Using REN As A MIDI Controller

I REALLY want to incorporate REN into my Logic workflow and I understand that as of right now, that's not completely possible as the REN's not a multi-timbral instrument (thanks JAH). However, I still prefer to enter my drum note MIDI data into Logic via REN'S pads. My question is, how do I change the root note of the pads, ie... kick=A01, snare=A02, hat=A03, etc... I've already cycled thru pad banks. Must REN exist as a VST inside Logic to accomplish this (if possible at all)? Just thinking Maschine controller's MIDI mode.

Id like to know the same thing loading up the plugin just to do this seems ridiculous

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You'll also learn a lot about Jerome in those threads. A type of controller mode was wanted 23-2, numbers like that are usually "proof" to him the the minority of two have it right.

Akai has basically already said toggle style controller mode will not be done. Jerome in the one thread goes off on how a third party can make a controller mode, the one thread touches on how this would still border on impossible with out Akai letting the MIDI mappings/note #'s/CC's be editable to some degree.

Any workarounds in the threads are all re-routing MIDI or using a DAW's learn feature, in that scenario the Ren is still not allowing you to change the Note #'s or CC's, you're just having the MIDI data it's already sending trigger something else concurrently.

Akai flat out doesn't think that for $600 or $1000 they should allow your machines to also do double duty as a mappable MIDI controller, even though they are...MIDI controllers.

They just probably want you to buy an MPD too.

Metatron72 wrote:Akai flat out doesn't think that for $600 or $1000 they should allow your machines to also do double duty as a mappable MIDI controller, even though they are...MIDI controllers.

This is just stupid. I love my REN and will never get rid of it but this is just really stupid of Akai. In this day and age, at least 60% of us who purchase the REN/ Studio intend to, or ar least want to have the option of incorporating them into a DAW at some point. I refuse to bash the REN. I truly believe that it and the Studio are the future but that future is a hell of a long way off if they're not allowed to fully incorporate into and intermingle with today's powerhouse (and preferred) DAWs. Thanks for the links and lesson Metatron and btw, JAH's ok, just high strung .

Yeah man I'm not here to beef really, but I won't hesitate to point out things that just make no sense from a design and customer want standpoint. And so far it seems it's not something Akai is focused on, but it still is not a difficult thing to add and just make the products that much more appealing. Jerome sincerely wants to help people and that's cool, his views on some this stuff are just a bit too rigid.

I could see myself being interested in these products as they mature, but if I had a control surface that nice in front of me I'd certainly like for it to double as a controller, no reason it can't offer both and everyone deals with space being at a premium, so even if you have other controllers it's nice to not have so much on your desk or table.

Metatron72 wrote:Yeah man I'm not here to beef really, but I won't hesitate to point out things that just make no sense from a design and customer want standpoint. And so far it seems it's not something Akai is focused on, but it still is not a difficult thing to add and just make the products that much more appealing. Jerome sincerely wants to help people and that's cool, his views on some this stuff are just a bit too rigid.

I could see myself being interested in these products as they mature, but if I had a control surface that nice in front of me I'd certainly like for it to double as a controller, no reason it can't offer both and everyone deals with space being at a premium, so even if you have other controllers it's nice to not have so much on your desk or table.

Extremely well said sir. Thou art a gentleman and a scholar.
Hopefully, Akai will come to their senses, realize their WOEFUL mistake and if not fully incorporate the REN/ Studio into DAW environments (multitimbral please!), at least allow them to function as real MIDI controllers.

I use Osculator on the mac to map the incoming signals from the MPC Studio (or whatever midi controller) and translate them to my custom layout.
The Studio outputs notes for every damn button, so I translate those to CCs, and the pads to chromatically assigned notes.

Wow didnt think bout that!

gonna try it out, thanks man!


p.s. i would kill for a ren automap feature in ableton, like the mpd32/apc 40...

alexbuga wrote:I use Osculator on the mac to map the incoming signals from the MPC Studio (or whatever midi controller) and translate them to my custom layout.
The Studio outputs notes for every damn button, so I translate those to CCs, and the pads to chromatically assigned notes.

Wow. Never heard of Osculator. I'm gonna try this out. If it works for me, I owe you a virtual beer my man. Thanks!

It's a mac app unfortunately.

alexbuga wrote:It's a mac app unfortunately.

Fortunately... I'm a Mac

Metatron72 wrote:You'll also learn a lot about Jerome in those threads. A type of controller mode was wanted 23-2, numbers like that are usually "proof" to him the the minority of two have it right.

People in hell what ice water. And I never said or implied anyone had it right. I assisted the OP of this thread. In addition, I simply discussed what Akai developers said they would or wouldn't do in this regard.