DG--

Just last night I started a thread on this very same subject, but i took it down because I thought no one else would care. Lo and behold, you have posted my thoughts almost to the letter!!

I was just looking at Native Instruments' new KORE system, which has a hardware controller that is identical to the software GUI. I was thinking that with some of the trouble I've been having with assigining different controllers to numerous functions in VI (and running out of usable controllers on my hardware), it would be great just to have a programmable USB hardware surface that resembles the VI GUI.

I currently use the small Midiman Oxygen 8 controller, which is attached to the upper left corner of my 88-key keyboard. How nice if that could be the VSL Control Center--!!

I don't know that I'd want to do away entirely with keyswitches, having found keyswitches to work quite well in many situations. But the mod wheel has been the most useful with filters and x-fades in VI. Too bad I only have one mod wheel; and the spring-loaded pitch bend limits its flexibility.

If VSL were to create such a device, I'd support it in a heartbeat.

I can think of many occasions where keyswitches are useful, but I'd love to be able to load a template of articulations, hit one button on "Vienna VI Control Station" (or VI Control, for short) and it's done. Of course, this may have to wait until Vista with more RAM (or on MAC now!), but it would be good to get feedback from other users. It may even be that this controller could be adapted from existing hardware.

DG

These guys are doing that with a touchscreen:

http://www.audioimpressions.com/products.htm

Clearly, the need for such an inerface is not isolated. Audio Impressions and NI have the right idea already.

I can see VSL's ad campaign:

"Say hello to VIC" --!!

@JWL said:

Clearly, the need for such an inerface is not isolated. Audio Impressions and NI have the right idea already.

I can see VSL's ad campaign:

"Say hello to VIC" --!!

Of course I have "dibs" on the name, and would be sending the lawyers in if I didn't receive my Royalties [:)]

DG

@Nick Batzdorf said:

These guys are doing that with a touchscreen:

http://www.audioimpressions.com/products.htm

Looks fascinating. Have you any experience with touchscreens? It always feels weird when I've used them, admittedly not for music purposes. I can't really imagine them coping with the frantic stabbing that my programming normally causes.

I know that when people started using "soft" instruments it was meant to make the studio less cluttered with hardware, so I can see that some people would hate the thought of having a different hardware controller for every software interface. However, the library that gets the heaviest use from me is VSL, so I'm not worried about the current system for all other samples.

I've looked at hardware controllers, but they don't really do what I'm after; a controller that mimics the VSL software, but with something to "hit" rather than to keyswitch or click.

Keep the ideas coming!

DG

Some sort of simple hardware controller with say switches and sliders/mod wheel type controls would be good. However any device would be compromised unless the data was recordable in the DAW as automation and editable within the same arrange track that the automation applied to.

Julian.

@julian said:

Some sort of simple hardware controller with say switches and sliders/mod wheel type controls would be good. However any device would be compromised unless the data was recordable in the DAW as automation and editable within the same arrange track that the automation applied to.

Julian.

Of course, but there is nothing to stop one being able to program a device that sends exactly the same information as keyboards and MIDI controllers currently do, just in a different manner.

Regarding pitch information (to make the controller compatible with the current keyswitching), that's exactly what Sibelius does; sends MIDI pitch data via typing from the computer keyboard.

DG

Any control service can now be used with the midi learn function so why wait and why not customize your own setup untill the holy grail is found (or manufactured?)

@dpcon said:

Any control service can now be used with the midi learn function so why wait and why not customize your own setup untill the holy grail is found (or manufactured?)

I think this is what most of us are doing. The idea rose from this very process-- as most of us discovered the benefits of using more than 2 or 3 types of controllers on each matrix as our setups increase in complexity. For the controller I have, for example, the functionality is there, but it's generic layout gets confusing sometimes. I have limited buttons for on/off commands as it is laid out in VI, I have no faders (which would be helpful), and I've discovered that more than one feature works best with the mod wheel in any given matrix even though I only have one mod wheel at present.

It is true that IF there would ever be a 'VIC' it won't appear any time soon-- and perhaps not at all. The option is to buy another control panel, but at present none I've seen are close to ideal for VI's features, despite the fact that they are quite functional under the hood. I'm filling in these gaps by doing lots of manual editing rather than real-time concurrent input of notes and controller data.

It's a tough consideration since everyone will find their own ways of using VI that best suits their own needs. As we all continue to make the best of what we have it doesn't hurt to dream a little-- or does it?

@dpcon said:

Any control service can now be used with the midi learn function so why wait and why not customize your own setup untill the holy grail is found (or manufactured?)

I have already set up my sliders, but the real problem is trying to hit keyswitches and use sliders and all the rest at the same time. I was just interested to see if other people felt, as I did, that a controller designed with VI in mind would be handy.

DG

Maybe something like [URL=http://www.dv247.com/invt/26289/]This.[/URL]

DG

That's a thought-- an interesting combination of pads, faders and knobs programmable for a variety of reasons.

Hmmm. All it's missing is a breath and bow controller, cappuccino dispenser, and a Spongebob chewtoy.

@JWL said:

That's a thought-- an interesting combination of pads, faders and knobs programmable for a variety of reasons.

Hmmm. All it's missing is a breath and bow controller, cappuccino dispenser, and a Spongebob chewtoy.

Actually, it needs 12x12 pads, BC input and a few more faders to match the VI interface. Of course when MIR comes along it may all need to be changed, but at least this would be a start. In fact I may well buy one anyway.....

DG

Let us know how that goes.

Course I just stepped onboard with VI about a week ago, but I'm pretty sure that Trigger Finger will help implement all the control changes needed for realizing a convincing performance along with the keyboard. Picking one up today. Small footprint, USB without power supply transformer (or with), assignable everything within it's own PC software. Plus if you get the urge, start jamming some percussion parts. [[;)]]

@woodlakesound said:

Course I just stepped onboard with VI about a week ago, but I'm pretty sure that Trigger Finger will help implement all the control changes needed for realizing a convincing performance along with the keyboard. Picking one up today. Small footprint, USB without power supply transformer (or with), assignable everything within it's own PC software. Plus if you get the urge, start jamming some percussion parts. [[;)]]

Yes, I'm also looking at the Korg padKontrol. Apparently one can store up to 16 different configurations, which would mean that I could use the same pads with different keyswitches, so that low and high instruments would be controlled by the same pad, rather than keyswitching at the opposite ends of the keyboard.

DG

The Korg looks (well actually the pinkish looking pads in the pictures are ghastly :lol[:)] like quite a programming lalapolooza, but in keeping with the KISS principle, I must dissent.
I like the sliders on the Finger Trigger (and 4 of them as well) and there's enough other stuff knob wise to deal with. It's probably either will function wonderfully being that we are the weakest link in the chain...as usual [:D]

@woodlakesound said:

The Korg looks (well actually the pinkish looking pads in the pictures are ghastly :lol[:)] like quite a programming lalapolooza, but in keeping with the KISS principle, I must dissent.

Yes the pink looks horrid, but I was going to cover it up anyway.....! I will hope to check out both products early next week, so if you get there first do post a full report.

DG

The Trigger Finger is lacking a driver for Mac. Even though USB shows up in the Audio Midi configuration I cannot merge my keyboard and Trigger Finger into one. In my sequencer Digital Performer I can have two controllers working VI but not in stand alone mode. And practicing outside of the sequencer is important for me.
I may try the Korg unit. It has Midi Out as well as In. Trigger Finger only has Out.
I'm reading that the Korg has more comprehensive midi routing so my keyboard can be tied directly to it, making the choice in stand alone mode padKontrol. At least that is how I'm understanding it. I'll know sometime tomorow as I'm taking the Finger Trigger back and exchange for the padKontrol. Hello pink lights, actually not pink but a not too hideous red that displays controller function as opposed to note values. Also the onboard Y/Y pad can be used to morph two control functions. The video demo at the Korg site was working it as a speed/velocity controller for some pretty convicing real time drum fills. Should breath some life into the VIs for sure using.