Hello All,

I don't know about you but I HATE having to click my mouse. If you work on a computer most days, those clicks can add-up to pretty bad RSI. I've been there.

In response I've been training myself in keyboard shortcuts and have been using Autohotkey. If you don;t know it, this is a really easy and flexible scripting language that allows you re-map keyboard and mouse controls. Windows only (I think)

Anyway - I was on a train yesterday trying to edit a VST on my Netbook with only the mousepad. Nightmare! But it gave me an idea for a AHK scipt that enables mousewheel and keyboard support for ANY VST. Goodbye mouseclicks!

Here is the first version:

Stims_VST_Controller_beta1

You need to install AutoHotkey. Then just double-click the script.

Once you start the script, the following controls become avaialble:

Capslock - Toggles the re-mapped controllers on and off (to use Capslock, if ever, use shift+Capslock)

When toggled on, hover your mouse over the knob/slider/button and do one of the following:

Mousewheel - simulates a click and moves the mouse pointer up or down by 10 pixels. Pointer then returns to original position (can also be used to click virtual buttons).

z - KNOB control - simulates a click and moves pointer Down by 10 pixels. Pointer then returns to original position
x - KNOB control - simulates a click and moves pointer Up by 10 pixels. Pointer then returns to original position

Use Shift to change the resolution to 1 pixel - for super-fine control
Use Cntrl to change the resolution ot 50 pixels - for bigger jumps.

The [b]arrow keys[/b] are for vertical and horizontal SLIDERS - just mouseover and press the relevant direction. resolution is 10 pixels. In this case, the pointer follows the slider.

It is working well for me - I am using it in Reaper and it is a lifesaver already. VSTs successfully tried - OP-X ProII, Surge, Attack, Korg polysix, Rhino. VSTs with small sliders don't react well yet - but this can be improved.

I'll be updating this as it evolves, but if anyone would like to test, comment or suggest changes to this version I am happy to hear it.

The script itself is easily edited. For example, you can remove the mousewheel mappings to prevent conflict in VSTs who already support wheel movement.


Cheers

Sounds great, you are still on it ? I would like to test it

thats great, thank you! i'll try it out!

ps. great blog btw.
Last edited by murnau on Sun Mar 17, 2013 2:18 pm; edited 1 time in total

I posted this a long time ago, but the script is still there (see kink above). You just need to run it with AutoHotKey. Tweak to taste.