MIDI Controller - Simultaneous DAW and VSTi

[psom]

Hi -

I'm new to MIDI controllers and have watched a few videos and primers regarding the basic concepts. I think I get them alright and I know that the more I use the more I'll become accustomed to MIDI. But my problem has to do with setting up an M-Audio KeyStudio 25 in Cubase 5.

1. I can use the keyboard to get sounds out of all my VSTi's, no problem there.
2. I can assign some CC messages to specific knobs and sliders for VSTi's, no problem there.
3. I can assign some CC messages to specific DAW/Mixer functions like panning and volume, no problem there.

BUT...

I'm looking BIG PICTURE here. Is there a step-by-step guide that shows me how to control the mixer and every individual VSTi simultaneously? I realize there's a curve here and I may be trying to bite off more than I can chew at once, so for all you MIDI gurus and experts, should I just take it one step at a time and learn to control the mixer and its parameters, then move to assigning CC's to VSTi's? Or is there a schema that shows me how to assign everything I need at once so I can be done with it and get on to the business of recording and mixing via controlling my mixers and instruments. Or does it all have to be done separately?

God I hope this makes sense. My questions can sometimes be complex so I apologize in advance.

best - Psom - and I always add to your rep when you reply.

Win 7 Home 64bit
Cubase 5x
M-Audio KeyStudio 25 (it's small but I dig it, so I realize it has lmtd functionality)

 

[psom]

Here's the simple version.

I am using an M-Audio KeyStudio 25. If I assign my 8 knobs for transport and mixer functions, but I also have those knobs mapped for control parameters in Pro-53, I'm getting a conflict. I'll turn the knob that controls the cutoff, but it's also assigned to the stop button on my transport. Or I'll turn the knob that controls my envelope and I'm also panning the track. I must be overlooking something very basic here. Do I need to create a MIDI track 1 for DAW/Mixer MIDI messages so that I don't unintentionally stop a recording when I'm trying to change a synth parameter?

 

[JohnMur]

MIDI messages respond on 16 channels. The reason you have a knob controlling multiple items is that they are probaly set to the same MIDI channel. There is no need to configure your controller to control everything in your DAW, just the most commonly used functions. I would use the presets on the keyboard to address different sections of your DAW. You can also use "keystroke to MIDI" utilities to turn keyboard commands into MIDI commands, freeing your keyboard from that task