Omnisphere users, what MIDI controllers?

[rsm]

Recently purchased an Arturia AstroLab for my V Collection and Pigments; it's working great. Omnisphere doesn't have a dedicated keyboard controller/host, so I'm looking at MIDI keyboards, 61-key.

So far the Nektar Panorama P6 looks like the best fit, and Nektar has a template for mapping Omnisphere.

What are you using?

 

[Monkey Man]

I've Owned Omni for years but haven't installed or used any of my "digital" stuff yet as I've been hugely-delayed for years. That'll all happen when I upgrade from my 2012 cheese grater.

I have watched many videos on Omni over the years 'though and it looks like the main MIDI CC's peeps use are mod wheel, mono aftertouch and CC4 (foot-control, often used for HH's degree of openness and wah).

So, it shouldn't matter which keyboard you go for, really.

Of course, there's the option of buying a sound-generating one that's able to control Omni via one of its built-in templates, something Spectra introduced a few years back.

Personally I'd just stick with the classic controllers and map filter cutoff and Rez and amp attack and release to its 4 sliders. An expression pedal mapped to CC4 would complete the deal.

 

[rsm]

I'm trying to decide how many physical controls on the MIDI keyboard I need/want; I can go with minimal controls and use Omnisphere in a patch/preset mode or get more controls to adjust parameters without having to use the computer screen. I have MIDI keyboards with minimal on board controls since I used the computer touch screen and keyboard/mouse to navigate. Having the more controls on the MIDI keyboard seems like a good option, then I can use either or both.

The Nektar Panorama P6 has plenty of physical controls...I guess it comes down to how you use Omnisphere. So far the Nektar looks good.

 

[Monkey Man]

As long as:

1) The VI's you use remember the mappings
2) You're able to create templates on the keyboard for each of the VI's

Still, I reckon deep-editing should be done with the mouse / keypad and filter cutoff, res, modulation and maybe attack and release (for amp or filter, whichever's your preference) adjusted via the controller.

My thinking is that the most-utilitarian parameters are the ones you're going to go for first, hence why I recommend they be assigned on the keyboard.

 

[rsm]

As long as:

1) The VI's you use remember the mappings
2) You're able to create templates on the keyboard for each of the VI's

Still, I reckon deep-editing should be done with the mouse / keypad and filter cutoff, res, modulation and maybe attack and release (for amp or filter, whichever's your preference) adjusted via the controller.

My thinking is that the most-utilitarian parameters are the ones you're going to go for first, hence why I recommend they be assigned on the keyboard.

Yes, that's the plan, creating patches / sounds on the computer, then organizing them to play using the MIDI keyboard and controls to tweak and adjust

 

[rsm]

Just placed my order: Omnisphere 2 + Nektar Panorama P6 - 61-key MIDI keyboard/controller.

Last year I built my guitar computer/software rig; now for the keyboard computer/software rig - to expand on my Hauptwerk VIII pipe organ software.

 

[Monkey Man]

Yes, that's the plan, creating patches / sounds on the computer, then organizing them to play using the MIDI keyboard and controls to tweak and adjust

Good-to-hear bro'; I really believe in that approach.

The idea being, of course, that when playing patches you're already happy with, on-the-fly adjustments of tonality (filter) and duration (attack and release) are likely to be all you need 90+% of the time.