One MIDI controller for everything. Faderfox MX12, Synthstrom Deluge, Behringer XR18, Empress Zoia

Рет қаралды 28,850

4 жыл бұрын

The Faderfox MX12 is one of the most versatile devices I have in my studio. In this video I show you how to configure it to control a mixer, synth and effects pedal and use it to play live.
0:18: Overview of the MX12
1:07: How to configure buttons
2:02: Storing and recalling setups
2:30: Connectivity - MIDI and Extension port
3:30: How I connected gear for the demo: mixer, synth and effects pedal
4:33: Mapping MX12 faders to Deluge synth parameters
5:10: Mapping green buttons as Deluge track launch/mute
6:00: Mapping knobs to parameters on the Empress Zoia
7:00: Closing jam
I’ve been using the MX12 for a few months. I control my digital mixer (a Behringer XR18), synths (like the Deluge in this video) and even MIDI-enabled guitar pedals (like the Empress Effects Zoia).
The MX12 is a 12 channel MIDI controller, with smooth faders, two configurable knobs per channel and programmable push buttons. It can store multiple setups on the device so you can configure it to drive all sorts of gear. And it comes with both DIN and USB MIDI interfaces so you can bridge from the past to the future of MIDI.
The MX12 really is a workhorse; I can adjust levels for my mixer, then quickly switch to tweaking a synth parameter, and configure it to control a pedal setting all from one easy-to-reach set of controls.
Best of all it pairs perfectly with its companion; the Faderfox PC12 using an Ethernet crossover cable to both power and send MIDI to the second device. Or if you really like faders you can buy...2 MX12s!
Yes there are definitely cheaper MIDI controllers with faders out there (Akai MIDIMix is a good option). But the quality on the Faderfox devices is so good, they feel solid, and have many innovative features packed into them.
Gear used:
Faderfox MX12: www.faderfox.de/mx12.html
Synthstrom Deluge: synthstrom.com/product/deluge/
Empress Effects Zoia: empresseffects.com/products/zoia
Behringer XR18 digital mixer: www.behringer.com/Categories/...

Пікірлер: 110

@eyesintheskies Жыл бұрын

Had my eyes on one of these, thanks for the solid review. It does everything I hoped and more ! Sold 👍

@SynthDad Жыл бұрын

Glad I could help!

@makiszeg5745 4 жыл бұрын

nice informative tutorial video!! I have ordered yesterday the EC4 model :)

@SynthDad 4 жыл бұрын

The EC4 is a great controller!

@havokcc 4 жыл бұрын

Cool set up!

@SynthDad 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@dub369 Жыл бұрын

thank you I was unsure. after your video I will buy it :)

@SynthDad Жыл бұрын

Great to hear. Enjoy!

@Jimantronic 4 жыл бұрын

Very helpful, thanks

@SynthDad 4 жыл бұрын

Jimantronic Thanks for watching!

@realSeanMcMahon Жыл бұрын

Would you make a detailed video about how to set it up with the XR18?

@SynthDad 11 ай бұрын

Sorry I don't have time to do that right now

@adamjlipper 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. I have the Deluge, Zoia, and 1010 Bluebox (among other hardware synths) and this is a great as an all-in-one controller. Question, I'm a little unclear how your connecting midi/usb to all devices. Are you running through a hub?

@SynthDad 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! The MX12 has two MIDI DIN outputs and a USB MIDI output, so you have a lot of options for connecting to gear

@non_exist_ent2249 Жыл бұрын

Hi, very interesting video. How did you set up the send levels from the mixer on the pedals? I couldnt find the cc corresponding to the send levels in the X air midi implementation chart. is there anything I am missing?

@SynthDad Жыл бұрын

It's on MIDI CC 21-26 channel 1 according to the manual

@rail4641 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. Now a question for some advice. I wanna buy a Faderfox PC12 to control some of my hardware synths. Also i wan't to control my Ableton sesion view. The faders on the MX12 are very handy, but can i control cliplaunching from the MX12? If not, which controller do you advise near the PC12?

@SynthDad 3 жыл бұрын

Both the PC12 and MX12 have buttons you can configure to send MIDI which could launch clips in Ableton. But they’re small and not ideal for live playing, so my guess is you’ll want a controller with big pads to hit for clip launching. Have you looked for maybe a LaunchPad to pair with the MX12?

@xoqoable 6 ай бұрын

hi, great video, thanks! Is the knobs has the center notch? For instance if I map to Balance parameter, it'd be nice to have the center notch to know the value is exact in the middle without looking at the screen. Some of the novation boxes has this but they only offer 8 ch. I need at least 10 for my setup and good to have future proof of extra 2.

@SynthDad 6 ай бұрын

There's no centre 'detent' if that's what you mean. The LED display on the MX12 will show the current value though, so if you have it set to -64 - +64 then 12 o'clock will be shown as 0 so you can centre it that way

@FuZZbaLLbee Жыл бұрын

I want to try controlling some parameters from my analog rythm with my tr-8. I don't think ether device has the possibility to configure the CC messages. So i was thinking that i might be able to convert the tr-8 cc messages using the ZOIA to CC messages that the Rythm understands.

@SynthDad Жыл бұрын

Yes the Zoia can definitely do this for you, or you could use a Blokas Midihub too

@UnfinishedIdeas 3 жыл бұрын

Question! Is it possible to link the knobs on the MX12 to the Parametric EQs on the XR18?

@SynthDad 3 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately not - by default the XR18 doesn’t expose controls to change the EQ settings over MIDI

@victordouay9137 4 жыл бұрын

I have a question for you SynthDad. Something makes me confused about midi controller features. I plan to buy one for my deluge and it is a dilemma. If I understand well, the MX12 has templates that you could use for example for different songs on the deluge. But if in template 1 my knob is set to MAX CC VALUE, and I jump to template 2, where that knob is set to a lower value than MAX CC VALUE, I can't increase anymore the value? Endless knobs solve this but is there something else that could solve it? So is it better to buy a cheaper controller with endless knob/fader, like the UC4 Faderfox, or a controller with more knobs but tricky template's jump, like the MX12? Thanks, and keep going with your channel, as long as you enjoy it! Great videos! You should think about Patreon, unless you already did and I didn't find it.

@SynthDad 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the kind words Victor! The problem you describe is common to all MIDI controller that don’t have feedback from the device they control - what to do if the value of the CC has change from what the knob shows. One workaround is how the controller will have to ‘pickup’ the new value before it sends a value to the device. In the MX12 and EC4 controllers this is called ‘snap’ mode, and you have to move the controller to pickup the new value before it will start to send any MIDI data. Also, if you press the red shift button while turning a controller it will suppress sending MIDI data until you release the red button, allowing you to fine tune it when switching templates. That’s the best I can think of for you!

@giovannibonelli2864 2 жыл бұрын

Hello SynthDad! Thanks for the video :) Excuse my ignorance, but I don't understand how the 2 MIDI out ports can be configured. I would like to use the PC12 to control 2 Octatrack, controlling Octatrack 1 with MIDI in/out 1, and Octatrack 2 with MIDI in/out 2, to avoid conflicting MIDI messages. Is that possible?

@SynthDad 2 жыл бұрын

Not possible I'm afraid - the two MIDI ports are copies of each other an you can't send one message on one port and a different message on the other port

@bvrbvs 3 жыл бұрын

Thx for video. Do I need to manually map the faders to each Ableton live set, or will it automatically do it similar to MCU? Thx!

@SynthDad 3 жыл бұрын

Sorry I’m not an expert in Ableton to help on that

@sdixon305 3 жыл бұрын

Hi there! I just purchased this unit and love it, but fear I'm not maximizing its potential. Where were you able to find a manual for this? Mine shipped with only German instructions. Thanks!

@SynthDad 3 жыл бұрын

Hi - the manual is available in English here, if you scroll down to the bottom of the page: www.faderfox.de/mx12.html

@mattihol726 3 жыл бұрын

can I rout MIDI Signals through the MX12 ? I only have one MIDI IN on my interface but I would need to plug the mx12 and a foot pedal into it...

@SynthDad 3 жыл бұрын

Yes the MX12 has USB and DIN MIDI ports so you can set up MIDI routing. It is not very complex but can help merge two sources together into one

@MaxDissent 3 жыл бұрын

Great video! Just a suggestion, you might want to use a de-esser on your vocal track.

@SynthDad 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks - I will pay attention to that in the future

@Slowlyburnedelectronics 2 жыл бұрын

Hi! Can the MX12 track focus in order to use for each track the whole rows of pots? I am between the pots only version and fader version in order to use with Ableton and Octatrack and cannot decide which device whould be more handy. Great video!

@SynthDad 2 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "track focus"?

@Slowlyburnedelectronics 2 жыл бұрын

@@SynthDad like select one track in ableton, use all the pots for that track and when you select another track you would have available all pots for that track and so on. I am not even sure if this is possible. I believe the launch control xl by novation can perform something like that.

@AviPFine 7 ай бұрын

Sorry for the long message. Yeah so ccs working great so far. No problems there. But, I've been trying to get the mx12 to actually also perform bank changes, as well as program changes. But without success in terms of switching banks. I have been able to get the mx12 to do program changes, actually which is great, but not bank changes yet (msb, lsb above zero, to access presets beyond 128). My synth i have it connected to, a kodamo mask 1, uses cc 32 for program changes (manual said, bank 0 is factory banks 1 to 4 for user banks, up to 400 slots), and has no mapping for msb, just lsb. Interestingly enough, though I seem to have no way using the mx12 to switch banks that I've figured out yet , (it simple changes within bank 0, the factory presets), I can do bank switching through all memory slots , if I plug midi out from my Roland a49 into the synth midi in, itself, just as an experiment. I'm suspecting this controller won't switch banks, but maybe there's a feature I overlooked, and it's possible somehow. Have you used your faderfox to switch user banks on your deluge and if so how did you set that up? Maybe I missed a feature from between checking the manual and asking elsewhere. Thanks

@SynthDad 7 ай бұрын

Hui - the Deluge doesn't have a bank switch concept so I've never had to try that. I think you're probably past the limits of the MX12 here, and probably need a MIDI sequencer. Alternatively consider pairing it with a Blokas Midihub; the Midihub is a MIDI processor so it could convert a MIDI message from the MX12 into multiple bank change messages for example.

@AviPFine 7 ай бұрын

@@SynthDad Thanks for the tip, appreciate it!

@AviPFine 5 ай бұрын

Update - a while back, perhaps a week or so after commenting previously here, I did in fact figure out how to change banks. I contacted the manufacturer who gave me a tip on it. Essentially, and this is for memory since I’m not home at the moment, but, I used CC mode to change bank 0 through bank 4 on my synth connected to the mx12, [it has 500 patches in it], on four of the green buttons in one of the setups. What I did was use cc#32, and choose 0 as the lo, and 1 as the hi. Then I go back into play mode, and select one button to switch from bank 0 to bank 1. When I use the upper buttons to program change, in order to select a higher bank, I first hit the green button of the bank I want to switch to, then select a gray button where I have presets stored, and the bank changes ! Works perfectly. All I need to do now is figure how to send midi via usb, that is, for the 3rd input, to see if the synth I want to control, will send midi over usb, or not. It’s the audyo anyma phi, which has lots of great parameters, but they’re hidden in a labyrinthian menu. MX12 sure would open that up. The Phi does have usb host input on the back, but id have to check its manual to see if it will send midi over usb or not. I’ve since also connected my Korg R3 to the mx12 to control its parameters as well, which has also worked out great. MX12 is quite versatile, and is definitely one of the better purchases I’ve made with gear, easily.

@kisho2679 2 жыл бұрын

could it be used as a sequencer like the "Behringer BCR32/Zaquencer"?

@SynthDad 2 жыл бұрын

No, it doesn’t have any sequencing capabilities, only a controller

@AviPFine 7 ай бұрын

I'm trying to figure out how to control my own customized midi cc messages from a different synth I connected to my mx12. But the mx12 seems to only audibly modulate when I'm using the default setup 01 with its preselected parameters. I've only just bought both the synth and the controller so I probably will figure this out. The mx12 manual was a tad confusing for my normally simple setups I've had until recently. The synth however I have connected doesn't have learn on it itself, so I was trying to input the cc manually. I think there's some order to how I input all those things I haven't grasped yet.

@AviPFine 7 ай бұрын

wow that one button push ... that was what i missed doing. green button 6.

@SynthDad 7 ай бұрын

Glad you got it figured out!

@johnwhitmore2531 4 жыл бұрын

I tried the 'shift master' to learn on the Deluge but it only set the volume of one drum sound, the active drum, not the whole kit track. Maybe synth track in different. Should have tried that. Anyhow cheers very useful.

@SynthDad 4 жыл бұрын

Yes in the kit tracks on the Deluge you need to learn the MIDI controller to each sample, unlike a synth track where it applies to the whole synth. There's no apply-to-all learn function. It's a known issue

@ulistraub4009 4 жыл бұрын

@@SynthDad I've found that learning the Midi controller to each sample in a kit has one major drawback: When the volume levels of all drums are controlled by the same fader, the common fader value nivellates any pre-existing differences in volume between the single instruments (= meaning your Hihat is as loud as your Kick). The only workaround I've found, is to set an individual max. volume of each drum sample via the oscillator levels and set the master levels of all drum instruments to an equal value. Unfortunately this can take quite bit of additional effort in regards to gain-staging, especially when using more than one sample. How do you deal with this issue?

@SynthDad 4 жыл бұрын

Uli Straub That’s a good point and one of the frustrating things that you can’t assign a ‘relative’ volume to samples in the kit. Sometimes I’ll keep the tops of the percussion at a fixed volume and assign the fader to the bass/kick drum so I can drop it. Alternative approach is to keep the volume fixed and map the fader to the filter so that you close the filter completely and kill the drum sounds. I’ve used that trick on a few tracks.

@HarmonicSonics. 4 күн бұрын

What are the dimensions for those paper pieces, like a cm or two per each? I guess i could just cut to fit... I wish there were an mx12 overlay out there. Oversynth makes lots but i hadn't seen it on their list. I'm not sure if stereoping would make one. I already emailed faderfox and unfortunately they do not make an mx12 overlay.

@davidvandenbor Жыл бұрын

@SynthDad: How exactly did you map the green buttons on the Faderfox MX12 to the mute buttons on the Deluge? I've been trying to do this with no luck this whole afternoon. I'm doing the "Learn + mute pad" thing. Not working. Tried assigning the button to "Note" instead of "CC" on the Faderfox. Not working either. You jumped into your time machine, so I coudn't see how you assigned the green buttons to mute clips 🙂

@SynthDad Жыл бұрын

Hmm it's been a long time since I made that video, but basically it is just down to sending notes from the green pads into the Deluge.

@davidvandenbor Жыл бұрын

@@SynthDad Hi! Thanks for responding! I finally figured it out: Not only do you need to set the "Pot Type" to "Note" (instead of "CC" for the Digitakt) but you also need to set the "Lower Value" to "L000" and the "Upper Value" to "U127". The problem was: I had previously controlled a Digitakt by muting it's 8 tracks, and I had the lower and upper value configured exactly the OTHER WAY AROUND!

@michaelmoog1 8 ай бұрын

OMG SyNTHDAD, I have MAD questions in regards to using the MX12 and SYNTHSTROM DELUGE!!!! do you think I can use this MX12 to control 2 synthstrom deluges, and where can I possibly find those stick on numerical/alphbet that you have on the DELUGE?

@SynthDad 8 ай бұрын

Two Deluges - crazy man! Well the answer is yes because you just 'learn' each MIDI control to the individual settings on each Deluge. As the MX12 has two MIDI outputs you can send MIDI to both Deluges in parallel

@ryal1 Жыл бұрын

Hi, could you explain how to get the mx12 and pc12 working together? I’m using a crossover Ethernet cable which sends power from the MX12 to the PC12. However, I get no midi signal in Ableton from the PC12. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

@SynthDad Жыл бұрын

Are you connecting the PC12 to the MX12 and then the MX12 to your PC? Use setup 29 on the PC12 and Setup 30 on the MX12 as they're pre-configured for Ableton. Otherwise check the routing on the PC12 so that it routes to the extension port, and the same on the MX12

@ryal1 Жыл бұрын

@@SynthDad thanks for the reply. I got it sorted!

@realSeanMcMahon Жыл бұрын

Very interesting! Does the XR18 need to be connected to a host device in order for the MX12 to control it? Or once everything’s midi mapped, can you fly without the iPad/laptop?

@SynthDad Жыл бұрын

It's all MIDI mapped so no iPad needed

@realSeanMcMahon Жыл бұрын

@@SynthDad thanks for the reply. Endless or absolute encoders?

@SynthDad Жыл бұрын

@@realSeanMcMahon absolute encoders, but they have two modes; jump to current value or “pick up” value. All in the manual

@realSeanMcMahon Жыл бұрын

@@SynthDad thanks! I’d be very curious how you travel with this setup for gigs etc

@realSeanMcMahon Жыл бұрын

@@SynthDad Also, I see there's also a UC44. Looks very similar to the MX12, but 16 channels. Have you checked that out? Is it the same basic functionality, or...?

@paulsarodh5460 Жыл бұрын

rockin😄😅✌✌✌

@SynthDad Жыл бұрын

Rock on!

@bvrbvs Жыл бұрын

Hi , now, after two years of making this video. Any controller that tops this one?(Ableton use case specially)

@SynthDad Жыл бұрын

Hi - well for Ableton you'll want Push. It's purpose built for using with Ableton. But I still have this controller (and the PC12) and use them. They're built to last!

@bmwnewbie 4 жыл бұрын

I see that you have 12 faders. I need 16 faders. Can you program when you push a button that the next for example 8 faders are assigned ?

@SynthDad 4 жыл бұрын

Yes! You can save multiple configurations on the MX12 storing fader assignments. Press the red shift button and the green buttons to select a setup. So it’s easy to jump between different fader groups

@bmwnewbie 4 жыл бұрын

@@SynthDad thanks for the reply. I have mackie controller and there you can push a button to move 8 faders to the left or even one. Can I couple them together so that pushing somewhere a button that the fader on the MX12 and the mackie controller are moving together ?

@SynthDad 4 жыл бұрын

Hmm, I’m not sure if the MX12 will respond to a PC or CC message to switch setups. Maybe drop an email to info@faderfox.de? You might have to press two buttons!

@synkuk Жыл бұрын

I love the look of the Faderfox gear ..... BUT if I was to get both of them I wouldn't get any change out £1260 .. this is insane for two (very cool ) but midi controllers.. for the same money I could buy 17 Akai Midi mix controllers (that would be 408 knobs & 153 sliders) silly right .. but you get my point ... I'd be happy spending £600 for the pair of fader foxes but >£1200 blows my mind

@SynthDad Жыл бұрын

I agree they are pricey, but quality does come at a price. And the MIDIMix controllers are not even close to these in terms of functionality (USB only, no presets, require a USB host). Given a choice I'd go for the MX12 for the blend of faders and knobs

@stinkypete9070 2 жыл бұрын

I am so torn between this and a pc12 for controlling some softsynths

@SynthDad 2 жыл бұрын

If you want to control volume level then the MX12 is better as it has the faders, which I think are more logical for track volumes

@DWLESSLIVEJAMS-ms6vy 12 күн бұрын

Is it possible to route one set of messages only to MIDI out 1 and another to MIDI out 2? For example, I have 16 channels in the mixer and I dont want to effect my synth at the same time, if mx12 is sending messages out to both output at the same time

@SynthDad 11 күн бұрын

Unfortunately not

@StaavAutumn 11 күн бұрын

@@SynthDadTnx. So how do you deal with faders being in different positions after set up changes? Let's say you were controlling your mixer and said the fad way then you said change setup to control something else, but now the faders are in different positions and so you don't know what they were before

@SynthDad 10 күн бұрын

@@StaavAutumn Ah this is a tricky issue that depends a lot on your gear being controlled. The Faderfox will read MIDI messages from a synth if it is able to transmit the current value for a parameter, and then you need to "catch" the new value by moving the slider. But that requires your synth to send any changes to parameters so that controllers can update themselves. Not all synths do that!

@jonasiv3587 4 жыл бұрын

I just got my mx12. Im in way over my head here haha I can get it to work. Im trying to control the master volume of a track on my deluge via usb with a slider on the mx12. Im pressing the red button and the encoder on mx12 and the 'learn'-led flashes. I move slider 1. But when I go into shift+master and then hold the learn button and move the mx12 slider at the same time like you do in the video, nothing happens. No "learned" message on the deluge appears. any idea what Im doing wrong here? :/

@jonasiv3587 4 жыл бұрын

It works fine with a midicable, bit should work only with usb also right?

@SynthDad 4 жыл бұрын

It should work. Does the Deluge flash “midi” when you turn it on with the MX12 plugged in? Is the MX12 powered directly or via the Deluge?

@jonasiv3587 4 жыл бұрын

@@SynthDad Its powered by the deluge, but I dont think it flashes midi when turned on. Have to check when I get home!

@n_mi5906 3 жыл бұрын

If you use a USB controller, you have to power the deluge by its power cable, then the Deluge should show midi on startup, if the cables are plugged in before powering.

@jobattapsytrance5105 4 ай бұрын

Those sibilants are drilling my ear drum.

@SynthDad 4 ай бұрын

Thankssss for the feedbackssss

@underscooprecords5535 Жыл бұрын

Thx dad

@geertmaertens7372 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Very interesting! I also have the same gear so would you be interested to share the Zoia and Deluge setups?

@SynthDad 4 жыл бұрын

For the Deluge I set up some drum and synth tracks and then learned the MIDI controls to it one by one. On the Zoia I starred the patch parameters I wanted to control, then pressed Shift-Star to select the MIDI CC for each parameter.

@geertmaertens7372 4 жыл бұрын

@@SynthDad I found these wonderful manual resources from the Synthdawg.com bookstore ao one where Deluge and Zoia are connected

@AR-lf4df 2 жыл бұрын

How different is this from a PC12

@SynthDad 2 жыл бұрын

They're both built on the same architecture; the PC12 is 6 rows of 12 knobs and this is two rows of knobs and a row of faders. I have both and they work together perfectly.