TKP customization ?s

[Stray]

Nice work on this package. I just bought a PK and was muddling my way through setting it up when I happened upon your videos. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!

My pleasure.

I am wanting to purchase the package with any available add-ons...do you have a package price for everything?

I was offering to do customizations to the standard package for $10, but this sounds like more of a collaboration and something that might benefit others. So let's work on it, money isn't really a concern right now.

I was also looking to pick up an FCB 1010, but with the addition of the footswitch with the PK, this seems redundent...would you concur?

Not exactly since the 1010 gives you hands free control over a number of functions. The pedal on the pK is only really used for one function; clip launch.

Live looping with Ableton is a very hot topic on the Abes forum, with various solutions offered. Mackie control is one (I think Trackteam audio has a template for the PK), and you might want to check out the thread www.ableton.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=63839. It seems somewhat similar to your approach, but I think I like yours better.

I'll have to try that out.

After I play with your package a bit, I will totally post on the Abes forum singing your praises, if you would like.

Sure, I'd appreciate that.

I also use a BCF2000 in Mackie mode to control the mixer/transport/scene navigation, and I have a Novation remote SL automapping to control plugs. Will the PK mapping interfere with any of these MIDI messages?

That would depend on what CCs the other gear uses. If you can find this out, it wouldn't be a problem to use different CCs on the pK to make sure there's no conflicts.

Also, I want to create my own custom template in PK for use with battery...I think I can figure this out myself, but if I needed help could I pay you to help set it up?

No need, just post here and we'll talk it through.

I basically want to use as many pads as possible for playing beats, with minimum transport controls, or maybe just switching between the looping scene to arm a track, and quickly switching to the template for maximum battery control. Would this be a real pain in the ass?

Nope, removing controls is easy.

Is it better and more feasible to dedicate, say, the top four pads for record arm, etc., and the bottom twelve for battery control?

We might be able to use all 16 for controlling Battery. We might be able to have Scene change and the User Messages handling arming and anything else you'd need.

I just want to be able to improvise live beats (with greatest option of sounds to choose from), and record them on the various tracks. I hope you don't mind the length of this post, but you really know your stuff and I trust your judgement and experience in these matters...your input and advice would be greatly appreciated!

Sure, helping you helps me improve upon my set up.

Also, my laptop is 1440X900. Have you gotten a template for this yet, or do you need me to get you the proper coordinates (via the method you describe on your website).

In the new set up I'll be releasing soon, we don't need AutoHotKey anymore, so no more issues with resolution.

I would really like to help you get all the kinks worked out of this system and arrive at its maximum utility, as I feel that there is a large need in the Abe community to get this live looping thing sorted out.

Thanks, this is a much bigger job than I had anticipated. But it's totally worth it.

You really might want to also work on a similar thing for the FCB 1010, as I know that many Live users go this route and I think there is a market there for you. Anyway, let me know how much and where to paypal. I look forward to corresponding with you some more about all this! Thanks!!

I'm always looking to improve upon my control set up. I hadn't considered the 1010, but it might be an option. I was strongly considering the BCR2000 since there are some things that would work better with endless rotaries.

If possible, let me know what CCs your other gear is using and we'll go from there.

[amcnally336]

Cool!
I will get those CCs to you ASAP!
I just installed battery 3 and have noticed that the kits are not consistently mapped to my keyboard! Some kits are laid out nicely, with going up the keyboard logically following the cells, while others are all over the place, which obviously messes with the PK settings. Is this typical for the factory kits, or should I reinstal them? I will be making my own kits of course, but it would be nice to access the factory kits and have consistent control. Just wondering if you had the same issue. Thanks!

[amcnally336]

Also, I LOVE my BCF 2000. I use it in Mackie control mode and I can control just about every aspect of Live that I want. I will try to find the Abe thread that talks about this. Some guy even made little labels that you can tape on the controller to assist in navigating all the button parameters. You are actually running it in Cubase mode, as Behringer has not gotten around to making a Live template, but most of the main controls are well laid out. There are a few "funky" anomalies, but it's pretty easy to get the hang of it. I do composing and arrangement, so having the motorized faders is TOTALLY SWEET! However, if you primarily want it as a controller for clips and such, and have a lot of parameters to control, many people LOVE the BCR. There is no OFFICIAL way to run it in Mackie mode, but people have found a good work around that allows you to run in this mode. I can find the thread if you want me to. Also, if you have a lot of plug ins, give the Novation remote series a look. The automapping function is very, very handy! They make a zero version without a keyboard if you dont need that. They appear on Ebay from time to time (The BCR is easy to pick up used). Anyway, let me know if you want those links or anything!

[Stray]

I definitely want some endless rotaries and I’m considering the BCR, it’s just kind of bulky for what I need. I really like the new Killamix Mini from Kenton.

www.kentonuk.com/

Also…

The Mawser…
www.macmusic.org/news/view.php/lang/en/id/3192/

I love the idea of a modular controller…just wish it could be geared more towards production instead of Djing. Give us a keyboard with a chassis and let us drop in the controllers we need. Basically a gutted Neko of sorts.

And Doepfer DIYs

www.doepfer.de/home_e.htm

But I’ve never soldered anything in my life and have no idea how I would build a case for it.

Sorry, I’m rambling…if you get a chance…can you compare Novation’s Automapping with Live’s Instant Mapping. Aside from the LCDs displaying the parameter names for you…does it offer any advantages?

[Stray]

Sorry…missed your Battery question. I’m still using Battery 1 and the kits that came with that are just mapped chromatically (in note order) from what I recall. From the looks of it, Battery 3 is definitely different.

The only reason I can think of for having the mapping be all over the place is to conform to the GM standard. In the Preload scene folder for the pK, there’s a couple different GM set ups…maybe those might help.

To keep things consistent though, it might be easier to…
1. Change the note mappings for the preset kits, so they’re all the same.
2. Use the Scale plugin in Live on the kits that aren’t chromatic, which will make them chromatic.