Are there separate MIDI pitch/mod controllers available?

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joba51
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2007/12/07 11:43:39 (permalink)

Are there separate MIDI pitch/mod controllers available?

Hey "Producers" - does anyone know of any pitch bend and modwheel controllers available as a separate unit, possibly USB? I have a Yamaha keyboard with MIDI but no wheels and I think it ludicrous that I would have to "mouse" the controllers for a DXi plugin while trying to play at the same time. And, of course, I don't want to get another keyboard. Thanks much - John
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    jinga8
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    RE: Are there separate MIDI pitch/mod controllers available? 2007/12/07 11:51:56 (permalink)
    Any MIDI compliant controller with whatever type of control (wheel, fader, knob, ribon, D-Beam, etc) can be mapped to control Pitchbend and/or Mod Wheel functions.
    #2
    Honest_Al
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    RE: Are there separate MIDI pitch/mod controllers available? 2007/12/07 12:00:08 (permalink)
    can be mapped to control Pitchbend and/or Mod Wheel functions.


    Mod Wheel - it's pretty much "just another" 0-127 continuous controller, assign a fader or even a foot pedal (pretty course but will be fine for some tasks)

    But regarding pitch bending - this will mostly need a Pitch Wheel..you'll need the spring that throws it back to place and the center detent for getting "musical results"
    #3
    John
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    RE: Are there separate MIDI pitch/mod controllers available? 2007/12/07 12:02:29 (permalink)
    This is not going to be a good solution for you. Sonar will have those controls on a separate track. That track can be routed to your synth but you will always have to set this up so it will work. I would look for a good solid MIDI controller that will have all the controllers you need built in.

    Best
    John
    #4
    epillarbox
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    RE: Are there separate MIDI pitch/mod controllers available? 2007/12/07 12:07:48 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: jinga8

    Any MIDI compliant controller with whatever type of control (wheel, fader, knob, ribon, D-Beam, etc) can be mapped to control Pitchbend and/or Mod Wheel functions.


    I'm not quite sure about "Any". My Yamaha S80 has four control sliders which send sysex messages and I'd be delighted if these could be mapped to CC's.

    I'd be delighted to be wrong!

    Laurence
    #5
    joba51
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    RE: Are there separate MIDI pitch/mod controllers available? 2007/12/07 12:39:56 (permalink)
    "any" as in what? That is my question, as long as it is not a keyboard.
    Thanks all for your input.
    #6
    Bonzos Ghost
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    RE: Are there separate MIDI pitch/mod controllers available? 2007/12/07 12:54:51 (permalink)
    I know you stated you don't want to buy another keyboard, but if you're using softsynths at this point, then I think it's a no brainer to bite the bullet and pick up a keyboard controller with lots of assignable controls on it anyway. (Edirol, Axiom, etc) Having all that control at your fingertips opens up a whole new world of possibilities....and just makes things a whole lot easier in the long run.
    #7
    joba51
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    RE: Are there separate MIDI pitch/mod controllers available? 2007/12/07 13:08:21 (permalink)
    I'm beginning to see that THAT may be the only sensible route. Or maybe I'll market my own......
    Thanks all
    #8
    soens
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    Re: RE: Are there separate MIDI pitch/mod controllers available? 2018/11/23 04:38:12 (permalink)
    A question that deserves reconsideration in 2018 because I have a keyboard without a pitchwheel or modwheel. It would be cool to have a physical controller for this via MIDI or USB or even mobile app.
     
    I did find this DIY:
     
     
    post edited by soens - 2018/11/23 08:07:13
    #9
    Steev
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    Re: RE: Are there separate MIDI pitch/mod controllers available? 2018/11/23 13:22:38 (permalink)
    epillarbox
    ORIGINAL: jinga8

    Any MIDI compliant controller with whatever type of control (wheel, fader, knob, ribon, D-Beam, etc) can be mapped to control Pitchbend and/or Mod Wheel functions.


    I'm not quite sure about "Any". My Yamaha S80 has four control sliders which send sysex messages and I'd be delighted if these could be mapped to CC's.

    I'd be delighted to be wrong!

    Laurence

     
     They can be Laurence. You will need to create a custom MIDI map for the DXI or VSTi synth you want to control.
     First try using Cakewalk ACT. If not successful...….
     
    You can manually search and  locate the exact CC number for each fader, button, wheel, or button on the S80 in it's documentation in the "MIDI Implementation Chart" for the S80.
    And or if the synth you are trying to use understands "GM" spec.1;. 0-127 or "GM" spec.2; 1-128 in the S80's "specified" "User Definable" CC # preset "General MIDI chart" docs.
     Once you have the CC# for the particular fader, you can add, enter and assign it to any synth's parameter in your SONAR/Cakewalk Piano Roll window.
     
    Yes, 'tis a pain in the butt and requires digging rather into the S80's "User Manual" but it can be done.
     
     Life is MUCH easier and less complicated using a good "MIDI Keyboard Controller" designed for these purposes, such as a "Novation Impulse" which I personally know works great with SONAR/Cakewalk as a keyboard, DAW and Plugin controller, + multi function pads controller for either playing drums or triggering loops.
     And this way you can easily achieve levels of control that you've never even imagined before and leave the faders on the S80 to do what Yamaha intended them to do.
     Very COOL and elegant synth BTW, and that's coming from an 'ol skool die hard Roland guy. 
     

    Steev on Bandlab.com
     
    Custom built workstation. Windows 10 Pro x64.
     
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    #10
    Kamikaze
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    Re: RE: Are there separate MIDI pitch/mod controllers available? 2018/11/23 14:08:48 (permalink)
    The problem with raising zombie threads.....

     
    #11
    soens
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    Re: RE: Are there separate MIDI pitch/mod controllers available? 2018/11/24 11:49:43 (permalink)
    … only zombies read them?
     
    I had the same question as the OP. Others might 2.
     
    The answer seems to still be NO unless one does it himself. Even some of the Doepfer parts for doing so are no longer available.
    #12
    Kamikaze
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    Re: RE: Are there separate MIDI pitch/mod controllers available? 2018/11/24 12:09:51 (permalink)
    .....people talk to the dead.
     
    Steve is replying to an 11 year old post.

     
    #13
    JoseC.
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    Re: RE: Are there separate MIDI pitch/mod controllers available? 2018/11/24 13:49:58 (permalink)
    You can always install TouchOSC in your phone, program two touch strips and put it on top of your keyboard.
    #14
    JoseC.
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    Re: RE: Are there separate MIDI pitch/mod controllers available? 2018/11/24 13:50:57 (permalink)
    Aarghhhhhhhhhhh....again! What is this? Dawn of the dead?
    #15
    dilletant
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    Re: RE: Are there separate MIDI pitch/mod controllers available? 2018/11/25 04:44:32 (permalink)
    http://atemp.ru/en/products/

    It’s some Russian manufacturer, I didn’t try their product myself and can’t say anything about quality, but it looks nice.
    #16
    Cactus Music
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    Re: RE: Are there separate MIDI pitch/mod controllers available? 2018/11/25 07:46:02 (permalink)
    At least he kept his post short, I think Zombies have a short attention span....

    Johnny V  
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    #17
    JoseC.
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    Re: RE: Are there separate MIDI pitch/mod controllers available? 2018/11/25 08:29:38 (permalink)
    dilletant
    http://atemp.ru/en/products/

    It’s some Russian manufacturer, I didn’t try their product myself and can’t say anything about quality, but it looks nice.


    Inventors of the midi button accordion keyboard. All button pressing, no pumping. Looks good, wood and all.

    http://atemp.ru/en/products/atemp_mb1.html
    #18
    abacab
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    Re: RE: Are there separate MIDI pitch/mod controllers available? 2018/11/26 21:19:50 (permalink)
    I was searching for answers to the same question in this topic recently, and came up empty.  It would be nice, but I assume that there is not enough demand for this item.
     
    I have a stinking mini keyboard that I would like to use with my mobile laptop, and not have to drag a larger controller around.  But it lacks pitch bend or mod wheels.  Just great!  These controls are absolute must haves for synth patches that are programmed to use them.  It came with a bundle, so no big loss, but I would recommend buying a complete controller with everything that you will need.
     
    This Nektar Impact LX25+ seems to be the most complete compact keyboard around.  Even has 25 full size keys, plus pitch and mod wheels!  At less than 19" wide and 11" deep, the footprint is not too bad.  Selling for $99 at various online retailers.  https://www.nektartech.com/impact-lx25-plus.html
     
     

    DAW: CbB; Sonar Platinum, and others ... 
    #19
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