Hi FBB

So given  "mackie mode"  is very much like  a  "single-track-at-a-time-mode-for-the-whole-unit"   can I please ask:-

- if I am in "mackie mode"  can all 16 of the top 2 button rows  be assigned to whatever track or sonar function I want ?

- I believe the  8  rotaries  also  have  " push-button-ability "  -   if they do, can they be " double-assigned "  ie:  assign them as an additional  8 buttons as well as also assigning a rotary function or control to them ?
 
and
 
- does the unit need to be put into mackie-mode  every time it is started or is it a case of  once put into mackie mode, it remebers that mode every time it is turned off and on ?
 
many thanks again,
tim

Hi Tim

No the top two button rows aren't assignable other than via the shift keys in conjunction with the Mackie controlsurface options box, and that's a one time thing not changeable "on-the-fly". No you can't double assign the rotaries either. The push function will either reset parameter to default or turn something on/off such as  "send to buss", Track EQ etc.

Given the level of control you are looking for over each track you may be better exploring the ACT side of it or programming it as required (via the BCF programming) rather than Mackie mode. I just thought it was worth pointing out there is a fair level of track control built into the Mackie mode. I can't think of many track functions that aren't available it's just that you as a user can't control where the assignments are, other than via the various 'mode' assignments.

Hi FBB

I guess all that I need to find out is  -  how  " dumb "  a midi controller is the BCF2000 ?

And by  " dumb "  I mean  the  " dumber " it is, the better.

As painful as  ACT is to use, once you  " crack the code "  its actually very quick and easy to use - its just that it takes a while to get to this point.

So ...... as long as

(i)  the BCF2000 does not have to be run in an emulation mode

(ii)  Sonar can see it as a simple midi in / out device

and

(iii)  most* of the buttons / rotaries / faders are not already  " hard-wired-pre-assigned "  ACT should easily  be able to assign virtually any track or program function to any button / rotary / fader  on it.

tim

*  -  Natually there will be some buttons - usually dedicated shift / write / edit / up / down  etc..... that ACT will still be able to assign but that will retain their  "hard-wired-assignment"  ...... with the  [ unwanted ]  result being that they will do what ACT "tells" them to do  but simultaneously  still also do what they are "hard-wired-pre-assigned" to do.   ie:-  perform 2 simultaneous functions with one press - %99.99999 of the time this is a very annoying p.i.t.a

FastBikerBoy,

Thanks a million.  You have just opened a whole new world of DAW control for me!

I have one more question, if you don't mind. 

The way that the BCF controls the Sonar EQ is REALLY nice - the pot controls the frequency whilst the fader controls the gain.  Is there a way to have a similar setup in controlling plugins? It'd be really useful if the faders and the pots did different but related functions!

Thanks again man - you've really made a huge difference to my workflow today!

Hi Timboe

I'm not sure how dumb it is as a controller. I think out of emulation mode it can be programmed to do almost anything you want it too but I'm sure there are others on here who will be far more knowledgable on that than myself. I class myself as switched on regarding the BCF in Sonar Mackie mode but a complete novice in all other aspects of it.

Salsamuffin204, thanks and it's a pleasure. Regarding the plugin question, I don't believe there is. It's possible to 'flip' the fader and rotary functions so they either duplicate or swap but they only swap/duplicate whatever they are already assigned too. ie. Track volume and the rotary assignment.

I'm currently working on putting a tutorial together covering all the various possibilities with the BCF in Sonar Mackie mode to help users realise the full potential of a great piece of kit. For its price it's pretty much unbeatable. A sort of Mackie help file for the BCF in layman's terms.

Timboe,

I think it can be pretty dumb and you can assign ACT stuff to it, but realize that you will lose the motoried faders like this.

I hate to do this and draw the rath of the Sonar die hards but it has to be done.
Love Sonar, but for configuration and the abilty to personize a Control Surface, Reaper has it beat.
I have my BCF doing everything (and anything) I want with Reaper, takes a little research but once you have it setup, you can control anything, with motorized faders....
I'll leave it at that for now, but will answer any questions.
I wish Cakewalk would wake up and update their Control Surface Interfaces.

" ...... I wish Cakewalk would wake up and update their Control Surface Interfaces ..... "

As somewhat of an expert-ACT user, this is  very true  statement  -  the system and methodology used by  " R "  and  " C "  to set up and allow hardware control of their respective programs  [ although a bit convoluted for each ]   is leaps and bounds ahead of Sonar - CW really do need to address this - its one of the  very few  area's where it trails  " C "  and  " R " .

From memory, ACT was introduced with Sonar 6  -  it is  ridiculoulsy overdue for updating - 3 major paid updates since V6 and its still essentially as it was when first released.

Even more frustrating is the fact that   just a few small changes would make it " dummy-proof " to use - ie:-

- increase the number of  " non-shift-able " assignable rotaries / buttons / faders from a bank size of 8  to a bank size of at least 32 or 64

- add the option for the user to select the size of their " non-shift-able " assignable bank size  ie: 8 / 16 / 24 / 32 / 40 / 48 / 56 / 64

- keep the " shift-able " key option for those that want or need it

- increase the available list of items that can be ACT assigned to cover every single program and track function and option

- allow any function or control to be assignable to any fader or button or rotary

- allow the user to move or change  any assignable function or control via cut / copy / paste  - its 2010 and we are up to Windows 7 and from memory, cut / copy / paste has been with us since  Windows 1  !!!!

- allow all key bindings  [ programe set or user defined ]  to be assigned to any fader or button or rotary

These  7  very simple changes  [ combined with the already exisiting  very excellent  midi-learn function ]  would allow virtually any user to set up any hardware surface to control anything they want in Sonar in almost no time.

Lets hope they are listeneing.

tim

Just got a bcf2000 to go with my Korg Nanlkontrol and I am SOOOOO grateful for this thread.

Thanks to  all who have contributed!

Ivan-the-confused-senior/oap

Your videos helped me so much. I've had the bcf2000 for about a month and just did not know what to do but your videos really did help now i got it working perfectly fine in sonar8. GOD BLES YOU.