Fostex VM200

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Mully
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2004/09/17 08:09:57 (permalink)

Fostex VM200

Greets!

Has anyone had any joy in using a VM200 in Sonar 3?

I pretty well have it all driving happily enough with 8 faders moving on screen and the ADAT faders used as 2 for stereo out and 6 as buses. I want to be able to drive 16 channels on screen with the VM200 but believe there is no way to set up the faders as say, two banks of 8?

It's a ripper mixer but this may see me having to change to another desk/control surface.... which will suck as the VM200 has been very very good.

Thanks for any input!
#1

4 Replies Related Threads

    jm24
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    RE: Fostex VM200 2005/07/22 09:31:20 (permalink)
    07.22.05

    The following needs some modification. (And will get it this weekend.)
    But the UCS gives the Fostex VM200 the power to control unlimited tracks and busses.

    Talk to me later.

    J
    ===========================

    02.17.05 VM200 How to

    I am using the Universal Control Surface (UCS) plug-in to control Sonar with a Fostex VM200.

    The VM200_UCS.zip file and other UCS docs can be obtained at
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/universalcontrolsurface

    (((This group used to discuss the development of the "UCS", a universal control surface
    being developed by Marc(mbncp). The UCS is an advanced full duplex control
    surface for use with Cakewalk Sonar. UCS is in the early stages,
    a beta test version is expected soon. )))

    ==================================
    NOTE: Only ONE preset is available. This is the UCS_beta3.ini file.
    Backup this file before changing.

    FOR MACRO'S ONLY: rename the UCS_beta3.ini file
    Rename the macros only UCS_beta3.ini file to UCS_beta3.ini

    ==================================
    The UCS is also a MACRO editor / player: NOT a recorder.
    However, lottsa stuff can be controlled by hot-keys, and by assigning a MIDI controller to a Macro.

    See:
    UCS Help 1003d WordPad format.doc for Sonar parameters: TransportTime, TransportState,...
    Command Actions for Sonar 3 PE.txt, Command Actions for Sonar 4 PE.txt for menu items,...
    And: review the INI and other docs for examples.

    ==================================

    The included example Sonar project file has 32 audio tracks and 16 busses.
    More of each can be added. Including Midi tracks.

    Note::: This setup works with existing projects.
    32 tracks, 16 buses are NOT required to use the included vm200 INI configuration.


    A macro can be added in the ini to switch Bus Banks if more that 16 buses.
    And the UCS dialog can be used to switch banks.

    Note: if there are not a matching number of tracks/buses, switching banks will
    result in the VM200's fader 16 controlling the last track/bus.

    Sometimes Bus16 does not respond. This is intermittent.

    During testing (changing stuff a lot) Sonar sometimes lost the midi in port. Do not know why.
    If this happens, enable the midi port connected to the VM200.
    Then Click Options | Control Surfaces, double click UCS and select the proper MIDI port.

    ======================================================

    The included INI file is configured to control:

    Sonar Tracks: (in VM200 channel mode)
    Fader
    Pan
    Solo

    Send 1 volume (in VM200 effect 1 mode)
    Send 2 volume (in VM200 effect 2 mode)


    Sonar Buses: (in VM200 channel mode)
    Fader
    Pan
    Solo

    Send 1 volume (in VM200 effect 1 mode)
    Send 2 volume (in VM200 effect 2 mode)


    Fostex Master (red) Fader in channel mode
    Sonar Master Volume


    Fostex Master (red) fader when in various modes (not enabled/assigned in current INI file)
    Aux1 Master Volume
    Aux2 Master Volume
    Aux3 Master Volume
    Aux4 Master Volume
    Effect1 Master Volume
    Effect2 Master Volume


    Fostex Master Channel ON button switches between the track and bus panes.


    ====================================================
    NOT enabled in this ini:

    Channels 17- 20 do work. But the effects sends are confusing:
    Channels 17-18 Effect1 send does not work
    Channels 19-20 Effect2 send does not work

    The faders/pan controls/Chan On/Off could be configured to do other stuff: EQ maybe.
    I have not attempted this.

    ====================================================
    =============================================
    MACROS: current macros in INI file

    Shift + Windows + U
    Open the UCS dialog, load default ini file

    Shift + Windows + i
    load default ini file


    Shift + Windows + Left Arrow
    Move Track Bank left

    Shift + Windows + Right Arrow
    Move Track Bank right


    Shift + Windows + Up Arrow
    Control Tracks

    Shift + Windows + Down Arrow
    Control Buses


    Shift + Windows + i (07.22.05 just noticed this is redundant-- will fix)
    Insert new audio track
    Then: Display Name, Inputs, and Outputs dialogs
    Set input monitoring on
    Arm for recording

    Shift + Windows + d
    insert new MIDI track
    Then: Display Name, Channel, Outputs, Bank, and Patch dialogs
    Arm for recording


    =============================================

    TO INSTALL

    Expand the VM200.zip file to the c:\ root folder.
    This will create these folders:
    C:\AudioCommon\UCS\ucs_stuff
    and put all the files to these folders

    =================================================
    VM200 setup:

    MIDI:
    Set Transmit and Receive to Channel 16
    Set Control change RX and TX to ON
    Set System EX RX and TX to ON
    Set Program Change to Table 02

    Current Scene Status
    Set Add Aux to ON
    Set smoothing to level 1
    Set AUX PAIR to OFF

    Set all Channel On/Off buttons to OFF

    Save this Scene.
    (If ya want, do a bulk dump to a MIDI library program for quick reset.)

    =================================================

    UCS setup:

    Double click the "Register.bat" file in the c:\AudioCommon\UCS folder.
    (Do this only once.)

    ((
    Note: The C:\AudioCommon folder is where I install programs and shared content
    I want quick access to without having to explore to an annoyingly buried folder.
    E.G., C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\Sonar4\shared content\templates\,....

    Also: I have installed programs such as Sonar1,2,3,4 to folders in the C: folder:
    i.e., C:\Sonar1, C:\Sonar2, etc.,...
    ))

    Open Sonar
    Load the "32 channels 16 buses.cwp" file in the c:\AudioCommon\UCS folder.

    Click: Options | Control Surfaces
    Add the UCS
    choose MIDI In / Out ports connected to the VM200
    click OK to exit dialogs

    Press Shift + Windows + U
    To open the UCS dialog, and load default ini file.
    (Only 1 preset at this time.)

    (If this does not work:
    Click Tools | UCS
    Click Edit
    Click File | Save and Update
    Click X to close editor.)

    Test controls.

    SaveAs to use with new projects.

    ==============================================
    This setup works with existing projects. But, you may have to
    Press Shift + Windows + U
    To open the UCS dialog, and load default ini file.

    =============================================

    Reference: VM200's manual, page 212, for Midi messages sent by the VM200.

    Note:
    message 32 not used
    messages 9 - 104 not used

    The VM200 does NOT send Fostex System Exclusive messages as stated on page 217.

    =============================================
    02.17.05
    J
    #2
    Mully
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    RE: Fostex VM200 2005/07/23 04:39:12 (permalink)
    Hey there J,

    what a bummer... I would have been all over this a while ago but I've shifted away from the VM as controller now. I still use it for A/D, monitoring and general input front end but have shifted to the BFC for mixing duties.

    Once I get a bit richer I'll actually be reluctantly selling the VM to get a racked front end..... and a US2400 would be nice at the same time while I'm dreaming!

    If you know anyone wanting a VM (and maybe the VR800), then let me know!

    The VM is still a beast of a machine for the dollar.

    Cheers and best regards!

    ASUS H270, i7-7700, JLM BA & 1290, LA2A Opto4, loads of guff.
    #3
    jm24
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    RE: Fostex VM200 2005/07/23 19:38:01 (permalink)
    Saturday Eve

    I have a scene for mixing and one for playing with effects (midi not sending).

    Possibly: using the midi through ports to chain the two, and then using the USC to map the VM200 and BCF to different midi channels you could use both: one for channels (fader, pan, 2 sends), one for effects, eq,... or one for busses. Plus run macros from the any of the buttons.

    I use a Mackie 1604 mixer for monitoring.


    And so on.

    J
    #4
    greengo
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    Re: RE: Fostex VM200 2015/07/09 01:11:47 (permalink)
    Link don't exist.
    jm24 can you send me the VM200_UCS.zip? My mail is poczta@soundplay.com.pl
    #5
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