xy controllers for radias

[Atlanta Guy]

I'm interested to learn what options would add an xy control pad easily to a radias. A Kaoss Pad like the KP3 looks like an option but it is $400 and I don't need all the audio features-- just the midi control.

The $150 mini version appears to lack midi. Any suggestions for the most cost effective solution?

[Kossi]

I'm interested to learn what options would add an xy control pad easily to a radias. A Kaoss Pad like the KP3 looks like an option but it is $400 and I don't need all the audio features-- just the midi control.

The $150 mini version appears to lack midi. Any suggestions for the most cost effective solution?

e.g. Korg padControl http://korg.com/gear/info.asp?a_prod_no ... egory_id=8

or if you are working with a computer based setup:
Korg nanoPad http://korg.com/gear/info.asp?a_prod_no ... egory_id=8

the most cost effective solution imho:
a computer based setup using your laptops touchpad or an external touchpad e.g.: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?ur ... ad&x=0&y=0 and then map this to midi via a freebie-vst like http://www.livelab.dk/touchpad2midi.php(but i never tried this before and livelab state they currently support only dynaptics touchpad devices)...

[Atlanta Guy]

Thanks for the suggestions. Didn't really even think about the computer solutions till now. I'm a Pro Tools User (with a Digi 002 normally) but have done only basic MIDI things (via USB) with it from a [Yamaha] YPG-625.

I'm quite the newbie with MIDI-- been in audio for a long time-- trained in the 80's using Ampex and Studer tape decks... so obviously more conventional stuff is what I know. With MIDI, someone else would set it up and I'd just record the results. I still do crazy things like aiming a microphone or two at sound sources-- (even at a conventional piano to produce piano-like sounds, LOL). Learned recording "back in the day" with analog tape-- still prefer it frankly. Love the feel & sound of nice analog tape, but I digress. Time to get with the '90's here, so to speak-- just 18 or so years late!... (I'll get with the new millennium NEXT decade...)

I should have mentioned that I'm Macintosh based though-- any known Mac solutions like the Windows one you suggested?

I have Pro Tools and of corse Garage Band. I'm not opposed at all to buying something to use on the Mac for a variety of MIDI applications, but again, learning curve and newness to this area prevent any intelligent discussion on my part. (Suggestions are invited and welcome!) Thanks again.

[Kossi]

I should have mentioned that I'm Macintosh based though-- any known Mac solutions like the Windows one you suggested?

For the older Ibooks and Powerbooks there was FingaMidi http://fingamidi.sourceforge.net/, but this won't work on newer Macs.

Not exactly doing this for current macs is µ midi controller http://www.musicunfolding.com/MU_MIDI_Controller.html# letting you use your mouse or tablet to send midi messages.

But possibly you are a proud owner of an iPhone or iPod touch?
Then I'd would suggest you to check out iTouchMidi and their nice little apps like http://www.silicon-studios.com/itm/index.php?q=node/6, which would allow you to use the touchscreen of the iPhone/iPod touch as an x/y-Pad to send MIDI-Control-Data to your Mac and from there via USB/MIDI to your Radias over the air via WiFi-Connection, so you could place the iphone/ipod on the tray that comes with the radias kb and control the Radias from there.

[Atlanta Guy]

I'll have to see how old "older" actually is-- I have a couple of Aluminum (G4) powerbooks and an Intel version as well-- maybe the line is between the G4's and the Intels (MacBooks)?

No such luck on the iPhones and such-- they're cool but I'm a blackberry sort of guy when it comes to nifty phones. (Gotta love the email handling on blackberries-- smooth and simple!...)

Besides, then I could not chat on the phone properly while I played tunes in the background! LOL..

Thanks for the info!

[Atlanta Guy]

Hmm-- looks like the trackpad actually needs to be ADB so probably older than anything I have on the shelf after all. Cool idea with the laptop though--

[musikmachine]

What about the kaoss pad 2 atlanta guy?

[slammah2012]

Once you buy the Radias Rack, you will find the rest of the pieces will come together if you have the Midi Input space.....

[Atlanta Guy]

My initial thought was to see if I could use an xy pad of some sort to compensate for the lack of a mod wheel with and use that yamaha I have for a while as a controller somehow, especially if there were a cheap (or free!) option for a control pad. I don't mind suffering with a marginal solution for a while if it means that I end up with a better long-term solution a little way down the road.

Looks like that's not going to work (using the yamaha), but I'm still interested in adding some kind of a controller depending on which midi controller I end up using for a keyboard. At some point I'll want to have such a pad in some flavor or another-- I just like having that style of controller option.

I think that I do indeed need to get the actual radias rack in hand and then press on with the other pieces as I can-- makes complete sense. Probably cannot do it today but later this week I should be able to get my radias headed this way and then this can start coming together...

In the past, with various projects, too often I end up buying things before I have a solid plan and wind up without the ideal gear or with too many extra pieces so this time I'm trying to be more cautious. I'm getting a little older and trying to be more practical... (emphasis on a LITTLE, lol...)

The only thing I never did verify is if my assumption is correct about the M3 with a single Radias in it not being a viable option-- just in case I find another empty R3 keyboard-- I had seen one a while back, probably should have grabbed it but then again, I think that was only a 61-key and would not have held both controllers. Eh-- something will work out soon enough in any case.

Thanks again for all the advice.

[X-Trade]

The 61-key model lets you mount a RADIAS-R analog modeling synthesizer instead of the M3-M sound generator

(from http://www.korg.co.uk/products/workstat ... m3.asp#KKS )



I think that answers the question re the rack with m3kybd

[Atlanta Guy]

Wow, I'm surprised-- outstanding-- I was close to coming to the opposite conclusion. Very cool. I guess one shouldn't assume 100%, but that seems to greatly increase the odds on the the larger units being setup the same way.

I had read that you "apparently" couldn't use two Radias Racks in one of them at the same time (only 1 each or 2 M3-M's) so I was thinking it unlikely that you could run them alone. I wish I could find the source of that again-- web surfing and reading all over and I didn't mark the location...

I need to find a good article on Korg's "Komponent System" and that shouls answer all-- I already had an inquiry in at Korg-- waiting on an answer still and was checking with a couple of larger dealers to see what can be ordered at what price.

I'll post what I learn in case anyone else is interested, but sounds like it is possible. Now to track down the appropriate unit!...

Thanks for that info X-Trade, very helpful indeed!

[Atlanta Guy]

I just found another article that indicates you CAN use two Radias units as well:

http://www.it-review.net/article/music/synth/908&4

you can actually hook up two M3-M's, two RADIAS-R's or the combination of the two (so, M3-M and RADIAS-R) on the 88-key version

So the person who posted the other item I read was apparently assuming incorrectly and I took his (or her) comment and ran with it-- Such are the exploits of a confused newbie trying to sort through these things. Sorry for any confusion caused!