Open sourcing control surface SDK and code for the V-Studio 700 and Mackie surfaces

I'm starting a new thread as yesterday's remark to take luck into our own hands was only semi-serious (as I expected there would be no chance to get the code anyway).
 
However, scook spotted a recent post from Noel Borthwick with the following quote:
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/2885623
 

Noel Borthwick [Cakewalk ]
 
On a different note, we are interested in open sourcing our control surface SDK including the newer interfaces and source code for the V-Studio 700 and Mackie surfaces. We are willing to host all the code on Github but need someone to help moderate and support it since there is a lot of code there. If anyone is interested in helping with that project please contact me.
 

 
 
So I reckon I start a more serious discussion on whether we could get ourselves organized enough to make this idea fly ...
 
I'd be willing to contribute time & effort in case we give this a try. I have worked in software development some years ago, so I could help, but I'm not proficient enough in the microsoft world to take the lead ...
 
Furthermore, I'd be willing to spend a few $ if someone just says he'd work himself into the matter and then gradually improve the code. Maybe it's best done by a single competent person rather than bunch of lunatics? I don't know ... Anyway, considering how few of us lurk in here, this can't be a money maker, but someone could earn a few bucks and become our hero
 
 
Anybody else in for this? Or do we just keep moaning? 
 
Let us all know or let it die quickly and painlessly.
 
 
 

Best option for hope I've heard in a looong time and great that Noel is willing to make some source available....if it comes to pass. I'd be interested in taking a deeper look and have some access to programming resources but this all obviously has to be weighed up on a cost versus benefit basis...cost in terms of time/effort required and are we simply better off jumping ships to a different surface option.
 
I believe it is well worth doing some investigating if we can get the source and anything else Noel is will to make available.
 
The goal IMO in general terms would be to achieve an open configurable interface 'front end' for the 700C that lets the user configure the surface to his/her needs as much as may be possible. That would make us all happy I reckon...
 
Alright, so who's taking Noel out to dinner??

When it comes to MCU implementation, download the Samplitude Pro X software trial version and see what can be done.  Most all buttons can be reprogrammed if you have the mind to do that.  I don't think that is necessary with the M buttons and combinations of M + F buttons. 

The Studio One implementation not bad as well and a look at it's trial version might be a good start at getting ideas.
 
I have no help to add other than enthusiasm and some money for any better driver than what we have now.

I wrote to Noel and asked him to shime in if he manage to find free time to help us put this togheter. Not sure what I can personnally bring to the table but I'll do my best for sure.

I do not understand anything of what you wise guys are saying, but it sounds good, so I'm in with a fist full of dollars should it come to that.

I reckon it all depends on whether Noel and Cakewalk still have any interest in keeping CS functionality alive because the vs700.dll (and the MCU stuff) is probably already considered legacy code and (most likely) not update to date with what it takes to make it work with X2/X3/Xn. 
 
From what I've read in various threads the MCU control was once done by (sort of a) 3rd party person. So it should be possible to understand, maintain/fix and eventually extend the functionality from outside - if reasonably documented and not yet spoilt by weird quick fix hacks (seen that in companies where I came in to work on "legacy" code).
 
It definitely takes a good deal of dedication to get this off the ground - and to make it last, it would require (a) continued interest from Cake, including a knowledgable contact inside Cake that answers questions and (b) the source being truly in the open source domain, with source repository, release management, etc. because the trouble with a one man show is that once this guy gets other important issues or loses interest its all dead again instantly.
 
Another questions is whether there is any overlap between the VS700 and the MCU (and if it was properly designed there must be loads of overlaps) because if it affects also the MCU you have a whole new game i.e. potential for combining both controllers (extension to the VS700) but more importantly quite a few additional users with MCU, X3 and software development background ... (however, i was asked by fellow users not to bring the discussion over the X forum quite yet until we hear from Cakewalk )
 
Well, as usual - it's all open until someone from Cakewalk chimes in. So let's hope X3 starts off smoothly that someone finds time to think and talk about this ...
 
 
 
 

Would this mean the console could then be used with other DAWs (PT11 specifically)? I no longer use the rack at all as I use the Lynx Hilo for conversion and have outboard preamps. I switch between Sonar and PT and can't use my control console when using PT. I had all but given up and was planning on moving to an entirely different system when the Gibson/Tascam intervention occurred. Contrary to what some folks have posted on the forum, Tascam makes some pretty trick higher end mixers/controll solutions.  I get the impression when reading a lot of things by folks here that they are primarily hobbyist with no exposure to higher end type equipment. No problem with that, but for me, I am full time as of January with my studio. I want the higher end approach. If this would allow me to switch between DAWS that would be incredible and save me some serious money.  I don't need a 48 channel large format mixing console. Been there, done that. I want outboard preamps and conversion all controllable with a digital mixer. (32 channels of Lynx coming soon!)

Thanks, Noel.
 
That sounds promising  pls keep us posted on any news in this respect

Don't forget the box where us non-programmers can put some money... I do not know how that should be handled, but it should...

Count me in to contribute to this endeavor dollar-wise at least!  I wish I had a programming background so I could pull my weight in that area as well... but for now, I can at least offer to be one of the many that wants to see this wonderful piece of kit survive and thrive into X3 and beyond!!

Found this today...
"Hi everyone. Nice to "see" you.
 
The VS products currently enjoy support for Windows 8.1 (and Mavericks where applicable) and Roland will continue to update USB drivers in-line with our other products. Up-to-date driver support info is here. As has been mentioned earlier in this thread, Roland has a pretty darn good track record for keeping up with driver support. As a VS-700 user myself, I'd sure like to see driver support go on for as long as possible.
 
However, as for how SONAR interfaces with the VS Control Surface plugin, this is part of SONAR code itself - and not maintained or controlled by Roland. Therefore, ongoing compatibility with SONAR is directly related to SONAR itself.
 
I hope that's at least somewhat helpful.
 
Take care,
Brandon"

Great News!!
 

just out of curiosity ...
 
anybody know if this ever went any further than this ... ???

Yes, I am progressing
 
Implementing the whole Mackie Control plug-in functionality as a preset inside AZ Controller takes some time. The original code is in order of 10k likes and you can imagine they do something, so making just a preset out of that can not be done over night.
 
The solution for simple surfaces is close to ultimate already now. Feedback support (LEDs on buttons for example), separate display window (for orientation), one controller as "extender" to another and many other features. Everything (except the latest "in development" features) is documented. There is step by step guide how to create a preset to mimic complete functionality of ACT MIDI plug-in (Generic Surface is strait forward).
 
I have not seen any requests for HUI so far, but I assume as soon as Mackie (MCU) preset is there, someone will ask to make it work on HUI devices as well. There is no preset binding to some specific device, so "Mackie control" preset will be able to work with devices like Axiom as well.
 
I do not have V100/700, so I have no plans to support these devices. I am waiting for a good deal for V100 on German ebay. In case I get it, there will be dedicated support.
 
But I have close to zero response from community. May be the plug-in is just crashing for everyone, but no one complains... Only one user so far claims he is using it on stage.
 
EDIT: to the original topic questions... My plug-in is closed source "one man army" project. There is no ads on my site or install. There is no donation button. No plans for commercialization, it is freeware. The codebase is 20k+ lines of C code, written from scratch without using any parts from the CW code except IDL definition.