MIDI Controller Suggestions

[pitchblender]

pitchblender
Greetings, whats up,

So guys, I'm considering
- Korg Nanokontrol Sutdio, vs
- Korg Nanokontrol 2

Is the Studio worth the extra cash and real estate (desk space)?

Yo, that totally depends on your own perspective. Everyone has a different setup/studio/home/space/furniture/workflow etc. so it's not a simple answer. For instance, when I was doing a radio show the bluetooth NanoKontrol Studio came in handy with ipad as I was using the USB with audio interface only (USB hub adds lots of issues which I didn't want when mixing live music for radio) and I used the buttons for triggering samples. NanoKontrol 2 has been good for minimal space mixing but even the NanoKontrol 1 had banks which were good for effects and mixing in other situations. Even just swapping a sticky-out USB cable for an angled one made me rearrange my workspace.

With the Bluebox I'm currently sticking with (not available any more) Livid ALIAS8 as it has nice sliders/pots, is tough and has 2x rows of pots for AUX outs and banks (for other control such as EQ) although it does jump values when I forget that there's no pickup mode on either device... I also programmed the LEDs to change colour on the Alias8 itself which I couldn't do on other controllers.

I'm hopeful about the Bluebox being updated with better MIDI integration so haven't settled for a single controller as yet. I do like the idea of using the Launch Control XL as a complete partner for the Bluebox but it's just too clunky at the moment. It would work well if it was implemented like it is in some DAWs. Fingers crossed...

Hope this helps

[Steve]

although it does jump values when I forget that there's no pickup mode on either device... I also programmed the LEDs to change colour on the Alias8 itself which I couldn't do on other controllers.

I'm hopeful about the Bluebox being updated with better MIDI integration so haven't settled for a single controller as yet. I do like the idea of using the Launch Control XL as a complete partner for the Bluebox but it's just too clunky at the moment. It would work well if it was implemented like it is in some DAWs. Fingers crossed...

Hope this helps

Thanks for the post. Can you elaborate? Obviously, I know most of what you are going to say since I read the forum almost daily. But I am interested in your specific needs/requests. How would you rank the top 3-5 changes you wish for the bluebox? Thanks

[onefootskanka]

Does anyone have any experience with using the Bluebox with a Livid DS1 ?

[onefootskanka]

Thanks for the post. Can you elaborate? Obviously, I know most of what you are going to say since I read the forum almost daily. But I am interested in your specific needs/requests. How would you rank the top 3-5 changes you wish for the bluebox? Thanks

If I could list mine, number one would be to have different response curves for the volume faders as per this popular thread: https://forum.1010music.com/forum/pr...age2#post40688

Would make it much more feasible to mix and play live with.

[Steve]

If I could list mine, number one would be to have different response curves for the volume faders as per this popular thread: https://forum.1010music.com/forum/pr...age2#post40688

Would make it much more feasible to mix and play live with.

I know this has been requested. I was looking for more input from pitchblender, specifically.

[pitchblender]

Hi Steve and thanks for asking!

I'd love fully (MacOS/iOS, Windows and Linux) class-compliant multitrack audio (but obviously don't dwell on it), which would allow me to remove more excess gear from my table.

More patching possibilities in the box.... full MIDI control including all eq/mix/effects variables (like with all those lovely reverb variables in previous firmwares) and LED feedback option plus (!) 'pickup' or 'value scaling' to avoid jumps.

Obviously 'full MIDI control' covers lots of feature requests but I thought I'd let you know off the top of my head.. heh

Re: USB hub - I'd also use a small, flat powered USB hub under the Bluebox for a more compact controller/keyboard setup and use MIDI TRS/DIN<>USB<>TRS/DIN like those Kenton boxes, so maybe latency compensation would help (I have an ERM Multiclock so correcting MIDI timing is easier, but it was expensive and is no longer being made, and is one of those extras only necessary due to main equipment lacking its functions. I would also use a mono audio out from the Bluebox for the Multiclock's audio-to-clock WAV function, which would make the Bluebox a rock solid sample-accurate master clock, via the Multiclock. Folk could add SMPTE strips too for external clock control).

Also, all this talk on this forum of looping sections (like VAMP function on the Tascam Model 12) and more DAW features is lovely but I personally just record whole tracks, and do them again if I make a mistake, or edit later. But I can totally see the benefits of this.

I don' t think different slider scales would be an issue if a better MIDI slider response was implemented in the first place, but it'd be useful to fine tune such things., much like conventional DJ crossfader curves having different functions.

Oh and lastly (for those whose ears are slaves to their eyes lol) a dynamic frequency graph on each channel & main EQ screens would be fantastic, even if it was more 'wiremesh' than solid lines (to save on CPU) and it would definitely catch the eye of many a prospective buyer... (I remember the first time I saw the Fabfilter Pro-Q GUI on an iPad, I was mesmerised) but I presume that the whole current GUI is so simple due to CPU constraints, so my ears will have to do. EQ bypass button would help lots here too

Essentially I just want to hone down the amount of external stuff in front of me when 'in the zone'. I'm living in a tiny flat and every little helps, I even try and use right-angled plugs and make my own cables as much as possible to save space and mess.

Hope this is useful in some way, took ages lol

[Steve]

pitchblender Thanks. This is useful. I appreciate you taking the time to share these thoughts.

[spacelordmother]

Thanks for the post. Can you elaborate? Obviously, I know most of what you are going to say since I read the forum almost daily. But I am interested in your specific needs/requests. How would you rank the top 3-5 changes you wish for the bluebox? Thanks

Steve I’m not pitchblender either, but wanted to chime in on this too. Midi pickup is a core need in my opinion. Bluebox may be small, but it is very deep and being able to midi map lots of controls would be so useful. This is the perfect use case for many compact controllers out there using encoders, but without midi pickup all parameters snap back to zero upon starting up a session. This makes encoder controllers unusable for me and I can’t imagine I’m the only one.

Until then I’ll continue using my ancient Nanokontrol and keep on dreaming.

[wickdnb]

I agree midi pick up

[Scott M2]

This seems to be the right place to emphasize the need for the transmission of the MIDI settings for all learned controls.

When a program is loaded (and when it is powered up or woken up) the Bluebox would transmit through the USB Device connection (and optionally through the 1/8 MIDI Out) the “position” of all the MIDI-learned controls. Then all the settings in the appropriate MIDI controller would be set to the right place and there would be no Jumps to the knob position of the MIDI controller when they’re adjusted.

Also, any changes made to MIDI-learned controls on the Bluebox itself should be sent out to the controller.

The two controllers that I’m aware of (and own) that respond to MIDI input to adjust their settings are the MIDI Fighter Twister and the Faderfox EC4. Both are excellent controllers and would be superb extensions of the Bluebox with two-way MIDI communication. (There may be other similar controllers.)

Thanks for all the updates so far.

[Damien]

fully (MacOS/iOS, Windows and Linux) class-compliant multitrack audio

full MIDI control including all eq/mix/effects variables (like with all those lovely reverb variables in previous firmwares) and LED feedback option plus (!) 'pickup' or 'value scaling' to avoid jumps.


looping sections (like VAMP function on the Tascam Model 12) and more DAW features is lovely but I personally just record whole tracks, and do them again if I make a mistake, or edit later. But I can totally see the benefits of this.

different slider scales would be an issue if a better MIDI slider response was implemented in the first place,

a dynamic frequency graph on each channel & main EQ screens would be fantastic,

really good features to have and boost the Bluebox into an entirely new hemisphere of standalone compact digital mixers!!!