Midi Controller suggestion

toreriksolem

Hi all. I am looking for advice on what midi controller to get. This is my scenario:

I use midi controllable guitar pedals that all respond to messages on different midi channels. I also use an ipad in my setup, and I am using audiobus and/or Aum, with instruments and effects that I also control through PC and CC.

Now, for further integration I have been looking at the Akai Midimix, and the Akai APC40. I have actually taken them home to try them out. I like the Midimix for the number of knobs, and I like the APC for the leds on the knobs, and the possibility to change midi channel by pressing the Track Selector button when using the rotary knobs to the right.

Problem with the Midimix is that it only gives me those 24 buttons. There is no "bank 2-8". Problem with the APC is that there is only 8 rotary knobs per channel, and only 8 channels.

Ideally, I'd want 24 buttons (and some faders) with the possibility to swap "banks" so I can have the same 24 buttons programmed for different channels. In other words, the ability to control 24+ parameters on 16 (number of midi channels) guitarpedals/apps in aum.

I have been looking at the Novation Launch Control XL mk2. Will this do the job?

How do you people get around these issues? Have you got any controllers to suggest? And maybe, as a workaround, there is a midi router app, that will work within AUM?

Thanks!

audiblevideo

If this matters to you... the build on the Novation is far nicer than the Akai controllers. Launch Control XL and a mini Launchpad is a good combo.
If you want more knobs I’d look to other controllers. Expensive: Faderfox - lots of options and lots of flexibility. Less expensive: MidiFighter Twister. A bonus the encoders on the Twister double as buttons.

uncledave

@toreriksolem As an alternative suggestion, you could use a script written in StreamByter or Mozaic, running in AudioBus or AUM, to handle MIDI mapping to the various hardware devices. Then, you could use a controller button to redefine the knobs for each component. How this works would depend on the specifics of your gear, and what MIDI commands it expects.

My setup is much more modest than yours, but I use the Behringer X-Touch Mini, with the 8 knobs mapped into 8 banks of 8 using a StreamByter script. It'd be pretty easy for that script to send each bank to different CCs on different MIDI channels. The knobs are encoders, so the script can restore prior values when switching banks, so it works smoothly.

toreriksolem

The MidiFighter Twister looks nice! But again, only 4 banks?> @audiblevideo said:

If this matters to you... the build on the Novation is far nicer than the Akai controllers. Launch Control XL and a mini Launchpad is a good combo.
If you want more knobs I’d look to other controllers. Expensive: Faderfox - lots of options and lots of flexibility. Less expensive: MidiFighter Twister. A bonus the encoders on the Twister double as buttons.

I find the buttons on the APC far FAR nicer than the ones on the Midimix. I have also found out that the LaunchControl XL has 8 programmable banks, and that is really nice. Still, it lacks the leds. I simply dont know how much of a loss that would be. Do you have any experience here?

Now, the Twister seems really nice, 16 buttons with double functionality spread over 4 banks. Sounds really good!

toreriksolem

@uncledave said:
@toreriksolem As an alternative suggestion, you could use a script written in StreamByter or Mozaic, running in AudioBus or AUM, to handle MIDI mapping to the various hardware devices. Then, you could use a controller button to redefine the knobs for each component. How this works would depend on the specifics of your gear, and what MIDI commands it expects.

My setup is much more modest than yours, but I use the Behringer X-Touch Mini, with the 8 knobs mapped into 8 banks of 8 using a StreamByter script. It'd be pretty easy for that script to send each bank to different CCs on different MIDI channels. The knobs are encoders, so the script can restore prior values when switching banks, so it works smoothly.

So, if I chose to buy the APC I have at home now, I could midi map this out to different CCs and Channels with the StreamByter inside AUM. That is really interesting!

sigma79

Midimix if just 8 channels. Eventide apps mapped to ribbons. Buttons to launch unknown effects ( tweak on screen )

Theres never going to be enough knobs.

Apc40. Same as midimix depending if everything is mappable by midi channel and incorperate maybe loopers.

sigma79

Although iv not setup but will be good. If live. Id probably launch effects apps via button and some traditional or well known to memory. Possibly eventide ribbon style via knob. It just makes sense to get the most out of midi control in live situation. Might not even use many effects though.

rivermonster

@uncledave said:
@toreriksolem As an alternative suggestion, you could use a script written in StreamByter or Mozaic, running in AudioBus or AUM, to handle MIDI mapping to the various hardware devices. Then, you could use a controller button to redefine the knobs for each component. How this works would depend on the specifics of your gear, and what MIDI commands it expects.

My setup is much more modest than yours, but I use the Behringer X-Touch Mini, with the 8 knobs mapped into 8 banks of 8 using a StreamByter script. It'd be pretty easy for that script to send each bank to different CCs on different MIDI channels. The knobs are encoders, so the script can restore prior values when switching banks, so it works smoothly.

@toreriksolem I know somebody who needs to make a hot new tutorial or set of tutorials on YouTube!

toreriksolem

@rivermonster said:
@toreriksolem I know somebody who needs to make a hot new tutorial or set of tutorials on YouTube!

Was that message meant for me or for @uncledave ?