Can anyone recommend a controller with a whole bunch of rotary encoders that can be mapped to u-he synths in particular, without having to switch pages / encoder assignments (so there'd have to be at least 24 encoders).
Thanks in advance!
Augren
Hardware controller with lots of rotary encoders recommendation?
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- KVRian
- 1202 posts since 8 May, 2003 from Munich
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- KVRAF
- 10157 posts since 16 Dec, 2002
If you don't mind 2nd hand the M-Audio Evolution UC33e goes for peanuts on ebay. Has 24 knobs, 9 lit sliders, programmable buttons.
I bought an old M-audio X-session, the build is really solid.
I sprayed it white and changed the knobs, looks boutique and expensive now, this photo doesn't do it justice
I bought an old M-audio X-session, the build is really solid.
I sprayed it white and changed the knobs, looks boutique and expensive now, this photo doesn't do it justice
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Last edited by VariKusBrainZ on Sun Jul 02, 2017 11:21 am, edited 1 time in total.
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- Beware the Quoth
- 35502 posts since 4 Sep, 2001 from R'lyeh Oceanic Amusement Park and Funfair
BCR2000Augren wrote:at least 24 encoders
An idiot on Set Theory:
"In some cases there is an object called red that contains everything that is red. In much the same way a pot is a plate."
"In some cases there is an object called red that contains everything that is red. In much the same way a pot is a plate."
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1202 posts since 8 May, 2003 from Munich
Thanks for the tips so far. Anything that's still being built out there? High resolution on the encoders (and therefore MacOS drivers that can be installed from September onwards require an actively maintained product).
Just came across dj techtools twister - anyone using that successfully to control vst synth parameters (again particularly interest in smooth support with u-he synths)?
Just came across dj techtools twister - anyone using that successfully to control vst synth parameters (again particularly interest in smooth support with u-he synths)?
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- KVRist
- 171 posts since 2 Apr, 2017
@Augren
The Twister is nice, but NOT high res. I looked into the firmware, but it was not an easy job to make them high-res. I returned it, and got myself a BCR-2000. I'm very happy with it. Recommended! (at half the price of a Twister)
Why are you saying that MacOS drivers need to be active maintend from september onwards?
The Twister is nice, but NOT high res. I looked into the firmware, but it was not an easy job to make them high-res. I returned it, and got myself a BCR-2000. I'm very happy with it. Recommended! (at half the price of a Twister)
Why are you saying that MacOS drivers need to be active maintend from september onwards?
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1202 posts since 8 May, 2003 from Munich
Hi Joris,
I have a bunch of purchased content that is no longer installable/extractable on MacOS Sierra, because the installer is from ancient times (e.g. most of the Cakewalk plugins I own, some old NI stuff like synthetic drums).
I don't want to be in the position to buy hardware I can no longer run because the drivers aren't being maintained.
I'm not sure if the BCR2000 does 14bit via MIDI or USB? The former would solve my problem, the latter would mean sooner or later I'd not be able to use the controller anymore (I also bought a Lemur back then...).
I have a bunch of purchased content that is no longer installable/extractable on MacOS Sierra, because the installer is from ancient times (e.g. most of the Cakewalk plugins I own, some old NI stuff like synthetic drums).
I don't want to be in the position to buy hardware I can no longer run because the drivers aren't being maintained.
I'm not sure if the BCR2000 does 14bit via MIDI or USB? The former would solve my problem, the latter would mean sooner or later I'd not be able to use the controller anymore (I also bought a Lemur back then...).
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- KVRist
- 171 posts since 2 Apr, 2017
It does 14-bit data over both MIDI and USB. The whole thing is Class complient, so no drivers need to be installed. The edit software is indeed 'out-of-date', but that software is not required, you can edit everything from the machine itself. Furthermore the system is well documented, and I was able to construct SysEX messages to do some bulk editing via simple scripts. But this step is not required to enjoy the BCR2000.
It does help to understand the nature of 14-bit CC's, (MSB and LSB over 2 CC's, 32 appart), but that's true for any controller. I wanted a high-res controller to controll parameters of plug-ins like Zebra2, DIva and Hive, because they really benefit from high-res knobs, and the BCR2000 does that job wonderfull.
It does help to understand the nature of 14-bit CC's, (MSB and LSB over 2 CC's, 32 appart), but that's true for any controller. I wanted a high-res controller to controll parameters of plug-ins like Zebra2, DIva and Hive, because they really benefit from high-res knobs, and the BCR2000 does that job wonderfull.
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1202 posts since 8 May, 2003 from Munich
Thanks for the clarification. I'll be hunting for a bcr2000 then - shame they're no longer being made.
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- KVRAF
- 35687 posts since 11 Apr, 2010 from Germany
Sorry to hijack this thread, but, i had my eye on the Novation Launch Control for a while now, and just found that it's probably getting discontinued or something... at least many stores online don't seem to have it anymore. I just ordered one on one of the few stores which still have it, the rest either dropped it out of the assortment, or updated the status to reflect that there's not many left, or only demo pieces for sale. For those who may be interested in buying one. Be quick.
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1202 posts since 8 May, 2003 from Munich
On the subject of controllers - and don't mob up on me for asking this - has anyone tried using a TI's knobs to control vstis? Supposedly works.
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- KVRAF
- 24447 posts since 7 Jan, 2009 from Croatia
Sure you can do that, they send CCs.
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1202 posts since 8 May, 2003 from Munich
Quality of the knobs any good? Not rotary encoders, but normal knobs, right - so you have to move em across their current value til the value starts changing, right?
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- KVRAF
- 4141 posts since 11 Aug, 2006 from Texas
I've never used one but they look good from a build and feature perspective. https://store.djtechtools.com/products/ ... er-twister
Not cheap, it's around the same price as the BCR2000 was new. The big difference is the size (smaller) and all the knobs on the fighter twister are buttons, unlike the BCR which only the top row is button/knob combos. Biggest downside on the twister is it's only USB.
Not cheap, it's around the same price as the BCR2000 was new. The big difference is the size (smaller) and all the knobs on the fighter twister are buttons, unlike the BCR which only the top row is button/knob combos. Biggest downside on the twister is it's only USB.
Feel free to call me Brian.
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1202 posts since 8 May, 2003 from Munich
I'd actually be curious if anyone's using a couple of twisters together and how they perform.
Right now the choice is between those, a bcr2000 (not found any being sold around here since I started looking), and a ti2 desktop (with the added benefit that I get to outsource CPU load for some sounds).
Right now the choice is between those, a bcr2000 (not found any being sold around here since I started looking), and a ti2 desktop (with the added benefit that I get to outsource CPU load for some sounds).
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- KVRAF
- 4141 posts since 11 Aug, 2006 from Texas
I've used several rotary mapping setups and honestly I've given up on the idea. The general-purpose layout of controllers invariably clashes with the actual softsynth design. I end up having to keep two maps in my head: one for the virtual instrument elements that can't/won't map to midi, and the midi layout of an X by Y grid to something more meaningful. Compound that with jumping values when preset changes lead to me spending more time tinkering with the interface than the actual synth. 
I just mouse now, with the exception of Aftertouch, Breath, Xpress, and the wheel physical controls.
Were I to buy another hardware knob I'd consider something like this
https://touchinnovations.com/products/kontrol-master/
Gives me the haptic feedback of a rapid knob with the convenience of learning exactly one interface: the soft synth. But that's just how I approach my workflow of course...
I just mouse now, with the exception of Aftertouch, Breath, Xpress, and the wheel physical controls.
Were I to buy another hardware knob I'd consider something like this
https://touchinnovations.com/products/kontrol-master/
Gives me the haptic feedback of a rapid knob with the convenience of learning exactly one interface: the soft synth. But that's just how I approach my workflow of course...
Feel free to call me Brian.