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Documentation

PianoHack user manual

Everything about your PianoHack — prerequisites, setup, methods of play, MIDI implementation, the 1-Button Riff feature and more. Read it here or take it with you.

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Thinking about buying a PianoHack? Start here. The manual lists all the required hardware you need before purchasing, so there are no surprises.
PDF
PianoHack User Manual v6
The complete manual — print it, or keep it on your phone or tablet.
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HTML
PianoHack User Manual v6 — web version
A self-contained HTML version that opens in any browser, even offline.
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PDF
One-Riff Editor User Manual
A separate manual just for the 1-Button Riff feature and its editor tool.
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Read online

Browse the manual

The full manual, right here in your browser. On phones, the download buttons above may be more comfortable.

What's inside

Manual contents at a glance

Intro & concepts

What the PianoHack is, who it's for, the isomorphic chording layout, and how the 'man in the middle' MIDI remapping works.

Required hardware

Controllers, merge units, hubs, cables, sound sources, mixers, batteries — with real-world setup photos and a visual hardware flow.

Methods of play

Default chord remap play, One Chord mode, One Chord with Scales, and combining One Chord, 1-Button Riff and Scales.

MIDI implementation

Every CC button: Set Key, chord keybed remap buttons, chord variations, bass inversions, riff select, stop-all, and more.

1-Button Riff

16 riffs of up to 47 notes each, played with your rhythm, timing and dynamics — plus the boot LED guide and SD card workflow.

Updating & templates

Web-based firmware updates and the downloadable templates for Novation and CME gear.