Can anyone recommend a good cost effective DAW controller for Cubase SX?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16823109132

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quote:

Originally posted by mysticalninja http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16823109132

+1

I know MIDI controllers look really cool and everything, but you won't ever use it. KB/Mouse is just so much better. Probably the only time you will ACTUALLY use knobs etc. in your musical life is when youre using a console and have no choice haha. Reset all Cubases macros/kb shortcuts and remap them how you want. I actually bought some labels for my keyboard so I know where everything is, I suggest you do the same.

That said, if you really have your heart set on one, Behringer BCF-2000 is best. Run it in Mackie emulation and you pretty much have something worth 3x as much.

quote:

Originally posted by echosystm +1 I know MIDI controllers look really cool and everything, but you won't ever use it. KB/Mouse is just so much better. Probably the only time you will ACTUALLY use knobs etc. in your musical life is when youre using a console and have no choice haha. Reset all Cubases macros/kb shortcuts and remap them how you want. I actually bought some labels for my keyboard so I know where everything is, I suggest you do the same. That said, if you really have your heart set on one, Behringer BCF-2000 is best. Run it in Mackie emulation and you pretty much have something worth 3x as much.

Yeah the behringers are amazingly good value... I really disagree with you on the matter of keyboard and mouse being good mixing tools tho. I think controllers are great because you can't ride the faders on a keyboard and mouse. you just can't get the control because you can't control more than one chanel at a time I wish I had room for a controller
Hope your having a nice public holiday ecosystem

quote:

Originally posted by echosystm I know MIDI controllers look really cool and everything, but you won't ever use it. KB/Mouse is just so much better.

I'm a little confused, are you talking about a regular computer keyboard or a simple USB piano keyboard (is that a MIDI controller?)?

The reason I ask is because I'm looking into getting a MIDI controller, specifically the M-Audio Axiom 49. I know that you don't necessarily need all the knobs and sliders on a MIDI controller, but I feel it would give you better control than just a mouse. In addition, you can modify the buttons to control practically anything. I'm guessing that the bare minimum would be a computer keyboard and mouse, but it's so much easier to record with a piano-style keyboard.

Yeah, I was just talking about control surfaces, not MIDI keyboards sorry! A MIDI keyboard is a must have. But really, don't waste money on the ones with knobs all over the place, keys that feel nice are the most important thing - semi-weighted or hammer action is what you want. The problem is that you have to setup assignments etc. for all your stuff right... But who can be bothered doing that when pointing and clicking takes 2 seconds? This is why the Behringer and Novation controllers are great; with HUI emulation and automap it's all sorted out for you already.

On another note, I always knew Behringer BCF-2000s were awesome because of their Mackie mode... but seriously... I had no idea just how awesome.

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay...506343548938321

I'm actually gonna go buy Cubase 4 tomorrow morning just so I can do that. lol. Looks like my Reaper stint didn't last too long eh?

quote:

Originally posted by echosystm The problem is that you have to setup assignments etc. for all your stuff right... But who can be bothered doing that when pointing and clicking takes 2 seconds? This is why the Behringer and Novation controllers are great; with HUI emulation and automap it's all sorted out for you already.

I might be wrong, but I thought you could save presets for your controller - so intially setting it up might take like 20 mins, but you're good to go after that.

Also, I've heard of automap problems with Ableton, but as I don't actually have an automap controller, maybe you could shed some light on it?


Onto the Behringer BCF-2000...

So basically are you suggesting using a midi keyboard in combo with this? and if so, why wouldn't I just want to get the Axiom 49, where I have programmable sliders, knobs (like the Behringer BCF-2000, only not as many), and drum pads WITH the keyboard right there?


I'm just trying to not make a mistake since I'm just starting to get my feet wet...

Ok, well, you're right in that once you set the preset youre fine, but every time you switch programs/plugins you want to control you need to change the preset too (a few button presses). Here's thie clincher though - on the Axiom, the controllers arent motorised, so when you open up your project (or do some automation) the faders will be in the wrong place, hence when you DO use the faders they'll jump all over the place and you'll have to reset them to where you want. Those two things really make me "cbf" with traditional midi controllers.

If youre using cubase, logic, or sonar, definately get the BCF-2000. You wouldnt really use it for controlling VSTs, but it will control just about everything in your sequencer REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY well. For every other daw, the BCF just works as a standard controller with motorised faders, which isn't THAT great. I would be more inclined to go with the Novation Remote Zero if I wasn't using cubase etc.

It's up to you really, I guess you gotta find out for yourself. I never bothered to use the controllers on my keyboard once. :P