Which MIDI controller to use with SS2/ST2 ?

[Mallory]

While I await my SonicTank bundle to make its way over the pond I'm now set to thinking about a suitable MIDI controller keyboard that I can utilise to control/edit these monsters!

It needs to be compact but have more than 2 octaves. 3 or 4 octaves is my ideal. Price is also a factor - so nothing too pricey.

Current contenders are the Korg Microkontrol and the Evolution MK449C. The former has mini-keys I know so I need to try out a mini-keyboard to see how I get on.

Does anyone have experience of the above, or other recommendations, comments etc ?

[telebunke]

I haven't got it or tried it, but Korg offers a ST2 template for their Kontrol49.

http://www.korg.com/gear/info.asp?A_PROD_NO=kontrol49

tele

[phoenix224]

I have the Evolution MK461C and I think it's a great controller for SS2/ST2. My only gripe is that the light, plastic feel of the keys takes some getting used to. I was using an Alesis QS6 with semi-weighted keys.

I have no latency with the board (connecting via USB) and was able to figure out how to assign controls to Sampletank pretty easily. The controller has some pretty deep programming options. The Evolution boards have a good reputation (I also looked at Edirol controllers) and I can see why.

Mike

[Mallory]

Thanks. I admit I am leaning slightly toward the Evolution. I don't expect super high quality at the price it currently sells. I'm sure if I can handle those cheap casio keyboards there should be no problem for me with this

Anyway, I'm going to ask a similar question in the hardware forum also.

[telebunke]

I have the Evolution MK461C ... and was able to figure out how to assign controls to Sampletank pretty easily.
Mike

Hey Mike

would you like to share your evlution preset file?
I just bought it and haven't set it up yet, but it would be great to have a preset for ST2.
Now that we're into it. If anybody got other presets for it, like for Hypersonic, I'll take it.

tele

[tibenmik]

Slight hi-jack, but I thought I'd bring this up anyway; mentioned it a few days ago over at the Raw Material Software forum:

On PC, I've found that the built-in filter on SampleTank 2 produces some serious stepping artifacts in Tracktion 2 when the cutoff is being controlled with my PCR-50*. This doesn't happen with the filters on any other VST synth/effect in my roster, and what's worse is that the problem seems to be exacerbated when the Tracktion GUI gets busy (i.e., multiple VST interfaces visible at once). In Cubase SX2, Sampletank's filter stepping isn't anywhere near as noticeable as with Tracktion - but you can hear that the filter isn't as smooth as other VSTi's when controlled externally.

With Tracktion, I even tried using Modulr's cool CC Rider plug to automate the filter cutoff via an automation lane - yet the stepping remains. However I do recommend using CC Rider to automate Sampletank's parameters, as the plug only allows the Macro, Volume and Pan controls for each multi channel to be visible to the host for automation (ah, workarounds!) So I've passed a report along to IK Multimedia - let's hope they give it some consideration. I suspect this issue may need be 'officially' raised to Tracktion development, as well.

Could anyone else share their comments/experience on this issue? Oh, and check out that CC Rider plug - great as a workaround for assigning proper automation lanes to ST parameters in any host.

_mt

[phoenix224]

tele,

I don't have a dedicated preset yet, but when I do I'll gladly share it. The only thing I've done so far is learn how to assign a function to a controller from within Sampletank (and save the sound as a child preset so I don't have to redo the assignment).

Mike

Mike

[telebunke]

tele,

I don't have a dedicated preset yet, but when I do I'll gladly share it. Mike

would be nice if evolution did presets for the 50 most famous VST effects and/or VST instruments.


tele

[Tritonman1]

Keystation Pro 88? overkill maybe?

[progfusion74]

I use an Alesis QS7 (with a couple of pedals) and the Behringer BCF2000 .. Works well for me