Control surface recommendations?

[sethlit]

I'm finally fed up with the click mix approach. There's just too many minutes (okay probably hours) I've wasted automating a fader again and again only to finally go in and draw the volume changes. I'm using PT 11 and hope to find something that I can use dually as a DAW controller and midi controller to tweak CC real time. Any suggestions out there?

I'm really tempted by the new Behringer X-touch series, specifically the compact version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubdYv3B-7Q8#t=32

But...maybe there's something else out there in the similar price range? I know nothing.

Seth

[Len911]

Well Seth, that sounds like a lot of money imo. The Korg Nano series, are only $60 each. The real power of them lies in the "Korg Kontrol Editor Software". You can have 4 scenes at once on the controller at one time, however, you can store endless programmed scenes on your computer, and switch the scenes. Of course there is the nano controller, but also the nano pad could be used as well, for example, the x-y pad could be used advantageously for a specific parameter, you program the values ahead of time in a scene, I forget exactly how many but you can program more than one event at a time on one pad, say if you want to play a chord. I believe you can also have more than just one controller at once, maybe 3 controllers, for more tracks or parameters at once. I mean for $300 or whatever the price of the Behringer, you could purchase several nano controllers.
They don't have "faders that dance with your music" though,lol!

[Kolstad]

Not really a reccommendation, but a direction to whats out there. The Presonus faderport http://www.presonus.com/products/FaderPort
I have been looking for something too, as daw faders are just too small, but I haven't tried the Presonus. Still undecided.

Wish there was a big software vst for it, but I don't know any other than the free master fader from Sonalksis http://www.sonalksis.com/freeg.htm . Might still be better than what you're working with, though.

I have the Korg Microkontrol, but don't use it as it's too small as well. Not really better than the daw faders for me.. it's one of those cases where size really matters Those new Behringer's don't look to shabby!

[mojobone]

I have touch-sensing motorized fader automation, here, but really, once you get past the "Gee, Whiz!" factor, its main function is to wow the clients. You can do everything you need to with breakpoint editing; it only takes a little longer than recording live musicians who mix themselves.

[Len911]

I have the Korg Microkontrol, but don't use it as it's too small as well. Not really better than the daw faders for me.. it's one of those cases where size really matters Those new Behringer's don't look to shabby!

I almost forgot about the build your own midi controller. You basically buy a brain, which is a circuit board with midi
connector and you can choose which controls, faders, buttons, knobs, etc. connect them to the brain and enclose in a case. I'll have to search some for resources. But that's an option.

[kclements]

I just downloaded Lemur for iPad. I haven't had a chance to use it much, but really looking forward to getting it into my workflow.there are a ton do templates on their website and you can load what you need for different tasks.

Cheers
kc

[Len911]

http://shop.lividinstruments.com/brain-jr/

Here's one. Some are pc and mac and one is just pc, not sure which one this is. There is a video on this page that shows the basics.

Features
• 16 digital connections (switches, buttons, etc.)
• 16 analog connection (faders, potentiometers, sensors)
• 16 LED connections (monochrome and RGB)
• USB connectivity
• Class compliant, no drivers needed

The brain is $50, they also have a parts page for faders, knobs, faceplates etc. There are more elaborate boards, I suppose you could get fancy and creative and pretty much design your own controller. There are also other suppliers for faders, knobs, pads, etc.

The brain v2 for $189, Connect up to 128 buttons, 192 LEDs, and 64 analog controls. 64 faders,lol!

[andygabrys]

lots of apps out there for iPad. or even for iPhone.

Like Proremote - http://www.folabs.com/proremote.html

and these described here:

http://en.audiofanzine.com/getting-star ... -iPad.html

including Neyrinck V-Control Pro http://www.neyrinck.com/v-control-pro

I would say you aren't going to find any as inexpensive as one of these, if you already have an iPad. Maybe if you don't it would still kill two birds to buy an Ipad instead of a $400 control surface.

I have used TouchOSC and Proremote quite a bit in Logic and protools respectively. They work pretty well. And this was on iPhone. iPad would be a total revelation I am sure.

good luck amigo!

[Kolstad]

I have used TouchOSC and Proremote quite a bit in Logic and protools respectively. They work pretty well. And this was on iPhone. iPad would be a total revelation I am sure.

good luck amigo!

Wow, that looks like the way to go. Have you noticed any Bluetooth lag with those apps, Andy?

[andygabrys]

No cause they actually run on your local wireless network instead of Bluetooth.

To be fair though pushing a virtual fader on a screen isn't quite the same tactile experience, but it's like a poor persons Slate Raven