Message 6/8
Date: 17-Dec-03 @ 01:17 PM Edit: 17-Dec-03 | 01:19 PM -
RE: ooer... got me knobs at last :)
Its fairly well known I'm a fan of the Kenton stuff... the only thing about using it for mixing duties as well is you may find it a great idea in theory but without motors it simply doesn't work as well.. having to reset the controls each time is a pain - though for sweeping filters/eqs I guess it isn't so bad!
As for RAT, I've been banging on to you to try it out for some time (even offered to loan you my Freaks if you were interested mate) - seeing as I never heard back from you I guess you weren't interested.. then I stumble up on this here post and well... I suppose my offer wasn't good enough eh?
On a serious note, the main things I find are worth looking for on control surfaces for VSTIs are:
1) Programmability/ease of programability (sounds like you've got that one down Milan!)
2) Profile memories.. the main thing that makes surfaces better than just assigning midi controls on your keyboard etc... memories means you don't have to "learn" the midi assignments each time! Just switch the thing on, dial up the profile of choice and you're away!
3) Profile support; no sense in having one if profile support is limited or non existant - kenton are fairly good (I should know I did them a load of profiles not too long ago!!
), but I've heard others are notoriously bad for offering updates and the soft synth manufacturers don't always provide as much midi implimentation details as their hardware counterparts do, so its not as easy to make profile maps!
And forget some VSTIs having Midi learn.. while this is generally a
moderately good feature, it makes it awkward for those setting up profiles and spreading them because controls could be assigned to any midi CC, and the idea is to get the surface to TRANSMIT the correct CC not have the synth receive any old CC...