BCF-2000 + BCR-2000 to control sonar + plugins

Hi there,

would it be possible to control sonar plugins (softsynths) using the following configuration?

Behringer BCF 2000, connected through USB, mackie control emulation mode (no softsynth control)

Behringer BCR 2000, connected through midi, together with midi keyboard, controlling soft synth parameters.

I would like to know if this is possible, for then it would be interesting for me to buy the BCR as well (I only have BCF momentarily)..

Does anyone have experience with this configuration?


cheers,

Parasite

I don't think so.. that's why I came up with the extra bcr, to make it work like the mackie plugin controller.

"The same should be achievable when using the BCR 2000 next tot the BCF."

I guess so. I don't how BCF+BCR work together but maybe you could work with the BCF in Mackie Mode while the BCR is in normal mode. This way you could edit the BCR presets to control your softsynth, having, at the same time, the BCF to control your mixer etc...

In case you don't know there's a dedicated forum for B-Control users:

http://members.lycos.co.uk/bcontrol/

ORIGINAL: Parasite

Hi there,

would it be possible to control sonar plugins (softsynths) using the following configuration?

Behringer BCF 2000, connected through USB, mackie control emulation mode (no softsynth control)

Behringer BCR 2000, connected through midi, together with midi keyboard, controlling soft synth parameters.

I would like to know if this is possible, for then it would be interesting for me to buy the BCR as well (I only have BCF momentarily)..

Does anyone have experience with this configuration?


cheers,

Parasite

This is a good question. I have a BCR and the manual states you can chain a BCF and a BCR together via MIDI by selecting a certain mode. However, the notes on the Mackie emulation state that the mode can't be changed when using the emulation, so the question is, which "mode" is implemented with the mackie emulation, since it can't be changed.

If you are using the BCR via a separate HW MIDI interface (not the BCF's), then this is a moot point as it would obviously work just like any other controller hooked up via MIDI.

Just found out that it should be possible. I am able to control some parameters of reason malstrom synth now from sonar (like filters and such), but due to the mackie mode my bcf is in, it's not possible to control other parameters than the set ones. If I however also would hook up a bcr, I would be able to control more parameters from there, and still be able to control sonar itself from the bcf in mackie mode.

cheers,

Parasite

It might be possible - I would not daisy-chain them, but set them up independently. As such, the BCR2000 need not be USB-connected because you can configure it in standalone mode so it issues MIDI messages. Then you can daisy-chain it through MIDI & feed it back into Sonar that way. (on its own MIDI channel)

Unfortunately the annoyance you will have is that the controller will only work in half-duplex mode, unless you can make the synth echo any changes to its params back OUT via MIDI. Most soft synths are also woefully ill-documented; for example, NI's stuff - they may, or may not accept CCs, NRPNs etc but best of luck finding out!.

If you want to control external HARDWARE units, the documentation will of course be a lot better. But the problem of 'local echo' will still be there. Ideally, you want the synth to tell you what its current params are whenever you select a patch, so the control surface settings will 'jump' to the right values. But few synths will do this, though they will accept controller input, of course.

I may of course be blowing smoke here. There's always some clever way someone's worked out. If so, many people would be interested. I, for one, would sure love to put the BCR2000 over the top of my FS1R, which has so many damn params (3,000, I think) and such a badly-designed interface, that programming it from the front panel is a nightmare!.

Nice!

But, is it possible to do the same with the two units (BCF +BCF) chained together. I mean, connecting BCF (in mackie mode) through usb, and BCR connected through midi in (on BCF). Did you try this?

I have BCF in Mackie Emulation mode and BCR as generic cakewalk surface. They are both connected, simultaneoulsy, with USB into a HUB and everything works great. Faders fly on BCF and BCR controls anything assigned to it.

There was a gentleman who built an 8 track Sonar PE 4.0.1 template for BCR. (not sure I remeber where I got it, but it may have been Behringer user group) There are 4 presets and they control standard mix functions on 8 strips ( i use the BCF to do this). Two others control Sonitus Compresser and Sonitus track EQ. The fourth controls Aux and Main busses.

At any rate I can use the BCF and the BCR at the same time no problem.

I have combined this gentleman's template, with Jonas' preset EQs, Reverbs, etc., to make one kick ass SW mixing console with very decent outboard HW control for 330.00$. I wish I had this all 2 years ago !

JR

Wow, the last post on this topic is from long ago, I think before ACT even.

I use a BCR with Aj's custom plugin currently, but I just scored a BCF for cheap. My hope is to use the BCF in Mackie mode and put the BCR into an ACT setup for all my plugins/synths. Anyone doing this currently?

Hey wicked,

I know on the Spectrasonics Site that they have a Behringer Template that they recommend you use "Midi Ox" to transfer the sysex data into the BCF & it can control up to 20,000 parameters. I'll try to find that Template..

Wildman