I am in need of a hardware synthesizer for a hands-on, more fun way of synthesis. I have been eyeing the Novation SL MK3 for a while but I can get my hands on a new Minilogue XD for the same price, or even a Deepmind for a little bit more, which both have hardware integration with Omnisphere, which I currently use in Ableton.
As I am not a keyboard player, I cannot justify giving that much money to a midi keyboard. I also kinda hate the plastic feel of giant keyboards. I am of the opinion that, with the HW compatible synths, I can use the specific patches in Omnisphere created for that synth in particular, on top of other presets, as a normal midi keyboard. It sounds like a two birds with one stone situation as I can also use Deepmind as a midi keyboard for any other of my soft synths (mod wheel, notes, pitch without CC). Did anyone else go this route? I wanted to ask whether there is a catch that I am unaware of, before purchasing anything. Thank you.
Like you, I am not a “keyboard player,” but have too many keyboards (because that is the only way to get the hardware synth sounds and real-time accessibility I want). I have a minilogue that I occasionally use with Omnisphere. You will likely find that tweaking sounds with a real hardware interface has benefits that go well beyond what you can do with it inside of Omnisphere. The ML is great all by itself, although there might be better alternatives you want to consider if your main purpose is to use it as a controller for Omnisphere. In another similar thread, I think others noted the DSI Pro3 Rev3, but I’ve never used that. I would like to have a DeepMind just for the DeepMind!
Hey thank you for your feedback. Am I correct to assume that the init (blank) preset will also have buttons assigned automatically for the synth in question right? I mean that also relieves you from asssigning knobs or faders manually, which sounds too good to be true, that’s why I am doubting this approach
So if I were to get my hands on one of the said synths, the only drawback will be using the synth for other soft synths than Omni, like Serum or Reaktor, as its knobs and faders will most likely introduce problems or glitches assigning them to parameters. Is that correct?
Sure. I have been looking for a controller for a while but seeing the hardware integration made me look for actual synths instead of opting for a controller. That’s what I am asking. Sorry for the confusion.
I wouldn’t think is a problem in and of itself, any more than any other controller. You should be able to use “midi learn.” I use this within Logic to use my synths as controllers for other plugins all the time. I assuming Live has this capacity.
