Bargain Center: discussion, gossip, etc.

[mikebenson]

I'm more excited about using it for live tweaking during recording, and not so much for the programming.

Which you can already do with the plethora of cheaply available controllers, you have GAS.

These are way overpriced and under spec'd when compared to the competing products

Have to agree here and don't even let me comment about the chosen colors or the clunky look of the knobs etc.

I like the white one. It's the most readable, least reflective, and somewhat attractive. The rest look like toys.

The knobs are kind of ugly and clunky.

[Apostate]

IBS... Inevitable Buying Syndrome.

So that's what it's called

I feel that way a lot (currently it's with the Hans Zimmer London Ensembles). I'll tell myself I don't need something, that I can already more than make do with what I have. Then, inevitably, I buy it.

Just hoping for a major Spitfire Black Friday so I can grab EVO 2 along with it

[Numanoid]

SynthMaster Player for just $9

That is a total no-brainer, included is 1100 patches, and enough controls to be able to shape those patches further

https://www.kv331audio.com/synthmasterplayer.aspx

[elxsound]

I'm more excited about using it for live tweaking during recording, and not so much for the programming.

Which you can already do with the plethora of cheaply available controllers, you have GAS.

These are way overpriced and under spec'd when compared to the competing products

I can use any other general purpose controller, and I always have GAS, and IBS... Inevitable Buying Syndrome.

I've tried those types of controllers before, and none of them have satisfied me... Panorama P1, Maschine, Push, Beatstep, BCR2000... iPad with Lemur, TB MIDI Stuff, MIDI Designer... Also, some great synths that were not knob per function too... Ultranova, Virus Ti Snow, Venom, ESQ-1, M50. I bought and sold all of these over the last few years.

I've never owned a special purpose, knob per function "instrument" before, and I'm jealous to have that type of connection with the sound. Less menu diving, mousing around, paging, looking at a screen, and touching a flat featureless surface. More tactile control, muscle memory and connection to the guts of the sound.

$200 to try a simple knob per function controller isn't too expensive. And it can still be used with other plugins.

I want to like this, but I don't because the knobs to me are unusable.

For knobs on a controller, I want either for them to be endless encoders without line markers on them, OR make them motorized so they update according to the position as set on the UI of the plugin.

I'm sorry, but for me anything other than this and I find it a waste of time.

[Uncle E]

That's a good point. I'm glad you said it because I was just beginning to talk myself into it.

[mikebenson]

Are the non-encoder knobs on a preset synth unusable? Inconvenient, and not ideal for sure. But, I do understand what you mean. The BCR2000 almost fits the bill. I just wish it had a Push-like screen over each bank of 8 controls that showed the parameter and it's value. I'd be loving that.

[dwozzle]

For knobs on a controller, I want either for them to be endless encoders without line markers on them, OR make them motorized so they update according to the position as set on the UI of the plugin.

Interesting you say that. I been noticing recently how strongly I feel the same way about programmable guitar amps whose controls don't update to the settings you just recalled. Which is most of them.

My ancient CyberTwin *does* have motorized knobs, and while I'm afraid for their longevity relative to the rest of the amp, that one simple thing is the difference between very usable and really not. Old school maybe, but makes the UI reflect reality, which is interaction design 101.

Even unmarked endless knobs are way less usable than that, unless each one has its own low-equal-high indicator showing where it is relative to its recalled setting, which might exist, but I've never seen.

But marked and wrong is just the worst, agree.

[Numanoid]

This shortened link gives quick access to Musician's Friend software, listed from lowest price and up, no bargains at the mo' though

http://tinyurl.com/nvjedab

[Uncle E]

Are the non-encoder knobs on a preset synth unusable?

Think about using it live, the sound will change the moment you touch a knob.

[Fleer]

This shortened link gives quick access to Musician's Friend software, listed from lowest price and up, no bargains at the mo' though

http://tinyurl.com/nvjedab

Cheers, Num, comes in handy.

[Numanoid]

Hope it gives the currency a user want, my display seems to be tied to NOK

[Fleer]

Yup, USD for me.

[mikebenson]

Are the non-encoder knobs on a preset synth unusable?

Think about using it live, the sound will change the moment you touch a knob.

My X-Station knobs didn't change the parameter until the knob was moved through the loaded preset value. Other synths and plugins can behave similarly. But I understand what you mean. I was just taking issue with use of the word "unusable" ...seemed like hyperbole. I'll just quietly fade out now...

[elxsound]

Are the non-encoder knobs on a preset synth unusable?

Think about using it live, the sound will change the moment you touch a knob.

My X-Station knobs didn't change the parameter until the knob was moved through the loaded preset value. Other synths and plugins can behave similarly. But I understand what you mean. I was just taking issue with use of the word "unusable" ...seemed like hyperbole. I'll just quietly fade out now...

Well I did say "for me" they were unusable. That's only perspective I can speak on, but please know that I'm not here to knock how you use this. There are so many people who perform with midi controllers that you are not alone.

But, I do consider them unusable.

As Uncle E mentioned.... It's that jump that causes issue for me (when you touch a knob that is not aligned with the plugin UI).

Then there's also a solution often implemented where nothing changes until the controller knob reaches the position of the knob on the UI... and yes, we can call this an inconvenience, but again... for me... That's not something I'd pay for because the whole point of buying a controller (again for me) is for increasing the point of convenience and detracting from it.

I do like the Push 2 controller best for this, but then you are limited to just 8 encoders in comparison to a dedicated controller for a specific plugin instrument. Basically my point of view is that I'm excited to see what comes out in the future, but right now its still a hell of lot of compromise no matter which way you look.

[Uncle E]

My X-Station knobs didn't change the parameter until the knob was moved through the loaded preset value. Other synths and plugins can behave similarly.

How do you make softsynths behave similarly?