Topic: Starting work on control surface support

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 29 total)
  • #1322
    Zynewave
    Keymaster

    I’ve been looking for a control surface of some kind for a long time now. I was considering the Behringer BCF-2000, but I finally bought a Mackie Control Universal. The Mackie control protocol has become an industry standard, and e.g. the BCF-2000 supports Mackie emulation.

    It arrived two days ago, and is just sitting there capable of doing nothing until I implement support for it in Podium πŸ˜‰

    So I’m going to spend more time working on this the coming weeks. My apologies to those who are waiting for other major features. Control surface support is a major feature that have been requested many times over the years. It is a big requirement if Podium is going to be attractive to professionals and studios.

    Anyone here that have an MCU or another brand of control surface that can emulate it?

    #10141
    darcyb62
    Participant

    This is great news and I think is the piece that takes Podium to the next level.

    #10142
    Conquistador
    Participant

    @Zynewave wrote:

    Anyone here that have an MCU or another brand of control surface that can emulate it?

    Sorry wish I could help, don’t have anything like that. I don’t really use control surfaces.

    I think if you are really going to add control surface support in Podium then doing so with a MCU is certainly a very good start.

    While not on my wish list at all for Podium for my personal use (but is something to have to draw in more users) I think if the developer has an interest in a particluar feature surely he can add what he wants! 8)

    Just have it all done in 48 hrs max πŸ˜†

    As with other features in Podium I’m sure it will work out very well. πŸ˜‰

    #10143
    swindus
    Participant

    @Zynewave wrote:

    Anyone here that have an MCU or another brand of control surface that can emulate it?

    I own a BCF2000 and can test if you like.

    #10145
    rinxai
    Participant

    Good News!

    I recently finished building a variation of the open source MIDIbox 64 (ucapps.de), which is a DIY box with a bunch of knobs and buttons, an have a keyboard with more knobs and sliders, (CME-UF5) all of which can still be very useful when mappable to Podium’s knobs n sliders, even without mackie control. I was considering building the MIDIbox LC (LogicControl) which also provides full mackie emulation, but the BCF2000 seems much better value as motorfaders are expensive in small quantities.

    #10147
    NeoDavinci
    Participant

    What was the cost like for that?

    #10154
    Pigini
    Participant

    As you know already, I have a BCF2000. Will test the new features with it soon and with my mmc capable Atari sequencer. I’m glad you’re into remote control now, since it really gets Podium on par with the pro stuff. Podium felt solid and pro before, but remote control was the most important thing missing.
    Will we see support for song position pointer and a tempo controlled metronome too?

    #10157
    Zynewave
    Keymaster

    Will we see support for song position pointer and a tempo controlled metronome too?

    For this, Podium must support slave sync. As we have discussed in another thread, other features need to be implemented before this is possible.

    #10159
    Pigini
    Participant

    For this, Podium must support slave sync. As we have discussed in another thread, other features need to be implemented before this is possible.

    Yes, I’m aware of that. Only wanted to know if it was still on the list for future enhancements. Didn’t expect it to be next in line. Just wanted to keep the posting short, sorry if it was not clear enough.

    #10174
    rinxai
    Participant

    NeoDavinci, if your question directed about MIDIbox: I built a MB64 variation with 40 knobs and 24 buttons for about $130 (includes case, LCD, knobs, PCBs, etc). Motorfaders for MB LC are about 22Euro each so 176euro for 8 faders. A complete BCF2000 can be had for close to that. Some of the MIDIbox folk with BCF2000 have added ‘missing’ features such the LCD screen using only the core part of the MBLC project. Building a MIDIbox project is rarely about saving money, it is imo mostly about the thrill of making and finishing a functional thing and finally putting it to use. It as actually cheaper to buy rather than DIY for general controllers and such, however there are particular solutions to individual hardwire needs best found in diy. πŸ˜‰

    #10177
    NeoDavinci
    Participant

    The question was definitely about MIDIbox. I appreciate the thorough reply. πŸ™‚

    #10184
    Pigini
    Participant

    Just tested the new MMC functionality (with MTC sync) with my MMC capable Atari midi sequencer, it works perfectly. Even if it’s only start/stop for now, it helps greatly getting the midi from the Sequencer into Podium in Sync. Thanks again for it.

    Here is a link to a good Midi Routing freeware proggy: http://www.hermannseib.com/english/miditrix.htm
    I needed it for merging the backfeeding mtc signal with the keyboard input, but that’s surely not the only good use for a free midi matrix.

    #10307
    Zynewave
    Keymaster

    This is fun πŸ™‚

    I’ve now completed the basic part of the MCU support. Still to be developed are various assignment modes, where the MCU V-Pot channel panners are swapped to control different settings such as sends, plugins, bounce, etc.

    This screenshot shows the new channel indicators which will appear at the bottom of each strip that is controlled by a control surface fader. The fader knobs will also light up when you touch a fader on the MCU (similar to when you grab a fader with the mouse).

    I’m curious to know if this implementation will work with e.g. BCF2000 in Mackie emulation mode. Anyone interested in receiving a beta to test with?

    #10308
    swindus
    Participant

    Yes, I’m interested in testing.

    #10314
    H-man
    Participant

    Hi there Frits,

    This is my first post since becoming a VIP a few months ago and I must just first say hats-off to you for this brilliant DAW. I am still learning however I continually find the workflows well thought out and sound & performance outstanding. πŸ˜€

    Now down to business, I have Podium running on my XP (home rig), and now Vista (recently replaced laptop) as well as a BCF2000.

    If sitll relevant, I would be happy to test the BCF2000 in Mackie emulation mode on both systems.

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