Kenton Control Freak SE

[redfishaudio]

I know that there is already an "Is there a MIDI Control Surface for Scope?" thread already started here on the forum, however that one quickly became side-tracked into a discussion about Software Digital Mixers.

My question is:

Has anyone had experience using a Kenton Control Freak SE (16 faders) as a simple hardware control surface in the Scope mixing environment.

The unit itself seems somewhat limited in available controls, but it would probably allow hands on fader/mute control of up to 16 channels.

As always, any opinions or advice is most welcome.

I would be looking to control the Scope Mixer as well as Samplitude.

RF

[Badger]

Has anyone had experience using a Kenton Control Freak SE (16 faders) as a simple hardware control surface in the Scope mixing environment.

Yes, I use the Kenton CF SE with Scope (I also wrote the now-somewhat-out-of-date setup profile for Pulsar/Scope - originally for the Big Mixer - that Kenton provide on their website). You can certainly use the CF for fader/mute control and a lot more besides (you could also use it for controlling synths or effects, for example). I have a setup for controlling vol/mute and pan/solo in the 2496 mixer apart from other things. It's an excellent unit.

The unit itself seems somewhat limited in available controls...

You must be joking - you can control virtually anything that is MIDI-controllable with the CF. There are however, one or two things missing with respect to more modern controllers; notably, motorized faders, USB/Firewire connectivity and...lots of flashing lights! Despite this, it's still an eminently capable and ridiculously flexible MIDI controller which is built like a tank (unlike many of the recent crop of controllers in that price bracket).

I would be looking to control the Scope Mixer as well as Samplitude.

I use it to control both Scope and Cubase, so you should have no trouble using it with both Scope and Samplitude. As you may be aware, it's best to transmit/receive on a different MIDI channel (or port, or use different message-types) for each app though, so that you don't end up unexpectedly controlling things in the wrong app by mistake.

I've found that the Virtual Control Freak or (even more usefully) the Control Freak Editor (from http://www.onemansoftware.co.uk/) save an awful lot of setup (and backup) time (that little LED screen is fine in general use but it makes things VERY tedious when settingup a profile without the software).

By the way, just to be clear, I have no connection with Kenton other than being a customer and donating that setup file a few years ago.

I hope that's of some help.

[redfishaudio]

Thanks kindly for the swift reply.

This is good news indeed!!!

I've always been tempted by the Control Freak for its obvious build quality + the fact that it has 16 faders, which already sets it apart from most modern controllers, which as you say tend to be laden with bells, whistles + flashing lights.

I have no issues whatsoever using a keyboard / mouse configuration, as i have been for years with both Digital Performer & ProTools.

I suppose I'm ready to add the luxury of hands-on fader/mute control to my DAW setup since I'm very used to the hands-on approach witha Soundcraft Ghost.

I'm also pleased to hear from an experienced user that the Control Freak can do much more than just fader/mute control. I kinda figured that it could.

These things are not really that expensive either, at around $300.00, considering a JL Cooper unit with only 8 fader channels goes for around $2700.00. Sure, flying faders are nice, but at that price??!!

I think I'm going to get the Control Freak SE for sure.

Hey, if it works as well as expected, I may get a 2nd one & chain'em together.
(Is that possible via midi?)

Thanks again for the great info.

I'll be sure to grab the software from the site you posted.

James R. Shaw
Redfish Audio

http://www.redfishaudio.com
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[Badger]

Thanks kindly for the swift reply.

A pleasure.

...I may get a 2nd one & chain'em together.
(Is that possible via midi?)

You could do that, yes, though I would see how you get on with a single unit first. it's easy enough to set a single CF to control, say, channels 1-16 on one patch and 17-32 on the next, and just switch between them. To be honest, for my purposes (and because of the CF's flexibility), I've never felt the need to add a second unit.

By the way, be prepared to spend some time setting things up initially (which can take a good while). At least you only need to do this once though - when you've saved your setups it is, of course, just a matter of loading the relevant scope project/presets and choosing the relevant patch in th CF.

A little tip - if you're using the CF for mixing purposes, it can be a good idea to turn off "Data reduction" (which is switched on by default). Doing this sends out more MIDI data, but also gives much smoother control over the faders in the app that you're controlling.

All the best