BCA Remote Control and AZC

[Astraios]

Hi Alexej,

perhaps you can help me out. I want to trigger the parameters of my Spire synth using your mignificent AZ Controller, but for now I'm stuck in the Logic window. I've got a handle on the 'Options' and the 'Hardware' side of things...
The only 'Action Condition' the VST parameters offer is the "Rack" option. Could you please give me a hint as to what other settings need to be configured so that the OSC-1 knob on my 'BC Remote CTRL' actually sends the command to the synth? I'd really appreciate it.

Best regards from Berlin

[azslow3]

Hi,

I don't completely understand from which peace of software/hardware you try to control Spire, but since you have "Last MIDI event" with CC12 and some value, I guess you have managed to get your input working with AZ Controller.

In AZ Controller, you need at least 2 Actions to set parameter:
1) the first (or more) specify what you control
2) the second change the value, so specify how you control.

In your screenshot, there is (1), so you select the parameter.
As (2), you always use "Value" action. Default parameters should work fine ("Direct linear"). You can also try "Catch" option.

From the screenshot, I see you have defined "Action Condition". I am not sure you do this intentionally, it only make sense you you want control several different things by the very same Knob.
In any case, I propose you get basic functionality first, without any Software Sets and Conditions. Reset to "Any" for any condition you have set...

BTW the "Quick start" tutorial https://www.azslow.com/index.php/topic,9.0.html defines 2 Actions. It is easy to follow and you get something "working"

PS. "ACT Map" condition means you want do something only in case "Spire" synth is in "ACT Dynamic Mapping" focus. Rack/FX Actions are using an alternative route to control parameters, they work independent from the "ACT Map".
But if you really want control Spire only when it is in ACT focus... Keep the condition and add it also to the "Value" Action as well.
I repeat, I am just not sure you do it intentionally at the moment

[Astraios]

Vielen Dank für die Antwort.  Ich möchte das Spire Plugin mit dem 'BC Remote CTRL' Plugin (virtual MIDI Controller) triggern, was mit dem Sonar Remote auch gut funktioniert (funktioniert aber nur mit loopMIDI).
Das BC Remote CTRL wird mit einem Hardware Controller angesteuert und wandelt die MIDI-in Daten (OSC-1  Chn 15/CC 15) in MIDI-out (OSC-1  Chn 9/CC 12) um.
Ich habe schon Stunden mit Deinen AZ CTRL verbracht, aber ich bin leider kein Programmierer/Informatiker und auch nicht so fit in der Birne. Man könnte auch behaupten, ich bin schwer von Begriff...
Gestern habe ich auch das StartUp Tutorial studiert und bin immerhin ein Stück weit erfolgreich gewesen.
Stimmt genau, diese ACT Funktion will ich nicht benutzen, ich habe es auch mit 'Context' probiert und überhaupt alles Mögliche.
Vielleicht ist diese Einstellung (siehe Foto) schon etwas besser? 
Sorry, das ich auf die Nerven gehe...

[Astraios]

Danke - sehr cool 

Ich habe es hinbekommen!!!

https://youtu.be/4v8gQnX0ZCM

[Astraios]

Uuups - next problem,,,

I need to get beyond 500

Is there a way to manage this?

Ah, I see, it's a slider - not a rotery  No. 216

00:54 quite late - but I solved it already by myself!
ACT Type:  Slider = 216
Now it works fine

[azslow3]

I still recommend do not use any "Action Conditions" at the beginning. Well, once you want control several parameters with the same knob, you will have too.
To get the idea, try to follow "ACT MIDI Explained" tutorial/explanation (you will have to follow more or less all existing tutorial to make complicated presets in AZ Controller).

AZ Controller can work with Hardware devices directly, you don't need "an intermediate" layer. It is in fact more flexible and has access to the information "normal" plug-ins don't have (DAW state, context, focus, etc.).

If "500" limit somewhere is a problem, I can increase it. It is just so, I put some value till someone ask it is too low. And in all these years, extending "500" on that place was not requested   

Programming experience give advantage, but it is not an requirement for making AZ Controller presets. But understanding some "natural logic" is required for more or less complicated presets, not possible to get without:
1) we need to define WHEN we want do something. That can be Sonar state(s) or some artificial states (like "Ctrl"/"Shift", many-states-switches, etc.). "Condition" and "Software State Sets" are used to define the logic.
By default, "ALWAYS" is obviously reasonable default. And the simples to use at the beginning.
2) we need to define WHAT we want to control. To control parameter, we need to select which (Strip/FX/Send/Synth).
3) we need to define HOW we want control. That is (hardware) and desired effect dependent, but it is (almost) always single "Value" Action (till you want something special, like mapping value ranges)

Once you understand that logic, you can find your way in AZ Controller. So, Input Message (with value ) -> what exactly we want to control NOW (or we always control the same thing on this message) -> selecting the parameter -> setting target value (possible using input value).

The rest is "Monitoring" (rather tricky concept in AZ Controlling, primary for feedback on hardware devices) and fancy manipulations (device specific parsing, "scripts" to auto-operate Sonar dialogs, etc.). Which you normally don't need (till you need it... lol).

[azslow3]

I have installed Spire demo, yes, it has a bit more then 500 parameters... around 600.

Getting it completely controlled from any device is not one minute task. And from the beginning, hardware device has to have Encoders, not knobs. You are going to switch between different "pages" often (f.e. from one Osc. to another), you want physical knobs are "auto synced". That is only possible with encoders (they send "+"/"-", so absolute value has no meaning) or motorized sliders.

You will need quite some buttons / knobs just to select the "page" you want to control. Plus reasonable number of knobs and buttons on one page.

And not to be lost, you need display with current page layout and current values. Near monitor, it can be AZ Controller own "display". Otherwise some device running OSC App can be used.

Defining logical "tree of pages" and implementing all of them, for 600 parameters, is going to take some time.
Note you need at least parametrize (with Software State Set) the shift for the synth. Just imagine you realize you have 2-3 Spire instances in you project... without adding corresponding parameter before "cloning" controls, you will need to modify 600 Actions to add that later.
In practice, working with more states and "functions" can rabidly decrease the number of Actions: it seems like the parameter order is logical. So something like OSC(<osc number>, <parameter number>) reduce the number of Action proportional to the number of oscillators multiplied by the number of parameters in each (when you have another function which define the mapping between <knob number> and <parameter number> within oscillator).
But for such kind of thinking, you need to think as a programmer

[azslow3]

I habe uploaded b432, it supports selection up to 1000 parameters for FX/Synth/Filter.

[Astraios]

Hi Alexeji,

thx a lot for your messages. I apriciate it very much 

My intention and goal with AZ CTRL was to create something similar to the "Global Link" feature in FL Studio. It might actually be possible—I just don't know how to program or configure it to achieve this.

In the FL Studio DAW, the "Global Link" function allows for a permanent mapping (preset) between VST parameters and a specific hardware controller, making it possible to reuse these settings instantly in any project.

For example: I could map the 11 EQ parameters (CCs) of my Spire synth to my MIDI controller and save this as a preset, allowing me to use it in any FL Studio project without having to go through the tedious and time-consuming process of reconfiguring everything.

I haven't managed to do this with AZ CTRL yet, but I believe it is highly likely that it can be done, provided it is programmed correctly.

Currently, I cannot simply carry over my AZ CTRL preset—which includes about 40 VST parameters (rotary knobs and sliders)—into a new project, because the synth instance appearing in the "Logic" window is treated as a "new" one each time, right?

[Astraios]

I habe uploaded b432, it supports selection up to 1000 parameters for FX/Synth/Filter.

I have installed Spire demo, yes, it has a bit more then 500 parameters... around 600.



Defining logical "tree of pages" and implementing all of them, for 600 parameters, is going to take some time.
Note you need at least parametrize (with Software State Set) the shift for the synth. Just imagine you realize you have 2-3 Spire instances in you project... without adding corresponding parameter before "cloning" controls, you will need to modify 600 Actions to add that later.

That is exactly what I'm very interested in, but which parameters within AZ CTRL are required for this?
It's still a bit over my head at the moment. At least I've finally managed to grasp the basic principle;
it works wonderfully.

I assumed that the "context" would trigger the specific instance that is currently highlighted—meaning that if I have multiple Spire synths in a project, the one that is currently *active* would be the one to respond...?

I currently have about 200–250 Spire synth parameters set up in a Sonar "Spire Total Control" project using the outdated and rather impractical "Remote Control" window (a massive undertaking!), but it actually works quite well. Unfortunately, it's tied to a specific project, which makes it less than ideal for practical, everyday use.

The core of my setup is a hybrid MIDI controller (a tablet acting as hardware, paired with Touch Portal software) that displays all control functions across various layers (see photo). This allows me to control the synth—or any other plugin—with great ease and versatility. I can easily oversee 230 CC parameters in a clear, graphical layout. That said, the MIDI capabilities of Touch Portal are currently somewhat limited...




There are also additional Spire Synth matrices for ARP, OSC 1_2, and OSC 3_4
and this is what it looks like on my tablet, which I control using a stylus or my fingers.

Essentially something like this - hough this particular one is the matrix for the Z3TA+.

https://youtu.be/mRT1Nob7aLo
-----------------------------------

[Astraios]

A few words regarding BCA Remote CTRL. I eventually realized that this virtual VST3 MIDI controller is essentially a more user-friendly version of an older plugin called Piz MIDI Plugins 'MIDI Converter3'(--> Foto PizMIDI VST2)

Like BCA Remote CTRL, it offers additional ways to manipulate or convert MIDI data - for instance, by adjusting the MIDI control (also 14-Bit, NRPN) type or the control response (min/max values in 100% increments). These are all features Sonar does not provide; FL Studio is significantly more advanced in this regard (--> Foto FL Studio MIDI)