• SONAR
  • I despise ACT and I'm going to scrunch my face up until there's something different (p.4)
2015/05/22 20:08:52
Doktor Avalanche
It's ironic that the only way I can get Maschine to work is in VS-700/ACT and not in Mackie Controller mode!
2015/05/22 21:52:37
icontakt
sharke
But even the manual PDF is frustrating, once you've actually managed to find the relevant chapter. For instance in setting up ACT for the A-PRO controllers, it says to make sure that A-PRO 2 is selected in the MIDI output dropdown. So I look and of course there IS no A-PRO 2 listed as a MIDI output


 
Confirmed. I suggest you report it to have it corrected. Also, I recommend using A-Pro Owner's Manual (not Sonar Reference Guide) when setting up/using A-Pro.
2015/05/23 06:38:31
Anderton
I'm not into mapping tons of parameters to controls on a permanent basis, because I can never remember what maps to what. So I don't use ACT the way it's supposed to be used, but I believe how I use it - as basically a variable "scratchpad" for parameter control - is simple, effective, and very close to foolproof once it's set up.
 
I recommend those who are frustrated by ACT, or don't use it at all, to check out this blog post and see if the approach that's described works for you. As the intro says, "So if you’ve wanted to take advantage of ACT without having to reach for the aspirin, you’re in the right place."
 
Pay particular attention to Step 4. If you don't link the controller's controls to ACT, it will never work reliably. I think this may be at the core of a lot of peoples' problems with ACT.
 
 
2015/05/23 07:17:41
azslow3
Anderton
I'm not into mapping tons of parameters to controls on a permanent basis, because I can never remember what maps to what. So I don't use ACT the way it's supposed to be used, but I believe how I use it - as basically a variable "scratchpad" for parameter control - is simple, effective, and very close to foolproof once it's set up.

I have published the link to even more effective "scratchpad" solution. Touch parameter - you can control it with your knob, if you want "assign" it to some knob - press one button on surface, done. No ACT Learn mode, no confirmation dialogs. One button pressed - control assigned. Scalable to any number and type of controls, easy to add coarse/fine switch, indication on encoders, parameter name on controller display, etc, etc.
 
But I understand more and more that in this forum (shifted or not) most people just want SPEAK about something. I do not claim that all do that, there is tons of interesting information, solutions, workarounds, ideas. But this thread is an example of what I mean.
 
One wants exactly 4 clicks to assign any parameter and is not going to accept anything else. Other try to combine one surface with plug-in for another and wondering that does not work well (and once pointed the approach looks a bit strange,  reply that any attempt to turn him from that windmill fighting is useless). The third, after an explanation that underling technology is not changed yet (but can be extended soon) still propose rewriting. Does some of them really wants something working? It does not look so for me.
 
So I surrender one more time. I see that my arrows do not even scratch that stone wall.
 
2015/05/23 13:14:00
Anderton
azslow3
Anderton
I'm not into mapping tons of parameters to controls on a permanent basis, because I can never remember what maps to what. So I don't use ACT the way it's supposed to be used, but I believe how I use it - as basically a variable "scratchpad" for parameter control - is simple, effective, and very close to foolproof once it's set up.

I have published the link to even more effective "scratchpad" solution.

 
Are you referring to the thread on integrating ACT as deep as you want? I have not installed it because it seemed ilke you were coming up with a better way to do what ACT is supposed to do. But if it can also do really simple things like what I described in the blog post, then I definitely will check it out. 
 
Maybe change the thread title to "...as deep or as simple as you want" to avoid scaring people
 
By the way you were one of the people I was thinking of as helping create a shift toward more tips and techniques because of your work on the plug-in and the interest the thread has generated. I think it's very gracious you've taken this task upon yourself
2015/05/23 14:11:41
BobF
Some of us don't want to fiddle and don't want to use something that can go away or become incompatible in a flash.
 
I quit using another DAW because it caters to tweakers.  I want direct, unconvoluted, supported by the DAW control surface support.
 
What's ironic is that with that tweakers DAW I can have 4 click support that works very well.
 
 
2015/05/23 14:20:39
azslow3
Anderton
azslow3
Anderton
I'm not into mapping tons of parameters to controls on a permanent basis, because I can never remember what maps to what. So I don't use ACT the way it's supposed to be used, but I believe how I use it - as basically a variable "scratchpad" for parameter control - is simple, effective, and very close to foolproof once it's set up.

I have published the link to even more effective "scratchpad" solution.

 
Are you referring to the thread on integrating ACT as deep as you want?

No, my post #25 inside this thread (where we are now, page 1).
The link: http://www.azslow.com/index.php/topic,206.0.html
 
sharke has asked in OP about possibility to control parameters easily. I have create a preset for that, I have written detailed "click by click" (not so many really) instruction how to install and test it. Reaction? As usual... silence... with continued discussion "why it is still not possible".
 

I have not installed it because it seemed ilke you were coming up with a better way to do what ACT is supposed to do. But if it can also do really simple things like what I described in the blog post, then I definitely will check it out. 
 
Maybe change the thread title to "...as deep or as simple as you want" to avoid scaring people

It is not "simple"... The person should ask me to support some particular device and be ready to test the result (since I do not have the device). And people are so busy with what they are doing, no time for that. It is more interesting spending time complaining to CakeWalk then testing something.
 
But some people have found the time, and so  A&H Qu and ZED, Faderport and Alphatrack presets was born. StudioMix will come. And I have some new interesting ideas in addition to "ACT Quick Dial with Save/Recall".
 

By the way you were one of the people I was thinking of as helping create a shift toward more tips and techniques because of your work on the plug-in and the interest the thread has generated. I think it's very gracious you've taken this task upon yourself

I have understood that. Thanks for nice words!
2015/05/23 22:15:52
Doktor Avalanche
sharke
But even the manual PDF is frustrating, once you've actually managed to find the relevant chapter. For instance in setting up ACT for the A-PRO controllers, it says to make sure that A-PRO 2 is selected in the MIDI output dropdown. So I look and of course there IS no A-PRO 2 listed as a MIDI output


 
icontakt
Confirmed. I suggest you report it to have it corrected. Also, I recommend using A-Pro Owner's Manual (not Sonar Reference Guide) when setting up/using A-Pro.

 
With my A300 I can configure it just like the manual. Yup I have A-PRO2. All the inputs and outputs have to be enabled.
So I cannot repro.
2015/05/23 23:19:12
sharke
Doktor Avalanche
sharke
But even the manual PDF is frustrating, once you've actually managed to find the relevant chapter. For instance in setting up ACT for the A-PRO controllers, it says to make sure that A-PRO 2 is selected in the MIDI output dropdown. So I look and of course there IS no A-PRO 2 listed as a MIDI output


 
icontakt
Confirmed. I suggest you report it to have it corrected. Also, I recommend using A-Pro Owner's Manual (not Sonar Reference Guide) when setting up/using A-Pro.

 
With my A300 I can configure it just like the manual. Yup I have A-PRO2. All the inputs and outputs have to be enabled.
So I cannot repro.



So you have A-PRO2 listed as a MIDI output? 
2015/05/23 23:40:45
Doktor Avalanche
I'll screenshot when I get a chance.
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