The Cheapest possible controller...

[markmakingmusic]

Just giving people a heads up: If you have an iPod or iPhone and you are looking for a quality controller for Ableton, check out TouchOSC in the AppStore. It costs 5 bucks and in conjunction with an additional (free) program, you can customize it to work perfectly with Ableton. It is like having a mini JazzMutant Lemur and its wireless. I actually ended up returning my LaunchPad last week because I was able to do everything I needed to do with this program. I mean, sure the Launchpad is great for triggering clips, but everything else on it is completely useless in my opinion.

I'm so psyched about finding out about this program that I thought I would give people on this forum a heads up about it. Cool stuff!

[meteorcat]

You mentioned that there is an additional program required... which one would that be?

[markmakingmusic]

Well, depending on which type of OS you're using, there are different possibilities. I am using a Mac and the program is called OSCulator. This can be used as a demo for as long as you want, but I think the developer is asking for some type of donation to get the full license. If you're on a PC, I think there is a free option.

Not sure exactly what is happening technically, but here is the rundown:

Basically TouchOSC (the iphone app) sends some kind of data (OSC data???) over a wifi network to your computer. If you don't have a wifi internet connection, it doesn't matter...you can just set up a local network on your computer and join the network from the iphone/ipod. So the data being sent from the TouchOSC program isn't MIDI data yet. OSCulator translates the raw data into MIDI data and then can send any MIDI data to Ableton (or any audio program for that matter). There are good templates that come with the program or you can download/build your own in addition. I found a good at http://www.juanlittledevil.com

Check it out!

[meteorcat]

Sounds like it could be really neat. thanks!

[meteorcat]

So, it seems like everything is working as it should, but Live won't respond to any of my attempted signals. how to you get live to recognize what's happening?

[markmakingmusic]

Ah yes, I was having the same problem and banged my head against the wall for a bit before I figured it all out...

http://www.osculator.net/faq/
http://www.hexler.net

First, make sure that the phone/ipod and your computer are on the same network

Then make sure OSCulator and TouchOSC are open. When you touch a control on the ipod you should see a green light flash in OSCulator...this shows you that OSCulator is in fact receiving the message.

Last, open LIVE. Go into the MIDI prefs and enable the TRACK and REMOTE switches for whatever network you're on. This should work. If this doesn't help, the OSCulator website or hexler.net should provide you with a step by step guide. Hope this helps!

[meteorcat]

I got her figured now! thanks a bunch!

[jsterne]

JaaDU VNC also is pretty nice in a different way. Not a transport but a "lay your hands on Live" sort of thing. Will work better with the iPad, I imagine. But I've found some nice uses for it. The only thing I don't like is the drag function is a little wonky.

[markmakingmusic]

JaaDU VNC also is pretty nice in a different way. Not a transport but a "lay your hands on Live" sort of thing. Will work better with the iPad, I imagine. But I've found some nice uses for it. The only thing I don't like is the drag function is a little wonky.

Cool, I'll check it out!

[outershpongolia]

I thought OSCulator was $20? (os x)

either way it was only $25 all together and you can make your own interface so I'm totally into it.

[re.mark]

Its not really the 'cheapest possible controller' really is it? considering it required owning (ergo purchase) of an ipod touch or iphone.

[doghouse]

The cheapest possible controller is one that you already own.

[jsterne]

Indeed. I've mapped lots of functions straight to the keyboard for dub-style muting and unmuting of sends and launching of clips. In fact, one could imagine purchasing a cheap computer keyboard and just creating a custom template for it. Launchpad and APC 40 pads aren't touch-sensitive anyway. . . .