v1.11.3

Changelog

• Cleaned up code for finding Steam Controller (2026) (special thanks to @Pixel1011)
• Now enumerate through wired Steam Controller (2026), should fix issues with not connecting
• Program will now attempt to stop playback when closed, regardless of how
• Errors now wait for input before closing

You can find MIDI files to play/test with in previous releases!

v1.11.2

Changelog

• The program now looks through the connected devices on a Steam Puck to find the first Steam Controller (2026)
• Steam Controller (2026) is now handled by HIDAPI. For Windows, USBDK is no longer needed

I repeat, USBDK is no longer needed :)

v1.11.1

Changelog

• Steam Controller (2026) now defaults to using rumble for the first two channels
• Removed -t and -b parameters
• Added -s parameter to swap the rumble and trackpad channels (credit to @Pixel1011 for the idea)
• Added -t parameter to limit to only two channels (can work in tandem with -s)
• Fixed -d paramter
• Renamed "rumble" to "haptic" in playback display (temporary)
• Errors now give names instead of values

Some things to note:

To stop the program in the middle of playback, press Ctrl+C. This will also prevent note hangs.

Because of the channel swap, the stillalive_sc26_dv.mid file has been re-exported. Make sure to download this new one if you want to play it.

For Steam Controller (2026) on Windows, requires USBDK to be installed.

v1.11

Big shakes are coming!

This update now supports using the back rumble haptics of the Steam Controller (2026) for playback. It also introduces an option to allow MIDI files to control the gain directly.

You can use the -b option to see how songs sound on the rumble compared to the trackpads! (if they were only ever made for two haptics)

Changelog

• Back rumble haptic support for the Steam Controller (2026)
• Channel count is now its own variable allowing it to be changed, still not fully dynamic as anything other than 2 or 4 will cause issues
• Note on is now preceded by a note off. This fixes issues specifically with the Steam Controller (2026) where note sequences with no pauses could drift out of tune, and more notably, prevents the controller from rebooting when using the back rumble haptics
• Added direct velocity to gain control, allowing the MIDI to control how intense the haptics are. To make a MIDI file automatically parse as direct velocity, add "dv" to the file name. Otherwise, you can use the -e parameter
• -t parameter added for Steam Controller (2026) to only use the trackpads to prevent playback issues with MIDI files that still have notes in upper channels
• -b parameter added for Steam Controller (2026) to map the first two channels to the back rumble haptics

NOTE: gain control only applies to Steam Controller (2026) and Steam Deck, the Steam Controller (2015) can not do it at the moment.

Windows still requires USBDK to use with the Steam Controller (2026).

You can find my video of Still Alive playing here.

v1.10.2

Changelog

• Added Steam Puck support
• Steam Dongle connects but still doesn't work
• The haptics are swapped on the Steam Controller (2026) to match the 2015 and Steam Deck
• Gain/volume is now back at medium level as max might cause damage (#11), will need to be tested more
• Reconnect controller message when connecting with the puck on Windows because the puck reconnects

Windows still requires USBDK to use with the new Steam Controller.

You can find MIDI files to play/test with in the previous releases.

v1.10.1

Changelog

• Added wired Steam Controller (2026) support, wireless support through puck and bluetooth is still WIP
• The original Steam Controller has been renamed to Steam Controller (2015)
• Controllers now have their own type in the code
• Temporarily removed legacy parameter
• Notes now play at full volume (except the new Steam Controller, to prevent distortion)

Playback currently sounds a bit off on the new Steam Controller. This will be worked on at some point, but it has to be put up with for now.

The Windows build currently doesn't work with the new Steam Controller because of a permission issue, so it is not provided at this time.
You can use the Windows build with the new Steam Controller if you install USBDK.

v1.10

Long time no see!

This release compiles the improvements made for Steam Deck playback while adding some small features.

There is also now a Windows build! It hasn't been fully tested, though I haven't encountered any issues so far.

Provided is a new stillalive_v2.mid I made to test the new improvements, and the program should still work with Steam Controllers.

Changelog

• Implemented Steam Deck-specific haptic command referencing https://gitlab.com/evlaV/jupiter-validation-tools/-/blob/master/rtst/controller_if.py (thanks to @AAGaming00 for telling me). This now makes songs play correctly on it.
• Updated midifile library
• Note stop now sets the frequency to 0
• Removed reclaim period, no longer needed and was causing issues
• Legacy command toggle with -y
• Repeat song toggle changed from -r to -p
• Changed debug level argument back from -l to -d
• Updated usage to show more info
• Naturals now have a dash in the middle (C5 -> C-5)

v1.9...? I guess

This doesn't improve anything from the original but your Deck will work with it now, how wonderful!