Anyone using the Motif’s remote feature to control Cubase?  I’m considering buying a dedicated control surface but I know that the Motif has remote features as well.  I spent the weekend trying it out and wondered if anyone one here was using the Motif as a control surface regularly.  I’m just wondering if the difference between dedicated control surface is worth the investment.  Any feedback would be appreciated.

dmc

Yes, I use it for Cubase as well as Ableton Live and have used it with Reason in the past.

The integration with Cubase is very deep.

You get full transport control, full track control (select, arm, solo, mute), control of the track EQs, select VSTs, control VST parameters, set markers, etc. The sliders control the mixer (8 tracks at a time) and the knobs panning (this can be reversed if you choose). You can use the XS dial for individual parameter control. Read the Data List manual to see what all the available controls are.

Are you using Cubase today? I suggest you immediately try out the Remote Mode and see what you think.

For myself, I have no plans to buy another control surface.

It really depends on the individual - as you may know I work with hundreds and hundreds of computer-based music customers and the best answer I can give you is that it really does come down to the individual.

Before you get involved with REMOTE CONTROL functions it is quite natural to think you need everything assigned to some knob, button or slider. Later once you have a working idea about how you like to work, you find out that your first thoughts were not so on-point.

In fact, there are some things you never use. You can wind up assigning things just to assign things. Try to AVOID this at all costs. You know you have over done it when you need a crib sheet to remind you of what you assigned where. That is a sure sign that you have no idea what you are going to do.

The concept of having the Motif XS work as your control surface is that it is designed from the keyboard player/performer point of view. Basically, so that when you are working without the aid of an engineer (some one to stop/start, arm tracks, rewind, fast forward, etc., etc), you can do it all yourself without having to reach for the mouse.

I general test the viability of the REMOTE mode by placing the mouse out of reach. Once I begin music recording I don’t want to have to even look at the computer screen. The software designer’s idea of what should be on the screen during the record process is different from mine as a player.

I was asked (long time ago) about what I would like to see in the computer screen while I was overdubbing keyboard parts. I gave it some thought and I wrote down: I’d really like the screen to go blank, or if it had to have something happening - I’d prefer just the MEASURE: BEAT counter large on the screen, period.

All that drawing of the waveform or graphic stuff… I guess that is truly EYE CANDY for those with some kind of attention span problem (my opinion, of course) while I’m recording I really don’t need much from the screen. While “overdubbing” the measure counter would be nice because you need to know where you are (sometimes).

That said, most DAW try to look really pretty during the record function. Mostly I don’t want to be distracted by the computer if I’m the one playing.

Setup so you can use the TRANSPORT buttons of the Motif XS to start and stop and return to top of the DAW. This is essential.

Setup so you can arm and disarm tracks from record; Also Mute and Solo tracks so you can hear what you want to hear.

Assign often used functions to your assignable buttons… based on your particular operation.

RECORD, OVERDUB, EDIT, MIX - these are your primary functions. You might create and store a different configuration for each. Done.

This can vary depending on your workflow. When OVERDUBBING to already recorded tracks your requirements may be different from when you are EDITING existing tracks. For example, say on a project you wind up with 30 or 50 tracks and you need to do some kind of edit to a large number of the tracks… at that point it is very convenient to ‘make’ a custom assignment to the user definable [F] Function buttons based on the exact type of edits you are going to do.

This type of creative customization is something you want to be comfortable setting up AS YOU NEED IT>
You don’t or will not need it for every session. And that is what you will learn as you go, that every session might be unique in what is required.

Having been a recording engineer, I realize that each project can cause you to become creative based on the issues that arise. To think you have to have every parameter set to some knob or button is simply not going to be possible… nor is it actually useful.

Basically, work out a workflow (without the remote controls) figure out “HOW” you like to work - what types of functions you use often. Then when you approach the REMOTE CONTROL features you can know if a particular thing is going to be USEFUL for you, individually.

In Cubase for example, almost anything and everything can be assigned somewhere. There are far too many assignable parameters for me to even count and impress you with a number. It is THAT MANY!!!

For me, if I can operate the software without picking up the mouse, I consider that a success (this is while I’m thinking musically and don’t want to be computer operator) however, I have no problem picking up the mouse when I’m not involved in thinking musically (about playing)… it is just that when I want to concentrate on music, I want to make that computer ‘point/click’ interface go away. And I have succeeded to some degree in making that happen with just what is on the XS.

But as I started out saying… your mileage will vary.

Hope that is somewhat helpful. I did leave out CONTROL (over external soft-synths) that is another of the functions that is handled by REMOTE CONTROL. And the mileage varies here based on the individual soft synthesizer…