Can I do this with a Behringer BCR and a BCF?

[beauchamp]

Sad however that the BCF/BCR seem to kind of be discontinued. Nothing new was released in that section for years, and I slowly get the feeling, that this unit will die out eventually.

BCF2000 is still going strong and on sale everywhere. It doesn't need any updating.

Cubase and BCF2000 work extremely well together in MCU mode. Download this .pdf which contains the complete mappings and accessible functions for all the supported host modes including Cubase.

http://www.behringerdownload.de/BCF2000 ... _modes.pdf

Cubase mixer EQ's can be easily and ergonomically controlled with BCF2000 and monitored visually onscreen with little free virtual scribble strip bcfview.exe. Using the MCU flip function turns faders into pots and vice versa, so you can use faders or pots for controlling EQ's according to taste.

http://www.behringerdownload.de/B-Contr ... CFview.zip

Nocturn & Automap is better and cheaper than BCR2000 for controlling 3rd party plugins. Although BCF2000 can also control VST and VSTi plugins in MCU mode it's a bit cumbersome flipping through the parameter pages of plugs with very large amounts of adjustables.

Advantage of using MCU mode is that you get everything automatically mapped and ready to go immediately. No setup and endless manual mapping required.

That said, I haven't used BCF2000 and Cubase SX for a good few years but MCU protocol hasn't changed any. I do remember it worked very well.

beauchamp

[Compyfox]

I guess the BCF is pretty much covered, but I'm actually looking at both the BCF and BCR, since both units look great side by side and should not cause any problems when used in combination.

I really want a BCR as second device, since it has so many knobs and might actually work better for EQ (especially custom), comps and synths... this is why I asked my initial question.


I'll take a peek into the manual for sure. But I remember third party tools what were acutally better than the original editors, can't name them of the top of my head however. Though I don't think that they work as I want them to, so susiwong's info regarding Cubase's templates might actually work better.

[Scotty]

The allure of controller integration is pretty intense. My guess is that you will find the practice of mouse mixing to be very hard to give up. I use both methods but the mouse is winning. As a result I have resisted the urge invest more money into the pursuit of outboard controllers. Just my two cents. -Scotty

I guess the BCF is pretty much covered, but I'm actually looking at both the BCF and BCR, since both units look great side by side and should not cause any problems when used in combination.

I really want a BCR as second device, since it has so many knobs and might actually work better for EQ (especially custom), comps and synths... this is why I asked my initial question.


I'll take a peek into the manual for sure. But I remember third party tools what were acutally better than the original editors, can't name them of the top of my head however. Though I don't think that they work as I want them to, so susiwong's info regarding Cubase's templates might actually work better.

[Compyfox]

Actually the time I used a ProControl, I only used the mouse for loading plugins, cutting and moving stuff around. Then again, the ProControl recognizes everything out of the box.

[Compyfox]

Two very important things I have forgotton to ask:

1) if I want to use these devices in both Mackie Control Mode and Generic Remote Mode, can I use them via USB, or am I forced to use MIDI cables?

2) if I can use them via USB, can I still use the BCR/BCF's MIDI ports to attach one synth each and connect it in Cubase, while still working independent (aka not affecting the hardware synth)?


Oh and Scotty, any chance to get your presets and labels? You were mentioning something like that earlier.

[Compyfox]

This one is taken out of the grave from OCT2009.

I got hold ofa BCR2000 now (used), haven't connected it yet, planning to do so in the near future (unfortunately not this weekend).

Since I bump this thread, also for others who might be in need of help and have the same questions, I want to revive my last questions from the post "before" this post again as well.


And, I got two other questions:

3) If I connect the BCF and BCR via MIDI to my main MIDI device (EWS MIDI Out -> BCR MIDI in -> BCR MIDI out -> BCF MIDI in -> BCF MIDI out -> EWS MIDI in) and therefore create a chain, do the modules still work independent or does every module need an own MIDI port? I ask because it was recommended to me to NOT connect the BCR/BCF via USB (and I'm slowly short on USB ports as well).

EDIT:
I just found out (after reding the manual), that the best mode to pull that off would be U1, and every slave unit in S4. Problem however: can Unit 1 (BCF in the future) be put into Macke Mode and Unit 2 (BCR) into Generic Remote (aka BC, button 1 on startup)? Does this work?



4) susiwong mentioned this on page one, that I need Generic Remote Templates to use different EQs other than the Cubase EQ (same goes for comps and FX). Since I'm still on SX3, I guess i'm limited to the insert slots I'm settings this up. But... can I activate these settings for "more" than one insert slot? (meaning: preset NonameEQ working for insert slot 1 until insert slot 3)

Furthermore, is it not possible to "load" a plugin and my BCR in "Generic Mode" simply recognizes the plugin? Or is that only possible in Mackie Mode for Cubase (BCF)? I find it a bit painful to first "route" the proper preset with the mouse before I can start editing. (spoiled from the ProControl on ProTools)


Again, thanks in advance.



EDIT:
susiwong, can you please create a screenshot of your Generic Remote Settings in Cubase for the BCR? I'm a little bit lost what to do here. Or maybe even better, link some XML's?


EDIT2:
After searching around on Google, I found this:
http://stutterbrain.wordpress.com/cubas ... -bcr-2000/

Could this be the "solution" to control inserts independently like the ProControl did (directed at the hardcore users/modders)?


EDIT3 (24APR2010 - 17:30):
After properly setting up the preset linked a bit futher up (from Stutter, also see here), I can now use the BCR to switch channels, activate Inserts, open the edit window, bypass them (all with the 1st layer of the B-ENC and the two buttons below). If I swtich to layer 2, I can use the B-ENC to switch on/off the 8 send slots.

What I didn't get running however, using one of the encoders to chance the send level. I can turn what I want, nothing happens. Same with standard ENCs. I set it up to "Mixer -> Send Level -> T, U, N". Even tried different combinations of them, but... nothing happens.


Now if I wouldn't need that particular Alphatrack driver to pull that all off, I'd be really happy, also if I can additionally modify the send level. This is a huge improvement already, but... I still miss controlling the send level, and the mixer level for the time being.

[MFXxx]

How did you ever get on with the Behringers? Anything better out there?