A long time ago I had a vsti synth that had a ribbon controller on the bottom, but for the life of me I can't remember what it was. It was a pretty simple synth, but I remember I loved the ribbon controller. It was great fun and effect. Thank you.

 

Hello @panther5, Arturia CS-80 V --> Virtual Ribbon controller --> www.kvraudio.com/product/cs-80-v4-by-arturia

 

???

 

... A long time ago ...
so maybe even 32bit

memorymoon me80 ?

 

Last edited: Dec 14, 2025 at 9:57 PM

Cakewalk - zeta+ VSTi

Preview Ribbon

Z3TA+ features the unique Cakewalk Preview Ribbon, which allows you to preview programs by clicking and dragging on it. The Preview Ribbon, at the bottom of the screen, plays different note velocities as you click higher or lower within the ribbon. The ribbon sends MIDI Note-On/Note-Off messages with velocity to the host when Z3TA+ is used as VSTi/DXi, so those events can be recorded in real time if the host supports that feature. The number of notes being played (polyphony) is shown in the Voices indicator in the Master section. The ribbon is very useful to set release times, performing a glissando by dragging the mouse over it.

 

Yup. This was first thing that came to mind.

 

it's like how when someone wants something easy to program, naturally I just think they mean the DX-7.

 

Last edited: Dec 14, 2025 at 10:42 PM

give some more info and associations, it's quite difficult to guess

 

Yes, thats a very early one. Early Ribbon's to connect via CV at a MIDI controller where not cheap.
Don't speak about "MIDI Learn" those times.

The one above is in here:

https://ia600700.us.archive.org/view_archive.php?archive=/14/items/Elektrostudio/Elektrostudio.rar

 

Last edited: Dec 15, 2025 at 12:16 AM

I wonder if you can describe its appearance.

 

Maybe a "stylophone" or "monotron" vst clone. Could be another CS80 vsti, krakli Armiaator, but more complex.