can be very useful to map 3D Pro Pads such as Area or Bubbles. To do so, select X, Y or Z in the Axis section of the device window:
Please note that this option is applicable to the whole device and to all pads present on top of the Joue Pro surface.
MPE compatibility.
One of the special features of the Joue Pro is its compatibility with MPE. MPE stands for Multidimensional Polyphonic Expression. It offers amazing possibilities that standard MIDI controllers and instruments do not have. With MPE, each note’s messages are sent on a unique MIDI channel, rotating through a defined contiguous block of channels called Per-Note channels. The per-note messages are for instance Note On, Note Off, Channel Pressure (for finger pressure), Pitch Bend (for X-axis movement) or any CC number. The CC74 is usually used for Y-axis movement. All other messages (like Program Change, CC7/volume, CC64/Sustain, etc.) apply to all voices and can be sent over a separate “Common” channel, though some MPE synths do not implement a Common channel, instead of receiving these Common messages redundantly over the Per- Note channels.
For full specification of MPE, please refer to the following document http://bit.ly/mpe-spec
Download the latest version of the Joue Editor on Joe’s website: https://iouemusic.com/paqesnoue-pro

MIDI port configuration

The Joue Pro uses two different MIDI ports when connected to a computer. The first port (“Joue Play” on Mac, “Joue” on Windows) is used for the communication between the Pro Board and any MIDI-compliant software. The second port (“Jou6 Editor” on Mac, “Jou6 (port 2Y’ on Windows) is used for the communication between the Joue Pro device and the Joue Editor software.
This second port must not be used to communicate with MIDI-compliant software.
As an example, here’s the configuration which has to be done for proper use on Ableton Live:

Pro Pads parameters list and factory settings

Note: the “Locked” function in the “module properties” window allows to disable the modification of the preset’s settings. This option is, by default, not activated except for the Factory presets.
Pro Area Pad
Control any effect with the Pro Area. Slide your finger on its surface to modulate up to 3 parameters simultaneously. The pad sends X and Y position values as well as Z pressure values through MIDI Control Change.
Factory settings
Pad properties
Pressure range: Low
Midi mapping:

X: On
X Channel: 7
X Control change: 1
X Range : 0-127
Direction: Natural
Mode: Absolute
14 Bits: off| Y: On
Y Channel: 7
Y Control change: 2
Y Range : 0-127
Direction: Natural
Mode: Absolute
14 Bits: off| Z: Off
Z Channel: 7
Z Control change : 3
Z Range : 0-127
Direction: Natural
Mode: Absolute
14 Bits: off
---|---|---

Pro Rounds Pad
Slide your fingers across the circles to control all of your settings. Tactile cues will allow you to have direct access to the min, mid and max values. The Pro Rounds can be used in relative or absolute mode.
Factory settings
Midi mapping (from bottom left to top right):

Round 1 :
 Midi channel: 9
Control change: 1
Range : 0-127
Direction: Natural
Mode: Absolute
14 Bits: off|  Round 2 :
Midi channel: 9
Control change: 2
Range : 0-127
ode: Absolutetural
Direction: Nam
14 Bits: off| Round 3 :
 Midi channel: 9
Control change : 3
Range : 0-127
Direction: Natural
Mode: Absolute
14 Bits: off| Round 4 :
 Midi channel: 9
Control change: 4
Range : 0-127
Direction: Natural
Mode: Absolute
14 Bits: off
---|---|---|---

Pro Rounds Pad
Thanks to its 4 half-spheres comparable to joysticks, control up to 12 parameters with just one hand. Personalize your sound by configuring the 4 top buttons of your Pro Bubbles.
Factory settings
Midi mapping:
Buttons (from left to right)

Button 1 :
Action : Note Channel : 6
Value : 0 – C-2| Button 2 :
Action: Note
Channel: 6
Value: 1- C#-2| Button 3 :
Action: Note
Channel: 6
Value : 2 – D-2| Button 4 :
Action: Note
Channel:6
Value : 3 – D#-2
---|---|---|---
  Bubbles (from left to right)

Bubble 1:
X Channel : 6
X Control change : 1
X Range : 0-127
Direction : Natural
Start value : 64| Bubble 2:
X Channel : 6
X Control change : 4
X Range : 0-127
Direction : Natural
Start value : 64| Bubble 3:
X Channel : 6
X Control change : 7
X Range : 0-127
Direction : Natural
Start value : 64| Bubble 4:
X Channel : 6
X Control change : 10
X Range : 0-127
Direction : Natural
Start value : 64
Y Channel : 6
Y Control change : 2
Y Range : 0-127
Direction : Natural
Start value : 64| Y Channel : 6
Y Control change : 5
Y Range : 0-127
Direction : Natural
Start value : 64| Y Channel : 6
Y Control change : 8
Y Range : 0-127
Direction : Natural
Start value : 64| Y Channel : 6
Y Control change : 11
Y Range : 0-127
Direction : Natural
Start value : 64
Z Channel : 6
Z Control change : 3
Z Range : 0-127
Direction : Natural
Start value : 64| Z Channel : 6
Z Control change : 6
Z Range : 0-127
Direction : Natural
Start value : 64| Z Channel : 6
Z Control change : 9
Z Range : 0-127
Direction : Natural
Start value : 64| Z Channel : 6
Z Control change : 12
Z Range : 0-127
Direction : Natural
Start value : 64

Pro Matrix Pad

The Pro Matrix is a matrix of 4 x 4 pads, sensitive to pressure, vibrato, and aftertouch for playing drums, percussion, melodies or launching clips. The pads can be configured as a group or individually.
Factory settings

Pad properties:
Vibrato: off
Aftertouch: off
MPE: off
Custom Mapping: off
Pressure range: Low
MPE Channels: 1-16
Aftertouch: Channel
Vibrato: 1024
Pressure range: Low| Midi mapping:
Midi channel: 1
First Note: 36 – Cl (36 – Cl to 51 – D#2
from bottom left to top right)
Velocity: 50-127
---|---

Pro Strips Pad
Slide your fingers along the 4 tactile strips to control any setting. They are delimited by markers for direct access to the min, mid and max values. The Pro Strips can be used horizontally or vertically.
Factory settings
Pad properties: Orientation: Vertical
Midi Mapping (from left to right):

Strip 1 :
Midi Channel: 8
Control change: 1
Range : 0-127
Direction: Natural
Mode: Absolute
14 Bits: off| Strip 2 :
Midi Channel: 8
Control change: 2
Range : 0-127
Direction: Natural
Mode: Absolute
14 Bits: off| Strip 3 :
Midi Channel: 8
Control change : 3
Range : 0-127
Direction: Natural
Mode: Absolute
14 Bits: off| Strip 4 :
Midi Channel: 8
Control change: 4
Range : 0-127
Direction: Natural
Mode: Absolute
14 Bits: off
---|---|---|---

Pro Matrix Pad
The Pro Synth is a one-and-a-half octave keyboard with +1- octave buttons as well as 4 configurable buttons. Aftertouch, vibrato, and Y-control give it a unique expressivity.
Factory settings

Pad properties:
Vibrato: off
Glissando: off
Aftertouch: off
MPE: off| Pressure range: Low
MPE channels: 1-16
Vibrato value: 1024
Glissando: 24 semitones
After touch: Channel| Midi mapping:
Keys:
Midi channel: 4
First note: 53 – F2
Velocity: 50-127
Y control: off
---|---|---
Buttons (from left to right):
Button 1 (not configurable) : octave –
Button 2 (not configurable) : octave +
Button 3:
Action: Channel selection
Value: 4| Button 4:
Action: Channel selection
Value: 5
Button 5: sustain on/off
Button 6: vibrato on/off
---|---

Pro Fretboard Pad
With the Pro Fretboard, rediscover the sensitivity of traditional string instruments by activating vibrato and bending. It is composed of 6 strings and 9 frets as well as + / – octave buttons and 2 other configurable buttons. Strings can be configured as a group or individually.
Factory settings

Pad properties:
Vibrato: on
Bending: on
Aftertouch: off
MPE mode: off
Custom mapping: off
Pressure range: Low
MPE Channels: 1-16
Aftertouch: channel
Vibrato value: 1024
Bending value: 4096| Midi mapping:
Strings:
Midi channel: 2
First note: El
Tuning: Guitar(E-A-O-G-B-E) Velocity: 50-127| Buttons (from top to bottom): Button 1(not configurable): Octave +
Button 2 (not configurable): Octave –
Button 3 Action : Channel selection Value : 3
Button 4 Action : Channel selection Value : 2
---|---|---

Pro Grand Fretboard Pad
Inspired by traditional string instruments and coupled with a selection of sounds from the UVI catalog, the Pro Grand Fretboard is sensitive to velocity, vibrato, and bending. The optimized fret design promotes finger gliding on the strings and the introduction of the “fretless” mode opens up new playing possibilities, especially for acoustic sounds.
Factory settings

Pad properties:
Fretless: on
Vibrato: off
Bending: off
Aftertouch: off
MPE: on
Custom mapping: off
Pressure range: Low
MPE channels:1-16
Aftertouch channel
Vibrato: 1024
Bending: 800
Fretless pitch range: 24 semitones| Midi mapping:
Strings :
Channel: NA
First note: 40-E1
Tuning: Guitar
Velocity: 50-127| Buttons (from top to bottom):
Button “+” : Octave +
Button “-” : Octave –
Button 1:
Action: Channel selection
Channel :3
Button 2 :
Action: Channel selection
Channel: 2
---|---|---

Pro Grand Clavier Pad

The Pro Grand Clavier, coupled with a selection of sounds from the UVI catalog, has 25 expressive keys to subtly play any type of digital instrument. The glissando mode allows to play continuously between notes and paves the way for microtonal interpretation. A bubble and a long ribbon complete one of the most expressive Pads of the moment.
The Grand Clavier is delivered with a tailor-made UVI Sound Pack including MPE expressive presets from acoustic instruments to electronic sounds.
Factory settings
The Pro Grand Clavier, coupled with a selection of sounds from the UVI catalog, has 25 expressive keys to subtly play any type of digital instrument. The glissando mode allows to play continuously between notes and paves the way for microtonal interpretation. A bubble and a long ribbon complete one of the most expressive Pads of the moment.
The Grand Clavier is delivered with a tailor-made UVI Sound Pack including MPE expressive presets from acoustic instruments to electronic sounds.
Factory settings

Pad properties:
Vibrato: off
Glissando: on
Aftertouch: on
MPE mode: on
Pressure range: Low
MPE channels: 1-16
Vibrato value: 1024
Glissando value: 24 semitones
Aftertouch: polyphonic| Midi mapping:
Strings :
Channel: NA
First note: 40-E1
Tuning: Guitar
Velocity: 50-127| Buttons (from left to right):
Button 1:
Action: Sustain on/off
Button 2 :
Action: Glissando on/off
Keys :
---|---|---
Bubble.
Horizontal: off
Vertical: off
Z Channel: 12
Z Control change : 3
Z Range : 0-127
Direction: Natural| Channel: 12
First note: 48 – C2
Velocity: 50-127
Y control: On
Y control change: 74
Start value: 64| Ribbon :
Action: control change
Channel: 12
Control change: 4
Range : 0-127
Direction: natural
Mode: Absolute
14 bits: off

Pro Scaler Pad
The Pro Scaler is composed of 17 keys perfectly designed for playing the harp, xylophone, or synth leads. A variety of pre-configured ranges are available to instantly play. The keys are sensitive to velocity, vibrato, aftertouch as well as Y-control. A bubble and a long ribbon complete one of the most expressive Pads of the moment.
Factory settings

Pad properties:
Vibrato: off
Glissando: on
Aftertouch: on
MPE mode: off
Custom mapping: off
Pressure range: Low
Vibrato: 1024
Glissando: 24 semitones
Aftertouch: channel| Midi mapping:
Keys:
Channel: 10
First note: 52 – E2
Scale: Maj Penta
Velocity: 50-127
Y control: on
Y control change: 74
Y control range : 0-127
Direction: Natural
Y control mode: Absolute
14 Bits: off| Buttons (from left to right):
Button 1: Octave –
Button 2: Octave +
Button 3 :
Action: Channel selection
Channel: 10
Button 4 :
Action: Channel selection
Channel: 11
---|---|---
Bubble :
Vibrato: off
Glissando: on
Aftertouch: on
MPE mode: off
Custom mapping: off
Pressure range: Low
Vibrato: 1024
Glissando: 24 semitones
Aftertouch: channel| Ribbon :
Action: Control change
Channel: 10
Control change: 4
Range : 0-127
Direction: Natural
Mode: Absolute
14 Bits: off
---|---

 Pro Board specifications

Pro Board
Weight: 800g
Connectivity: USB-C for data and power supply
Full MIDI compatibility over USB
RFID readers in each slot to detect parameters embedded in the Pro Pads
Pro Pads

Documents / Resources

| JOUE Pro Essential Pads Pack [pdf] User Manual
Pro Essential Pads Pack
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