Looking for Ideal MIDI controller

zynthetix · Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 2:05 pm Post subject: Looking for Ideal MIDI controller

I am looking for some kind of multipurpose MIDI controller that has 8+ endless rotary knobs (is this terminology correct?), piano keys (at least 32)... Recent Eridol and M-Audio controllers fit my needs, EXCEPT the knobs are not endless. Extra faders, buttons, and a joystick would be nice, but the endless knobs are essential.

In a dream world, this controller would have knobs like the doepfer pocket dial (http://www.computersandmusic.com/xcgi/SoftCart.exe/store1/doepfer/pocketdial.html?E+mystore1), extra controllers like the new korg mikrocontrol (http://www.korg.com/gear/info.asp?a_prod_no=microkontrol&category_id=1), yet retains full size piano keys.

does such a thing exist, even from a small, pricey manufacturer? any info is appreciated.

egw · Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 2:18 pm Post subject:

The Ion has endless rotaries.
I don't know if it's suitable as a midi controller for external gear.
i.e. can you assign things to the knobs.
As we've discussed here before, there are some issues with using continuous knobs as generic controllers - how do they get initialized with the current value of the parameter?

If price is not an object, the Nord Modular G2 may be your best bet in this department. It has 8 continuous knobs (with LEDs!) and 3 octaves of full size keys. All completely assignable. Not to mention the really cool synth you get with it!

elektro80 · Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 3:08 pm Post subject:

I doubt there are a lot of such controllers.. yet. But they will come soon.. when the supply of inexpensive parts is there. "Endless" rotary encoders do have issues, but finding out which state they are in is not that difficult technically, but you would of course need some kind of visual info too.
Today "endless" controllers makes more sense when used for controlling circuitry directly which does not rely on midi control. I agree about the G2. That one seems to be perfect for you.. and not only as a controller.. Very Happy

elektro80 · Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 4:36 pm Post subject:

The new Behringer series seems to be very hot.

The BCF2000 MIDI controller (above), which also costs £196 and should be available at the same time, provides eight 100mm motorised faders, eight endless rotary controllers and 20 buttons, all freely assignable. All of the buttons features on/off status LEDs, while the rotary controllers have 15-LED ‘collars’ for instant feedback on the position of the control. The BCF2000 can connect to hardware MIDI gear via its MIDI In, Out and Thru ports, which act as an additional MIDI interface when the unit is connected to a computer via USB. Both Mac OS X and Windows XP are supported.

Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

I guess we haveposted news about these here before, but... Very Happy

play · Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 10:57 pm Post subject:

if you don't mind it taking awhile, I can build one to your exact specs for relatively cheap (cheaper than commercial).

'endless knob' = 'rotary encoder'

http://www.mcmanis.com/chuck/robotics/projects/lab-x3/quadratrak.html

egw · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2004 6:51 am Post subject:

I'd be amazed if you could build one for less than what these Behringer units are selling for.
But I think zynthetix is looking for something with a keyboard too.

mosc · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2004 7:44 am Post subject:

play · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2004 1:13 pm Post subject:

zynthetix · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2004 4:33 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Its been helpful. I'm getting one of the behringer controllers for the time being (lots of rotary encoders!), but I'll update/review a keyboard controller (or synth) also with rotary encoders as the situation develops.

play · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2004 6:18 pm Post subject:

until recently they've been mostly used for industrial applications so all the manufacturer's have been making hi-grade ones that can withstand extreme temperatures and humidity, etc., that cost about $50 on the low end. The only company I know of that makes encoders specificaly for instrument controls is grayhill. One of those costs about $5 as compared to a potentiometer which is usually less than a dollar. You put 16 rotary encoders on a midi controller and the cost of them is double the cost of all the rest of the parts. So cost is still an issue, but they're getting cheaper.

Who knows when the big boys will pick the idea up and run with it, but plenty of DIY'ers are doing it already. It's a lot easier than using a POT because it sends a binary signal already, no A/D conversion necessary.

elektro80 · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2004 11:03 am Post subject:

These components will become much cheaper, or rather.. more consumer oriented components will be produced. I expect such components to become less expensiove than pots.

LoKi · Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 3:27 pm Post subject:

@ Play:

Bottom line: how much?

seraph · Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 3:38 pm Post subject: