Nektar P1 controlling Octatrack

zeropoint · 2013-11-05T00:08:12.000Z

Hey guys and gals

Has anyone got any hands on experience with this controller ? Or the P4, P6 ?

Thanks

http://www.nektartech.com/Products/Panorama-P1

the_dreammer · 2013-11-05T00:21:00.000Z

it looks great… but the specifications tell me it doesnt have a din-midi-port
it has midi-over-usb … which is very incompatible with the octatrack.
unless you put a computer and some daw in the picture.

if your lucky you can buy a midi-usb->midi-din convertor machine
but most i saw, do not work with just ANY controller… it has to be some blabla complaint thing…

so i think it looks pretty… but it will not work with your octatrack in a direct way.

zeropoint · 2013-11-05T01:16:15.000Z

Thanks. I guess you could use something like the Kenton USB midi host to get around the lack of din midi though. Hikes the price I know but it’s still a lot of control for around £219…

I’m more concerned about how quickly you can switch between tracks and preset pages with the OT template in a live situation. I have put some questions to Justin at Nektar…I’ll report back.

zeropoint · 2013-11-05T01:23:07.000Z

scrub that kenton idea…the P1 is not class compliant…

zeropoint · 2013-11-06T00:10:03.000Z

Ok, I’ve heard back from Justin at Nektar…and what a helpful guy he is too.

The P1 is not class compliant as far as some of it’s advanced computer based macro functions are concerned but it WILL work in standalone mode with a USB host. He has confirmed that he has personally had it working fine with the old iconnect midi. (the new 2 + has dropped the hosting capability for some unfathomable reason and is only available on the 4 +)

This is starting to look like an increasingly interesting option …

vvd · 2013-11-06T00:29:25.000Z

Fuck MIDI over USB. As an add-on it’s fine - BUT GIVE ME REAL/DIN MIDI! Dammit! Most modern controllers suck because they are only USB.

justin3am · 2013-11-06T19:56:57.000Z

""vvd"":

Fuck MIDI over USB. As an add-on it’s fine - BUT GIVE ME REAL/DIN MIDI! Dammit! Most modern controllers suck because they are only USB.

I understand the sentiment. It was really tough to reach the price point for the P1 with out making some sacrifices (notice it also doesn’t have a power switch).

I also wish that the P1 had a 5-pin din connector for MIDI output, it would have been a ideal solution for me, when using my OT and A4. However, as zeropoint mentions, it does work well with the original iConnect MIDI.

Then there is the Panorama P4 and P6, both of which have a 5-pin Din for MIDI Out.

I should also mention the Octatrack template I created for the Panorama series (P1, P4, and P6). I also have a template for the A4 in the works, I hope to finish that after we release our next line of products.

Justin Sullivan
Nektar Technology

Lemajik · 2013-11-06T21:27:29.000Z

Mine panorama P4 works smooth and flawlessly with OT. And it’s GREAT. Controlling the volume of tracks and muting. Everything got a step faster considering music making progress using only these basic parameters. Simultaneously as I am a pianist I can play and record midi notes, cords, slides-those work too… And there is much less confusion with scenes crossfades and you can leave volume, mute… out of parameter assignments. I could remember only 12 scenes, that is as far my memory card I was born with can go.

Panorama 5din midi out—>OT midi in-------->OT 8 separate midi channels midi out + Midi Clock----->Virus C—(audio back to AB CD in on OT)

And the workflow is a charm. Never got even close that charm when working on computer in a DAW… Got close when worked on Motu BPM with mpd 32. But that is different.

Haven’t tried mpd32 with OT yet, but it should work same as Panorama P4 it has 5din pin midi out. With MPD32 editor software you can quickly prepare MPD to correspond to OT’s CCs and export and save the sysex. I really don’t have the time to make one but maybe in the future i will make one… because i’m nice

Justin you really made P4 a gear i love more and more every single time. Thanks for that! You convinced me i think personally last year on Musikmesse. Second i came home i got one. I don’t remember your name but i remembered P4 and your presentation if it was you after all. Hope to see you again and say these words in your face. Like i should do the same to Elektron

justin3am · 2013-11-07T03:14:55.000Z

I’m glad to hear you’re finding the Octatrack template useful!
I wasn’t able to attend Musikmesse, you probably talked to Niels or Tim. It’s very cool to work with people who are so enthusiastic about what they do.