I've finally got round to making up a user guide for the BCF 2000 in Sonar Mackie mode.

It assumes you have already connected the BCF to your PC and have the controls working correctly. For help on these subjects, search for Blades BCF tutorial videos and also for post by Jesse G both of which are excellent sources for help with connecting and basic use.

This guide highlights and explains how to use all the various functions available for use within Sonar via the BCF in Mackie mode and will hopefully speed up your work flow or give those considering buying the BCF an idea of it's capabilities. It is really just a more detailed version of the Mackie CS help file fine tuned for the BCF. 

It does NOT contain any info about the many other non Mackie modes the BCF can be used in.

I hope some of you find it useful, click HERE to read it.

Any mistakes/suggestions/omissions/further questions post on here and if I can help I will.

Great Job !!!!!!

This will save people a lot of time, I wish I'd have had in 6 months ago.

Heck I have a Mackie Control and I found your User Guide for The BCF fascinating. Great job. I hope people that have that controller will DL your guide. Now how about doing one for the Mackie Control? LOL

Nice FBB , the only thought I think missing maybe, perhaps a very small of info regarding firmware update? does that have any effect if it's not the latest one? and about it having to be updated in 32 bit win?!?!

Wow.   Thank you for that incredible document and the effort you so generously put into it to share with us.
 
It is an exceptionally well-done tutorial.
 
Thank you again FBB!
 
 

Blades... YOU ARE THE MAN! Mass props to ya!

Thanks for the shout out Fast Biker Boy.
 
 
Yes, in the Dynamics Mode, you can use, If you still have Sonar 2.2XL, the "Timeworks compressor".  This Compressor was the default compressor like Sonitus is now the default compressor for Sonar.   Back then, Sonar came with it's own compressor and Equalizer.   Both were by Timeworks and both worked great with the BCF2000 and in Sonar.  The plugs were mainly DXI plugins back then, but may have been updated to VST today, I haven't checked the specs.
 
Oh, one more thing, The BCF mainly use VST plugsins inside of  Sonar.  Only a few DXI plugins will work with the BCF while using SONAR.   
 
These plugins plus many more are still located at http://www.sonictimeworks.com/products.php
 

 

 
 
PEACE

Hi FBB

Despite my ongoing postings in my other thread about loading  presets, this is an *outstanding*  manual.
A better and more instantly user friendly and easily readable explanation of what  MCU emulation mode is and does for and in Sonar with a BCF2000 you will not find anyhwere !
Yet another example why this is the premier DAW / Recording Forum on the  'net  bar none  !!

Fantastic stuff FBB !!!!

Tim

Hi all,

thanks for the compliments/info.

John..... if I had the spare cash (and space which is a bigger problem for me) I'd love a Mackie. As much as I sing the praises of a BCF it's never going to be as good as the Mackie. Mainly because of the lack of buttons and jog wheel. Yes you can do most things with the BCF but as the guide highlights it'd be easier sometimes with 3 hands. For the ££/$$ difference though it is fantastic at what it does, with the added bonus that you can use it for a thousand other uses as well out of Mackie mode. I'll do a deal with you, you donate me a Mackie - I'll write a guide..

Fog.... I never mentioned the firmware upgrade mainly because there's some great info on that and other set up issues elsewhere, namely in Blades' videos and posts from Jesse G (which is where I got the info to get connected from when I first got the BCF). It just seemed to me from posts and questions on here that much of the functionality of the BCF was buried too deep in the Mackie help file to be easily available. Mainly due to the multi use/shifting of keys on the BCF.

Jesse G........ thanks for the info on the compressors. I'll definitely be checking the link out. Also, I probably never thanked you for all the info you've posted on here regarding getting the BCF up and running in the first place. Without that I'd have never got connected in the first place. If memory serves me correctly it was one of the most frustrating connection processes I've been through and I class myself as pretty savvy on all things computers. It was well worth the effort though. Thanks again.

Everyone else..... thanks again for the kind words and encouragement. If anyone reading this is struggling a bit with the number of keypresses and finger stretches I'd encourage you to persevere. Once you get used to it it all becomes second nature and far faster to do than the time it takes me to explain it, not to mention far faster than a mouse....

Thank You from a BCF2000 rookie.  There are bits and pieces around for this unit but to have a "readable" guide (and Blades' tutorials) helps immensely.

I just got the BCF2000 last month and thanks to Blades got it going.  This will also be a great addtion as the more I use the BCF2000 the more I wonder why I didn't have one before.