Hi guys!
I’m building a controller setup merged into a stage outfit, and for this I’m trying to have a small midicontroller strapped on my left arm, basically for navigating through my libary.
For this I need a rrrreally small midicontroller with just a few buttons. I have a korg nanoPad, but it’s just a bit to big.
I tried using a modified qwerty keyboard, but I can’t find a HID-MIDI-converter that’s works and is not crazy expensive. Plus I’m skeptical to separate software running alongside my digital dj software, it’s one more thing that can screw up.
I was thinking of utilizing my iPhone with touchOSC, but I really need tactile buttons for this, I need to use it blindfolded.
As a last resort, I’m thinking of building my own controller from skratch, based on HaleMicro’s UMC controller(link). But that’ll be a lot of money for something that has a 50/50% chance of working at all.
I’m documenting the building process over here(link), by the way.
Do you guys have any ideas? Are there any midicontrollers out there, smaller than the Korg nano line?
Sorry, thought you wanted to just navigate? You should be able (I don’t have personal experience on this device) to map it like
scroll: up/down
click roll: left/right,
click: select
Good point there.
I’m using serato first and foremost, so what I need is:
up/down
tab (to change crate focus)
load left deck
load right deck.
and if the dj gods permit me, undo load, for when I screw up =)
Can’t remember anymore since I sold my Serato, but can you assign those to the keyboard? You could then use a separate numpad. Maybe there are even some with bluetooth?
You’re right, that Powermate wouldn’t do it alone. Akai/Korg nanopads are the second smallest midi controllers I know. Behringer used to make BCN-44, can’t remember the exact measurements, though.
yeah, I’ve tried the numpad solution. But the shortcuts I need to access isn’t available on the numpad (ctrl, tab), and if I go the other way and translate the numpad’s HID into MIDI, I need some software for that. And the software is all crap. So it appears all HID controllers are out of the question, unless anyone knows of HID-MIDI translation software for mac that actually works and is not super expensive (Bome, I’m looking at you).
The BCN-44 is nice, and could be modified, but it uses old school midi connectors. USB is the way of the future, I don’t want to bring an extra sound interface to gigs just to hook up legacy cables.
No, the “classic” version does not support HID-to-MIDI, and it’s PC only.
However, I have MTplayer, since I also use an APC40 with NativeKontrol scripts. So if someone with the full version of Bome’s were to make me a preset, I could run that preset in my MTplayer beautifully.
But then I rely on some samaritan making that preset for me. I’m not that lucky (I think).
But thanks for being solution oriented here. Any other takers?
On a related note, does anyone know if it’s possible to get just the barebones for the MIDI Figter, perhaps?
Possibly, I could have the PCB board on my back(inside the costume), and then just send the wires down my arm for the buttons.
Anyone here with a Midi Fighter who thinks it would be possible?
/J
Sure, but there are some other gloves out there that actually works better =)
And the powerglove also sends HID-data, so I still need some translation software. So back to square one.
