Slower function execution with Lightpad firmware 1.1.0

[anthonyalfimov]

Function execution with Lightpad firmware 1.1.0 is slower than what we measured using the same exact scripts in July 2019 (firmware version 0.4.4).

After manually downgrading my Lightpad to firmware version 0.4.4, I obtained the same test results as in July 2019. This suggests that firmware 1.1.0 is the cause of the problem.

Littlefoot performance: firmware 0.4.4 vs firmware 1.1.0 | API Mode

By manually downgrading my Lightpad to firmware version 0.4.4, I was able to directly compare the performance of Littlefoot features between firmwares 1.1.0 and 0.4.4.

1000x data retrieval operations

Benchmark script: BMK_DataRetrievalPerformance.littlefoot.zip

In this test we measure the time it takes to perform 1000 assignments of integer data to a variable from:

Data source	0.4.4	1.1.0	Average δ
int literal	8 - 10 ms	16 - 18 ms	+89%
int constant	8 - 10 ms	16 - 19 ms	+94%
int variable	9 - 10 ms	17 - 19 ms	+89%
metadata int variable	9 - 10 ms	17 - 19 ms	+89%
heap	12 - 13 ms	21 - 24 ms	+80%
metadata vector element	22 - 23 ms	36 - 39 ms	+67%
local config item	33 - 36 ms	39 ms	+13%

1000x empty loop iterations

Benchmark script: BMK_LoopPerformance.littlefoot.zip

0.4.4	1.1.0	Average δ
7 - 8 ms	13 ms	+73%

1000x empty function calls

Benchmark script: BMK_FunctionCallPerformance.littlefoot.zip

0.4.4	1.1.0	Average δ
9 ms	15 - 16 ms	+72%

1000x empty conditional statements

Benchmark script: BMK_ConditionalPerformance.littlefoot.zip

0.4.4	1.1.0	Average δ
9 - 10 ms	15 - 16 ms	+63%

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Dynamic Controls 2.0.4 performance: firmware 0.4.4 vs firmware 1.1.0 | API Mode

Dynamic Controls

Benchmark script and modes: BMK_DC_204_NS.zip
Test points are marked with BENCHMARK in code.

100x touchMove() executions: Ctrl 1, no ctrl layering

	0.4.4	1.1.0
16 XYs, latch, pressure	147 - 148 ms	227 - 238 ms
16 XYs, latch, no pressure	138 - 141 ms	221 - 232 ms
16 Faders, latch, pressure	139 - 141 ms	220 - 232 ms
16 Buttons, latch, pressure	123 - 128 ms	197 - 207 ms
16 Notes, latch, pressure	123 - 128 ms	197 - 208 ms

100x touchMove() executions: 16 XYs, latch, pressure

	0.4.4	1.1.0
Ctrl 1, no ctrl layering	147 - 148 ms	227 - 238 ms
Ctrl 16, no ctrl layering	100 - 102 ms	155 - 161 ms
Ctrl 1, ctrl layering	147 - 148 ms	227 - 238 ms
Ctrl 16, ctrl layering	157 - 160 ms	250 - 262 ms

10x repaint() execution: 16 XYs, latch, pressure

0.4.4	1.1.0
40 - 43 ms	58 - 64 ms

10x handleMIDI() executions: 16 XYs, latch

	0.4.4	1.1.0
Correct channel and ctrl	6 - 7 ms	11 - 12 ms
Correct channel, wrong ctrl	6 - 7 ms	11 - 12 ms
Wrong channel	3 - 4 ms	5 - 6 ms

---

Dynamic Controls LE

Benchmark script and modes: BMK_DC-LE_204_NS.zip
Test points are marked with BENCHMARK in code.

100x touchMove() executions: Ctrl 1, no ctrl layering

	0.4.4	1.1.0
25 Faders, latch	192 - 197 ms	303 - 319 ms
25 Button, latch	179 - 180 ms	283 - 301 ms
25 Notes, latch	180 - 181 ms	284 - 301 ms

100x touchMove() executions: 25 Faders, latch

	0.4.4	1.1.0
Ctrl 1, no ctrl layering	192 - 197 ms	303 - 319 ms
Ctrl 25, no ctrl layering	100 ms	153 - 162 ms
Ctrl 1, ctrl layering	192 - 197 ms	303 - 319 ms
Ctrl 25, ctrl layering	192 - 197 ms	304 - 320 ms

10x repaint() execution: 25 Faders, latch

0.4.4	1.1.0
64 - 67 ms	98 - 104 ms

10x handleMIDI() executions: 25 Faders, latch

	0.4.4	1.1.0
Correct channel and ctrl	7 - 8 ms	12 - 13 ms
Correct channel, wrong ctrl	7 - 8 ms	12 - 13 ms
Wrong channel	3 - 4 ms	6 - 7 ms

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Benchmark comparison: July 2019 (firmware 0.4.4) vs May 2020 (firmware 1.1.0) | API Mode

Note: running the same benchmarks as in July 2019 today on firmware 0.4.4 gave the same results.

Dynamic Controls 1.2.9 Alpha

Benchmark script and modes: DC_129Alpha_Benchmark.zip
Test points are marked with BENCHMARK in code.

100x touchMove() executions: 16 XY, momentary, pressure

	0.4.4 (July 2019)	1.1.0 (May 2020)	Average δ
Ctrl 1, no overlaps	148 - 149 ms	229 - 239 ms	+58%
Ctrl 16, no overlaps	100 - 102 ms	157 - 161 ms	+57%
Ctrl 1, overlaps	148 - 149 ms	229 - 239 ms	+58%
Ctrl 16, overlaps	157 - 161 ms	250 - 264 ms	+62%

10x handleMIDI() executions: 16 XY, latch

	0.4.4 (July 2019)	1.1.0 (May 2020)	Average δ
Correct channel and ctrl	7 - 8 ms	11 - 12 ms	+53%
Correct channel, wrong ctrl	7 - 8 ms	11 - 12 ms	+53%
Wrong channel	4 - 5 ms	5 - 6 ms	+22%

---

Dynamic Controls 1.2.8 Alpha

Benchmark script and modes: DC_128Alpha_Benchmark.zip
Test points are marked with BENCHMARK in code.

1x repaint() execution: 16 XY, momentary, pressure, no overlaps

0.4.4 (July 2019)	1.1.0 (May 2020)	Average δ
4 - 5 ms	6 - 7 ms	+44%

100x touchMove() executions: Ctrl 1

	0.4.4 (July 2019)	1.1.0 (May 2020)	Average δ
16 XY, momentary, pressure	147 - 148 ms	229 - 239 ms	+59%
16 XY, latch, pressure	147 - 148 ms	229 - 239 ms	+59%
16 XY, latch, no pressure	139 - 142 ms	221 - 231 ms	+61%
16 Faders, latch, pressure	139 - 141 ms	220 - 232 ms	+61%
16 Button, latch, pressure	124 - 128 ms	197 - 208 ms	+61%
16 Notes, latch, pressure	124 - 128 ms	198 - 209 ms	+62%

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Littlefoot MIDI functions

Benchmark script: midiPerformance.zip

	0.4.4 (July 2019)	1.1.0 (May 2020)	Average δ
100x sendMIDI() (CC)	3 - 4 ms	3 - 4 ms	-
100x sendCC()	3 - 4 ms	3 - 5 ms	-
100x sendNoteOn()	22 ms	3 - 4 ms	-84%
100x sendNoteOff()	22 ms	5 - 6 ms	-75%

Note:
I’ve noticed weird behaviour with Lightpad sending Note On messages via both sendMIDI() and sendNoteOn() functions.

When attempting to repeatedly send identical Note On messages (same channel, note number and velocity), Lightpad stops transmitting these messages after sending a seemingly random number of them. Sending the same message becomes possible again only after a Note Off message for the same MIDI channel and note number has been transmitted. This behaviour occurs regardless of the useMPEDuplicateFilter() state.

I can’t imagine a situation where this behaviour can cause any issues, but it seems weird nonetheless.

[up4digital]

Hi can you tel me where I can download firmware 0.4.4 from to downgrade? Thanks a lot

[up4digital]

Hi can you tel me where I can download firmware 0.4.4 from to downgrade? Thanks a lot

Found it here:
https://support.roli.com/support/discussions/topics/36000012422
Now wondering if it will work with latest ROLI dashboard that I've currently installed on my MAC... if not, any chance to get ROLI dashboard downgraded as well ? Again, any link to download it from ? Thanks

[anthonyalfimov]

@up4digital If the firmware 0.4.4 doesn't work with the current version of Dashboard, you could try contacting ROLI support and asking for an older installer. Looks like Dashboard 4.1.8 was released around the same time.

[up4digital]

@up4digital If the firmware 0.4.4 doesn't work with the current version of Dashboard, you could try contacting ROLI support and asking for an older installer. Looks like Dashboard 4.1.8 was released around the same time.

Thanks, I will try to ask

[mechanical-dance]

hi, sorry to revive this ancient thread but would either of you happen to still have the old firmware? i have 2 lightpads, one with 0.4.4 and the other with 1.1.0 and the latter does not support external midi at all. i've tried working around this by having the older fw one send non-midi messages to the 1.1.0, but that isn't woking either so i'm hoping to manually downgrade