UC1 is of course all very well, but...How much can you control other third-party plugins with UC1?

With the regular VST/AU/AAX SSL channelstrip plugins that the UC1 was designed for originally, I have:

SSL 4K B
SSL 4K E
SSL Native Bus Compressor 2
SSL Native Channel Strip 2 (9000 J)

And the 'Link' plugins can host any other plugin as long as they're VST3.

SSL 360 Link plugin
Lets you map any plugin to the EQ and comp/gate sections of the UC1.

SSL 360 Link Bus Compressor plugin
Lets you map any plugin to the bus compressor section in the center of the UC1.

Although you could map any reverb, delay or harmonizer etc to it, I think it's best with ch.strips, EQs and compressors. Parameters find their natural place. The HP filter is always in the same place, the comp ratio is in the same place and so on.

Many channelstrips, EQs and comps fit well in the controller layout of the UC1, but some don't. Obviously a 32 band graphic EQ wouldn't fit, neither would a multiband compressor. And for instance, I haven't mapped my Distressor emulation to it because so many parameters don't fall into natural places on UC1.

So, channelstrips and EQs in 360 Link, I have:

80B EQ
Avalon VT-747SP
Backs EQ
Backs Pro EQ
BlackQv3
BRITSTRIP
BRITSTRIP MP
bx console Focusrite SC
bx console SSL 4000 E
bx console SSL 9000 J
COFFEEPUN
DV Brit73
DV Brit84
DV TubeBell
DV TubeFilter
DV TubeShelf
DV USRack
EMINENCE
Harrison 32Classic Channel Strip
Lindell 50 Channel
Lindell 80 Channel
Lindell PEX-500
Maag EQ2
Maag EQ4
MBSI
Model N Channel
Motone EQ
Need 73 Console EQ
Need 81 Console EQ
Need 84 Console EQ
Need 31102 Console EQ
P440 Sweet Spot
Pre TridA
Rule Tec EQ1A
Rule Tec EQ5M
True 252
UADx API Vision Channel Strip
UADx Helios Type 69 Preamp and EQ
UADx Pultec EQP-1A EQ
UADx Pultec HLF-3C EQ
UADx Pultec MEQ-5

And compressors in 360 Link Bus Comp, I have:

ADC1 Compressor
Arousor Lt
bx_opto
bx_townhouse Buss Compressor
GREY
Lindell 254E
MJUC
N4BRIGHTON2
NEOLD U2A
NEOLD U17
NEOLD V76U73
TDR Molotok
The Glue
UADx 1176 Rev A Compressor
UADx 1176AE Compressor
UADx 1176LN Rev E Compressor
UADx dbx 160 Compressor
UADx Fairchild 660 Compressor
VCA Compressor

Thank you.
You left a very good answer with your Practical Review. I am sure many will appreciate it and your review will help them make any decisions.
I looked at this controller for a long time - thought about my real practical work (I do mixing and mastering) - and I realized that this controller is useless for me. My work will not become faster with it, and my mix/mastering work will not sound better with it. I realized that it will not be able to work with all my plugins - or it will lead to fatal Confusion/visual confusion/complete inconvenience.
Buying this controller for the VISUAL aesthetic "luxury" look is definitely not a sound idea for me. The amount for the controller is not low, so I decided to invest this money in Useful devices/plugins for real work with sound.
I also work in Studio One. The best solution is to work with a Mouse in my hands as before (I'm talking about ITB work) - as, for example, Serban still does (a great person for me and thousands of other engineers)

Of course, the controller looks beautiful from the outside, and I am sure that it is made with high quality.

Thank you. Very valueable.

Hi all!

I haven't contributed to the thread in a while but have been catching up lately and it seems to me no one has mentioned this new controller from Nektar yet:

https://nektartech.com/products/panorama-cs12/

I've seen a couple of videos on youtube by the usual suspects and it really looks like a step ahead in the plugin controller arena. What do you guys think about it? The price is also not particularly expensive for what it does.

I still think the way to go is committing to a set of plugins with dedicated hardware, like SSL and/or Softube and/or TC Electronic, to use 80% of the time. But for the remaining 20%, I think this thing might help in a better way than your average generic encoder-based controller.

Curious to hear more opinions, especially from people who have tried it with Cubase.

Cheers,
Michele

There is this new beast:

https://www.melbourneinstruments.com/rotocontrol

Though once again rather narrowly tailored :

Roto-Control Motorized Midi Controller.

Introducing a truly unique motorized MIDI controller, unlike anything seen before. Rethink software and hardware interactions via fully assignable motorized touch-sensitive knobs, user definable haptics for detailed control, high-res screens providing easy-to-read labels for every control, and internal memory with storage for over 16,000 possible assignments. Powerful, compact, and portable, Roto-Control features three main modes of operation: MIX, PLUGIN and MIDI with Motion Recorder.

MIX Mode
Plug & play dedicated Ableton Live audio mix environment. Automatically sync Ableton Live Sets with all track names and colors instantly appearing on Roto-Control displays. Roto-Control will automatically update track names and colors when connected to an active Ableton Live Set. No need to save or edit labels – all data is taken directly from the active Ableton Live Set.

PLUGIN Mode
Plugin parameters and labels are taken directly from Ableton Live with one touch, one-time, intuitive easy set-up. Learn plugin parameters once and Roto-Control will remember learnt parameters anytime you use Ableton Live. All learnt plugin parameters are stored locally on Roto-Control, making it quick and easy to use Roto-Control with any computer setup.
- Up to 64 plugins per single track, with up to 128 controls (64 knobs + 64 buttons) per plugin.
MIX and PLUGIN Modes complement each other with fast intuitive switching between modes. Both modes include full suite of Ableton Live transport controls.

MIDI Mode with Motion Recorder
Control MIDI hardware and software including synths, DAWs, lighting, media applications and any MIDI compatible technology. MIDI Mode can operate stand-alone without a computer.
- Up to 64 MIDI Setups stored on Roto-Control.
- Each Setup can consist of up to 128 controls (64 knobs and 64 buttons).
- Setups can be imported and exported via the Roto-Setup app, for sharing with others.

Motion Recorder
Motion Recording brings Melbourne Instruments’ motorized knob technology to external gear. Motion Recorder is a creative and fun way to automate and loop MIDI parameters on external hardware and software. Simple one-step record and playback functions.
- Record up to 8 parameters per Setup.
- Save up to 8 MIDI Set-Ups with Motion Recording.
- Clock source: Internal or external MIDI clock.
- Step recording lengths: 16, 32, 48 or 64 steps.
- Playback modes: forward, backward, random, ping-pong.

Roto-Setup App
Provides additional configurationa and customization of knobs and buttons including multi-position switches, haptic control, toggles, minimum and maximum values, in addition to MIDI channel, CC, NPRN, resolution and naming of steps. Edit label colors and names for knobs and buttons in MIDI and PLUGIN Modes ,. Import and export MIDI and PLUGIN Setups, Roto-Setup will automatically detect and update firmware when connected to Roto-Control.

Features:

• 8 x Touch sensitive motorized knobs with haptic feedback and instant recall.
• 9 x High-res LCD (IPS) displays.
• 16 x Backlit RGB LED buttons.
• 2 x USB-C ports (data & power)
• MIDI in/out/thru, 5-pin MIDI DIN and MIDI over USB.
• Power: USB-C 5V (15W)

I've recently bought the Nektar CS12 to use with Cubase and have to say it is excellent and has really exceeded my expectations.

Great to hear that! I'm particularly interested in the plugin control side of it: I guess maybe it's too early for such a question, but have you been able to actually fit that into your mixing workflow?
More generally, any complaints or things you wish were implemented differently?
Thanks!

Yes I’ve started using it in my mixing workflow. I tend to use the Cubase stock compressors and some of the basic eq functions and I am now able to actually turn off my computer screen and use my ears whilst mixing with these! I’m going to try doing this with some of my third party plugins. Also, the actual control over various Cubase functions and features is pretty deep!

That's literally music to my ears, thanks for sharing! It seems 5 years after this thread was started we are finally, slowly but steadily, getting from a sad state to a less sad state, if not yet a happy one!
Please keep us posted with any additional updates from your usage experience, thank you!

Will do

A midi 2.0 protocol for controllers is being developed. I assume this is for now hush hush.

Fader resolution:

Midi profiles:


Midi innovation awards:


midi controller profile:


This is an overview of several area's that is being worked on. There is more. the midi 2.0 news thread is frequently updated.

I am still not satisfied beond the control24 and the icon series in remote control/mixing desk quality.

Gotta love the NoiseAsh stuff 😎

I'll bump & add my 2 cents for DIY-fans of upgrading upto perfect HW.
The MP MIDI controller (ver.1A) review from inside:

• If you are having certain skills in working with microprocessors and industrial electronics - You can independently implement several improvements, the interface connectors of which are accessible from inside the MP board and monitor:

By adding a USB-C PD cable, the controller can be easily powered from an additional or external source +5V, similar to the latest version of MP mk2.
But have nuances:

[*] That Mk2 has a brighter and more contrasting monitor with a glossy finish... the properties of which I would dispute as advantages, since two iMac monitors with similar "rear-view mirrors" are enough for me. I am closer to the old version MP mk1 with a matte finish because glossy and touchscreen are incompatible things and the grease from fingers at touchscreen is unpleasant to me...
[**] Important is that almost the entire board is powered by Low voltage level 3V3. Therefore, be careful when connecting external power.
[***] Perhaps you will need a KVM switch for the second HDMI commutation for the display image-supply... although there are no restrictions on these capabilities and a miniature KVM-switch can be installed inside the MP chassis for such purposes due to DIY...

In case of installing a full-fledged USB-C data cable, you will have access to this monitor with touch-screen from the second terminal for other purposes.

• Inside the controller included is a PPI 14-pin port for connecting a character LCD, which displays all the MIDI information which transmitted from the rotary encoders (I used an LCD1602 and it perfectly demonstrated its functionality for MIDI events monitoring)

This is very convenient to have as a debug monitor in standalone mode, without displaying information on the main touch screen. So you can try using the MP controller with this mini LCD monitor in standalone mode, without being tied to a PC.

[*] But for the future development of teensy IC and as an option for freeing up additional in/outputs, I would refuse a PPI protocol. Would leave the ability to connect OLED via the I2C protocol to reduce the occupied pinout. Thus upgrade would became possible to install on the front side of perimeter around touchscreen of MP space which is freely from encoders, a like similar 0.91-1,71 inch OLED 128x32 pics.
[**] looking under the hood of the MP prototype (pablished 5 years ago) - I saw at reviews of the initial MP prototypes that were install double-LCD... And probably for reasons of economy, the manufacturer refused to further expand the functionality of the MP controller.

• inside the controller the main multiplex function is performed by the ICs: MUX LS165A (74HC165A analogue) amount at 9 (U2-U10).

One of this IC - U2 which design for extra 8x2-pin out buttons (which hidden inside. and this commutation can be monitoring by use serial/MIDI monitor):

[*] Page select UP/Down buttons (J35, J36)
[**] MIDI channel select up/Down buttons (J37, J38)
[***] Last 4 buttons actions (J39-J42) I can’t found by logic/serial/midi monitor

• Main IC - U1 the teensy LC is an Arduino-type controller as the main HW-interface via USB, due to teency IC the possibilities for developing an MP interface are much wider than those of 32 encoders and rest of 8 manipulating buttons/functions! (which actually take up only 9+2 in/outputs of 16-19 capabilities for Teensy LC (add 6-pin outs are occupy for parallel LCD, and total - 27 pins)...

In case of scaling the U2 circuit with the hidden 8 add.buttons to the assignet of remaining free contacts of U1 (D24, D25, D26), it is possible to easily increase the number of received events to another 32!, i.e. to increase the device's performance by DUBBLED vs current version! for this additional reprogramming of the teensy LC is required, for which I try negotiating with the MP manufacture.

[*] Maybe the guys from the MP team already have their own developments and ideas on expanding the capabilities of the code in future releases of the new MP mkIII?
[**] But in my opinion the cheapest solution would be to upgrade the 32 infinite encoders from 3-pin to 5-pin encoders with a push-button version (which will allow for an additional 32 push-button elements (latch, toggle or momentary depending on user settings and VST capabilities) to the already finished stock surface of the controller). This upgraded would increase the performance of your hardware exactly two times to 64 control elements per 1 layer/page of the controller

Moreover:

• There are at least 2 more unused 4-pin connectors inside:

[*] One of which has silkscreen J1 "expression pedal" by TRS-type connection - so, is the capability to connect an external pedalboard kit?
[**] The second 4-pin connector J44 is unsigned and its implementation still needs to be studied...
[***] But the most expected for me is the use of MP teensy UART RX/TX-pin outputs (D0;D1) as a MIDI protocol for connection of external devices and synthesizers. This does not require material investments, but only the coding of the teensy. I think the DIY audience This will be appreciated as home-made for your own projects.

I hope that due to the UART protocol, we will upgrade the device and could install the MIDI DIN-5 interface together TRS-jack as extension directly on the MP chassis.

And finally:
Despite its bulky appearance, there is enough space inside the MP controller to accommodate additional IC, LCD, connectors and sockets, and there is also the possibility of reconnecting the entire control circuit to low-voltage 3V equipment, which also gives impetus to the imagination with the installation of a couple of sets of accumulators - there is enough space for these purposes!
I also want to push the idea of installing a front bumper (functional and ergonomic at the same time):
to use as a hand rest when working with the controller
and place new hardware controls there (for example, an XY joystick with auto-return to zero or a touch strip controller with 14-bit or deeper value of MIDI event transmission for pitch/modulation control. or place an additional array of buttons on the bumper surface for assigning DAW editing states/macros or for selecting patches of external devices)

and a bit more 2 pennys:

• If you investigate the internal space & the controller board of MP. So, the fact that the reserves for upgrading the controller are quite large. see added diagram and upgrade abilities points #1-5:

[#1] in green - 14-pin port for a parallel LCD display (works. tested)
[#2] in blue - IC U2 receives signals from the 8x2-pin port, which is intended for 8 buttons (the description of the implementation of which I told above) - this was already prepared by the guys from the MP MIDI team, but not implemented in HW. And this is good news!
[#3 & #4] in yellow - these are two sockets that already have silkscreen on the board "external pedal" (although the function of receiving and sending signals is not entirely clear there: analog or digital?) I wrote to the manufacturer's support and am waiting for an answer, hoping they will not disappoint me...
[#5] the list in red - 5 unconnected pins of teensy LC board: the most expected of them is the ability to implement the RX TX due to UART protocol convert to MIDI IN/OUT. with which it is possible to install by DIN-5 sockets, for autonomous (stand alone) peripherals/synths controling.

But I will note that everything you do DIY - You will do at your own risk, and this is not an official invitation to hack MP equipment. This post is just a brief overview of the capabilities that are hidden under the hood of MP, which I hope will find responses in new releases of the manufacturer combining our ideas and their capabilities!

Then question is that you will then desire to patch it more. and get a fully functional graphical interface for MIDI peripherals and synthesizers only?! As an example, you can add a separate computer and code based on the raspberry Pi.

To be continued and it is more intriguing...