If you're in the market for a MIDI/DAW control surface...
...you should definitely consider this:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Keyboards/Midi/MIDI/Controllers?sku=701763
Just got mine in. Now, talk about all-purpose: this thing will handle quite a bit. You can assign 28 toggle/momentary switches, eight LED-referenced knobs, eight faders (up to four groups plus presets available - automated), and an outboard analog expression pedal and/or sustain pedal, to any MIDI messages: Program Change, CC change, Note, MMC, SysEx, NRPN on any channel. CCs and NPRNs allow 14-bit fader/knob resolution. Each control can operate on any MIDI channel, independent of all others. Works via USB MIDI or standalone - expands to additional or the 24-knob equivalent via MIDI connectivity.
Very versatile - analog MIDI can be disabled when used with USB (to reduce memory address conflicts); MIDI Thru port can act as a second MIDI out. Merges all messages. Once again, Behringer scores with simple-yet-versatile. Also, this is a very adaptable unit: standalone programming is a breeze (somewhat like the GNX matrix), supports control echo with automation (i.e. you can move a fader in Sonar, or automate tracks, and the analog fader will move with it), and it can learn from software - just select a controller and move a controller in software or on your hardware synth, and it becomes assigned. Min/Max values are easily adjusted afterwards. OR - the mixing software or hardware synth/keyboard can learn from the BCF.
Currently, this does not ship with proprietory drivers or editing software - you can download the drivers and the Windows-based preset editor for free. I didn't have any problems setting it up with the generic drivers, it got along fine with both my UA-25 and GNX3000. This thing is built to last - and looks pretty sweet too (the pictures don't do it justice). For the price ($199), you guys should definitely try this, especially if you work with software mixers or multiple outboard synths.
out of the box it comes with three presets. Assuming MIDI drivers are installed and the B-Control USB MIDI is set as the control surface - I chose preset 1 - all CC changes. Then, in Sonar, set up 8 tracks and right-click on each. There's an option for \"Learn\", where you basically select track one Volume Fader in Track view (or Console view), and move the Fader 1 on the BCF. This lets Sonar know that the particular CC message (in this case CC 81 on Ch. 1) will control that Fader. Repeat the procedure for all volume faders and then panners.
The rotary knobs at the top are also buttons, so I assigned each to \"Solo Track\". Then, the row of 8 buttons underneath assigned to \"Mute\". The row below that assigned to \"Record\". Then I went into Edit mode and set up the four buttons on the right to MMC Controls (instead of CCs): Play, Stop, Seek 0, and Record. I plugged my M-Audio EX-P into the analog expression pedal jack, and assigned it to Master Volume. Save the template in Sonar, and you're good to go.
From there, you would also need save this as a preset on your BCF, and create another preset to control tracks 9-16; 17-24; etc in groups of 8. This way you can scroll through presets to see where each set of tracks is, just like a real studio mixer.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Keyboards/Midi/MIDI/Controllers?sku=701763
Just got mine in. Now, talk about all-purpose: this thing will handle quite a bit. You can assign 28 toggle/momentary switches, eight LED-referenced knobs, eight faders (up to four groups plus presets available - automated), and an outboard analog expression pedal and/or sustain pedal, to any MIDI messages: Program Change, CC change, Note, MMC, SysEx, NRPN on any channel. CCs and NPRNs allow 14-bit fader/knob resolution. Each control can operate on any MIDI channel, independent of all others. Works via USB MIDI or standalone - expands to additional or the 24-knob equivalent via MIDI connectivity.
Very versatile - analog MIDI can be disabled when used with USB (to reduce memory address conflicts); MIDI Thru port can act as a second MIDI out. Merges all messages. Once again, Behringer scores with simple-yet-versatile. Also, this is a very adaptable unit: standalone programming is a breeze (somewhat like the GNX matrix), supports control echo with automation (i.e. you can move a fader in Sonar, or automate tracks, and the analog fader will move with it), and it can learn from software - just select a controller and move a controller in software or on your hardware synth, and it becomes assigned. Min/Max values are easily adjusted afterwards. OR - the mixing software or hardware synth/keyboard can learn from the BCF.
Currently, this does not ship with proprietory drivers or editing software - you can download the drivers and the Windows-based preset editor for free. I didn't have any problems setting it up with the generic drivers, it got along fine with both my UA-25 and GNX3000. This thing is built to last - and looks pretty sweet too (the pictures don't do it justice). For the price ($199), you guys should definitely try this, especially if you work with software mixers or multiple outboard synths.
out of the box it comes with three presets. Assuming MIDI drivers are installed and the B-Control USB MIDI is set as the control surface - I chose preset 1 - all CC changes. Then, in Sonar, set up 8 tracks and right-click on each. There's an option for \"Learn\", where you basically select track one Volume Fader in Track view (or Console view), and move the Fader 1 on the BCF. This lets Sonar know that the particular CC message (in this case CC 81 on Ch. 1) will control that Fader. Repeat the procedure for all volume faders and then panners.
The rotary knobs at the top are also buttons, so I assigned each to \"Solo Track\". Then, the row of 8 buttons underneath assigned to \"Mute\". The row below that assigned to \"Record\". Then I went into Edit mode and set up the four buttons on the right to MMC Controls (instead of CCs): Play, Stop, Seek 0, and Record. I plugged my M-Audio EX-P into the analog expression pedal jack, and assigned it to Master Volume. Save the template in Sonar, and you're good to go.
From there, you would also need save this as a preset on your BCF, and create another preset to control tracks 9-16; 17-24; etc in groups of 8. This way you can scroll through presets to see where each set of tracks is, just like a real studio mixer.