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Filed under: Motion Graphics •

Motion + MIDI

MIDI Controller Mini Reviews

There are a wide variety of MIDI control surfaces available, created by manufacturers around the world. Here are several which are particularly well-suited for using with Motion that were available at the time this article was originally written, with their then-current prices (for a snapshot of what is available now, visit an online music specialist such as audioMIDI. We’ve divided them into two groups: those which require traditional MIDI 5-pin DIN connections, and those with USB interfaces. All are programmable to a degree; we’re assuming you’ve got your hands full programming Motion, so we’re going to focus on how to get them up and running with a minimum of fuss.

MIDI

Most MIDI control surfaces will require the use of a MIDI interface for your computer, and MIDI cables with 5-pin DIN connectors to run between your interface and the controller. A simple “1x1” interface (with one MIDI In and one MIDI Out) will do; indeed, Motion 2 can only receive - not send - MIDI messages, so you will just need a single cable from your controller’s MIDI Out jack to your interface’s MIDI In. MIDI does not supply power to devices, so you will also need to run a separate power cable to the controller. Consider lashing together the power and MIDI cables so you just have one cord running to your controller.

Doepfer Pocket Control and Pocket Dial

At 6 3/4” W x 2 7/8” D and listing for $175, the Pocket Control is the smallest and one of the least expensive surfaces reviewed here. It comes with 16 dials arranged as two rows of eight. The small size means the dials are a bit close together, but are otherwise smooth and comfortable. The factory default is perfectly suited for Motion, sending MIDI continuous controllers 1 through 16.

The larger Pocket Dial (9 7/8” W x 4” D, $299) differs from most dial-based surfaces in that it uses continuous rotary controls, rather than the typical knob which only rotates between 7:00 and 5:00. A full rotation of one of Pocket Dial’s 16 encoders offers 32 physical clicks, which maps onto just a quarter of a full-range adjustment in Motion. Some may prefer this for tweaky adjustments. The knobs are also velocity sensitive, meaning quick movements result in larger changes in value.

Doepfer is a German company, distributed in the US by Analogue Haven.

Kenton Spin Doctor and Control Freak

UK-based Kenton Electronics makes a range of MIDI control surfaces. Their purple-and-white Spin Doctor ($169, 9 1/2” W x 4 3/4” D) is the most colorful surface reviewed here. It features 16 control dials; a 17th dial - Data Entry - is used to select between programs which determine which controller messages Spin Doctor sends. For Motion, use programs 2 through 5, which each send 16 different controllers apiece; you can switch between these programs to send 48 unique control messages to Motion.

On the other end of the Kenton spectrum is the Control Freak Studio Edition, which includes 16 60mm-long sliders in a 17” W x 8 1/2” deep case for $359. Like the Control Freak, a Data Entry knob switches between programs; use 2 through 5 for Motion. In between these two extremes, Kenton offers the Control Freak Original (8 sliders) and Control Freak Live (17 dials).

Kenton products are available directly from their web site or through select US distributors, such as audioMIDI.

USB Controllers

Some MIDI control surfaces now offer USB interfaces. This often allows a one-cable connection the computer, as USB carries MIDI In, MIDI Out, and power. As with a MIDI interface, however, you usually need to install drivers for it to work. Always check the manufacturer’s web site for updated drivers to keep up with operating system changes.

JL Cooper CS-32 MiniDESK

The most expensive of the control surfaces reviewed here at $399.95, this device also offers the largest number of controls per square inch: Its 9” W x 8 3/8” D profile features 32 20mm-long sliders, 6 knobs, a set of transport controls with a jog/shuttle knob, cursor keys, and function keys. Make sure you check out their web site, which includes updated drivers and software, as well as a Motion template. When this template is installed in their software, the sliders and knobs are pre-mapped to a whopping 38 independent continuous controllers. The cursor controls and function keys work, while the transport controls and jog/shuttle provide limited but useful control over Motion.

This American company has been around since the earliest days of MIDI, and offers a wide variety of user interfaces for controlling music and color correction software - check out JL Cooper online.

Behringer B-Control

This unit is the most professional-looking and -feeling of the group. It is also one of the largest, at 12 3/4” W x 11 1/2” D, but reasonably priced at $249.99 for the 8 slider/8 dial BCF2000 (view on Amazon), and $159.99 for the 32 dial BCR2000 (also available through Amazon). Unlike many USB devices, it also requires a power cord (normal AC - no external transformer), but it does not require a separate software drive to be installed first, making it a plug-and-go experience. Its long-throw 100mm faders and continuous rotary controls allows the most precision over adjustments; if you have other music applications, you will find that the faders are motorized, responding to MIDI In messages (which Motion does not send).

Behringer is a German company, but their products are available through a wide range of music stores and web sites in the US. They make a huge line of musical products; check out their web site and follow the link for Computer Gear.

Trigger Finger

Although I have focused on slider- and knob-style control surfaces here, another option is to use a piano-style MIDI keyboard. Rather than providing continuous control, striking a key results in a value proportional to how hard you struck it; releasing the key returns the value to zero. This is useful for VJs who want to trigger transformations in time with the music, and for creating nervous-style animations where parameters (such as Scale, or a Filter’s effect) suddenly jumps and resets back to normal.

There are number of MIDI keyboards available. Look for one that is smaller in size (so it doesn’t dominate your desk), which also has knobs and sliders, and that can communicate and be powered by a USB interface. A good example is the Edirol PCR series (an example is shown below).

Edirol’s PCR-500 (view on Amazon) is an example of a portable MIDI keyboard which also contains sliders and knobs.

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