Hardware-software marriage

[tconrardy]

Hi All

Got a new toy for the studio

The Korg MS20 USB controller and I love it! Here it is installed ( more or less) in my studio:



Of course, that came with the software. I really think more products should do this.. a dedicated controller that controls the software, but with dedicated knobs with labels, 4 way switches, lots of LED's and visual indicators. That way you are not paying for electronics, but a dedicated knob box. I would love to see Korg do this with that large modular they built. I know people complain about the keyboard being small on this USB controller, but it is meant for auditioning the sounds..and I am getting used to it for solo work.

What I would like to see is more stuff like this. A marriage, if you will of Hardware and software. There ARE products like this including the Virus Ti stuff..but you are getting a hardware synth with electronics in it, which is why the price is very high.

The dedicated controller is a bit different then a knob box. I have a UC 33, and while I like to use it, the feel of my new Korg MS20 feels better. You also get PATCH points that you can use real patch cords on, which is something you will not get with a knob box. Also, most knob boxes are meant for production work in controlling your daw, and not a dedicated controller for softsynths. Ok..yes..you can use it for that, but I love the idea of reaching for a knob that says 'filter cutoff', or seeing LED's flash as I play with the LFO rate..things like that you can't get from a knob box. Thats why there is a big wave on modulars now..the dedicated knob that says 'filter cutoff"

I guess Korg dropped the USB controller as perhaps people thought it was gimmickry. However, now that I am actually using it..its the best of both worlds: hardware and software. Would you like to see more dedicated controllers like this? I think there was a concept of a modular knob box ( mentioned in the WS mag a while back) I wonder what became of that? That might fit the bill. But using real patch cords like on the Korg Ms20 USB controller will be hard to beat! I would like to see more of that! What do you guys think?

Tim

[jupiter8]

I've thought long and hard on what would be the ultimate controller. The Lemur sure looks cool but i'd prefer something with knobs on it. So how do one do a generic controller that can easily control several VSTis in a logical way ?

Then it hit me. What if one glued knobs on a LCD display with tiny wires going over the screen or perhaps thru it ? Then you could have different background graphics for different VSTis. And you could color code groups of knobs together. That's my best idea so far but since i'm low on funds (like always) i have'nt been able to try my idea in real life. But i think that it could be a really good solution and relativitley cheap as well.

[Scot Solida]

I loved that MS-20 controller. I sold mine, but only because I am not short on analog modular stuff (I only sold the controller, not the software). Still, i thought it was built nicely and a good concept. I wasn't keen on the tiny keys, but the patchbay was a good idea and the knobs responded well enough. I was surprised at how solid it all felt.

It wasn't "dropped"...it was always packaged as a "limited edition" as far as I know. It was a good way to launch the company's software synths I thought.

I'm not sure it would be easy to make a sort of "one size fits all" version that could be applied to many different instruments, but that is sort of what the knob boxes and slider boxes do.

[Meloday]

has anyone heard anything about mawzer?

http://www.mawzer.com/playnow.php

I'd love to be able to design my own contoller with these modules to interact with a couple of Vaz Mod patches that i've made

[tconrardy]

has anyone heard anything about mawzer?

http://www.mawzer.com/playnow.php

I'd love to be able to design my own contoller with these modules to interact with a couple of Vaz Mod patches that i've made

yeah...that was what the WS mag article was about. Thanks for the link..thats is interesting, and may be a good alternative. You can shape where the types of knobs go.

I loved that MS-20 controller. I sold mine, but only because I am not short on analog modular stuff (I only sold the controller, not the software). Still, i thought it was built nicely and a good concept. I wasn't keen on the tiny keys, but the patchbay was a good idea and the knobs responded well enough. I was surprised at how solid it all felt.

Those were my feelings as well. Although..I like the keyboard now..it will make a good companion for my laptop

What I was thinking was a 'keyboardless' dedicated controller. Say a Dev creates a cool synth. They would also make a dedicated controller that goes with it that actually looks like the GUI of the synth. If it is a modular synth, instead of a mod matrix, they could have patch points that use real patch cords.

Tim

[Meloday]

i've been lusting after Ocotopus for quite a while....but damn, its sooo out of my league price wise!

http://www.genoqs.com/index.php?option= ... 04&catid=1

can you imagine have this beast control Vaz Mod/Bidule/Reaktor/Max/MSP etc...?!!!!

[tconrardy]

i've been lusting after Ocotopus for quite a while....but damn, its sooo out of my league price wise!

http://www.genoqs.com/index.php?option= ... 04&catid=1

can you imagine have this beast control Vaz Mod/Bidule/Reaktor/Max/MSP etc...?!!!!

That thing looks like a monster! However..its just a fancy sequencer..right? Reminds me of the new Buchla stuff with that in the round sequencer. However...the software equivalent is Rotopuker( I think) and it's free.

I guess for now, I can use my ms20 for dedicated knobs for most softsynths I have..as most have filters, envelopes, ect. VAZ works great on it!

Tim

[justin3am]

The octopus is one hell of a sequencer! I saw it at NAMM and I was floored. It is really gorgeous and very play-able as analog sequencers go. The Klee is a very exciting looking sequencer as well.

[Meloday]

i drool at the potential for live improv electronic madness using the octopus! hey, justin, can you imagine the octopus controlling the v-synth?! i want them both...and i want them now!! who is lending me the money?

[shamann]

Would you like to see more dedicated controllers like this?

No. A big reason for me against is that software is myriad. On a regular basis, I use at least a dozen really big software packages, and any number of smaller utilities and effects. It would be unbearable to have that many software/hardware combos around (port space, not to mention shelf space, is already at a premium for me).

I would rather see more highly (and simply) configurable hardware controllers, along the lines of OSC controllers like the Lemur and monome (but hopefully a little less on the "look at what I did for my Masters" side of things), in that they can be configured to interact with and respond to many complex situations.

I already have software for every situation, and most of it I can get to work well together in a fairly streamline manner. I want to see hardware get to that level.

[tconrardy]

Would you like to see more dedicated controllers like this?

No. A big reason for me against is that software is myriad. On a regular basis, I use at least a dozen really big software packages, and any number of smaller utilities and effects. It would be unbearable to have that many software/hardware combos around (port space, not to mention shelf space, is already at a premium for me).

I would rather see more highly (and simply) configurable hardware controllers, along the lines of OSC controllers like the Lemur and monome (but hopefully a little less on the "look at what I did for my Masters" side of things), in that they can be configured to interact with and respond to many complex situations.

I already have software for every situation, and most of it I can get to work well together in a fairly streamline manner. I want to see hardware get to that level.

I can see your reasons, and I agree. Having said that..I wish there would be one cool modular VST instrument that has a dedicated hardware controller. But as you say, maybe the future of this is in specialized control rigs that can be used for many applications. The mawzer may be a step in the right direction, although pricey as well( but have to see how much in USD, and hard to tell the prices from the web site.

Tim