Recording HW-Synth Knob Automation in BWS ?

[Muziksculp]

Hi,

Question for BWS users who use HW-Synths.

How do you go about recording your HW-Synth's Knob/Fader automation parameters into your BWS Track ?

i.e. When you move a specific knob (let's say your HW-Synths's Filter-Cutoff knob), does BWS automatically record that knob's CC data or do you have to manually select each CC parameter in the Automation Window, and record it manually by drawing it with the mouse ?

I have a Clavia Nord Lead 4 (Rack) I have it working as far as Clock Sync. and all Knobs work, but when I try to record my knob movements into a BWS track, nothing happens, no CC data is sent, I did set the NL4 to Send and Receive CC data in it's MIDI menu. but I don't see any MIDI activity in BWS when I twist any of the NL4 faders.

Is there a MIDI-Monitor plug-in or something I can use to diagnose this issue in BWS ?

Any help here would be very appreciated.

Thanks,
Muziksculp

[Chevron]

How do you go about recording your HW-Synth's Knob/Fader automation parameters into your BWS Track ?

I have 2 methods - first is to just record some data via keyboard, controller etc. The CC data is then selectable from the automation lane. Assuming it has been recorded of course....

Secondly, on the mac there is a program called, you guessed it MIDI Monitor by SNOIZE. It's not a VST but you can figure out what CC number you are sending and then jam with the CC data in the MIDI editor.

i.e. When you move a specific knob (let's say your HW-Synths's Filter-Cutoff knob), does BWS automatically record that knob's CC data or do you have to manually select each CC parameter in the Automation Window, and record it manually by drawing it with the mouse ?

As above, you should just be able to record without selecting anything other than the usual record arming.

I have a Clavia Nord Lead 4 (Rack) I have it working as far as Clock Sync. and all Knobs work, but when I try to record my knob movements into a BWS track, nothing happens, no CC data is sent, I did set the NL4 to Send and Receive CC data in it's MIDI menu. but I don't see any MIDI activity in BWS when I twist any of the NL4 faders.

Is there a MIDI-Monitor plug-in or something I can use to diagnose this issue in BWS ?

With my DSI Pro 2, I have to switch Local off to get it to work best, even though it is controller data not note stuff.

I am not aware of a MIDI Monitor plug in in Bitwig, or Mac for that matter - it would be a great utility plug in though.....

[Muziksculp]

Hi Chevron,

Thanks for the feedback.

The problem is that CC data is not being transmitted, hence not recorded when I turn any of my NL4 knobs. Not sure why Kind of a big bummer.

This is the only remaining issue I need to fix, so that I can really feel satisfied and happy, and do some more serious production work in Bitwig Studio, so hopefully I will solve this soon.

I would appreciate any additional feedback/help to solve this issue.

(I have no issues recording the NL4 fader moves into Cubase Pro 8, which is my primary DAW, I would love it if Bitwig Studio allowed me to record the knob movements as CC automation data as well. )

Cheers,
Muziksculp

[Bathrobe]

I suppose you have the generic driver selected: keyboard with 8 cc´s.
There are additional scripts which you can install that let you record all 128 cc´s even on different channels, but you have to copy them manually onto your harddrive.
Search the sticky´s here on the forum for them.

[Muziksculp]

I suppose you have the generic driver selected: keyboard with 8 cc´s.
There are additional scripts which you can install that let you record all 128 cc´s even on different channels, but you have to copy them manually onto your harddrive.
Search the sticky´s here on the forum for them.

Hi Bathrobe,

Being new to Bitwig Studio, I am not yet totally in command of how it handles external synths, and the whole Script thing, and what I need to do on my end to be able to record the knob CC data of my Synth, in my case, the Nord Lead 4 (Rack), so it has no keys, it is the desktop model, I trigger it via my Yamaha Motif XF7 keyboard.

My Controller Preference setup in Bitwig Studio looks like this at this time, so there is no Nord Lead 4 Rack Controller Script, only a MIDI-Clock Transmitter Script set to target the NL4. Maybe this is what is missing to get the NL4 to send CC Data, and Record it as Automation, (Do I need to add another script for the NL4 Controllers to be sent, and recognized by BWS ?)



I need to study this part of working with Bitwig Studio a bit more, and will check the Sticky on the forum, and do some more research on this, hopefully I will sort this out before I go nuts

This is so simple to do in Cubase Pro 8, but is not in Bitwig Studio

Thanks,
Muziksculp

[Chevron]

I think therein lies your problem - you need to add another controller manually and select the NL4. Set it up as a Generic MIDI Keyboard. Reckon it will work after that

[Bathrobe]

There you go:

https://github.com/ThomasHelzle/Toms_Bitwig_Scripts

I did spend a few hours to get it working via Copperlan once but the next Bitwig broke something with it. In the end i gave up on recording external automations, play all my external synths and samplers until they sound right and record everything as audio into Bitwig.
I know that´s not what you want to hear but it is much less hassle and editing audio inside of bitwig is a kind of synthesis too.

Good luck with not going nuts and staying sane

[Muziksculp]

There you go:

https://github.com/ThomasHelzle/Toms_Bitwig_Scripts

I did spend a few hours to get it working via Copperlan once but the next Bitwig broke something with it. In the end i gave up on recording external automations, play all my external synths and samplers until they sound right and record everything as audio into Bitwig.
I know that´s not what you want to hear but it is much less hassle and editing audio inside of bitwig is a kind of synthesis too.

Good luck with not going nuts and staying sane

Well, for now I'm totally stuck as far as finding a way to get MIDI CC from my NL4 (Rack) into BWS as automation data. I'm hoping I will find a solution in the near future. I already emailed Bitwig Tech. Support regarding this, maybe they can help.

I'm not sure how the link you posted can help me fix the issue, I don't see any specific Script for the NL4, not clear what you are referring to exactly.

I guess the easiest solution for now is to record my fader moves as Audio. not as flexible as editing MIDI CC, but it is a temp. solution.

Cheers,
Muziksculp

[Muziksculp]

Hi,

Here is a Happy Update

I was finally able to record the CC#s transmitted by the Nord Lead 4 knobs when I move them around, and record them into BWS as MIDI CC automation data.

The solution was quite simple, but for a new comer to Bitwig, this is a new territory. Basically I had to download, and install a custom script that offers Bi-Directional Communication between a device like the NL4 which transmits on any midi channel, and the host program (BWS).

The Script I used was written by Thomas Helzle and is available here : https://www.bitwig.com/en/community/con ... ripts.html Scroll down in the list, and you will spot it. It is called Tom's Multi-Bi Controller , Which I then placed in Userfile\documents\Bitwig Studio\Controller Scripts\

Then added Tom's Multi-Bi Controller Script in the Controller Preferences of BWS, and selected the NL4 as the target of the controller script, for both MIDI Input and Output.

(I wish to Thank Mr. Thomas Helzle for making this very helpful script) and Thanks to Bathrobe & Chevron for pointing me in the right direction

Here is a pic showing this :



This might be helpful info. for other BWS users, who might encounter this type of scenario when using their HW-Synth/s. It surely would have saved me lots of time, and frustration if it was posted by someone here, and I got to read it.

So .. Bingo ! That's it Problem Solved.

I'm very happy, and will continue learning the ins, and outs of working with BWS. Lots of fun ahead.

Cheers,
Muziksculp

[codec17]

Thnx Muziksculp!
I was thinking to buy one HW synth wich i dont know yet.
Didnt think about this "problem"so here,s a happy person to!
Made screenshot with explanation .. Very usefull.

[Chevron]

Hi,

Here is a Happy Update

I was finally able to record the CC#s transmitted by the Nord Lead 4 knobs when I move them around, and record them into BWS as MIDI CC automation data.

The solution was quite simple, but for a new comer to Bitwig, this is a new territory. Basically I had to download, and install a custom script that offers Bi-Directional Communication between a device like the NL4 which transmits on any midi channel, and the host program (BWS).

The Script I used was written by Thomas Helzle and is available here : https://www.bitwig.com/en/community/con ... ripts.html Scroll down in the list, and you will spot it. It is called Tom's Multi-Bi Controller , Which I then placed in Userfile\documents\Bitwig Studio\Controller Scripts\

Then added Tom's Multi-Bi Controller Script in the Controller Preferences of BWS, and selected the NL4 as the target of the controller script, for both MIDI Input and Output.

(I wish to Thank Mr. Thomas Helzle for making this very helpful script) and Thanks to Bathrobe & Chevron for pointing me in the right direction

Here is a pic showing this :



This might be helpful info. for other BWS users, who might encounter this type of scenario when using their HW-Synth/s. It surely would have saved me lots of time, and frustration if it was posted by someone here, and I got to read it.

So .. Bingo ! That's it Problem Solved.

I'm very happy, and will continue learning the ins, and outs of working with BWS. Lots of fun ahead.

Cheers,
Muziksculp

Great stuff - and that is very useful info too!

Just out of interest,how would this differ from using the generic MIDI Keyboard?