Ableton Forum

Scanning through a couple threads, it seems that some people have had trouble running these two controllers together. So, if you had to pick one over the other, assuming you had no other controller, which would you go for and why? Money is not a consideration, since they're both so cheap.

I'd be using them primarily for studio work.

i would go for BCF, has slightly more controls as far as I can see

Enter Syncro!

Hd

I'd go for the Nocturn, for the smaller form factor. It'd be easier to integrate into an existing setup for me.

I'd go for the Nocturn, for the smaller form factor. It'd be easier to integrate into an existing setup for me.

I'm inclined to go for smaller, too, but considering this would my only controller . . . ?

I have a nocturn a i think i would like to change it for something else. It's way too easy to press the learn button without you realising and change a parameter when your wasted, thus sending you into a panic.

faderfoxes look very appealing now.

go for the nocturn or the korg nano series

the behringer one daft punk use

I have both (and a BCR), it works only if I don't use the Midi maps on the Nocturn so at the moment it's stritcly a VST editor for me. Automap 3 is now in beta so I hope they will sort that glitch out. I will hassle them again.

If you can only afford one, I say get the BCF, there is a reason that most mixing desks have faders; it is the best way to set levels and when you do a mix levels are THE most important thing. Also the BCF has the top 8 rotary encoders, which goes very well with Live's macro's.

The Mackie mode works well, like selecting a track on the BCF will highlight it, pressing the select knob again will unfold the track in arrange so you can see the contents.

Get the BCf if you want to have that "mixing desk" feeling.
If you get it print out my stickers so you know where you are.

Get the Nocturn if you want to tweak lots of things, you can have 16 Midi mappings that can each send 127 controllers and note messages too and as many control maps as you have VST plug-ins. The GUI thingy is cool you can always see what knob does what. It takes a couple of days to "get" the concept but it's very well thought out. I never press buttons by acident but my days of getting wasted are over. I did a DJ set with the Nocturn and the Laptop: Really nice! Everything you need fits in a small backpack.

Have fun deciding

depends on whether your djing and need a crossfader I suppose

Hi,

I've recently got the Nocturn.

I have to say it's a fantastic bit of kit and has transformed the way I work.

It depends on how you want to use it. I have the original Faderfoxes and find that even with the value scaling it can be a pain with not knowing
where the settings are on the software as opposed to the hardware. The newer ones has a get around for this but still not brilliant.

I had intended to try and set everything up on the Nocturn and so far so good - although I am having a few issues with Live.

However -

With the limited amount of knobs and buttons there is a lot of leaping around with the effects/instruments/mixer etc.
(I think if Novation expand on the principle and make a bigger unit similar to the BCR or BCF it would be fabulous for Live).

It's is not too bad if you are using it with Ableton for recording, but if you are playing or DJing out live this will be very tricky.
I'm already finding so just practicing at home and I'm not sure I would want to try it in a club.

I'm definitely going to use it for effects and maybe just an additional control for the faders but will also use my faderfoxes for definite.

I was thinking of getting the BCR and hadn't realised there was a problem, so thanks for the heads up

I've got a BCF and it's a great unit for the cost. Flying faders , endless encoders and buttons.. It's pretty big to be karting around.. So if it's mainly to be used in the studio I'd say out of the two the BCF would be better..
I also had a Nocturn, and thought it was a pretty good controller... But I done a deal where I traded it with something else for a Remote Zero SL.. I don't know if you've considered one... They (the SL's) have all you need and more, with the advantage of having the lcd screen on the unit itself and Novations Automap Universal .. It's not the perfect controller.. But imo it's pretty close.....

Hd

Anybody who wants to try the new Automap 3 beta:

http://mail.focusrite.com/beta/index.ph ... ase&id=101

You have to wrap your plug-ins again, but they'll remember the maps you assigned them. I hope this solves the BSODs already installed the software (seems to work) will try the dreaded MIDI client tomorrow.



Automap 3.0b2 - 13 December 2009 - Beta Release
Automap 3.0 Standard
New Features

• New browser start-up view with shortcuts including specific DAW client set-up guides
• Revised Plug-in Manager application
• Uniform Installer now integrates software and hardware installation for all Automap products
• New Automap HUI Client replaces hardware HUI templates with support for Logic and Pro Tools
• Added keyboard shortcuts (Windows)
• Improved Midi Client can now Send/Receive note data and independent client naming
• Automatic software updater

Release Notes

• Provided support for Sonar x64 editions
• Fixed instantiation issues with Waves plug-ins (VST)
• Improved control issues with Waves plug-ins (TDM/RTAS)
• Fixed some graphics issues with UAD plug-ins (VST Mac)
• Import/Export mappings feature removed - to use old exported .mappings file, rename to .zip and import manually
• Application "Automap Universal" now referenced as "Automap" (NB Windows Users may wish to uninstall previous versions of "Automap Universal")

Known Issues

• Some links on the start-up page are yet to be implemented
• Some issues with learn modes on UAD plug-ins (Mac)

Firmware Details

The following operating systems are installed with this Automap Installer:

ReMOTE SL Series - 4.1.11
• Fixed issue with the X/Y pad causing crashes
• Fixed issue preventing note off messages when keyboard zones enabled

ReMOTE SL Zero - 4.1.11
• No change

ReMOTE SL Compact - 4.1.10
• No change

Automap 3.0 Pro

As of version 3.0, Automap will now be available in two formats - "Automap 3.0 Standard" and "Automap 3.0 Pro." Automap 3.0 Pro includes the following additional features:

New Features

• Multiple Device support - control with multiple devices using Automap
• Auto-View - Auto-display Automap HUD (heads up display) during control only
• Drag and Drop mapping controls and client positions within the Automap HUD
• Support for X/Y Pad, Drum Pads, Sustain/Expression pedal within Automap (ReMOTE SL only)

Thanks for all the replies - my chief goal is to use the mouse less. I mix ITB (obviously) and I don't use outboard effects, so plug-ins are a big factor.

Which would you recommend in light of that? (My hunch is it's the BCF.)