Moog Music Forum

I am thinking of buying a SP, to use with my Yamaha master keyboard. But the keyboard doesn't have Mod wheel or Pitch bend controllers.
Anyone who knows if there is an external (midi) Mod wheel/Pitch bend controller out there on the market?

Beheringer BCF2000 would work. You don't get the springback action on the pitch bend. But faders could work, especially one for bendup and a seperate fader for benddown so that you are sure they zero. Plus you could assign a lot of the menu parameters to knobs or faders.

A ribbon controller might be another good option. Plus they are great to have to play the oscillators. There are short ribbons which would be nice for a mod wheel and pitchbend. They are cheap enough that two might not be too expensive. Or if you what it to control frequency too, a longer ribbon would be more ideal. Some ribbon controllers will also control 2 parameters at the same time one by position and another with pressure.

If you are in the mood for some DIY action, check out Doepfer. You can get a LHC (traditional pitch & mod wheels) and his "Pocket Electronic" Midi controller for well under 200 Euro and in addition, build in additional pots, sliders, buttons.

Looks like the PE wants only 5V (meanwhile LHC outputs 8 or so) but you can attenuate that down easily.

Not sure which kbd controller you have but if it were me, I'd engineer a 'sled' that would mate up with the left edge of the keyboard and place the LHC at a sensible location.

Otherwise, there are scads of slider & knob controllers from the Behringer above, Novation, etc but it's a bit more foreign that something you can grab quickly and handle in the traditional manner.

Since you have the SP, you should have a look at the Pot mapping feature which at a minimum can help with modulation. In fact, have a look at pg. 18 under AMOUNT and you'll see a shortcut that can be jumped into by holding the button and will enable the Pot as a Mod wheel.

Thanks for the tips. I'm not into DIY and a mixer is not what I'm looking for (it works technically but ...).
There MUST a separate midi controller for this out there somewhere?
My request cannot be that special, or?

You can get a midi LHC with 25 (or more) free keys. The cheaper midi controllers are priced so low that I don't think a company could market a seperate left hand controller much cheaper. The problem is the keys may not have a as good of a feel as your current conroller.

Though, the BFC2000 can be use to control a DAW's mixer section, it does a lot more than that. It enables the LP to be controlled so that many/all controls on the front panel get a dedicated knob/slider and enable you to instantly control functions that are in the LP's menu options. As well, you have the option to program it to send pitchbend and mod wheel CCs.

Thanks again for all the tips.
I know I can get all kinds of substitutes, but I'm looking for just an externat MW/PB controller.
Nothing more, nothing less.

Assar wrote:Thanks again for all the tips.
I know I can get all kinds of substitutes, but I'm looking for just an externat MW/PB controller.
Nothing more, nothing less.

That's just it. It's not a cost effective proposition because most folks (these days) want 16 sliders, 16 knobs in slick packaging with plug ins for all the major software and may as well throw two octaves in there and a few wheels.

The MPK25 costs $213 @ B&H (a local retailer that offers free shipping and no tax) [understandably this isn't an option to you since you are in Europe) But mating that (placing it to the left of your keyboard) will be somewhat awkward and as you said it's not what you're after.

I'd suggest to keep looking but I'm not sure what you are after exists. Tell us about your Yamaha controller? Assume it's a 76 or 88 key controller w/hammer action or more like an organ w/waterfall keys? Maybe consider trading up, there are many reasonable cost options. If weighted is what you are after, I recommend the Studiologic SL990-XP (non-Pro!); it's made by Fatar and could be had for < $400 U.S. And it's a no-nonsense board, just a few buttons for selecting midi channel, etc. Have a look: http://www.fatar.com/Studiologic/Pages/SL_990XP.htm

I have been looking for the same thing. I just bought the Akai Professional MPK Mini, a nice USB MIDI controller, but it lacks pitch and mod wheels. I don't want to buy another keyboard, so I wanted a USB or MIDI device with JUST a spring-loaded pitch wheel and a mod wheel. Does anyone have a suggestion?

Sounds like a future Moog offering. Amos, get started on a LHC with MIDI out right now! I can totally get behind such a design!

Sir Nose wrote:There are short ribbons which would be nice for a mod wheel and pitchbend.

Where could I find one of these??

Look for an online company called Walking Stick. Joe is very cool to deal with, and the ribbon controllers he makes are top notch. I have a 21 inch long ribbon, but he makes shorter ones, too.

http://www.psionicsoundworks.com/

"Walking Stick" Discontinued and new products are being developed as of May.

Oh man, those are beautiful. But discontinued.. crap.
Any other alternatives? (as short as possible)

But does any ribbon controller actually have a "zero-volt-center" with pitch both up and down on the same ribbon?

Midi Solutions makes little boxes you can connect anything to, including Wheels from old synths, or your own design.

Plus - you don't always have to use a wheel. I am doing more things with aftertouch or pressure or pedals.
Keeps the hands free to play other things.

Just my two bits. Love the wheels, but also love the alternatives.