@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.

@woodlakesound said:

Hello pink lights, actually not pink but a not too hideous red that displays controller function as opposed to note value

Methinks you're trying to convince yourself [:D]

DG

You betcha. [[;)]]

Can anyon efigure out if KORE and the VI would be a good mix for anything?

OK, I tried a Finger Trigger and some AKAI thing today.

Here's what I think:

Finger Trigger
Sliders were not very smooth although knobs felt OK (how gay is that?)
Pads felt slimy and actually made me feel a bit ill. I'm not getting this.

AKAI

Much cheaper, but the pads felt great; just the right amount of give and a slightly rough edge. Snag was only one fader and it was not very smooth at all. Not getting this either.

The Korg was not in stock, so I can't try it out until it is. However, to cheer myself up I did get a new Expression pedal [:D]

DG

Hey DG, at these price points faders are not going to be responsive to every nuance of touch. JL Coopers Fader Master 4/100 is about $700. Four 100mm throw faders, touch sensitive, no pads. That is about as good as it gets.
I didn't like the Korg except for the pad sensitivity (it's fun to look at as well with all the lights going on and off). The x/y touch pad is kinda interesting but I would prefer the faders on the Trigger Finger to it. You know, you can adjust the velocity curves on the Finger Trigger faders using the Enigma software app. I dunno, for the kind of work one needs them for I think they can work quite well. The pads, like the knobs (easy there big fella), can be programmed all kinds of ways and even though it's not great drumming controller, it will send program changes and a host of other functions if you want to program them in. Hell, for the $160 I paid for it I think I'm gonna go back and get it again after realizing it's not so bad. It was a previously returned item already discounted. One other plus on the TF side is that it is mountable on a mic stand and so, can be placed where your hand is most comfortable. The Korg doesn't have a mic thread underneath it so must be supported on a table surface.

However, I'm getting really excited [URL=http://www.midiworks.ca/products/product_details.asp?productid=25&categoryid=22&category=]now![/URL]

DG

To address another issue-- partially related, there is the matter of repetitive mouse and keyboard tasks which could be simplified by using this:

http://www.ymouse.com/xkeys/xkcontrol.php

Some people may have their mouse, monitor, computer keyboard in front of them with their keyboard controller. I have my monitor on a mixing desk. Between me and it is a mixing board. In front of that is a pullout shelf where my mouse and computer keyboard sit.

My keyboard controller sits 90 degrees to the console, so having a programmable task controller within a finger's reach has considerable appeal.

Here's another option.
http://www.euphonix.com/post/products/mc/mc.htm">http://www.euphonix.com/post/products/mc/mc.htm

[:)]

Man-- I love buttons and faders!! It's clear that auxiliary controllers are about to take over completely!!

@JWL said:

To address another issue-- partially related, there is the matter of repetitive mouse and keyboard tasks which could be simplified by using this:

http://www.ymouse.com/xkeys/xkcontrol.php

I've thought about getting something like this for a while. However, unless I could find a controller that I can program to take over all the external devices apart from the MIDI keyboard, then I'd still end up reaching for tools and buttons.

BTW The Korg padKontrol is not available in the UK for a few weeks, so I haven't decided what to do about that yet.

DG

@JWL said:

To address another issue-- partially related, there is the matter of repetitive mouse and keyboard tasks which could be simplified by using this:

http://www.ymouse.com/xkeys/xkcontrol.php

I've thought about getting something like this for a while. However, unless I could find a controller that I can program to take over all the external devices apart from the MIDI keyboard, then I'd still end up reaching for tools and buttons.
....

DG

True.

So, when do we start designing the ideal controller for DAWs? [:D]

@JWL said:

To address another issue-- partially related, there is the matter of repetitive mouse and keyboard tasks which could be simplified by using this:

http://www.ymouse.com/xkeys/xkcontrol.php

I've thought about getting something like this for a while. However, unless I could find a controller that I can program to take over all the external devices apart from the MIDI keyboard, then I'd still end up reaching for tools and buttons.
....

DG

True.

So, when do we start designing the ideal controller for DAWs? [:D]
I think that we already have [H] However, until we see how MIR (for those people interested in such things Christian) is integrated the exercise will be rather hypothetical.

DG

Well, I'm all for anything that will simplify repetitive moves.

I'm also concerned about MIR's demand on system resources. The demo video hinted at MIR doing its most important rendering offline because of limited CPU power available at the moment. Running MIR along side DP or Logic will certainly spread processing resources a little thin "like so much butter over a slice of bread"...

I'm struggling at times with 6 instances of VI and one instance of Altiverb...

@JWL said:

Well, I'm all for anything that will simplify repetitive moves.

I'm also concerned about MIR's demand on system resources. The demo video hinted at MIR doing its most important rendering offline because of limited CPU power available at the moment. Running MIR along side DP or Logic will certainly spread processing resources a little thin "like so much butter over a slice of bread"...

I'm struggling at times with 6 instances of VI and one instance of Altiverb...

But you won't be running MIR alongside anything. Firstly it only works on PC (ATM) and secondly it will need it's own machine, so it won't affect any of your current CPU or memory resources.

DG

@JWL said:

Well, I'm all for anything that will simplify repetitive moves.

I'm also concerned about MIR's demand on system resources. The demo video hinted at MIR doing its most important rendering offline because of limited CPU power available at the moment. Running MIR along side DP or Logic will certainly spread processing resources a little thin "like so much butter over a slice of bread"...

I'm struggling at times with 6 instances of VI and one instance of Altiverb...

But you won't be running MIR alongside anything. Firstly it only works on PC (ATM) and secondly it will need it's own machine, so it won't affect any of your current CPU or memory resources.

DG

Well-- that's good news (in a way....)

But, we Mac folks won't be left out in the cold for long (will we?) I just hope not to try to run XP or Vista on an Intel with the hopes of getting MIR to work properly. Altiverb will have to suffice for now--

---but have you heard CSR from IK Multimedia? They have a scaled down version of it with Miroslav Philharmonik, and it really doesn't sound bad at all. Maybe if IKM can get its CPU act together I may pick up the full version. It has a certain warmth and interactive quality I like... at least for the settings they offer with their orch library.

@Another User said:

---but have you heard CSR from IK Multimedia? They have a scaled down version of it with Miroslav Philharmonik, and it really doesn't sound bad at all. Maybe if IKM can get its CPU act together I may pick up the full version. It has a certain warmth and interactive quality I like... at least for the settings they offer with their orch library.

No, I know nothing about this. I may check it out today, if the kids will let me.............!

DG