midi controlled VST and DX audio plugins ??

[kylen]

I'm trying to find audio plugins that have the ability for their params to be controlled via midi...but first (maybe) I'm trying to clear up my ignorance and terminology - please help!

I use Sonar4.

I can already control most of my DX and VST plugin params using envelopes that I can generate either manually or with the new tool by Blue Cat.

What I want to do now is to bring midi into the picture so I can sit at a control surface and use a fader to change the knee or threshold of a compressor, for example, and record that type of automation (midi cc or NRPN events).

I believe Sonar4 has the DXi interface that allows plugin developers to add midi control to their plugin if they wish. I don't know what other hosts use for this??? Any Ideas what it's called?

I'm pretty sure most of my current audio plugins don't have midi control capability - Voxengo doesn't do this or Tracks, etc. or I think it would be advertized a bit. Do you folks have examples of midi controlled audio plugins that you use ?

To work around the lack of midi control in my audio plugins I'm using VST plugin Xlutop Chainer as an insert effect in Sonar4. Chainer is registered as a VST plugin using Cakewalk VST Adapter with both 'Enable as DX plugin' and 'Configure as DXi Synth' set. The 'Configure as DXi Synth' is mandatory or I can't use midi to control audio plugins inside Chainer. I have an input setup in slot 1 and a VST effect in slot 2 of Chainer. When I open the effect in slot 2 using the Chainer editor I can have any param 'Learn' the midi control surface fader and then adjust the param using the control surface. Before I do that I have to set up a midi track in Sonar4 with the input connected to the midi interface (audiophile 2496) and the output pointing to the audio track with Chainer in it. Then I can record midi automation envelopes on the midi track that will control the effect in Chainer on the audio track.

What am I really doing and why does it take so many words for me to describe it ? Is there some shorter lingo I can use so it will make sense to other folks?

Thanks for the Help !!!

[xoxos]

automating via external midi controller :)

don't know sonar, tho their support should clear it up if it isn't in docs since midi control=rudimentary sequencing concept

depends on sonar.. usually, the dev assigns cc#s to params.. i use logic, which assigns cc#s to params and cocks up the intended designations.

perhaps the whole dx vs. vst thing is problem, but i'd hope yr. manual would say how to do this

[kylen]

automating via external midi controller

Thanks xoxos - I knew it had to be simple ! Now I can talk about it easier without having to spew 2 or 3 paragraphs of ignorance first (I hope it prevents that anyway!).

Nice plugs on your site by the way...

[kylen]

OK - now I'm getting it I think.

I've just updated my PSP Lexicon 42 plugin and noticed this new feature:

MIDI learn function with cross-platform MIDI setting save/load option.

Now I can automate Lexicon42 plugin params via an external midi controller after setting the plugin up using the MIDI learn function.

In 22 words - sweet !