Cakewalk: Make a Control Unit!!!

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like Emagic Logic Control...are the pro tools tdm jammy(just not as expensive :D )....are their any rumors?? We need to bombard cakewalk...cuz tell me u wouldn't snatch one up quickly...if it was priced like the emagic logic control around $1000...i know i would...i'm just sick and tired of changing FX parameter and softsynths with a mouse :D
 
You know one of the best things about sonar 2 is its ability to "learn" to use other controller surfaces. I have an evolution MK249c controller keyboard that includes 12 knobs, a slide and 2 wheels. You can assign all of these to various functions, even the keys themselves if you like. I have the knobs controlling levels and pan for tracks. You can assign them to soft synths as well. Very cool.

The great thing is you don't have to spend $1000 to do this. I don't think controller sliders or jog wheels are all that important to me. If you use a controller with knobs, like the evolution, or the midiman oxygen 8 or others it could take care of it all. Then if you wanted you could get something like the x-keys product that has assignable buttons. Between the knobs and buttons, you wouldn't have to use the mouse much at all.

I've only begun working with the evolution and haven't gotten the x-keys yet, but it seems like a much smarter, economic, compact and useful solution over a controller surface.
 
see i'm not looking for compact...i'm looking for studio look and feel...i know about those 3rd party controllers they don't impress me...the emagic control unit looks like a digital mixer thats what i want...
 
Jeezus, Adam, I am in the market for a new Evolution 361C and I hadn't realised that Sonar can learn and interact with the control knobs. Makes it a good combination then?

Thanks for the information.
 
Yes it is great. Once I realized what some of the terms in Sonar really meant (e.g. "Channel Strip Numbers") it works fine. Actually, if you go to their tech tips page at www.cakewalk.com they have a tip on generic control surfaces and it uses the MK249C at the example.

I know I haven't even scratched the surface (pun not intended!) on this. I work on a laptop and have lately had some pain in my wrists from working on it and using a mouse for a day job, and then coming home and recording. I am looking to really minimize mouse use and this is a long way towards that.

You have a controller and a midi keyboard for soft synths. Very cool! Good luck!

Just went to the evolution site the UC-16 is really cool too. Small unit with just knobs 16 of them. Now it is getting interesting.
 
I've got my Roland VS-880 controlling the faders, pans and master in Sonar. I really only use this setup for fader automation in Sonar as it's easier than using a mouse and I can control more than one track at a time.
The info is passed via midi cables. I would think a cheap digital mixer like the Tascam TMD-1000 might do what the Roland does for me. In fact a used 880 can probably be had for $500 and with SMPTE you can sync the 880 with the PC and get more tracks.
While I would like to see an all-purpose device for input and mixdown (a Delta Omnistudio with like 16 inputs and knobs & faders) to interface with a PC running Sonar seamlessly, there are ways to do some things now.
 
I also have the vs880 setup thanks to Chucku (my hero) and as he said its a great setup.
I use it as a midi module mixer with 8 inputs and to control 8 sonar tracks makeing it a 16 track mixer!Zowweee!
Add to that the effects which imho are superior to sonars and the digital out and I'd have to say a used 880 might be a better value than some of these dedicated units.
Add to that syncing for extra tracks...COWABUNGA!!!

Chucku if you're out there you mentioned mtc for sync and now smpte,how do you do either I'm getting that tweaking fool urge coming on!:D
 
Acidrock,
If you want to track in Sonar and the 880 at the same time or play/record midi on the pc in sync with tracks on the 880, the settings are for SMPTE/MTC (midi time code). If you need those, let me know.
When using the 880 as a control surface you use the settings I gave you, which include reference to MMC (midi machine code). I don't really know the difference between the two, but it makes sense as you are really sending different info across the midi cables.
I'm honored to be your hero (please don't sing "Wind Beneath My Wings").
 
Chucku,
could I...pant...pant...pant...have the....pant....pant....settings please?
I would....pant...pant....really appreciate....pant...pant...them.
AHWOOOOOOOO!!!!
Must control...pant...pant....urge to ....pant ...pant....tweak!!!
AHWOOOOO!!!!

NOTE TO DOCTOR:INCREASE MEDICATION DOSAGE

I am getting better......really!!:D
 
Acid-dude,
I mean this in the nicest possible way...the 880 settings for this are in the manual on sync'ing to a sequencer. i recommend the 880 as master. I will catch up to you in a private message, but I have to go thru my stuff for this one.

Sorry. I'm kind of pissy watching the Red Sox blow an 8-2 lead to the Yankees and the game's still on...We need Shawn Green;)
 
OT...whoops

Looks like they just made up for blowing that lead. 9-8 Boston in the 11th.
 
acidrock said:
No prob
Pissy?Try being a Brewers fan!
Click to expand...
Thus the Shawn Green reference - 4 homers against your team the other day - I was sympathizing a bit. Sorry about the salt.:D
 
Teacher, is this closer to what you need?

SONAR 2.0 ADDS SUPPORT FOR SAC-2K, FREE DOWNLOAD
Radikal Technologies' SAC-2K is one of the most powerful hardware control surfaces available on the market today. With the free SAC-2K Control Surface plug-in you can integrate the SAC-2K with SONAR 2.0 for an unparalleled level of control over your digital studio.

With the SAC-2k, you can control virtually any SONAR 2.0 parameter imaginable, including: all EQ parameters of a track, changes to most MIDI setting of a track, the display of all audio related parameters, and the editing of automatable effects and DXi soft synth plug-ins.

Registered SONAR 2.0 customers can download the SAC-2K plug-in module for free. Click here to get the download and more info.

You can go to http://www.radikaltechnologies.com/English/Products/SAC-2K/sac-2k.html
for more info

It looks like it is about $1500, not cheap but looks professional
 
Umm...let me see the controler costs about $1500 but the download is "free"?
Does this download do anything without the controler?
 
no, it is just a plug-in to work with the console. it probably also sets up some templates.

I am not in the market for a console of this price at this point, but teacher was interested in something professional looking and feeling.
 
My only complaint with cakewalk is things like this"free" download.I'm sure if you buy the controler you would get the software anyways.
Thats like when you get a free cup with the purchase of a beverage.
Other sucky cakewalk items
musicians toolbox
live synth pro
 
the download is in fact a big help...

These control surface downloads save you the trouble of having to set up every controller to a "learned" parameter in SONAR. It would definitely save a great deal of time.
 
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