Muse Research

bernie9 · Post by **bernie9** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:16 pm

I am new to software controllers, and need to know a good controller,maybe 61 keys, that can handle anything from instant midi channel changes, to templates, and different CC instructions for performance of Garritan or NI's Big Band. I am thinking of Axiom 61.

Thanks
Bernie

thesoundsmith · Post by **thesoundsmith** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 5:57 pm

You'll love it, if you zre willing to takwe the time to set up the controllers. There is a mistake in the manual re patch changes from the drum pads, requires patc plus bank msb/lsb, not just the change. But it's great fun.

Make backups of your patch settings, things CAN happen (if you accidentally hit Store instead of Recall you've lost your patch. Have a backup sysex file available to reload, if you can.

SoftJunkie · Post by **SoftJunkie** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 8:24 pm

i like the axiom 61 sofar. i especially like the ability to connect it to via receptor usb for power and midi. i haven't done much with cc editing. it comes with enigma, a pc tool for editing the 20 templates within axiom.

brooster · Post by **brooster** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:03 pm

CME Controller Keyboards have a breath input. That is a very good feature!

thesoundsmith · Post by **thesoundsmith** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:58 pm

CME breath controller almost caused me to purche it, but I have played them and don't like the feel of the controls, plus there appear to be issues (check their forums, lots of frustrated users.) I was really hoping that would be the one, because of the extra controller options, but the Axiom won me over...

Enigma sux, BTW - it needs real cut/copy/paste functions, not the way they are implemented. It is a great start, but desparately needs work.

philosorhymes · Post by **philosorhymes** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 10:12 pm

CME have a new range coming out. The Vx Series, with motorised faders, knobs, pads, and in built sound card. The sound card is probably not all that for studio purposes but probably an excellent feature for on the road if you had a laptop or something. Check it out, might be worth the wait

Phil..

rubaiyat_23 · Post by **rubaiyat_23** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 2:08 am

I use a CME UF5 (four-octave, semi-weighted synth action) with Receptor (MIDI connection) and a MacBook Pro laptop (FireWire connection, with UF400e interface) and have no complaints. Key feel on some of the floor demonstration units I've tried can be variable at best, but there is something about its feel that works.

FWIW, the E-mu Xboard 49, i believe, uses the same keybed.

peterfs · Post by **peterfs** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 7:28 am

thesoundsmith wrote:CME breath controller almost caused me to purche it, but I have played them and don't like the feel of the controls, plus there appear to be issues (check their forums, lots of frustrated users.) I was really hoping that would be the one, because of the extra controller options, but the Axiom won me over...

Enigma sux, BTW - it needs real cut/copy/paste functions, not the way they are implemented. It is a great start, but desparately needs work.

I'm working on setting up my Axiom as I write this. I have to agree that Enigma needs work; not nearly as convenient as I'd like. But I'm enjoying the keyboard, it's very flexible and it has a pretty good feel (as these types of keyboards go).

One thing I found useful was to hook the Axiom to my Receptor over Midi, and to my PC over USB. I could monitor the Axiom output using MidiOX and watch what happens on the Receptor remote console.

I've been trying to figure out how best to lay out the controls. I'm going to try using Axiom presets to control snapshot channels on the Receptor. I'm using the front panel mappings to plugin parameters and setting the Axiom controller values accordingly. Anybody have other suggestions?

- peter

RML1960 · Post by **RML1960** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 12:55 pm

The CME line is a great deal - the VX series will be even better - I believe that the key beds are the same as the Yamaha Motif line - the sliders and controllers look great but I think that the Novation line with the lcd across the top - forget the name of the board - look great for displaying parameter names - not sure if that would work with the Receptor - where has fatar studiologic gone? no stores are carrying their products anymore? I was really interested in their 76 key weighed action.

rubaiyat_23 · Post by **rubaiyat_23** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 3:58 pm

"I believe that the key beds are the same as the Yamaha Motif line"

No, that is not the case. Yamaha keeps its synth keybeds for the high-end lines in both its and Korg's offerings-and I'd gladly take a dedicated 76-key Yamaha synth action keyboard with DX7/M1/Triton/Motif style keybed.

In lieu of that, the CME is quite good.

SoftJunkie · Post by **SoftJunkie** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 6:54 pm

peterfs - i'm in a similar situation where i'm looking to access receptor and pc via axiom. i like your idea for midi out and pc setup. i'll need to give that a try. it should also serve as a redundant setup if either receptor or pc goes down.

philosorhymes · Post by **philosorhymes** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 10:41 am

Hi Can anyone tell me please if the Axiom can successfully draw power from the receptor via USB and does it still function?

Many many Thanks.

thesoundsmith · Post by **thesoundsmith** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 6:13 pm

Yup. Works great that way (comes without an AC wall wart, so it BETTER...

)

philosorhymes · Post by **philosorhymes** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 7:30 pm

Oh Thats cool, so all the pads and faders still work?

peterfs · Post by **peterfs** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 7:59 am

philosorhymes wrote:Oh Thats cool, so all the pads and faders still work?

Yep. I used the Axiom/Receptor combination at a rehearsal tonight and it worked great (no power except USB connection).

I'm using it with a snapshot bank on the Receptor; I've programmed each preset with a different patch number and midi channel so I can change plugins by entering the specific preset number or scroll to it with the inc/dec keys. Each of the Axiom controllers are programmed with either a Receptor mixer control or a NRPN associated with a plugin parameter.

This setup felt pretty natural to use and is very flexible, although it was a bit of work to configure.