I just hooked up my newly acquired A800 Pro and I must say with the limited time I had to play with it yesterday, I love it. Installation and setup took maybe five minutes. Just wondering if anyone else is using one and what there thoughts are after a more extensive amount of usage time than me. I am VERY limited in my knowledge of MIDI and how to use it, so I an looking for any suggestions or advice other than the obvious...manual, X1 Power and the like. I'm taking quite a bit in with switching to X1 as it is!
 
Thanks in advance!
 
David
 
 

I use a PCR-800 it's predecessor so very similar.

I use mine mainly for transport control of Sonar while I'm at the PCR (it's too far to reach to my desk) but it will do full bank control of tracks and lots more besides. I have a couple of buttons set up for undo, redo, save etc so I can keep doing takes until the PCR I get it right.

I also have a control map set to map the pads to drums so that I can play drums with it, both to my hardware drums and soft synths within Sonar.

I have another map that gives me control over my sonic cell hardware synth as well - for patch changing mainly - but also for channel control in performance mode and parameter control. I'm even starting to use it live as well, which for a guitarist is radical stuff.

It's very versatile without a doubt.

I'm selling mine. I own B4II (hammond organ simulation) and the Leslie simulation requires that the Mod Wheel be able to remain up (value of 127).  As we all know, the Mod Wheel on the A-800 always returns to zero. That won't work. I'm getting Novation Impulses.

gtgarner


I'm selling mine. I own B4II (hammond organ simulation) and the Leslie simulation requires that the Mod Wheel be able to remain up (value of 127).  As we all know, the Mod Wheel on the A-800 always returns to zero. That won't work. I'm getting Novation Impulses.

You could use an expression pedal (ideal), or even a slider for this function. That's what I do for situations where I need my modulation value to stick.

An expression pedal for this kind of thing can actually work better than the mod wheel as it allows you to keep both hands on the keyboard.

I have the 300 (the Edirol version) and the mod wheel caused me problems as well - especially when it's used with Garritan Personal Orchestra.
 
The issue with Garritan is that it uses non-standard midi controls for the instruments. Specifcally, it uses the mod wheel for volume control, so you would have to keep your hand on it to avoid having it automatically zero out the volume.
 
I came up with a simple fix. I opened up the 300 and removed the spring that causes the mod wheel to return to the zero position (of course, I did not touch the separate spring that centers the pitch control).
 
Now it stays where I put it.
 
(P.S. I also taped the spring inside the unit so I don't loose it)

I have and use the A-800 PRO too. Love it!


 
 
 
The only thing that is bad is that it don't have any motorized faders or knobs.
The  faders or knobs are "dumb" but has a vey precise and nice feel to it. Control A-800 PRO with help of ACT and motorized faders and knobs had been indeed very useful. It's a pity that they forgot to add that when they build it 

jac


I came up with a simple fix. I opened up the 300 and removed the spring that causes the mod wheel to return to the zero position (of course, I did not touch the separate spring that centers the pitch control).
 
Now it stays where I put it.
 
(P.S. I also taped the spring inside the unit so I don't loose it)

From what I've read, the Novation SL MKII series has a toggle that accomplishes the same thing.   I've also seen reports that an expression pedal doesn't provide as sensitive a throw as the stick (or wheel).  For these reasons, the Novation is higher on my wish list than the A800.  Would be interested in comments from anyone who's tried both.
 
-Ron

Has anyone tried both the Novation and the A-800?  How do they compare as to the feel of the keyboard?

BTW, anyone know what those 2 holes on the bottom of the A-800 are for?  They are called EXT a and EXT b

Brandon Ryan [Cakewalk


You could use an expression pedal (ideal), or even a slider for this function. That's what I do for situations where I need my modulation value to stick.

An expression pedal for this kind of thing can actually work better than the mod wheel as it allows you to keep both hands on the keyboard.

+1 to pedal.  Doesn't need to be expression pedal.  Simple on/off switch, like a Leslie.
 
Having toured for years with a Hammond, (and more recently with a Roland - same mod wheel problem), it was a joy to use a pedal and not have to use my knee to turn leslie from slow to fast and vice versa, if both hands were occupied.
 
Probably looked less like I was "Dad Dancing", too, which can't be bad.