Any soft synth with few controls that can be mapped knob-per-function to an Akai Midimix or Launch-Control XL?

The controller has 24 knobs, 8 faders and about 16 buttons. Ideally the synth should have less controls.. I thought about the new Ableton stock synth drift but is has way to many controls still.

It seems most synths have a lot more controls? Maybe the new Lush-2 when skipping all 'additional controls" (FX, layers etc) would work?

This is for a live performance, I'll create an overlay for the controller and use costum caps.
Thanks for your help.

 

Last edited: Jun 22, 2023

Some good free ones come to my mind:

Charlatan
Ob-xd
Tal noisemaker

And of course, Minimoog emulations don't have so many controls (the Legend comes to my mind).

You can also map just the main controls of your favorite softsynth for live use, like filter cut off and resonance, one lfo, the oscillators' waves, pitch and volume, noise... for instance (I have a Minilogue, which is one knob per function and, for live performances, usually use these and not more).

I also have an Akai mpd32, have tried to do what you said with Vital synth, but I usually use it to trigger drum loops (clips in Ableton) and FX noises. Gave up trying to use it as a synth.

 

Last edited: Jun 22, 2023

If you think you need access to ALL of your controls during a live performance, you're probably doing it wrong.

Run through your set. Which controls do you actually USE. For most people, it'll probably boil down to something like your filter controls, attack and release on your envelopes. Maybe oscillator shapes and pulse width. Maybe the wet and dry on your synth and reverb? Something to handle modulation for sure.

If you need finer control than that, you probably want a hardware synth.

Edit: I'm really just repeating what jennyblack said above.

 

Polymax is on sale, take a look at UAD website.

 

Thanks I'll check out the ones mentioned. The 101 clones seem promising!

Regarding if it's necessary to map out a whole synth: This will be used only in addition to my full liveset and will not be essential part of any song at all. I have my other synths already mapped out and, as suggested here, boil them down to around 4 knobs max., presets also changing with the press of a button.

This one is just meant for improvisation. I will not use it with pre made presets, therefore a simple synth like the 101 is needed. I'll be using a spare controller and software because it's cheaper. Of course a hardware unit would be much nicer. (I tried the Behringer mother 32 clone but it had annoying tuning issues, sold it again).


Edit: I'll post my progress with the mapping and overlays here. I think there's many people how have a similar controller lying around and would benefit from this after all. I also started writing remote control scripts for instant mapping in Ableton.

 

Last edited: Jun 22, 2023

What you can also do is to group some parameters to one control.
Example, if the synth use more than one amp envelope, you can group them under one group of controls, let's say the synth have 2 amp adsr, that would use only 4 controls instead of 8, same goes for filters. Etc...
Anyways, with 24 knobs and 8 faders, you can really have a good control of almost any synth.

Another solution would be to use a modular synth like Phase Plant, and create your own synth specially adapted to your needs and your controller.

 

You can setup multi-parameter macros in many synths like Serum, Spire, FAW Sublab, and in UVI Falcon2. There are many tutorials online for Serum, but here is a more "official one" for Falcon2. https://support.uvi.net/hc/en-us/articles/360001195697-Learning-Falcon-204-Using-Macros

With 24 knobs, you may just run out of parameters to control first.

 

Last edited: Jun 23, 2023

Analog Lab from Arturia, maybe? I have a Minilab MkII, and it comes with factory mapping for it. I usually stick to the awful quantity of presets, but I think you can make your own with the controls you want to use. I like to think about it as a synth emulation without all the visual clutter.

 

Maybe this
https://www.fullbucket.de/music/kern.html

 

Macro controls is the way. I'm personally using Komplete Kontrol, but every synth that does NKS has things mapped automatically. NI of course, but also u-he and whatever.

If you want every parameter mapped, then perhaps try a Minimoog emulation?

 

Fabfilter Twin 3

 

I tried a few and really like the TAL Bassline 101. It's very direct and immediate in it's layout.
Some of the other synths have a lot more sound-design features, modulation, envelopes and such but can't be used with the controller without setting a lot of the parameters beforehand and using it like a "half preset".

A 101 can be mapped with still about half of the knobs free for reverb, delay and such and it is fully usable.
A very simple synth, I wish the LFO would go a lot faster though.
Now I just need to figure out how to get LED feedback for the five buttons.

Limited versatility but the sweet spot is big! And it has a Poly mode for some sweet pads.


For example, I'll map just these controls. Other knobs on the control will be used for reverb and delay.

 

IMO you should try The Legend from Synapse Audio.

 

I'm surprised. I have a Behringer Crave. I love it. I'm thinking of buying another, I like it so much. Might be the best £160 I ever spent.

 

exactely

Polymax is a classic subractive synth with very basic controls and envelope paths, its strong point are the OSCILLATORS, sounding very very good, and the subtractive filter, very convincing as well

no fancy, not many sheesh around it, just basic synthesis and very good sound

 

I bought Opal during the sale, I like it, at the moment though, I'm eyeing Polymax, They gave me a coupon for 25$ off for buying Opal, adding to the already existing sale so I'm able to get Polymax really cheap.