hardware controllers already out there

[MoRpH]

OK ppl look @ this http://www.mixman.com/software/index.html?pageTitle=DM%5E&p=2&a=2&dir=software&subsection=products&content=dm2 now doesn't that look cool, imagine loops on buttons, that fader as Xfade, joystick for FX!!!!! Seriously, combine and/or a Commandpost and some software that recognised them as controllers and you would have some serious action.

As regards custom controllers there are heaps of cool dedicated hardware controllers out there like these units that if someone wrote an app or some sort of plugin to allow there use with VJsoftware we would have all the options we need :)

[komart663]

hey could you please put apicture of your controller cause i couldn't see anything ( i had a black page during 3 mins ) ,do you know this midi controller (french one ) :www.Waveidea.com ,with all these faders and buttons ,you can do lot of things , there is the Regelwerk from Doepfer that combines a sequencer and a good midibox ,you can use it with Flowmotion ,Resolume ,Svd1...
best regards

[elbows]

Yeah MoRpH that sure would be cool, problems usually arise due to proprietry and closed-source/spec of the device communication interface, but if we are lucky they may have used standard HID type drivers or some developers know some cool tricks to reverse engineer things.

Im searching for the ultimate idea for a device for scratching video, something that feels really nice to use, rather than just conforming to the usual t-bar/sliders/turntable that we are used to. Any requests? My hardware development dreams are starting next week finally wahey :)

Im upset at the moment I just built up the stupidity to spend money on I-CubeX midi interface so I can play with different input devices, and the company arent responding to me, slackers :(

[MoRpH]

http://home.pacific.net.au/~morph/stuff/mixman.jpg

Yeah most if not all of them use HID, you can get a directX input tester thingy from the forum, a guy quiet a while go wrote it for me to test the commandpost, which will show you the details of your HID device (buttons, axis and stuff). Now the command post driver must then convert that data over to keyboard shortcuts, but why not just write some code into a soft to directly hook into the directX input og the HID device, maybe even a learn function (like midi learn) so you can right click the onscreen button/slider/etc and them move/press the hardware and have it assign itself.

[MoRpH]

OK just purchased a DM2 and am making a deal to get support for it and commandpost into a good current VJ app ;)

Also just saw this AWESOME looking controller from a link posted on eyecandy http://www.raildriver.com/rdcontrols/desktop.html maybe we can sneek this controller in too, it seems to be USB so its prolly a HID controller aswellhttp://www.raildriver.com/rdgraphics/newdesk.jpg

[LEVLHED]

OH yeah! Thats the one I want!

CHOOOO CHOOOOO!!

[MoRpH]

Hahaha and here's the hat to go with it
http://www.party-oz.com.au/FancyDressHire/images/7059.jpg

I have to admit though, I picture the controllers as themed as per the event. With the DM2 as more of a scratch DJ/breaks/hiphop event controller, Commandpost with its standard range of controllers I think would be for more generic events (trance, house, etc...) and this would be great for a Jules Vernesque theme, maybe Wizard of Oz man behind the curtian type thing... more about performance :)

[sleepytom]

if some bunch of muppet train spotting freaks can make a sodding usb hardware controler then there must be someone out there who could make custom hardware controllers for vj software?

i really don't see the point in buying somthing that mimics the controls of the eurostar - how will this thing help you control a vj app - fullsteam ahead = lumakey? i don't think so

[eXhale]

Originally posted by sleepytom
i really don't see the point in buying somthing that mimics the controls of the eurostar - how will this thing help you control a vj app - fullsteam ahead = lumakey? i don't think so yeah it is obviously designed for simulation games.

[XeroDark]

Are there any hardware controllers that currently work with a vj software besides the keyboard of course if so what is it and what software can you use it in?

peace I,m out

[MoRpH]

Originally posted by sleepytom
if some bunch of muppet train spotting freaks can make a sodding usb hardware controler then there must be someone out there who could make custom hardware controllers for vj software?

Exactly, it can't be THAT had and to think were still stuffing about with midi. I say lets uses whats out there AND build customs, hmmm I might try digging about on the web maybe there is a hobby group that might be interested in the project.

i really don't see the point in buying somthing that mimics the controls of the eurostar - how will this thing help you control a vj app - fullsteam ahead = lumakey? i don't think so
Hehehe I think the point is its more of a fun thing, prolly not all that practical, from that side of things the DM2 or Commandpost would be MUCH more useful

[elbows]

Yeah but most vj software works with midi and its a good tried & tested format so I still intend to use midi as the basis for custom controllers.

Easiest way though if you want to go down the custom controller using directinput etc is to get an existing joystick and butcher it. What apps can curently use joystick or mouse (apart obviosuly from the vj software whose name I dare not mention to you :D )

[MoRpH]

OK recieved this yesterday and now pasting with permission :)

Hello MoRpH,

We are the aforementioned muppet train spotting freaks. We also make custom hardware for many applications including VJ software.

Here\'s a piece I thought you might be interested in: http://www.xkeys.com/product/pxkeditor.htm

We also provide an SDK to help programmers find our data on the HID Consumer Page. I haven\'t posted on the forum, since some folks get upset when manufacturers jump in to tout their products, but I would be happy to answer any questions on or off forum.

- Dan
sliderd@ymouse.com


and in responce to some questions about that

>OK so your already making custom controllers for VJ software... which app???

Our controllers are designed to work with any app. The guys who have made the most of them to this point, are the ones using OTSJuke, but I've also heard from Nuendo users, and been working with a guy from Native Instruments (Traktor).

> I think ppl would LOVE to
>talk to you about stuff, as most of the VJ softwares have reasonable active
>user bases they would be interested in pooling to get a good hardwar
>controller for each app to get the most out of it if they can get the
>software developer to come to the party...

That's the key, "IF they can get the software developer to come to the party."

As it stands now, anything we do for input has to be converted to
keystrokes so the software can understand it. With our Custom USB devices, we can send data to the USB HID Consumer Page. If the software will look for it there, we can communicate directly. No keyboard futzing, commands go straight to the software, even if it's not on top.

Right now, most of our users stick with the straight X-keys, which record and playback keystroke sequences and combinations. I have a few examples here: http://www.xkeys.com/product/feature4frameset.htm It's not the same as the direct input, but it's the best we can do without the software developers on board.


All confirming what I was saying about directInput and HID.

OK ppl get cracking and get your VJ software coder onside and your userbase geared up to fund YOUR controller now :)

[eXhale]

Awesome MoRpH :) I hope they come here.

[PI48895]

http://www.xkeys.com/graphics/picxk20usb.jpg

Hi guys.

We make programmable input devices. The X-keys, pictured above comes in 20 or 58 key models, for PS/2 (Keyboard) or USB.

We have a lot of users who love them because they are portable, easy to program, and they get you off the keyboard in a hurry.

We also make an X-keys Controller with a precision joystick and 46 keys, and an X-keys Editor with a Jog & Shuttle knob & 46 Keys:

http://www.xkeys.com/graphics/picxkeditor.jpg

The Editor has a driver for Mac, but not for Windows since Gates & Co. don't recognize Jog & Shuttle. We send the data to the HID Consumer Page and offer an SDK to help the programmer locate it, but it's up to them to get it in and out of their software.

X-keys are priced at $99 US for 20 keys, $149 US for 58 keys, $229 for Editor & Controller. We ship world wide, and have international resellers listed on our web site.

Questions?

More info available at: www.xkeys.com

Thanks for the invite and screen space.

- Dan from P.I. Engineering (the muppet train spotting freaks) AKA "The No Slogan Company"

[scientifikent]

yeah, also check out midi turntable...
targeted at the fusion of VJs + DJs...
the EJ = evolution.

it's a retrofit for any Tech12 style turntable.
custom 12" vinyl + optical cartridge,
outputs midi continuous controller values.
setup time under a minute.

http://www.ejenterprises.tv/scratchtvsmall.jpg

it will work with many VJ & music apps,
ie Videodelic, Onadime, Touch, Reason...
any software or hardware that accepts midi.
our ScratchTV software lets you scratch any quicktime,
meaning .mov, aiff, QTVR, mp3, etc. - it also does looping.
average latency is 2 milisec, 3 max.
I get perfectly responsive scratching of 480x360 video
on my Titanium 667Mhz powerbook.
it runs on OS X and we're working on a PC version.

we are getting 100 of them in about a month.
we're gonna run a giveaway off the website
so keep your head up!

peace,
sciencekid

www.ejenterprises.tv

ps - I know the website still sucks.
the new one will be up soon.

[videotechno]

heheh... [elbows' comment]

morph--please keep us updated on any progress you may have with the dm2. i sure would love to figure out how to use it to drive RC fuse or that... well... unmentionable program.

LONG LIVE vJo!!!
[ducks to avoid being impaled by sharp objects]:D

[MoRpH]

Will do, I have got the nod that chris is going to put DM2 and Commandpost control into SVi

I have the DX/HID data from the test app that Awax wrote for me for the Commandpost ready to go to chris, but I have to figure out when controllers I want to control what in SVi.

The DM2 is currently in transit from USA to Australia and I will be running it through the test app when it arrives and specing the controllers on it for use with SVi.

I have spoken to the VJo guys about support for it in VJo and they say it should be pretty easy and when they get their dual monitor and FX chain tweeking/freeze issue sorted maybe it will get supported... even then I would be keen to use VJo live... mind you with 2 laptops with a Midi keyboard/COmmandpost/DM2/peavey 1600x for control and running either SVi/Vjamm/AJs AVS it will be hard pressed to find a space in my rig.

Personally I'm looking forward to seeing SVI support CS/TZT plugins or TZT supporting MIDI/HID :D

[videotechno]

ooo--just checked out SVi last night*. gotta say i like it's scratching more than the scratching in fuse. would be very cool to control said scratchness with a DM2...

yeah, after messing around with controlling vJo effect parameters with a joystick [just learning the hang of it], i can imagine it wouldn't be too tough to set it up for other devices. yeah--i've only used it live after setting up shows [mapped all over the keyboard, etc.--most of the time i remembered where stuff was!], but when those things get implemented it would be groovy.

*was kinda wanting to figure out what plasma stuff you were talking about in the vJo review thingy. sure, you could mimic those plasmas in vJo, but it would take me weeks to do that. they remind me of a screensaver i had on a little mac performa back in the day... very useful tho' - especially about 1/3 crossfaded into clips, etc. dig the easy speed adjustments as well.

-rick

[sofarok]

m audio suface one
http://www.digitalvillage.co.uk/images/21/midiman_sufaceone.jpg

This looks quite tasty, would it be of any use, seems pretty versatile/ configurable.

http://www.m-audio.ca/EngSite/EngProfolder/EngUSBKeypages/EngSurf1.html

[MoRpH]

sofarok, try looking through VJcentral mate the unit has been discussed @ length and its progress through development is being followed by quite a few ppl. Personally its on my probably list.

[Yetimon]

Originally posted by sofarok
m audio suface one


Yep - very nice looking box, but it's been "coming soon" for an exceptionally long time. :( I met a local Midiman distributor at a recient tradeshow that had played with one, and he says it'll be worth waiting for, but oh such a wait!

Oh well, I needed to save up and buy a new PC first anyway...

[krokodril]

Thing about the perfect hardware control (my el cheopa solution consist of an ancient cad cam tablet)would be to combine the computer interface with some analogue outs.
I am still trying to get my mx1 to talk to the computer. (this way the program would know what the mixer is doing, handy especially if you work with more than one out)
Next step would of course be putting the beamer in a merlin roboscan or floodlight and have one of these nice usb tools steer it, possibly by the same program. next step would be taking over smoke bubles and lights( i hate it when my red dish video is in a blueish dancefloor, or when te strobe stops everytime when i decided to join in
OH did i forget to mention my perfect software and hardware controllers should also guide the camera's

ahhhhhhh ahhhhhhhh ahhhhhhhhh connect connect asymilate me :alien: