Midi / Hardware Controller
- Madhias
- BS TORPE
- Location: Wien, Austria
- Main keyboard: HHKB
- Main mouse: Wacom tablet
- Favorite switch: Topre and Buckelings
- DT Pro Member: 0064
- Contact:
I recently read about hardware midi controllers for software usage other than sound applications, and also checked then some alternatives and what is out there. Maybe someone here already have some experience with using a midi controller! I am somewhat interested, mainly for desktop publishing applications, Lightroom, etc.
There is a new kid in town, matching a hipsters need for a stylish controller on the desktop, called Palette Gear (http://palettegear.com/). Actually I quite like it, since the controllers are rather small compared to classic midi controller with faders, and two or three pieces would fit nicely beside a keyboard on the left side.
Classic midi controllers like the Korg nanoKONTROL are much cheaper though. But the faders are small and have a short travel, so maybe not that adjustable. But $50 compared to $200 is a difference!
Alternatives from the software side are (posted from user Prokrastes at the Heise.de forum):
https://sites.google.com/site/dorfl68/ (Windows)
http://www.knobroom.com/ (OS X)
http://www.pusherlabs.com/ (OS X)
http://thegouger.github.io/MIDI2LR/ (OS X und Windows, Open Source)
Questions for me would be:
- more alternatives?
- build a fader in a classic do-it-yourself style?
- useless gimmick?
- DT user field reports?
The usage I could imagine for a fader or dial wheel are making a brush smaller or bigger, and in general changing brush options. Maybe undo/redo would be also interesting (I already have undo/redo on my Wacom tablet on the buttons). Maybe interesting for a dial wheel would be switching between desktop applications (ALT/CMD + TAB).
There is a new kid in town, matching a hipsters need for a stylish controller on the desktop, called Palette Gear (http://palettegear.com/). Actually I quite like it, since the controllers are rather small compared to classic midi controller with faders, and two or three pieces would fit nicely beside a keyboard on the left side.
Classic midi controllers like the Korg nanoKONTROL are much cheaper though. But the faders are small and have a short travel, so maybe not that adjustable. But $50 compared to $200 is a difference!
Alternatives from the software side are (posted from user Prokrastes at the Heise.de forum):
https://sites.google.com/site/dorfl68/ (Windows)
http://www.knobroom.com/ (OS X)
http://www.pusherlabs.com/ (OS X)
http://thegouger.github.io/MIDI2LR/ (OS X und Windows, Open Source)
Questions for me would be:
- more alternatives?
- build a fader in a classic do-it-yourself style?
- useless gimmick?
- DT user field reports?
The usage I could imagine for a fader or dial wheel are making a brush smaller or bigger, and in general changing brush options. Maybe undo/redo would be also interesting (I already have undo/redo on my Wacom tablet on the buttons). Maybe interesting for a dial wheel would be switching between desktop applications (ALT/CMD + TAB).
-
- Main keyboard: Razer BlackWidow TE
- Main mouse: Roccat Lua
- Favorite switch: Blue
- DT Pro Member: -
The Korg looks like it would sit well infront or behind your keyboard. But like you said the uses for it would be limited. The only controllers I could suggest would be useless to you, and rather expensive. The DIY option may be best for what you want to do.
- Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: µ
That Palette Gear modular stuff looks real sharp!
We should definitely include MIDI gear within our remit of "input devices extraordinaire". In fact, I'd like piano keyboard reviews too! Not that I'll ever have the dough for one of those sweet red Nords I linger over in the music shop…
We should definitely include MIDI gear within our remit of "input devices extraordinaire". In fact, I'd like piano keyboard reviews too! Not that I'll ever have the dough for one of those sweet red Nords I linger over in the music shop…
-
- Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Main keyboard: W: 65% ErgoClear; H: Unsaver; M: HasuBT HHKB
- Main mouse: MX518 / DT225
- Favorite switch: Analog Topre? :)
- DT Pro Member: -
Yep - the Palette stuff does look beautiful - but but doesn't it seem like something that could be easily done on the cheap? Arduino + rotary encoder + enclosure...
- Madhias
- BS TORPE
- Location: Wien, Austria
- Main keyboard: HHKB
- Main mouse: Wacom tablet
- Favorite switch: Topre and Buckelings
- DT Pro Member: 0064
- Contact:
A controller like the Palette stuff can be done of course, there are lots of similar self made controllers out there, like that: http://echolevel.tumblr.com/post/497379 ... -echolevel
The Palette Gear fader is $49, I do think that price is somewhat OK, considering it is well built. But just for the interest I want to build a fader or dial wheel connected to a teensy, and already ordered some parts. Unfortunately the local electronics shop had almost no parts in stock - as always. I did not know that there are ALPS faders available: http://www.produktinfo.conrad.com/daten ... 10KBX2.pdf
The Palette Gear fader is $49, I do think that price is somewhat OK, considering it is well built. But just for the interest I want to build a fader or dial wheel connected to a teensy, and already ordered some parts. Unfortunately the local electronics shop had almost no parts in stock - as always. I did not know that there are ALPS faders available: http://www.produktinfo.conrad.com/daten ... 10KBX2.pdf
Spoiler:
- Madhias
- BS TORPE
- Location: Wien, Austria
- Main keyboard: HHKB
- Main mouse: Wacom tablet
- Favorite switch: Topre and Buckelings
- DT Pro Member: 0064
- Contact:
Hm, faders if not motorized are not really an option, for what I have in mind to use a MIDI controller. I read a little bit about Teensys & motor faders & programming, and decided then to go with rotary encoders, and also a dead simple controller, from the company Livid Instruments called Brain Jr. http://lividinstruments.com/products/builder/
I think I could also add some Cherry switches (although there's not much space on this controller, but two Cherry MX lock switches would be nice - if possible to get somewhere...).
I think I could also add some Cherry switches (although there's not much space on this controller, but two Cherry MX lock switches would be nice - if possible to get somewhere...).
- chzel
- Location: Athens, Greece
- Main keyboard: Phantom
- Main mouse: Mionix Avior 7000
- Favorite switch: Beamspring, BS, Vintage Blacks.
- DT Pro Member: 0086
The Behringer BCF2000 is a popular choice for Lightroom, 8 motorized faders + 8 encoders + ~20 buttons.
I was considering one at some point but it fell off the priorities list!
I was considering one at some point but it fell off the priorities list!
- Madhias
- BS TORPE
- Location: Wien, Austria
- Main keyboard: HHKB
- Main mouse: Wacom tablet
- Favorite switch: Topre and Buckelings
- DT Pro Member: 0064
- Contact:
The BCF2000 is perfect for a LR workflow, I saw some editing videos of people showing how they work with it, fast and intuitively editing. An additional device to the keyboard and mouse is a little bit different to the classic mixer, regarding size, and also then only a little helper, just a few knobs, and that's it. Like this one, which is a nice project:
This one's with made with a Teensy and a custom PCB: http://stu-fisher.org/develop/eight_kit/
This one's with made with a Teensy and a custom PCB: http://stu-fisher.org/develop/eight_kit/
- sealtian
- Location: UK
- Main keyboard: Choc mini, G80-3850
- Favorite switch: cherry red
- DT Pro Member: -
I picked up an M-Audio X-Session Pro USB MIDI DJ Mixer Controller from eBay a few years ago and successfully used it from Java. 12 dials and 5 sliders for cheap if you are OK doing some programming.
As it happens, there is one on ebay UK at the moment:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M-Audio-X-Ses ... 2ca93cf45f
[5th slider is left-to-right and can be seen in second photo on that listing]
As it happens, there is one on ebay UK at the moment:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M-Audio-X-Ses ... 2ca93cf45f
[5th slider is left-to-right and can be seen in second photo on that listing]
- Madhias
- BS TORPE
- Location: Wien, Austria
- Main keyboard: HHKB
- Main mouse: Wacom tablet
- Favorite switch: Topre and Buckelings
- DT Pro Member: 0064
- Contact:
A few weeks ago I got the Palette starter kit, and today I just attached the devices and played a little bit with its software. The software is actually very nice and straight forward, and if you use one of the supported applications the controllers are easy to configure. I will make a short review if someone is interested, in the next days or weeks.
I have several MIDI DIY solutions at home, ready to use PCBs, unfinished PCBs, but unfortunately I had no time to tinker! One of these was or is in the world wide surprise box
I have several MIDI DIY solutions at home, ready to use PCBs, unfinished PCBs, but unfortunately I had no time to tinker! One of these was or is in the world wide surprise box
Funny that you replied today, and I replied to this thread also today! I saw your reply now when reviewing my typos.sealtian wrote: ↑I picked up an M-Audio X-Session Pro USB MIDI DJ Mixer Controller from eBay a few years ago and successfully used it from Java. 12 dials and 5 sliders for cheap if you are OK doing some programming.
As it happens, there is one on ebay UK at the moment:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M-Audio-X-Ses ... 2ca93cf45f
[5th slider is left-to-right and can be seen in second photo on that listing]
-
- Location: USA
- DT Pro Member: -
I would love to hear more about your programming solution. I have been looking for some direction for a DIY solution to a physical controller for photoshop, premiere pro, etc. Mainly for constructing my own MIDI controller with an arduino microcontroller. Any help or push in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.sealtian wrote: ↑I picked up an M-Audio X-Session Pro USB MIDI DJ Mixer Controller from eBay a few years ago and successfully used it from Java. 12 dials and 5 sliders for cheap if you are OK doing some programming.
As it happens, there is one on ebay UK at the moment:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M-Audio-X-Ses ... 2ca93cf45f
[5th slider is left-to-right and can be seen in second photo on that listing]
Side note- I don't have $200 to spend on palette gear, otherwise I wouldn't need a solution.
- paecific.jr
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: IBM Model F 122
- Main mouse: Logitech Performance MX
- Favorite switch: Capacitive Buckling Springs
- DT Pro Member: -
I would like one maybe for some gaming stuff. Not sure what, but I think stuff like this is like a 3d printer. You don't know what you will do with it until you buy one.