Advice for a Midi Controller - Noob

johnnyjb

Hi im new to music production and have not yet got my head around most of the technicalities and terms so im looking for some advice on what i possibly need.
(I tried search button but might as well be looking at chinese writing)

I have Ableton 8.2.2 (demo at the moment) and want to know what i need to control the effects without using the mouse.

Ive learned when you press the MIDI button top left of screen certain boxes light up indicating you can control them externally with hardware and was trying to find out whats the cheapest bit of gear for a noob to use.

Am i right in thinking i can get a controller with twisty knobs to i.e turn up the "DRY/WET" on a delay effect etc..

Thanks in advance and sorry if im confusing you!!

conorcg

In Ableton when you press that button in the top right and it highlights certain things. Anything that is highlighted can be assigned to a 'knob' on your midi controller.

So yeah, you could click on the mapping button and assign it to the dry/wet of a delay/reverb/whatever or to any other parameter that is highlighted.

To assign things, you just click on the mapping button, select what you want to control, then turn the knob or whatever on your controller.


I haven't used it myself, but I've heard this is a good midi keyboard: http://www.thomann.de/ie/maudio_oxygen_25_3rd_gen.htm

johnnyjb

conorcg wrote: »

In Ableton when you press that button in the top right and it highlights certain things. Anything that is highlighted can be assigned to a 'knob' on your midi controller.

So yeah, you could click on the mapping button and assign it to the dry/wet of a delay/reverb/whatever or to any other parameter that is highlighted.

To assign things, you just click on the mapping button, select what you want to control, then turn the knob or whatever on your controller.


I haven't used it myself, but I've heard this is a good midi keyboard: http://www.thomann.de/ie/maudio_oxygen_25_3rd_gen.htm

Thanks for your reply.

I wouldnt know how to use the keyboard function so i wonder would something with more rotary knobs suit me better ?

Any idea how this product below would compare to the device you linked above

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/BCR2000.aspx

eire.man

johnnyjb wrote: »

Thanks for your reply.

I wouldnt know how to use the keyboard function so i wonder would something with more rotary knobs suit me better ?

Any idea how this product below would compare to the device you linked above

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/BCR2000.aspx

I'd recommend buying both the behringer rotary and fader for ultimate control of ableton, if you haven't the money then grab the fader as you will have some assignable rotary pots on it

you'll bag them 2nd on eBay or possibly better still on adverts.ie

smck99

A quick search on Adverts will bring up a good selection.

Here's a few:
Behringer BCR-2000
Evolution UC-33e
Evolution X-Session

And some with keys to save you re-buying in the future if you wish to get into producing your own stuff:
Novation Remote 25SL
Novation Remote 37SL Limited Edition

I'd advise you to do a little research before making a decision as I find that different controllers can suit different DAW's, purposes and even genres better. I'm not sure what exactly you're looking to get out of your controller, but if you're just looking to mangle some fx on the cheap I'd agree with you on the Behringer BCR-2000.

You should bear in mind that you may need to keep some cash to get yourself an audio interface, so don't go crazy with your money!
Just my two cents, hope this helps!