PulsarMixer Automation question

drs2k · Post by **drs2k** » Tue Jan 22, 2002 4:41 pm

Hi!

After much reading and searching the web I'm finally considering buying a Pulsar2 card. However, I have a question regarding the PulsarMixer - the manual for the PulsarMixer (p.6) states that:

"Controls for a channel's dynamical EQ and groups (Fader Group, Mute Group, Record Bus) cannot be assigned. All other controls are assignable via MIDI."

To me this means that EQ cannot be automated or controlled by a hardware MIDI fader box. Is this really the case? If so what about the controls for indiviual insert/aux effect etc. ???

Perhaps someone could put me straight on this.

Thanks,

drs2k

subhuman · Post by **subhuman** » Tue Jan 22, 2002 5:03 pm

You can control most AUX/insert effects with MIDI CC's by using the Stereo Effects rack.

MIDI CC control over the EQ might be interesting, and I imagine if there was a 3rd party EQ made with knobs for the frequency & Q bands, then it would be possible to automate them with MIDI CC's. The reason the built-in PulsarMixer's EQ can't be automated, is you actually can drag the EQ curve with the mouse and adjust the Q, very very visual. You believe you CAN, however, recall an EQ preset with a program change command - never need to do this myself, but I could try it if you'd like.

The TimeWorks Vintage EQ can totally be automated using a Stereo Insert rack, BTW, it's controls are sliders, harder to visualize, but automatable.

drs2k · Post by **drs2k** » Tue Jan 22, 2002 5:34 pm

Thanks for the reply subhuman.

OK, so if I used an EQ as an insert effect I could (probably) automate it that way. Does the 'stand-alone' CW Para-EQ module respond to MIDI?

I hadn't thought of using presets - do you save/recall a preset for the whole mixer, or just for the EQ section? Which brings up another question - does changing a preset while audio is playing introduce nasty clicks or interruptions in the audio, or is it fairly seamless?

Just thought of another one: do the main faders use de-zippering when driven by MIDI CCs? I hope they put all those DSPs to some good use

Sorry for all the picky questions - just like to know what I'm buying before I spend the cash!

drs2k.

at0m · Post by **at0m** » Tue Jan 22, 2002 10:28 pm

On 2002-01-22 17:03, subhuman wrote:
(...)The reason the built-in PulsarMixer's EQ can't be automated, is you actually can drag the EQ curve with the mouse and adjust the Q, very very visual. You believe you CAN, however, recall an EQ preset with a program change command - never need to do this myself, but I could try it if you'd like.
(...)

It's the same EQ as those on the Bigmixer, and they are midi controllable. Just assign CC# to the corresponding Freq/Gain/Q knobs. Check my first Pc1600x preset pack I uploaded in the Devices section. It actually works on Bigmixer and on PEQ.

atom.

marcuspocus · Post by **marcuspocus** » Tue Jan 22, 2002 10:37 pm

They ARE NOT midicontrolable in PulsarMixer, not the PEQ4 and neither the compressor.. Sad but true... Channels aren't controlable... But they are in BigMixer...But In BigMixer, you can't save insert preset... ;(

drs2k · Post by **drs2k** » Wed Jan 23, 2002 5:04 am

hmmm. So I could use MIDI CCs in BigMixer or Inserts with presets/prgm changes in PulsarMixer, but not the other way round. I find that quite odd - even relataively cheap software has fully automatible mixers these days. I guess it's something I don't use that often, its but still nice to have.

Anyone care to comment on noise when changing presets or zipper noise?

drs2k.

at0m · Post by **at0m** » Wed Jan 23, 2002 11:54 am

Do not send notes while changing presets. Let the device be 'silent'. In a song, you could send an 'all notes off' messsage on to the device making the sound, that allows faster preset change.