Can I Use a MIDI Controller to Control Different Effects At The Same Time?

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ghidora
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2014/06/03 15:32:15 (permalink)

Can I Use a MIDI Controller to Control Different Effects At The Same Time?

Hello.  Is it possible to assign MIDI controls to different effects and use them simultaneously?  For instance, using my Axiom Pro 49, could I assign one knob to the input of a UAD Fatso, another to the filter cutoff of Ohmboyz, another to the input of iZotope Trash, etc. then lock those assignments so that I can always control those parameters with my controller when the project is open (even when my focus is not on that effect).  If it is possible, would someone be so kind as to describe how that would be accomplished?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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    azslow3
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    Re: Can I Use a MIDI Controller to Control Different Effects At The Same Time? 2014/06/03 16:09:08 (permalink)
    One theoretically possible way:
    1. Create FX chain
    2. Put several effects into it
    3. Configure several controls for FX chain to control required parameters
    4. ACT learn this controls
    5. ACT Lock this FX chain
    Practically there are 2 tricks there: FX chain controls are uni-directional, so if you change settings inside plug-in itself, corresponding FX chain controls will not move. Also it is better tune these controls ranges, so operating them produce desired effect. The next trick is ACT mapping. It does not (always) work for me for FX chain in FX bin, but FX chain in ProChannel is more stable in this respect.
     
    In general, only one plug-in can have ACT focus.

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    gswitz
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    Re: Can I Use a MIDI Controller to Control Different Effects At The Same Time? 2014/06/03 21:25:35 (permalink)
    Or you could create a number of Act Controllers and assign them all to the same controller.
     Preferences > Midi > Control Surfaces...
     
    Add you surface a bunch of times.
     
    Then you can lock different act controllers to different FX. Use Midi learn to bind the nobs on the controller to the nobs in the fx.
     
    You can even use the same nobs to control different fx at the same time. :-)

    StudioCat > I use Windows 10 and Sonar Platinum. I have a touch screen.
    I make some videos. This one shows how to do a physical loopback on the RME UCX to get many more equalizer nodes.
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    ghidora
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    Re: Can I Use a MIDI Controller to Control Different Effects At The Same Time? 2014/06/03 21:46:35 (permalink)
    Thanks for the advice.  I have never been able to control FX chain knobs or buttons with my MIDI controller.  I don't know why, but it just won't work.  I set the FX chain up in ProChannel and can control the knobs and buttons with no problem.  Nice.
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    ghidora
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    Re: Can I Use a MIDI Controller to Control Different Effects At The Same Time? 2014/06/03 21:48:13 (permalink)
    That's a very clever idea to add lots of ACT surfaces.  I'll give it a try.
     
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    gswitz
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    Re: Can I Use a MIDI Controller to Control Different Effects At The Same Time? 2014/06/03 23:50:21 (permalink)
    ghidora,
     
    You can try the fx chains in the regular FX bin. That works fine for me.
    In the Pro Channel it's not worth the trouble to try (imho) to use an act controller on an FX Chain.
     
    Some plugins need to be switched to Soft Synth as described in this article in order to be able to route midi directly to the plugin...
    http://www.cakewalk.com/Support/Knowledge-Base/2007013309/TH2-is-Your-New-Pedalboard
     
    I've given up trying to use the same controller for multiple controllers. I can't get the idea to work.
     
    FX Chain in old FX bin works fine.
     
    Routing the midi as input to different soft synth destinations works (where each soft synth has it's own midi track but the source can be the same device).
     
    Idk off hand how to control multiple plugins simultaneously using different controls on the same device other than an FX Chain, but that could only be on one track or bus.
     
    The problem with both the ACT Controller and Cakewalk Generic Surface is that both gain and lose their lock context together.
     
    Ah, success... you can use 1 Act Controller and one Cakewalk Generic Surface together using the same input.
     
    This works!! I successfully locked the same device to two different plugins and even assigned the same input to parameters on the two different plugins.
    post edited by gswitz - 2014/06/04 00:26:49

    StudioCat > I use Windows 10 and Sonar Platinum. I have a touch screen.
    I make some videos. This one shows how to do a physical loopback on the RME UCX to get many more equalizer nodes.
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