Hardware controller for DIVA / soft synths

[anon404]

Hey guys,

I'm looking for a hardware controller for DIVA. BIG PLUS if you can recommend something you *actually use* that works well.

Looking for:
- flexibility: enough controls to map waveform, ADSR, filter cutoff, and at least a few other params
- reliable/quality controls
- visual feedback a big plus: what parameter are you changing? What's its current value?
- usability factors I've missed?: what keeps *your* hand on the control and away from the mouse?

Current thoughts (pics below):
- midi fighter twister
- faderfox UC4, PC4
- launch control xl
- something else ??

I know Urs was at one point working with Faderfox on a controller for ACE, but that seems to have fallen through...hope that's not a bad sign! Thanks for your consideration.

PS: Urs, if you're reading, there would be no more valued opinion on the topic. Thanks in advance!

[Sahul]

I love my Nektar Panorama. Well built and highly configurable for controlling softsynths.

[bftucker]

On the other hand, U-He is working with NI on integration with Komplete Kontrol

https://www.native-instruments.com/en/p ... -s-series/

[rod_zero]

The problem with generic controllers in the first place is the layout, it' don't look like synth. Second they lack parameter names/values so it takes a long time to get confortable, if it even happens.

Next is the number of controls, that launchontrol XL is one of the controllers with more controls: 32, not bad, but the layout seems far from a synth. Maybe if you print a layout for it...

I have push: 8 encoders, screen, up to 12 banks... and it doesn't cut it for controlling synths.

So If I had to choose a controller it very probably would a Roland Sytem1m:



45 knobs a a bunch of buttons, it has a synth layout too and I think it could control diva to a great extent, even the moog third oscilator could be mapped to the pitch section. Apart from that moog oscilator the rest would be quite straight forward. And you also get a synth.

[barryfell]

I use a Nektar Panorama P4 to control Diva. Along with many other popular synths and effects, it's been mapped so as soon as you use Diva everything is ready. ADSR for the amp/filter envelopes use the faders, the main parameters use the 8 pots etc, but there are other pages you can easily move to to access other parameters, and the parameter names are shown on the Panorama's screen along with a visual representation of their position. I'd hate to use a MIDI controller which didn't have a way of telling you what the parameter was.

If you don't need a keyboard then the P1 is a good choice:

[conundrum]

Does the Diva mapping only work within Cubase? I've read the Panorama's vst mapping doesn't work properly in other DAWs yet.

I know you can map vsts with Internal mode, but it appears you can't assign parameter names that way, which kind of defeats the purpose.

[barryfell]

Does the Diva mapping only work within Cubase? I've read the Panorama's vst mapping doesn't work properly in other DAWs yet.

I know you can map vsts with Internal mode, but it appears you can't assign parameter names that way, which kind of defeats the purpose.

It works with Cubase and Logic, and I know there is beta integration for Reaper.

[wormfingers]

I use a Novation Zero to map Diva.
8 infinity encoders, 8 pots, 8 faders, 8 pads, 32 buttons, multiple pages and a display screen.
I use it in Automap mode and created 1 template per synth model (Juno, MKS, Jupiter, hybrids, etc.)
It works really well.

[chk071]

The problem with generic controllers in the first place is the layout, it' don't look like synth. Second they lack parameter names/values so it takes a long time to get confortable, if it even happens.

Next is the number of controls, that launchontrol XL is one of the controllers with more controls: 32, not bad, but the layout seems far from a synth. Maybe if you print a layout for it...

Yep. I don't think i could work with something like that, too confusing, and as you said, it doesn't look like the synth. I use my midi controller with 8 knobs, and 9 sliders, and map the most used functions like filter controls, and amp and filter envelope to the knobs and sliders, and that actually works for 90% of modification to do on the fly when just jamming a bit. Of course, would be nice to control everything, but i frankly don't see how that would be possible, especially if you have a few synths, which don't looke the same.

[.jon]

Ive been searching for this hardware product now for weeks, and the result is a disappointing "does not exist". Im frankly surprised that people dont look for hands-on control for their software instruments, it makes such a huge difference. Not only you can tweak two parameters at once, but yoh can also mouse around while tweaking a parameter, and it is just much more intuitive and immediate, leaving more room for creativity.

When I was involved in the scene 10 years ago, there were new controllers popping up everywhere, keyboards seemed to compete with the amount of knobs and faders they could cram on the chassis. This development has apparently stopped, many knob solutions discontinued and knobs/faders replaced with clip launcher buttons and tiny drum pads.

So, Im left with the option to build my own tactile interface.

[barryfell]

The modular nature of Diva means it's not a controller there can really be a dedicated controller for.

Nektar's Panorama and now NI's Komplete Kontrol keyboards have maps for it. The Panorama one will give you the most hands on control though since in addition to the 8 knobby parameters per page you also get 2 sets of envelope controls mapped to the faders.

[.jon]

The modular nature of Diva means it's not a controller there can really be a dedicated controller for.

Nektar's Panorama and now NI's Komplete Kontrol keyboards have maps for it. The Panorama one will give you the most hands on control though since in addition to the 8 knobby parameters per page you also get 2 sets of envelope controls mapped to the faders.

Nektar has only encoders, and like all keyboards, they are just identical, unlabelled knobs in rows, half of them arranged in a mixer layout. Mapping controls is trivial process with pretty much any controller and DAW. Switching pages is also not what I'd call immediate control. Nektar is no doubt one of the finest keyboard controller options, but as a general device it's a compromise like all of them.

[barryfell]

The modular nature of Diva means it's not a controller there can really be a dedicated controller for.

Nektar's Panorama and now NI's Komplete Kontrol keyboards have maps for it. The Panorama one will give you the most hands on control though since in addition to the 8 knobby parameters per page you also get 2 sets of envelope controls mapped to the faders.

Nektar has only encoders, and like all keyboards, they are just identical, unlabelled knobs in rows, half of them arranged in a mixer layout. Mapping controls is trivial process with pretty much any controller and DAW. Switching pages is also not what I'd call immediate control. Nektar is no doubt one of the finest keyboard controller options, but as a general device it's a compromise like all of them.

The Panorama's don't only have encoders. They have 9 faders as well, which are mapped to the envelopes in Diva.



The knobs and their values are labelled on the screen, which is makes it easy compared with most MIDI controllers.

Of course any MIDI controller unless it's per knob dedicated is going to be a compromise, but not all mean equal compromise, with the Panorama's having the least amount of compromise for Diva. As said, with Diva's modular nature a dedicated controller would also need to make compromises.

[tehlord]

The problem with generic controllers in the first place is the layout, it' don't look like synth. Second they lack parameter names/values so it takes a long time to get confortable, if it even happens.

Next is the number of controls, that launchontrol XL is one of the controllers with more controls: 32, not bad, but the layout seems far from a synth. Maybe if you print a layout for it...

I have push: 8 encoders, screen, up to 12 banks... and it doesn't cut it for controlling synths.

So If I had to choose a controller it very probably would a Roland Sytem1m:



45 knobs a a bunch of buttons, it has a synth layout too and I think it could control diva to a great extent, even the moog third oscilator could be mapped to the pitch section. Apart from that moog oscilator the rest would be quite straight forward. And you also get a synth.

This is the way I'd go, and I'd probably ditch as many VST's in the process as I could.

I've always found trying to map a plugin to a midi controller fiddly and unreliable. The System-1 negates that issue by integrating the hardware and software.

I did used to try and map my Virus Ti61 to as many plugin parameters as possible, but it was still forgetful a lot of the time.