--- In
korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, Atom Smasher <atom@...> wrote:
>
> On Wed, 21 May 2008, Michael Hawkins wrote:
>
> > I know I've asked you this before but I am looking for a decent
MIDI
> > controller on ebay, what was the controller you had?
> ==============
>
> i use a peavy PC-1600x. check out the differences between the 1600
and the
> 1600x, and the 1600 might do everything you need (such as testing
the CCs
> on the 800mk3).
>
The Peavey is the best, but it's also pricey (around $150). I picked
up a JL Cooper Fadermaster for $50 off ebay a while ago, and while it
only has half the faders of the Peavey, fewer configurations in ROM
and RAM, and a single-digit LED rather than a backlit LCD screen, it
still does everything I need it to, other than having only one patch
memory for synths controlled by NRPN or SYSEX. (which is why I sure
hope the Hawk's controls will use CC not NRPN!)
There's also the knob-based Phat Boy and Doepfer Pocket Dial but I
have no experience with them. Those are the 'originals' and used to
be somewhat rare until virtual analog software became all the rage
and every company started releasing external controller boxes.
There's a Behringer one, BCR2000, which uses knobs and retails for
$130-$150. It'd be nice if they had a cheaper version with fewer
controls. BTW, the Behringer, unlike the JL Cooper and I think the
Peavey, as well, has all its controller ranges stuck at 0-127. So
that's kind of annoying when you've got parameters in a synth like
the Poly 800 that go from 1-9, or whatever. With the Fadermaster
(and like I said, the 1600, too I think), you can set the range of
the fader to match the ranges of the synth's parameters.