What Is The Best Midi Controller with Motorized Faders?

beats me · Post by **beats me** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:27 pm

nonnus wrote:beats me:

what firmware do u run in your mcu ?

mine came with 2.1.0 but it was showing erratic behaviour
(faders moving when selecting plugins and such..)

i installed 2.1.2 (the lattest) and got that prob fixed
but then it was erraticaly showing audio signal (led and meters) on empty tracks

so i tried 2.1.1 and all seems ok,
except i swear sometimes i see some fader move a tiny bit when i touch some other control,
maybe im just getting crazy, but motor faders do have some personallity of their own

btw: at witch level do your mcu faders get at 0db in live ?
mine go almost to the 5 mark instead of the u
not that it is really important but mildly annoying

To be honest I just plugged it in and it just worked, didn't do any firmware updates. I also used it mostly with Logic which it works great for and then I used it with Live and there are some odd functions going on like the zoom section actually is being used to select clips, not that I am complaining. This just seems like a controller where Live was the last thing on their mind and in fact I don't even think they mention it in their list of DAWs to use it with. It maps the obvious controls but some are a total mystery to me, like I tried mapping all the "f" function buttons to something and Live didn't seem to recognize them. It would be great to use those to launch scenes...or, well, use for anything for that matter.

I made a post earlier about trying to find information about the sections on the controller that aren't obvious and all I really got in response was "just bush buttons and see what happens". I'm really surprised I can't really find any information out there on the more obscure and detailed functions of the controller

nonnus · Post by **nonnus** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:15 pm

beats me wrote: To be honest I just plugged it in and it just worked, didn't do any firmware updates. I also used it mostly with Logic which it works great for and then I used it with Live and there are some odd functions going on like the zoom section actually is being used to select clips, not that I am complaining. This just seems like a controller where Live was the last thing on their mind and in fact I don't even think they mention it in their list of DAWs to use it with. It maps the obvious controls but some are a total mystery to me, like I tried mapping all the "f" function buttons to something and Live didn't seem to recognize them. It would be great to use those to launch scenes...or, well, use for anything for that matter.

I made a post earlier about trying to find information about the sections on the controller that aren't obvious and all I really got in response was "just bush buttons and see what happens". I'm really surprised I can't really find any information out there on the more obscure and detailed functions of the controller

well, you are not being fair at all

i replied to your thread , in fact i am actually the last poster

http://www.ableton.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=89803

and the guy who advised to press the buttons also mentioned the live manual...

yesterday i checked it and in fact all the info regarding the mcu functionalitty in live is covered there

for the f buttons to be recognized and midi learned by live you need to check the remote button on midi settings, just selecting mackie control is not enough

subterFUSE wrote: You can adjust the level range for your MIDI controls in Ableton. So if you want unity on the controller to be 0 dB in the software, just set max as 0 dB in Ableton.

tx alot for your support and suggestion but the mcu protocol is not configurable in live (the settings do not show up on midi mappings)

Mark-K. · Post by **Mark-K.** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 9:31 pm

this is a nice one,,not cheap but you can switch between faderbanks..and its a really nice tool..you can add more modules if you like..the drivers are not the best at the moment..but they will become better and better in the next time so..

Nogi · Post by **Nogi** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 9:36 pm

nate_D wrote:gotta say i love my tascam fw 1884 again. shit is the bomb. i'm able to leave all my audio/midi devices hooked up to it so all i gotta do is turn it on and press record. it was a little tricky to set up at first but its been the bomb ever since. i paid 850$ brand new off ebay (came from japan though... really sketched me out til i got it).

+1. I have a Tascam FW-1082 that ran me $475 new. It's been a workhorse.

beats me · Post by **beats me** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:10 pm

nonnus wrote:
beats me wrote: To be honest I just plugged it in and it just worked, didn't do any firmware updates. I also used it mostly with Logic which it works great for and then I used it with Live and there are some odd functions going on like the zoom section actually is being used to select clips, not that I am complaining. This just seems like a controller where Live was the last thing on their mind and in fact I don't even think they mention it in their list of DAWs to use it with. It maps the obvious controls but some are a total mystery to me, like I tried mapping all the "f" function buttons to something and Live didn't seem to recognize them. It would be great to use those to launch scenes...or, well, use for anything for that matter.

I made a post earlier about trying to find information about the sections on the controller that aren't obvious and all I really got in response was "just bush buttons and see what happens". I'm really surprised I can't really find any information out there on the more obscure and detailed functions of the controller
well, you are not being fair at all

i replied to your thread , in fact i am actually the last poster

http://www.ableton.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=89803

and the guy who advised to press the buttons also mentioned the live manual...

yesterday i checked it and in fact all the info regarding the mcu functionalitty in live is covered there

for the f buttons to be recognized and midi learned by live you need to check the remote button on midi settings, just selecting mackie control is not enough

subterFUSE wrote: You can adjust the level range for your MIDI controls in Ableton. So if you want unity on the controller to be 0 dB in the software, just set max as 0 dB in Ableton.
tx alot for your support and suggestion but the mcu protocol is not configurable in live (the settings do not show up on midi mappings)

Oops, I didn't even know people were still responding to that thread past my last post. Ableton didn't inform me with an email.

I didn't see an overlay for Live with what I got and I still have to check the Live 7 manual. Sorry, but work has been frying my brain lately and of course there is always the struggle of should I learn the new gear or get some actual music done. Why is it when I'm at work I think of the most productive ideas and questions but when I get home I'm just lost and tired.

o0o · Post by **o0o** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:11 am

Cyberiax wrote:this is a nice one,,not cheap but you can switch between faderbanks..and its a really nice tool..you can add more modules if you like..the drivers are not the best at the moment..but they will become better and better in the next time so..

nonnus · Post by **nonnus** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:18 am

loll

no problemo
i was just a bit sad when your other thread sunk down as it seemed a nice one to gather more mcu live users so when u said u had no reply i could not resist....

i did not receive the overlay with my mcu aswell,
it sems they have / had to be ordered from mackie or printed

there used to be the old one online and i remember someone did a custom photosgoped one here on the forums, if u want them pm me

i actualy tried to put one of the original overlays on the mcu just to test the fitting and it seemed too bulky,
im thinking about printing my own on a plastic label and stick it in place

you mentioned you wanted to map firing scenes,
in session view ou use the jog wheel to select scenes and the scrub buton to fire

ah the cursor and zoom button have diferent functionality in session and arrange,
in session like u noted the cursor move around clips and zoom bt fires them
in arrange, with zoom on you can either zoom horizontally or vertically
with zoom off you select tracks (up and down)

currently my biggest complain about the mcu implementation is the apparent inabillity to set the loop markers and the faders not being at the 0 db mark when at 0 db in live (on mine they stay near the 5 db mark)

ah, and the broken meter function,
in pan mode if u press the name/value button it shows meters for each channel,
i already had 2 version of them: horizontal and vertical,
neither seemed to work perfectly ( the part of the meter that is in the same lcd area as the track name get blank even if the track name is left blank)

maybe i´m being too picky but i was not expecing such anomallies after quite some time of mcu development,

anyway, i doubt i will let mine go away soon

jasefos · Post by **jasefos** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:22 am

Loving my MCU-Pro rig (2 x Extender Pros and the MCU-Pro). Can't wait to start performing live PA sets with this setup once I've properly roadcased it.

; )

nate_D · Post by **nate_D** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 2:21 am

Nogi wrote:
nate_D wrote:gotta say i love my tascam fw 1884 again. shit is the bomb. i'm able to leave all my audio/midi devices hooked up to it so all i gotta do is turn it on and press record. it was a little tricky to set up at first but its been the bomb ever since. i paid 850$ brand new off ebay (came from japan though... really sketched me out til i got it).
+1. I have a Tascam FW-1082 that ran me $475 new. It's been a workhorse.

little brother! damn 425$ is an awesome price. i was real close to getting one of those and then i found out the price for the big one was so cheap (like 400$ less than the usual price). now i've just got a bunch more inputs/outputs i don't use...yet... i will say my biggest complaint is not having individual LED meters for each individual channel. it they had done that it would be flawless. everything else rocks.

respect

beats me · Post by **beats me** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 3:51 am

I should hold my comments/questions on the MCU until I dive into it a little deeper. I'm a little confused on how it works with the EQ and plugins. I know on Logic when I hit the EQ on the selected track it automatically added and opened an EQ on the track. With Live, nothing...but like I said I need to play with it some more and probably set up the preferences better.

Jasefos, I admire you for having the courage to bring this tank to a live show.

Anybody using or considering the C4 to go along with it?

Jesus, I just cracked open the Live 7 manual and there's 11 pages dedicated to just this controller. Thank you for bringing this to my attention (a week ago, I suck)

e.maynard · Post by **e.maynard** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 4:01 am

Mackie MCU. Original.....

Über nice.

nate_D · Post by **nate_D** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 4:40 am

not trying to jack this dudes thread but how do you make the SPDIF in/out send and receive through your mixing desk? i've got mine hooked up to a sonic maximizer w/SPDIF and i can't figure it out.

i did hook up my alesis 3630 compressor and it sort of works. a lot of phasing issues going on.

nonnus · Post by **nonnus** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:27 am

beats me wrote:I should hold my comments/questions on the MCU until I dive into it a little deeper. I'm a little confused on how it works with the EQ and plugins. I know on Logic when I hit the EQ on the selected track it automatically added and opened an EQ on the track. With Live, nothing...but like I said I need to play with it some more and probably set up the preferences better.

Jasefos, I admire you for having the courage to bring this tank to a live show.

Anybody using or considering the C4 to go along with it?

Jesus, I just cracked open the Live 7 manual and there's 11 pages dedicated to just this controller. Thank you for bringing this to my attention (a week ago, I suck)

lololll

(about the manual part,
i was surprised too and i had read it bfr,
way bfr it was really usefull

about the eq and plugins,
remember live dont have a dedicated eq section like some daws do
so in live u always use the plug in button and select the eq plug u have in the effects chain if u want to mess with eq
in live the eq and instrument buttons are assigned to page up and down on the plug in parameters

watch out about the c4 !!!!!
i think it it is not supported by live !!!

someone else can confirm this ?

beats me · Post by **beats me** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 3:01 pm

That blows if the C4 isn't supported. To me it would be the ideal controller for not looking at the screen.

Here's the way it would work in my head, which it probably wouldn't do even if it's supported.

1 row you use the encoder to scroll up and down through clips and the LED displays the clip name (I think it only displays track name, so fail there). Pushing the encoder would launch the clip

1 row would be used for volume and pushing the encoder would solo the track (or possibly mute)

The rest of the rows could be used for effect sends and maybe pushing the encoders would activate kill switches on the EQs.

That would be the ultimate shit right there I tell ya.