ncstool

Novation Circuit Tracks tool for analyzing and editing NCS session files.

Features

• Analyze NCS files: Parse and display drum patterns, timing, FX settings, and more
• Clone and Edit: Create new NCS files with modified drum patterns using a simple text format
• Pattern Visualization: ASCII visualization of drum patterns with velocity and probability
• Comprehensive Parsing: Support for timing, FX, scenes, chains, and scale settings

Quick Start

Build the tool

cd ncs_tool
cargo build --release

Analyze an NCS file

./target/release/ncs-tui your_file.ncs

Clone and edit patterns

# Create a new file with modified drum patterns
./target/release/ncs-tui clone source.ncs target.ncs "0:0:X...X...X...X..."

# Multiple pattern edits
./target/release/ncs-tui clone source.ncs target.ncs \
  "0:0:X...X...X...X..." \
  "1:0:....X.......X..." \
  "2:0:x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x."

Pattern Format

The sequencer format uses: track:pattern:steps[:probability]

Step Characters

• X = Strong hit (velocity 127)
• x = Weak hit (velocity 32)
• . = Rest (velocity 0)
• 0-9 = Specific velocity levels (0, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84, 98, 112, 127)

Examples

# Basic kick pattern on track 0, pattern 0
"0:0:X...X...X...X..."

# Hi-hat with probability 7
"1:0:x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.:7"

# Complex pattern with varying velocities
"0:0:9.5.7.3.9.5.7.3."

Examples

See the examples/ directory for:

• pattern_editing_examples.md - Comprehensive pattern editing guide
• create_patterns.sh - Script to generate common drum patterns

Python CLI (Legacy)

The Python CLI tool provides additional analysis capabilities:

# Extract drum patterns to JSON
python cli.py drums extract your_file.ncs --json output.json

# Display ASCII patterns
python cli.py drums extract your_file.ncs

File Structure

• ncs_tool/ - Main Rust tool for analysis and editing
• cli.py - Python CLI for additional analysis
• examples/ - Usage examples and pattern libraries
• test_data/ - Sample NCS files for testing
• decompiled_validators/ - Reverse engineering documentation

Development

Running Tests

cd ncs_tool
cargo test

Adding New Patterns

Edit patterns using the simple text format and test with:

cargo run -- clone test_data/Deep.ncs test_output.ncs "0:0:your_pattern_here"

Ghidra MCP Integration

For reverse engineering work:

Install uv and https://github.com/LaurieWired/GhidraMCP

uv run C:\Users\Ondra\Downloads\ghidra_11.3.2_PUBLIC\Extensions\GhidraMCP-release-1-4\bridge_mcp_ghidra.py --transport sse --mcp-host 127.0.0.1 --mcp-port 8081 --ghidra-server http://127.0.0.1:8080

In Augment add: http://127.0.0.1:8081/sse

IDA Pro MCP

https://github.com/mrexodia/ida-pro-mcp?tab=readme-ov-file

uv --directory ./MCPida-pro-mcp run ida-pro-mcp --transport http://127.0.0.1:8744/sse