Why aren't there midi controllers with step sequencers built into them? It seems like this would have been done by now. I don't really see how midi controllers are useful without the ability to program a sequence. All you can do is play notes and automate controls, but when it comes down to it, you still have to look at the screen and click around.
I want to be able to set up an environment and then just play. But I want to do more then just trigger loops and play synths. I want to be able to program a beat like you would on an MPC or an Electribe. Are there any programs that I can do this with, without having to look at the screen?
Even without a step sequencer, I see it being possible as I have 8 faders on my current controller. Each of these faders could represent the velocity of the sample in an 8 step sequence, so I could program a pattern by moving the faders up and down.
By turning other knobs I could switch between different sample parts, record automation, and select seperate effects for each sample part. Are these original ideas or does this exist?
Again, I don't want to just program a sequence into a synth, I want to program a sequence out of any number of one shot samples, and I want to do it with step precision.
Also, I don't know anything about making these things in Reaktor, but if I made a very detailed map of what I wanted, do you think I could pay someone to program an environment for me?
Step Sequencing with Midi Controllers
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- KVRist
- 180 posts since 7 Nov, 2004
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- KVRAF
- 12235 posts since 18 Aug, 2003
Judging from your posts in the other thread I'm guessing what you want isn't a hardware MIDI step sequencer, since both the Mobius and the Electribes send MIDI out data from their sequencers, which you can use to trigger samples in whatever software sampler you are using.
So, what you are actually looking for is a way to trigger samples with a MIDI knob box? With any solution, it'll require a fair amount of advance configuration on your part if you don't want to have to look at the screen at all. Probably could be done in a host like Ableton Live fairly easily, but you'd have to map out all the MIDI CCs ahead of time.
A possible solution, but fairly expensive, would be to get Max/MSP and then get one of those new Monome controllers. It'll do exactly what you want, but with some warnings: it is not cheap (both Max and the controller go for around $500, so $1000+ to get started), and the controller is still in early development so will require a fair amount of technical skill setting up OSC with Max. One good thing is that apparently early adopters are sharing their Max patches already.
But, why not use a MIDI keyboard? Just map all your samples in whatever sampler you want to a bunch of keys and then play them that way. You could even set up in something like energyXT or Bidule a way to split your keyboard so that you have several keys reserved to trigger set MIDI phrases and just play along ad hoc with the remaining keys. Once it is set up, you wouldn't have to look at the screen much. Just label the keys on your keyboard with masking tape.
So, what you are actually looking for is a way to trigger samples with a MIDI knob box? With any solution, it'll require a fair amount of advance configuration on your part if you don't want to have to look at the screen at all. Probably could be done in a host like Ableton Live fairly easily, but you'd have to map out all the MIDI CCs ahead of time.
A possible solution, but fairly expensive, would be to get Max/MSP and then get one of those new Monome controllers. It'll do exactly what you want, but with some warnings: it is not cheap (both Max and the controller go for around $500, so $1000+ to get started), and the controller is still in early development so will require a fair amount of technical skill setting up OSC with Max. One good thing is that apparently early adopters are sharing their Max patches already.
But, why not use a MIDI keyboard? Just map all your samples in whatever sampler you want to a bunch of keys and then play them that way. You could even set up in something like energyXT or Bidule a way to split your keyboard so that you have several keys reserved to trigger set MIDI phrases and just play along ad hoc with the remaining keys. Once it is set up, you wouldn't have to look at the screen much. Just label the keys on your keyboard with masking tape.