Hey all.
I'm contemplating a controller for Diva and could use your insight and experience. It needs to be small and 37 keys. I'm seriously considering the Korg MicroKontrol so something along those lines. Something that would get me in the "knob per function" territory; if that's even possible? Aside from "which controller" if you'd like to share how you like to map things out (efficiency tips etc) I'd be thankful.
Cheers.
Diva Controller Suggestions please
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- KVRist
- 176 posts since 20 May, 2014
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- KVRAF
- 4083 posts since 28 Jan, 2011 from MEXICO
DIva has many controls and since it's modules (mainly oscilators and the moog mixer) changes it is hard to map completely in a very usable way.
For me an iPad with lemur (there are some templates already) is a good solution, even some developer, Xmonsta, made one device for max4live which makes controlling diva even more easy with Lemur.
In hardware controllers there are few options, generic controllers only have 8 encoders and 8 faders which is not enough, since must of them doesn't have screens you have to remeber what each knob controls, for me it is very clumsy.
Controllers with screens solve the feedback problem and for some they work great: Akai Advance, NI Kontrol S, Ableton Push, Novation SL Mk2. But for exception of push all the others need plug in wrappers that can be annoying depending on your workflow, and well Push only is an option if you use live.
I have Push 2 And I have mapped diva to some extent, putting in the first page the control for the filters, in the second the envelopes, third page oscilators, lfo's on the fourth and so on. But in the end I don't use the mapping much beacuase it is annoying to change banks a lot for me.
Main problem with DIva is selecting waveforms, specially with the Juno and Jupiter osc, they need switches on a controller and I have found very problematic to map correctly.
I also have a Nord lead 3 and I have mapped diva (using its MIDI learning functionality) to it, the problem is the nord lead has very few knobs for the oscilator section.
Personally I would try a Roland system 1 as a controller for diva, it has tons of knobs and a very similar basic architecture, and there are some controls that can be used for the oscilators (as the pitch section). Also the layout is great and has labels so you don't have to remeber everything. Diva with its midi learn functionality would make easy using the System1 as a controller.
For me an iPad with lemur (there are some templates already) is a good solution, even some developer, Xmonsta, made one device for max4live which makes controlling diva even more easy with Lemur.
In hardware controllers there are few options, generic controllers only have 8 encoders and 8 faders which is not enough, since must of them doesn't have screens you have to remeber what each knob controls, for me it is very clumsy.
Controllers with screens solve the feedback problem and for some they work great: Akai Advance, NI Kontrol S, Ableton Push, Novation SL Mk2. But for exception of push all the others need plug in wrappers that can be annoying depending on your workflow, and well Push only is an option if you use live.
I have Push 2 And I have mapped diva to some extent, putting in the first page the control for the filters, in the second the envelopes, third page oscilators, lfo's on the fourth and so on. But in the end I don't use the mapping much beacuase it is annoying to change banks a lot for me.
Main problem with DIva is selecting waveforms, specially with the Juno and Jupiter osc, they need switches on a controller and I have found very problematic to map correctly.
I also have a Nord lead 3 and I have mapped diva (using its MIDI learning functionality) to it, the problem is the nord lead has very few knobs for the oscilator section.
Personally I would try a Roland system 1 as a controller for diva, it has tons of knobs and a very similar basic architecture, and there are some controls that can be used for the oscilators (as the pitch section). Also the layout is great and has labels so you don't have to remeber everything. Diva with its midi learn functionality would make easy using the System1 as a controller.
dedication to flying
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david.beholder david.beholder https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=159839 - KVRAF
- 1914 posts since 13 Sep, 2007
Spend some time and build your own. It would totally worth it.
Murderous duck!
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- KVRian
- 1216 posts since 6 Jul, 2005
The best current solution with Diva (also owning Push and Kore) I've found is mapping in Maschine (for the Studio controller, which allows longer names to be displayed than the other Maschine controllers) but even then there's been compromise (mostly due to Maschine's 'a parameter can be mapped only once' limitation, which basically meant I ended up with a template for each 'model' as some of the different Osc models share parameters). The good things in Maschine are: You can rename parameter names. Pages/Banks can be named (and parts of pages), you can have spaces to set everything up logically. Using the 'Navigate' button you get an overview of the Page names and get there quickly via the pad buttons (Hold 'Nav', LFO1 is on P12, press 'Pad 12').
To be honest though, Diva is about the only VST I own that I would seriously consider buying a dedicated controller for, if one existed.
To be honest though, Diva is about the only VST I own that I would seriously consider buying a dedicated controller for, if one existed.
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- KVRist
- 228 posts since 26 Sep, 2013
if you have an iPad, the 'original' Lemur controller for Diva can still be found in the Lemur forum. Bi-directional functionality is only provided for Cubase, but there it updates its interface after each preset change, including all module GUI's. With that you can use any kind of keyboard.
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- KVRAF
- 2973 posts since 10 Sep, 2003 from Karlskoga, Stockholm, Sweden
One option is a big touch display 
I bought a 23" hp S230tm and in combination with Push it works great! Push's knobs are good for certain things while touch is better (and faster) for others. You can get a pretty good feel and emotion using touch actually. Not all plugins handle touch great though but i would think Diva would be alright. All those switches are a pain to map and remember on a generic controller and that's where a touch display is unbeatable! I'd recommend using win10 as win7 was not that great. Huge difference for windows overall.
I bought a 23" hp S230tm and in combination with Push it works great! Push's knobs are good for certain things while touch is better (and faster) for others. You can get a pretty good feel and emotion using touch actually. Not all plugins handle touch great though but i would think Diva would be alright. All those switches are a pain to map and remember on a generic controller and that's where a touch display is unbeatable! I'd recommend using win10 as win7 was not that great. Huge difference for windows overall.
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- KVRist
- 48 posts since 10 Feb, 2006
I did one by myself with two nanoKontrol2, designing a panel and building a box for them.
I mapped almost all main parameters of Diva.
Almost all because I use the controller also for Omnisphere and many other synths and for orchestral libraries; something had to be sacrificed for best universal real time performance.
I mapped almost all main parameters of Diva.
Almost all because I use the controller also for Omnisphere and many other synths and for orchestral libraries; something had to be sacrificed for best universal real time performance.
We are the true makers of our destiny.
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- KVRAF
- 2973 posts since 10 Sep, 2003 from Karlskoga, Stockholm, Sweden
Take a photo please! Good for inspiration
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- KVRian
- 724 posts since 15 Feb, 2012 from France
Just bought a MIDI Fighter Twister for general MIDI duties... and am considering buying another one just for Diva. Very nice overall quality, the encoders feel right and not cheap. The software editor is done smartly, and remains simple and fast to use.
I also own a Roli Rise, and think both would make a nice combo. I had a KMI QuNexus before that, neat compact MIDI KB as well.
I also own a Roli Rise, and think both would make a nice combo. I had a KMI QuNexus before that, neat compact MIDI KB as well.
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- KVRist
- 48 posts since 10 Feb, 2006
you can get a look here:Crackbaby wrote:Take a photo please! Good for inspiration
http://www.andreapriora.com/apst-umcc.htm
many photos of it.
finally I decided to put it online, so if you want you can get it
We are the true makers of our destiny.