Any recommendations, engine or G2

skylab001

So now that I have tried out the demo for a few days, I've become addicted and am going to purchase. I'm curious what current owners thoughts are about their setup. Now understanding that everybody has a certain way they like to work I'm just looking for pros and cons of your particular modular setup. If you use the G2 engine with a controller, does it allow for a quick working enviroment or do you find yourself struggling to match knobs with controller assignments?

Those of you with the G2 Keyboard version, do you find most of your programming is set-up on the computer editor, and the g2 is more for just minor tweaking, or do you get into deep programming right from the synth?

I currently have an M-audio Keystation pro 88 at the center of my rig and was going to buy the engine instead of the full G2 to save space and money. The Keystation has 24 assignable knobs, 9 sliders and 22 buttons. It works great with softsynths...but they are already pre-built synths and easy to set-up.

I can see how the G2 keyboard would be a great all in one solution but I would pay a lot for for the bits(controllers) I'm not sure I'd need?

zynthetix · Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 3:06 pm Post subject:

I'm very partial to the keyboard version, although I haven't ever played with the engine.

Its not only a fantastic synth control scheme for live or studio use, but I think a keyboard version of the G2 makes a great MIDI controller for my software. You can also use the keyboard interface to edit your patches easier in the software. If you are more curious about this, jump to the third post down in this thread.

My bias aside, I understand these things cost money. If you want to go the engine route, it sounds like you have a good keyboard controller already. A lot of people here would recommend the Behringer BCR2000 or BCF2000 knob box MIDI controllers. I have one of these for my G2 keyboard and its a fantastic (and relatively inexpensive) partner for any kind of G2.

skylab001 · Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 5:10 pm Post subject:

I wasn't even thinking about it but I also have a Doepfer pocket control with 16 Midi assignable knobs as well. The Behringer looks nice though I will say that but i'm curious do you connect it to the G2 through midi or do you go USB into the computer and control it that way?!

mosc · Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2005 8:17 am Post subject:

You have to use MIDI cables to control a G2 with MIDI. The USB is only used by the editor.

The G2 Keyboard control panel is a fabulous controller surface. It makes the G2 a very good realtime expressive instrument. I don't think you can get that with an engine and a MIDI controller. I'd go for the Keyboard version. I have the G2X myself. It's great.

dasz · Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 12:10 pm Post subject:

One of my favorite things about the G2/X keyboard is that the panel which allows you to also edit the patch. hit patch button, and now you can navigate the patch using the up/down/left/right buttons or the big knob to select modules in your patch and 3 pages A,B,C of knobs control all the parameters of the selected module.

another nice thing is the panel is excellent at being a sequencer interface (with a LED which moves to each new step and the buttons turn the step on off and levels can change the step values) ... very nice and intuitive ...

another nice thing is the pitch stick! quite an expressive and responsive way to pitch bending ! After using it, I find going back to the normal pitch bend wheel is disappointing (not responsive engough) ...

another nice thing is being able what each knob does (the 4 LCDs above the 8 knobs tell you exactly what is going on ... not all midi controllers do this)

and when you turn the lights down, the nord panel looks damn cool ...
/Dasz

Axiom · Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 12:14 pm Post subject:

I agree with Dasz. I also love a lot all three modulation wheels. Actually I'm tricking with some heavy pitch slides assigned to a Global Wheel to do sweeps like on Lap Steel Guitars. If Clavia would add a large ribbon controller and an X-Y touchpad... ohhh what kind of p0rn ehehehe btw, I hope to find external midi add-ons for that. Smile

Luca

Engel · Joined: Nov 23, 2005 Posts: 10 Location: Moskau, Russland

G2/X is too expensive. Crying or Very sad

I'm using engine and asign knobs that I want to control to MIDI for changing the patch in real time.

Acidfever · Joined: Aug 25, 2004 Posts: 49

Really, knob assignment couldn't be easier on the G2. I think it's actually hard to do it faster with the G2 keys with no computer than with a G2 Engine with the editor open.

All you do is this:

You connect your controller to the midi in of the engine (well duh, Laughing

)

If the midi channel is configured correctly you turn the know you want to assign a little to any direction (so it's transmits data). You rightclick the button you want to control in the editor en choose Assign. You get a drop down that magically has the controller you just turned on top (midi learn like).

You can redo this little trick as long as you have buttons.

How about some smart implementation there mr Spock? A knob assignment in a patch really does take about 2 seconds. Turn -> Right Click -> Choose. Beat that with a computerless keys version.

I do recognize the advantage you have being able to do it without a computer. It will however be slower.

I also agree with dasz that the G2 Keys with it's frontpanel is superior to the G2 Engine control wise. I do however think the G2 Keys is overpriced by a ridiculous amount. I mean....750 Dollars for a little row of knobs and a few keys?

Actually 750 Dollar would be more ok than the price difference here in Europe. We pay like 1000 euro's more for a keys version (that's 1180 Dollars converted). That's insane! 650-700 (about 600 euro) would be ok-ish.

I would have liked a keys version myself but couldn't get myself to understand the difference in pricing.

I control the g2 Engine with a Novation Remote25 now (bought it for 250 Euro.....) adding that up to the 2nd hand G2 Engine i bought makes the total price about 850 Euro. That's even cheaper than the g2 Engine sells for in stores over here. Imagine the G2 Keys (not the G2X) being sold for 1850 euro and up.

We Europeans have all the luck when buying stuff like this Evil or Very Mad

K · Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2005 2:31 pm Post subject:

I sold my Engine and bought a G2 keyboard because of this thread and I don't regret it. the visual feedback of the front panel makes a big difference.

Acidfever · Joined: Aug 25, 2004 Posts: 49

Darn, couldn't help myself purchasing another G2 Engine. Hope this isn't going to be overkill. Could have gotten a nice MPC1000 for this cash.

On the other hand....the MPC1000 feels cheap, had lousy pads. It is portable though....something i could use.

Ah well.....guess i could always sell 1 of the G2's at some point.

You can connect 2 G2's and use them with one editor right?

blue hell · Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 4:23 am Post subject: