Hi FBB

So given  "mackie mode"  is very much like  a  "single-track-at-a-time-mode-for-the-whole-unit"   can I please ask:-

- if I am in "mackie mode"  can all 16 of the top 2 button rows  be assigned to whatever track or sonar function I want ?

- I believe the  8  rotaries  also  have  " push-button-ability "  -   if they do, can they be " double-assigned "  ie:  assign them as an additional  8 buttons as well as also assigning a rotary function or control to them ?
 
and
 
- does the unit need to be put into mackie-mode  every time it is started or is it a case of  once put into mackie mode, it remebers that mode every time it is turned off and on ?
 
many thanks again,
tim

Hi FBB

I guess all that I need to find out is  -  how  " dumb "  a midi controller is the BCF2000 ?

And by  " dumb "  I mean  the  " dumber " it is, the better.

As painful as  ACT is to use, once you  " crack the code "  its actually very quick and easy to use - its just that it takes a while to get to this point.

So ...... as long as

(i)  the BCF2000 does not have to be run in an emulation mode

(ii)  Sonar can see it as a simple midi in / out device

and

(iii)  most* of the buttons / rotaries / faders are not already  " hard-wired-pre-assigned "  ACT should easily  be able to assign virtually any track or program function to any button / rotary / fader  on it.

tim

*  -  Natually there will be some buttons - usually dedicated shift / write / edit / up / down  etc..... that ACT will still be able to assign but that will retain their  "hard-wired-assignment"  ...... with the  [ unwanted ]  result being that they will do what ACT "tells" them to do  but simultaneously  still also do what they are "hard-wired-pre-assigned" to do.   ie:-  perform 2 simultaneous functions with one press - %99.99999 of the time this is a very annoying p.i.t.a

Hi Timboe

I'm not sure how dumb it is as a controller. I think out of emulation mode it can be programmed to do almost anything you want it too but I'm sure there are others on here who will be far more knowledgable on that than myself. I class myself as switched on regarding the BCF in Sonar Mackie mode but a complete novice in all other aspects of it.

Salsamuffin204, thanks and it's a pleasure. Regarding the plugin question, I don't believe there is. It's possible to 'flip' the fader and rotary functions so they either duplicate or swap but they only swap/duplicate whatever they are already assigned too. ie. Track volume and the rotary assignment.

I'm currently working on putting a tutorial together covering all the various possibilities with the BCF in Sonar Mackie mode to help users realise the full potential of a great piece of kit. For its price it's pretty much unbeatable. A sort of Mackie help file for the BCF in layman's terms.

I hate to do this and draw the rath of the Sonar die hards but it has to be done.
Love Sonar, but for configuration and the abilty to personize a Control Surface, Reaper has it beat.
I have my BCF doing everything (and anything) I want with Reaper, takes a little research but once you have it setup, you can control anything, with motorized faders....
I'll leave it at that for now, but will answer any questions.
I wish Cakewalk would wake up and update their Control Surface Interfaces.

Just got a bcf2000 to go with my Korg Nanlkontrol and I am SOOOOO grateful for this thread.

Thanks to  all who have contributed!

Ivan-the-confused-senior/oap

Although I no longer use a BCF as my main surface, my user guide is still available for it. See HERE for details.

It doesn't cover the set up but does cover all the various key presses available in Mackie mode - of which there are loads.

Have you had a look at Blades videos yet? What problem(s) are you having specifically?