I have model 1A+. It's freakin AWESOME! I have gone through a lot of controller's in the past. The thing is other controllers are too generic; they advertise being able to control everything however in practise there are many limitations and workflow killers. This is a controller focused on plugins. Not the DAW. It's a universal solution for plugins and it is so elegant imho. So simple too, a touchscreen with encoders around it. I've been producing since y2k. Plugins have evolved enormously since then and there are so many fantastic plugins out there and I often wished it would be cool if plugin makers would make hardware controllers for each of their plugins. My thought for the MP before purchasing was that even if I end up using it with a few plugins, it would still be worth it...and it does. Only problem is that you get addicted to it lol and then you want to use it everywhere...but seriously makes production, mixing and sound design a lot more fun 🤘
Great review Matty as always! I own the first model since 2020 and this is by far the best controller for plugins and here is why (btw you can open DAW sessions without the controller being connected and collaborate with others that don't have the controller. Just need to install the host plugin). First, i have for years based by workflow on BC Patchwork, which is also a wrapper because it gives me the ability to use presets and chains of plugins that i created in multiple DAWs. I use both Ableton and Logic and i have created hundreds of chains with layered synths and fx so if it wasn't for Patchwork, i would have to recreate these every time. It also gives me a sense of freedom, that my fx and synth presets are not jailed/locked in the DAW. If i need to work on other DAWs all my presets are readily available. So, for me working with a host plugin was actually an advantage, and it makes sense because all the midi routing goes from the host plugin to the hardware, so the DAW is not a part of this procedure at all. The best thing about this controller is that it completely changes the interaction you have with a plugin, thus changing how fast and creative you can work on a plugin. You don't have to put it on every plugin in a session, although you could, but even with ONE plugin that you use all the time, is worth having this. I work a lot with Diva and it has completely transformed the way i interact with it. It's like i own a Diva hardware. It's insane! There are knobs, touch, zoom, its insanely fast and completely different than doing this with the mouse or any other controller. In a project, i typically have 30 or more instances of Diva, every time i select one, its on the controller ready to be controlled. No jumps in the parameters... you know the usual problems you have with other controllers. Another cool thing is that when i switch presets on Diva, the controller syncs instantly. No need to worry about that. It has also changed the way i do Eq and compression for the same reasons. I use a lot certain Acustica plugins and Plugin Alliance plugins and never use the mouse anymore. But as you said, its best to start with plugins that you love/use and see how you can improve your workflow using the controller.
Okay…. First, I wanna tell you that I really appreciate you taking the time to write a long useful comment. Short & Sweet, AKA useless comments are the norm, but these actually Add something other than opinion to the discussion. So Thank You. Now, I’ve been eyeing the MP for the past couple of years, it’s on my: ‘I already have too much stuff and too little space’ list. I use an X-Touch w 3 Extenders (32-channels), and Console 1 (with all the emulations, and many Softube and Universal Audio plugins), plus a 1920x1080 Artist Monitor Pen Tablet angled in front of the console 1 controller (like a laptop screen). I have many DAWs but Reaper has become my primary due to its unparalleled configurability. So I can have a massive mix session spilled across the Control Surface in banks of 32, and each channel can be selected from the mouse, the Faders, or the Console 1 and ALL the others adjust accordingly. Furthermore, the Reaper FX chain window is full screen on the Artists Monitor and follows the selected channel, so whatever channel is selected, it’s “focused plugin” pops up on screen at the same time as its channel strip shows up on the Console 1 surface, and at the click of a button it’s On-Screen Display is superimposed over the Reaper FX window. I hope that makes sense. Bottom line: the whole mix across the faders, the individual channel on the Console 1 knobs AND on screen adjustable by Artist’s Pen (or Mouse, Trackball, Trackpad…). Now that I’ve had this amazing setup, I’ve wondered about switching the Stylus/Pen Monitor for a Multi-Touch monitor instead. The MP MIDI, which seems to get lost in people’s reviews, is Also a Multi-Touch monitor. And finally, the reason for this response to Your comment… I like you Also use Blue Cat Patchwork. I’m guessing that you’re more in production using VIs, and I’m mostly mixing and using Effects, so in addition to all the reasons you mentioned above I also love Patchwork for the Serial-Parallel-Serial processing monster that it is. So the burning questions for me are: Can I run Patchwork full-screen on MP MIDI, and map 32-knobs to the 40-macros? You can run Patchwork (or MB-7) inside of Patchwork, so a wrapper in a wrapper, does it still work with MP MIDI or does it get lost? Can the MP MIDI follow the Selected Channel from the DAW the way Console 1, SSL 360, and Reaper’s FX Chain Window can? How “buggy” is the touchscreen/encoder experience with MP MIDI, can it be seamless, or does it make you still reach for the mouse? If all of that checks out, then (once they’re available again) it seems that swapping out my plugin screen is about to give me even further superpowers! I’d Love your thoughts! You’re in a pretty elite club…and I’m jealous.
@@G_handle I would load the MP on Patchwork, not the other way. It makes more sense. It works! So, basically instead of using their multihost plugin, if you want to have parallel chains etc, you can load a bunch of MP singles in Patchwork, save that as a Patchwork preset and boom! (I have loaded a patchwork within a patchwork myself in the past, with chains of fx mostly being disabled, just to have the option to power them on when/if needed 😆)
@Sir Andrew Pie Thanks for the reply! Okay, I'm trying to understand why that way would be better. But first, the second part of your message Auditioning and Disabling chains FAST is exactly what BCPW is great for. So as of now, for simplicity's sake, I imagine 64 tracks each with Console 1, and Patchwork plugins on every channel. C1 gives me 8 full desks to choose from, but hundreds of different configurations once I start swapping out sections. Crazy options, crazy fast. PW gives me the ultimate Inserts with endless processing capabilities. Many presets and bypassed option ready to instantly audition. Now to my mind, sticking those wrappers inside of MP wrappers just allows the BCPW to work the same, but now with 32-knobs and a multi-touch screen dedicated and mapped. Consistently mapped, so that the same say Compressor knobs (Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release, etc ) are in the same place on every plugin, regardless of the GUI. BCPW essentially replaces the Inserts on any DAW and your settings are the same on every DAW. So with everything on 1 SSD and an iLok, your virtual toolbox is mobile. Now, probably because I haven't USED the MP Midi yet, I don't see it as a replacement for BCPW. I see it as adding dedicated tactile control TO PW, almost in the same way you mentioned Diva. Whatever else it can do is kinda bonus in my current thinking, unless it does something incredibly well that I'm just missing. But mapping ALL of my plugins directly to MP rather than directly to PW, then PW to MP doesn't seem to be as powerful, or as fast or streamlined. What am I missing?
can you plug a separate mouse into this for fine-tune control? or perhaps this controller also has on the display keyboard buttons SHIFT ,CNTRL, CMD, because sometimes in plugs like eq plugs and others when you hold one of those you get slower more accurate sweep on the eg. fre/gain/q.
I have him now for two years. Also to point out an idea for people that are interested. For several synths I use multiple settings of the knobs. For instance, let´s say you have serum, I program the knobs differently on several presets. It really changes the character of working with these vst synts. Actually one serum preset can really take on the character of several synths. You don´t have to control everything on each synth preset. And take for instance an EQ like kirchoff eq, by programming several bands, and saving multiple settings of the mp midi controller you can basically crate your own eq..
Why does everybody not like using a mouse, it’s fast. All you’re doing is switching from using a finger that is resting on something to using your finger in mid air to turn a knob.
It works quite well, and I love manipulating my synth plugins with it. I did find that I might initially have to set the mp plug-in to display on my primary monitor in order to make some plugins small enough to display properly. I then switch back to displaying on the mp hardware display. I also found that not all my plugins are showing up in the mp plug-in, even though they show up in my DAW. I don’t know why. These are standard VSTs. Sugarbytes Drum Computer for instance. Arturia Augmented Brass is another one. Might have to reach out to their support about it.
How can I automate plugin parameters? e.g. I load the serum into the mp midi and want to record the cutoff. Is that possible? Thanks for the great review!!!
I use Ableton, Is it possible to change between channels directly in the controller? I want to use it for performances and using the mouse to change to another channel doesn't convince me.
Matty, You did it again my Brotha! Now that you have every controller available (other than Avid? Which is strange since you’re still a Pro Tools guy right? S1’s and the Dock are pretty close to the S6 experience for relatively peanuts.), I have two requests: 1) What about a comparison video, going over pros and cons of each system? Not a shootout so much as a “things to consider” video. 2) I’m a Console 1 user, and I assume you still are as well. How does the MP MIDI “compliment” Console 1? Specifically, I want to replace my current Pen Tablet monitor with the MP MIDI multi-touch monitor. If you butt the Console 1 surface up to the MP MIDI (my screen is at a 45-degree angle almost like a laptop), how is that workflow going from full-screen plugins with encoders to full-screen Console 1 OSD? Is it tight, or clunky? Either way, thanks for doing what you do!
Ha! Yes I'm a sucker for controllers I actually do have a S1. And even though I like the MP MIDI I don't think I will be keeping it. I think the best setup I have found ( for Pro Tools) is an S1 and the Rocksolid audio Micro4k. I'll do a video soon on how I'm using both
@Matty Harris I do remember seeing a S1 in one of your videos! Yeah if I was locking myself into Pro Tools, a pair of S1s and a Dock is the way to go. A) have you tried a Dock, and if not B) have you setup Eucontrol on an iPad even without the Dock? Everyone focuses on the Faders and Knobs for obvious reasons, but most DAWs have an iPad app that gets missed. When you set em up it makes navigating the DAW, Windows, Tracks, Regions, Etc. far easier IMHO. And Eucon really started it all, although the Studio One app is good too.
Any improvent on screen response, @Matty Harris? I'm 6'4" tall with hands proportionate to my body. So its hard to deal with tiny controls with micro buttons.
My opinion about this is that it's not quite "for" anyone just yet - it comes across like a great concept that needs a buyer to take it to consumer level. I could see it being a good competitor to something like the Avid Dock, if it used an upgradable iPad in place of the built-in (and evidently struggling) touchscreen. And it's nice to have a lot of knobs, but that's too many knobs, imo. Simplify the form factor and this could someday be a home studio standard!
They would open it like every other project. See my comment on top 😀 you can open DAW sessions without the controller being connected and collaborate with others that don't have the controller. Just need to install the host plugin
not very cool, that wrapper is a deal breaker, you can not exchange a session to non mPMIDI users and you can not even work on a session that use the MPMIDI if you do not have the controller....... looked great at first when I saw it many years ago..... but for mastering yes ...that is the only scenario that may be cool
best midi controller hands down
I have model 1A+. It's freakin AWESOME!
I have gone through a lot of controller's in the past. The thing is other controllers are too generic;
they advertise being able to control everything however in practise there are many limitations and workflow killers.
This is a controller focused on plugins. Not the DAW. It's a universal solution for plugins
and it is so elegant imho. So simple too, a touchscreen with encoders around it.
I've been producing since y2k. Plugins have evolved enormously since then and there are so many fantastic plugins out there and I often wished it would be cool if plugin makers would make hardware controllers for each of their plugins.
My thought for the MP before purchasing was that even if I end up using it with a few plugins, it would still be worth it...and it does.
Only problem is that you get addicted to it lol and then you want to use it everywhere...but seriously makes production, mixing and sound design a lot more fun 🤘
Great review Matty as always! I own the first model since 2020 and this is by far the best controller for plugins and here is why
(btw you can open DAW sessions without the controller being connected and collaborate with others that don't have the controller. Just need to install the host plugin).
First, i have for years based by workflow on BC Patchwork, which is also a wrapper because it gives me the ability to use presets and chains of plugins that i created in multiple DAWs.
I use both Ableton and Logic and i have created hundreds of chains with layered synths and fx so if it wasn't for Patchwork, i would have to recreate these every time. It also gives me a sense of freedom, that my fx and synth presets are not jailed/locked in the DAW.
If i need to work on other DAWs all my presets are readily available. So, for me working with a host plugin was actually an advantage, and it makes sense because all the midi routing goes from the host plugin to the hardware, so the DAW is not a part of this procedure at all.
The best thing about this controller is that it completely changes the interaction you have with a plugin, thus changing how fast and creative you can work on a plugin.
You don't have to put it on every plugin in a session, although you could, but even with ONE plugin that you use all the time, is worth having this.
I work a lot with Diva and it has completely transformed the way i interact with it. It's like i own a Diva hardware.
It's insane! There are knobs, touch, zoom, its insanely fast and completely different than doing this with the mouse or any other controller.
In a project, i typically have 30 or more instances of Diva, every time i select one, its on the controller ready to be controlled.
No jumps in the parameters... you know the usual problems you have with other controllers.
Another cool thing is that when i switch presets on Diva, the controller syncs instantly. No need to worry about that.
It has also changed the way i do Eq and compression for the same reasons.
I use a lot certain Acustica plugins and Plugin Alliance plugins and never use the mouse anymore.
But as you said, its best to start with plugins that you love/use and see how you can improve your workflow using the controller.
and how if in the other end they want to midify the plugin settings without the controller? can they do it??
Okay….
First, I wanna tell you that I really appreciate you taking the time to write a long useful comment.
Short & Sweet, AKA useless comments are the norm, but these actually Add something other than opinion to the discussion.
So Thank You.
Now, I’ve been eyeing the MP for the past couple of years, it’s on my: ‘I already have too much stuff and too little space’ list.
I use an X-Touch w 3 Extenders (32-channels), and Console 1 (with all the emulations, and many Softube and Universal Audio plugins), plus a 1920x1080 Artist Monitor Pen Tablet angled in front of the console 1 controller (like a laptop screen).
I have many DAWs but Reaper has become my primary due to its unparalleled configurability. So I can have a massive mix session spilled across the Control Surface in banks of 32, and each channel can be selected from the mouse, the Faders, or the Console 1 and ALL the others adjust accordingly. Furthermore, the Reaper FX chain window is full screen on the Artists Monitor and follows the selected channel, so whatever channel is selected, it’s “focused plugin” pops up on screen at the same time as its channel strip shows up on the Console 1 surface, and at the click of a button it’s On-Screen Display is superimposed over the Reaper FX window.
I hope that makes sense. Bottom line: the whole mix across the faders, the individual channel on the Console 1 knobs AND on screen adjustable by Artist’s Pen (or Mouse, Trackball, Trackpad…).
Now that I’ve had this amazing setup, I’ve wondered about switching the Stylus/Pen Monitor for a Multi-Touch monitor instead. The MP MIDI, which seems to get lost in people’s reviews, is Also a Multi-Touch monitor.
And finally, the reason for this response to Your comment…
I like you Also use Blue Cat Patchwork.
I’m guessing that you’re more in production using VIs, and I’m mostly mixing and using Effects, so in addition to all the reasons you mentioned above I also love Patchwork for the Serial-Parallel-Serial processing monster that it is.
So the burning questions for me are:
Can I run Patchwork full-screen on MP MIDI, and map 32-knobs to the 40-macros?
You can run Patchwork (or MB-7) inside of Patchwork, so a wrapper in a wrapper, does it still work with MP MIDI or does it get lost?
Can the MP MIDI follow the Selected Channel from the DAW the way Console 1, SSL 360, and Reaper’s FX Chain Window can?
How “buggy” is the touchscreen/encoder experience with MP MIDI, can it be seamless, or does it make you still reach for the mouse?
If all of that checks out, then (once they’re available again) it seems that swapping out my plugin screen is about to give me even further superpowers!
I’d Love your thoughts!
You’re in a pretty elite club…and I’m jealous.
@@bluematrix5001 Yes they can, it's like BC patchwork which is also a wrapper
@@G_handle I would load the MP on Patchwork, not the other way. It makes more sense. It works! So, basically instead of using their multihost plugin, if you want to have parallel chains etc, you can load a bunch of MP singles in Patchwork, save that as a Patchwork preset and boom! (I have loaded a patchwork within a patchwork myself in the past, with chains of fx mostly being disabled, just to have the option to power them on when/if needed 😆)
@Sir Andrew Pie Thanks for the reply!
Okay, I'm trying to understand why that way would be better.
But first, the second part of your message Auditioning and Disabling chains FAST is exactly what BCPW is great for.
So as of now, for simplicity's sake, I imagine 64 tracks each with Console 1, and Patchwork plugins on every channel.
C1 gives me 8 full desks to choose from, but hundreds of different configurations once I start swapping out sections. Crazy options, crazy fast.
PW gives me the ultimate Inserts with endless processing capabilities. Many presets and bypassed option ready to instantly audition.
Now to my mind, sticking those wrappers inside of MP wrappers just allows the BCPW to work the same, but now with 32-knobs and a multi-touch screen dedicated and mapped. Consistently mapped, so that the same say Compressor knobs (Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release, etc ) are in the same place on every plugin, regardless of the GUI.
BCPW essentially replaces the Inserts on any DAW and your settings are the same on every DAW. So with everything on 1 SSD and an iLok, your virtual toolbox is mobile.
Now, probably because I haven't USED the MP Midi yet, I don't see it as a replacement for BCPW. I see it as adding dedicated tactile control TO PW, almost in the same way you mentioned Diva. Whatever else it can do is kinda bonus in my current thinking, unless it does something incredibly well that I'm just missing.
But mapping ALL of my plugins directly to MP rather than directly to PW, then PW to MP doesn't seem to be as powerful, or as fast or streamlined.
What am I missing?
Your discount code for mp midi doesnt work.
You are right
The centerpiece of my studio. The favorites screen is super and very intuitive to use. Loving this controller!
Still the Centre piece??? How about when exchanging sessions any problems ??? Thanks
can you plug a separate mouse into this for fine-tune control? or perhaps this controller also has on the display keyboard buttons SHIFT ,CNTRL, CMD, because sometimes in plugs like eq plugs and others when you hold one of those you get slower more accurate sweep on the eg. fre/gain/q.
looks cool, im thinking together one!
I have him now for two years. Also to point out an idea for people that are interested. For several synths I use multiple settings of the knobs. For instance, let´s say you have serum, I program the knobs differently on several presets. It really changes the character of working with these vst synts. Actually one serum preset can really take on the character of several synths. You don´t have to control everything on each synth preset. And take for instance an EQ like kirchoff eq, by programming several bands, and saving multiple settings of the mp midi controller you can basically crate your own eq..
🤔 🤔🤔👍
plenty of talking, no actual demonstration
Why does everybody not like using a mouse, it’s fast. All you’re doing is switching from using a finger that is resting on something to using your finger in mid air to turn a knob.
Still this controller looks like the best option out there imo, it’s definitely on my bucket list 😊
It works quite well, and I love manipulating my synth plugins with it. I did find that I might initially have to set the mp plug-in to display on my primary monitor in order to make some plugins small enough to display properly. I then switch back to displaying on the mp hardware display.
I also found that not all my plugins are showing up in the mp plug-in, even though they show up in my DAW. I don’t know why. These are standard VSTs. Sugarbytes Drum Computer for instance. Arturia Augmented Brass is another one. Might have to reach out to their support about it.
Dude I think you might need to load their Instrument plugin :)
@@StudioTunes-pg4un Had to create “soft links” to point to VST locations on my other drive. That fixed the issue of not seeing all the plugins
How can I automate plugin parameters? e.g. I load the serum into the mp midi and want to record the cutoff. Is that possible? Thanks for the great review!!!
It's possible, you just start recording in your DAW and then move the knobs you want to automate.
I use Ableton, Is it possible to change between channels directly in the controller? I want to use it for performances and using the mouse to change to another channel doesn't convince me.
Go to their website. They have Ableton sorted out.
MPM you need to update ASAP. This a GEM:)))
I am not a big fan of nested hosting
Interesting.
Thanks
This is what I am waiting for
Matty, You did it again my Brotha!
Now that you have every controller available (other than Avid? Which is strange since you’re still a Pro Tools guy right? S1’s and the Dock are pretty close to the S6 experience for relatively peanuts.), I have two requests:
1) What about a comparison video, going over pros and cons of each system? Not a shootout so much as a “things to consider” video.
2) I’m a Console 1 user, and I assume you still are as well. How does the MP MIDI “compliment” Console 1?
Specifically, I want to replace my current Pen Tablet monitor with the MP MIDI multi-touch monitor. If you butt the Console 1 surface up to the MP MIDI (my screen is at a 45-degree angle almost like a laptop), how is that workflow going from full-screen plugins with encoders to full-screen Console 1 OSD? Is it tight, or clunky?
Either way, thanks for doing what you do!
Ha! Yes I'm a sucker for controllers I actually do have a S1. And even though I like the MP MIDI I don't think I will be keeping it. I think the best setup I have found ( for Pro Tools) is an S1 and the Rocksolid audio Micro4k. I'll do a video soon on how I'm using both
@Matty Harris I do remember seeing a S1 in one of your videos!
Yeah if I was locking myself into Pro Tools, a pair of S1s and a Dock is the way to go.
A) have you tried a Dock, and if not
B) have you setup Eucontrol on an iPad even without the Dock?
Everyone focuses on the Faders and Knobs for obvious reasons, but most DAWs have an iPad app that gets missed. When you set em up it makes navigating the DAW, Windows, Tracks, Regions, Etc. far easier IMHO.
And Eucon really started it all, although the Studio One app is good too.
“All the plugins except AAX, but you don’t need that”…
What do you mean, protools is AAX based
I was sold until you said that 😢
I should have been more clear. The wrapper doesn’t accept AAX. But the plug-in is AAX. So you can work in pro tools
@@mixedbymattycould you use AAX plugins within the program by chance? 👀
@@mixedbymatty so messy....... sounds so fragile and neanderthal...... for mastering I give it to you... but for Pro Mixing??? ....
How do you load the plugins to your channel ?
Looks baddas
Definitly I Will buy it
Thanks for the info. I was gonna buy it but now I have changed my mind. If the software is slow this is determining.
It's not slow. See the videos on the mp controller's channel.
I've been watching this controller and it has been sold out 3 times since 2020. I am on the reservation list for the next batch.
But if this slow is not so good
@@leirumanuel Slow in what sense?
@@StudioTunes-pg4un The video reports an issue of The software when loading Big projects
Any improvent on screen response, @Matty Harris?
I'm 6'4" tall with hands proportionate to my body. So its hard to deal with tiny controls with micro buttons.
they added pinch to zoom
🎉 'Promo SM'
thanks for taking the time to share this with us!😀
No problem 😊
So what's better than a mouse? It will only get in the way of your workflow
Wow, you have just negated a whole industry 🤣
someone who doesn't like using two hands i take it?
There is always a hater.
My opinion about this is that it's not quite "for" anyone just yet - it comes across like a great concept that needs a buyer to take it to consumer level. I could see it being a good competitor to something like the Avid Dock, if it used an upgradable iPad in place of the built-in (and evidently struggling) touchscreen. And it's nice to have a lot of knobs, but that's too many knobs, imo. Simplify the form factor and this could someday be a home studio standard!
this is unusefull imagine you will send your session to other engineers or musicians how them open it ?
They would open it like every other project. See my comment on top 😀 you can open DAW sessions without the controller being connected and collaborate with others that don't have the controller. Just need to install the host plugin
elktra one much better
not very cool, that wrapper is a deal breaker, you can not exchange a session to non mPMIDI users and you can not even work on a session that use the MPMIDI if you do not have the controller....... looked great at first when I saw it many years ago..... but for mastering yes ...that is the only scenario that may be cool
Haircut fresh than a mf