u-he

perpetual3 · Post by **perpetual3** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 8:22 pm

...it deserves to be played with the best controller.

Any suggestions?

I have access to an old V-Synth and Maschine MK1, but I'm willing to actually spend some money if there is a better solution.

Scrubbing Monkeys · Post by **Scrubbing Monkeys** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 9:49 pm

I feel the same way about Tal u no lx. Novation remote series is pretty good.

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 10:14 pm

This is quite cool IMO: https://www.roland.com/global/products/system-1/

dlarseninclusive · Post by **dlarseninclusive** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 10:40 pm

chk071 wrote:This is quite cool IMO: https://www.roland.com/global/products/system-1/

The Roland cloud plugins can save to that controller there is a button for it I keep pushing, which makes me think of the daydream I keep having about a U-he VST "Box" that can operate 16 Repro-5 units on a MIDI block in an outboard unit for external control... With analog CV conversion (I am pretty sure one of the alternate universe "Ricks" have built it at this point)

clangorous · Post by **clangorous** » Wed Dec 20, 2017 1:04 am

I use the Akai Advance 61. I DON'T use the VIP software that comes with it. I just like the key bed, the large knobs, and color display. It has 21 user presets you can set up as different configurations. In Studio One the buttons and transport controls work well. And at 61 keys it is small enough to fit on my desk.

Warning though...users are very polarized on Akai as a company. Some love them, others absolutely hate them. I have this one and the Akai MPK225 and they both work well, and so far, reliably for my needs (about 6 months so far).

bcm70 · Post by **bcm70** » Wed Dec 20, 2017 1:11 am

I have a System 1M. Might have to try using it as a MIDI controller for Repro. Been using my Komplete Kontrol S61 and it's pretty good with the NKS support.

synth_punk · Post by **synth_punk** » Wed Dec 20, 2017 4:20 am

for Keys I would probably look at the N.I. Komplete Kontrol seeing U-he is making there plugins N.K.S. Ready. The 49 and 61 note beds have a synth style action, but you loose traditional wheels.

For knobs I like the Midi Twister
https://store.djtechtools.com/products/ ... er-twister

zvenx · Post by **zvenx** » Wed Dec 20, 2017 2:15 pm

synth_punk wrote:for Keys I would probably look at the N.I. Komplete Kontrol seeing U-he is making there plugins N.K.S. Ready. The 49 and 61 note beds have a synth style action, but you loose traditional wheels.

For knobs I like the Midi Twister
https://store.djtechtools.com/products/ ... er-twister

not anymore.
the mark 2 have back traditional wheels (although I am a joystick man myself).
For me the note beds took a bit of getting use to for me... but now I have gotten accustomed to them I love them. (it replaced an emu xboard 61 on my mac.... on my pc I have a Roland A-90 (my favourite), Korg T2 and Emu Xboard 49.....now I spend since I spend more time on my mac now (which has the S61Mk2) it takes me awhile to readjust to the Roland A-90 whenever I use the PC in the studio.

rsp

perpetual3 · Post by **perpetual3** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 5:23 pm

the Roland system - 1 looks great except for the small keyboard. And perhaps the full on green.

I’ll fire up maschine MK1 and see how it deals with NKS plug-ins, For something like Reproche, i was trying to find a solution which could map all functions to dedicated controllers, rather than the banks of 8 knobs.

I would have to use midi translator program to use the V-Synth, which costs $70. Kind of thinking that money could be put to a better Use then a MIDI translation program I would only use for the V-Synth, but if MK1 can handle the NKS plugins perhaps that’s all I really need ...

clangorous · Post by **clangorous** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 6:00 pm

perpetual3 wrote: i was trying to find a solution which could map all functions to dedicated controllers, rather than the banks of 8 knobs.

I would also like this. No idea why no company makes a midi controller with a generic synth layout.

The KVR hardware forums have some threads on this topic of synth controllers that are worth perusing, but it's an ongoing quest. Some peeps seem to like the controllers that just have like 12 knobs. That seems less than satisfying to me though, so I settled on the one I could play well and with the largest knobs.

I'd love to know what you decide because if there is a better solution I would jump on it also.

Funkybot's Evil Twin · Thu Dec 21, 2017 9:49 pm

clangorous wrote:
perpetual3 wrote: i was trying to find a solution which could map all functions to dedicated controllers, rather than the banks of 8 knobs.
I would also like this. No idea why no company makes a midi controller with a generic synth layout.

The KVR hardware forums have some threads on this topic of synth controllers that are worth perusing, but it's an ongoing quest. Some peeps seem to like the controllers that just have like 12 knobs. That seems less than satisfying to me though, so I settled on the one I could play well and with the largest knobs.

I'd love to know what you decide because if there is a better solution I would jump on it also.

I started one of those threads! Where did I eventually land? Bought a System-8. It's a good VA in it's own right with multiple engines, but it makes a pretty darn good generic synth controller too. An extra octave of keys, aftertouch and a proper modwheel would've made it perfect. The trickiest part is mapping the oscillator buttons in synths like RePro and Diva then remembering what you put where. But many controls map 1:1 or close enough to obvious.

So for now, I think VA's or even some modern analogs make the best genetic VST VA controllers. The System-8 or even a Rev2 would do the job, albeit at a cost. I'd love it if someone put out a controller similar to what NI did with their keyboards, but with a similar amount of knobs and faders as my System-8.

clangorous · Post by **clangorous** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 10:18 pm

Funky, yep your thread inspired me to go physically look at the System-8. I am still considering it because it is right there as a controller.

BUT as I was not familiar with the Roland joystick approach to mod wheel/pitch bend I was not sure. Do those ever break? Because much to my dismay I tend to find micro-flaws in fabricated and mechanical things and they somehow crumble at my touch. If it's durable I'd be willing to adjust to the joystick.

Funkybot's Evil Twin · Thu Dec 21, 2017 10:34 pm

clangorous wrote:Funky, yep your thread inspired me to go physically look at the System-8. I am still considering it because it is right there as a controller.

BUT as I was not familiar with the Roland joystick approach to mod wheel/pitch bend I was not sure. Do those ever break? Because much to my dismay I tend to find micro-flaws in fabricated and mechanical things and they somehow crumble at my touch. If it's durable I'd be willing to adjust to the joystick.

I'm not particularly gentle with it, but I'm not quite mauling it either. I'm always reassured when I see people using them on 30+ year old Jupiter-8's, so I'm going to assume it's a tested design and won't break on me. YMMV of course.

My bigger beef with them is the modwheel portion. You can't just set your modwheel setting and keep it put. It's great for pitch bends though since it just jumps right back into place when you let go allowing you to do fast and accurate bends and returns, but that same effect isn't always desired in a modwheel. The Roland JDXA seems to have proper wheels in addition to the trigger (and looks super cool) but it may have been discontinued and if seems to offer fewer controls overall.

I keep hoping U-he will solve that problem one day and release the be-all-end-all of synth controllers, but Urs has indicated that hardware could be still a few years away and who knows in what form (could be their drum thingy, or maybe even a proper synth).

u-he

KVR Audio

Repro sounds so good...