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So I had this idea, and I'm sure it's already been done, so if you guys can tell me of some stuff that functions this way that would be cool. But the idea is kind of like maschine/push I guess, in the sense that it's a midi keyboard controller with its own software (groundbreaking, I know) but not a DAW, a synth plugin. So the knobs and buttons on the controller would be preassigned to functions in the synth so you can have some physical knobs to twiddle without having to buy an expensive piece of hardware.

Arturia did this, badly. I think that Korg MS-20 MIDI controller thing is like this. There are more I am pretty sure.

Are you sure it's the ms 20? I just google it and it just seems to be an analog synth.

Never mind. I think I found it, google searching on my phone is really lame.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul04/a ... ection.htm
: )

Ahhh cool, I was rushing myself when looking at the pictures. It just looks like it has nothing to do with midi. But I could get down with that thing, it looks pretty cool. But it's still prettttty expensive.

I am not aware of anyone that has done this really well. Maschine or possibly Push are probably the best examples, but aren't exactly what you are talking about. For example if you load a Massive patch into Maschine the macros are automapped to Maschine's knobs.

I forget what the Arturia one is called, but apparently the MIDI controller was a complete disaster and they have pretty much abandoned fixing it and customer support. A buddy of mine got it from his wife for Christmas or a bday, and he said it worked pretty well for a couple weeks then it randomly went completely bonkers and eventually stopped working all together.

Honestly, I think if NI did this for some of their synths and used that MIDI alternative technology they use for Tracktor on their controller line it could be pretty awesome. Depending on the price I would by a dedicated controller for Massive. I imagine it would be around 200-300 considering their DJ controllers.

Yeah exactly, like I'm surprised that there aren't cheaper alternatives to maschine or push for synth controllers. Also this would leave room for expanding, like releasing new plugins for the controller.

zosomagik wrote:Yeah exactly, like I'm surprised that there aren't cheaper alternatives to maschine or push for synth controllers. Also this would leave room for expanding, like releasing new plugins for the controller.

I dunno. I have had pretty "meh" experiences with programming and using MIDI controllers to control VST synths to be honest. Maybe I am doing something wrong or my computer is too outdated, but it seems laggy and imprecise.

At this point maybe they are thinking its not even worth it when you can buy an all analog synth full a knob per function for 300-500 dollars.

True. I think I'm gonna buckle down and pick up a minibrute. I've heard good things about them and I like that they're compact. I had a microkorg, but I didn't like switching in and out of sections to make edits to the patch. Or maybe I'll get a push. Decisions, decisions, desicions.

I love the MicroBrute. Basically I just fuck around twisting knobs and recording things while it plays long notes. Then use those for whatever later on. You can get some great sounds out of it. The best part for me is that on its own it sounds a bit dry and dusty, just begging to be drenched in some lush reverb, delay, or chorus. Its fun. I can't imagine not liking it.

Yeah it looks really sweet, but in terms of an analog synth I'm torn between that or shopping around for a used slim phatty.

zosomagik wrote:Yeah it looks really sweet, but in terms of an analog synth I'm torn between that or shopping around for a used slim phatty.

That would be cool too. Totally different sound.

Yeah, the patty to me seems to be real good at nice thick bass sounds and the mini brute would be better at mid range and leady type sounds. But I've never had my hands on either so I wouldn't know.

zosomagik wrote:Yeah, the patty to me seems to be real good at nice thick bass sounds and the mini brute would be better at mid range and leady type sounds. But I've never had my hands on either so I wouldn't know.

The MicroBrute can do deep low end, but generally I would agree with what you say. I prefer my Mopho desktop for the thick, weighty low end.

Yeah basically, but I think he means to have the controls on the same places as the gui.

Maybe like those Studer Vista consoles do with plugins. The board is also a screen and it kind of projects the parameters under the physical controls.

Not exactly what you're after, but the software that comes with it is pre-mapped....

http://global.novationmusic.com/midi-co ... y-software

AxeD wrote:Yeah basically, but I think he means to have the controls on the same places as the gui.

Yeah either that, or like you said with the studer, having the control show up under the physical controls. The behringer thing would be a lot of knobs to memorize exactly what they do. But this info is all irrelevant now anyway seeing as noways has convinced me to spend all my money on an sp404

Haha, 404 then the bcr2000! I'm wanting the bcr myself. Have been for about a year.

My mission would be just to map it to Massive. Just to have a hardware massive. Knobs in a fixed place, could design the surface to reflect the mapping. Just like having a hardware synth, but flexibility of vst.