#594

I haven’t done it myself, but there are lots of old digital mixer (e.g. Yamaha O1V) that aren’t particularly valuable any more that could be a source of motor faders.

#595

I don’t know much about faders but I do have a couple mechaduino stepper servo hybrid things.

Would someone tell me what kind of requirements a fader needs in terms of latency, resolution and motion speed?

I’ve been meaning to make a haptic knob for years but maybe a fader would be nicer?

#596

Nice :sunglasses:
Where did you get the key caps? Mine is still using key caps I purchased for another build (65% mk for the wife) and some of them might need to be returned to it soon…

#597

anyone have a recommendation on choosing between a midi fighter twister vs a faderfox ec4 to control a norns shield? i’ve seen a couple posts about one or the other but am curious if anyone has any input or preference. the screen on the ec4 is a huge plus but i am not sure if it justifies paying almost twice the price than the twister.

#598

cant speak on faderfox but midi fighter twister is in my mind perfect. it does exactly what it is advertised and does it very well. on the screen, i have had lots of success just writing some labels under the knobs until they become muscle memory for particular scripts.

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#599

I would imagine that instead of motors it would be easier and also power-efficient to use rotary encoders surrounded by leds or another light-thing, which can be snapped into a value fast for UI, and without moving anything which might break if the user (or their pets) resists the movement. This way the actuator is physical, while the feedback to user is visual.

[edit after googling: apparently MIDI Fighter Twister mentioned above is exactly this]

2 Likes
#600

Have both EC4 and Twister. They’re great for different reasons, see which might be more important to you?

EC4:

  • Screen (labels) AND makes it a snap to swap around multiple layouts. 16 Setups with 16 Groups in each.
  • Screen can show values as bar graph or numbers, with a few options for number ranges.
  • Handles MIDI over TRS both in and out, this saves me another piece of gear
  • Angled faceplate (a pro for me, likely not any special for most people though). Bonus here is you can route cables underneath the unit because of the lift.
  • Can EDIT on the device without a computer. MASSIVE pro for me, even if the labels are limited to 4 characters.
  • Can handle more types of MIDI messages

Twister:

  • Price!
  • LED value indicator dots always visible, - RGB push indicator for each encoder too (no “push state” indication on EC4)
  • More control over the note value sent on encoder push. EC4 is a little rigid here.
  • Better spacing between encoders for my hands
  • 6 additional side buttons, should you want them. Normally two are reserved for switching through 4 layers.
  • Encoder pushes are more satisfying, easier.

I tend to use the EC4 first for “everything” and then the Twister for “just this one thing” in any given setup. Bought the EC4 after several years with the Twister. I was already making print-and-cut overlays for the Twister — label tape wasn’t doing it for me. The screen, on-device editing, and hardware MIDI options made it worth it for my needs. I feel privileged to have both as options.

Hope that helped and didn’t muddy the waters for you.

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7 Likes
#601

wow this is awesome, exactly what i was looking for. i’m admittedly a bit more stumped now as to which one i should get, but at least now i have a direct comparison of the two rather than just looking at separate reviews. it seems like they both have pros (and cons) that are somewhat exclusive to each device. i can definitely understand why you would keep both of them.

being able to edit without a computer might be the dealbreaker for me though. if i’m understanding correctly, the twister requires being hooked up to a computer to create different setups, for different norns scripts for example? i couldn’t just plug in the twister to the norns and create a different setup per script without a computer, but with the ec4 i could?

#602

The Twister needs the editor app (Mac/Win). On the EC4 you just drop into the edit and setup modes on the unit itself.

If you have a generic base template on the Twister, every script has its own param sets so it’s not like mapping Awake means you can’t also map Oooooooo. Whichever script is active will be the active mapping.

I mean, if you’re just midi mapping the knobs as needed, don’t need specific CCs/Notes for a script, and you know where you want the special knob modes (EQ-style center detention, for example) —you still have 4 layers! Then it’s maybe no big deal.

The Twister also has better push-toggle and push-momentary features than the EC4. Handling different styles of encoder push is the EC4’s weakest spot (for me).

#603

hmm, a very compelling case indeed. you mentioned the ec4 saving you one extra piece of gear with the handling of midi, is there something else i would need to get the twister working with norns? is it not as simple as plugging the usb cable into norns usb port? i do have one of the sevillasoft midi-usb hosts that has been mentioned in the forums.

#604

Perhaps the SC4 from faderfox overcomes some of this. In addition to the sequencer mode there’s a controller mode. Lights on the crown for visual feedback, button presses that can be toggle or momentary. I have it and enjoy it very much as a controller. I used it in controller mode (controlling a Sirin) for the “Kalimba of Doom” at one of the Lines Livestream shows.

1 Like
#605

Ah, I wasn’t very clear when I mentioned that. No worries, they’re both just a single USB cable.

The Faderfox units can also send and receive hardware MIDI over minijack/adapters. So I use it to connect Norns with hardware/non-USB instruments, and don’t need a dedicated adapter for that.

@Gahlord Oooh, excellent point. Haven’t used the SC4, it’s always looked like a great unit though!

(Also worth noting if it matters to some: SC4 (and DJ4) encoders are stepped/clicky/have detents. Twister, EC4 (and UC4) encoders don’t have detents between steps… sorry, this is really getting into the weeds…)

2 Likes
#606

ah okay i see. thanks for the clarification.

@Gahlord this looks very interesting as well, i will have to do some research on this one as i’m not familiar with it.

1 Like
#607

I just recently purchase a grids and i have yet to use it. And honestly doing so will help answer this question but some of the scripts I planned on using I found have real short sample times. I like to play with long samples and it’s really making me think if there’s just too much overlap between grids and an octatrack.

I also already have a morphagene for granular style sampling.

I’m considering selling the grids. Definitely going to give it a little time and love before selling but for people who do have an octatrack and grids where do you find grids working best in your workflow.

What I’ve loved about Norns are the looper scripts. Really a big part of how I make music now. So I’m not considering parting with my Norns at all but maybe the grids could be sold for something more useful.

Any insight would be appreciated :slight_smile:

#608

Hi
silly question about the Norns and Hermod: is it possible to connect both via one of the usb cable directly or do I need a midi interface?
Thanks for the clarification

#609

don’t have a hermod, but it has a usb host port so it should be able to communicate with norns without a midi interface.

1 Like
#610

Hey,
whats the easiest/best way to get Norns to external sync to midi or Modular clock? Tried a bunch of methods, but the only thing I seem to get working (and not that well) is NORNS<USB<CVPAL<MODULAR in clock mode. That at least allows me to sync the modular to the norns, but the tempo tracking on the modular (westlich performer) is pretty sloppy.

Any advice of how other people do it (yes a crow is on my list of things to get)

Cheers

#611

Hi,
Ive never fooled with the performer. I did skim the manual: have you dug into the clock settings on the performer and or any PPQN settings or divisions? When reading it reminded me of the key step and its sync options.

Im sure someone here will square ya away!

#612

Which ones? That will help us help you

I don’t have an OT or Morphagene but both are really capable samplers. Based on what I’ve seen, you don’t need the grid if you go deep enough with either of those (or a tandem setup).

However…if you have no plans to sell norns and love looping/sampler apps? I’d say you’ll regret the choice to sell someday. Try timber or cheat codes with a grid and then decide whether it’s worth keeping for additional depth of control

1 Like
#613

I’m a long Octatrack user and i built my grid yesterday.
As far as im learning how to use it properly with my fates, they are really really different machines, which do very different things. AnD i still do have to learn how to use mlr or cheat codes properly

1 Like