My friends started this controller company. They said in the end its a headache but worth it. They kinda broke even after all expenses.

https://www.extradeluxemfg.com/

 

Maybe you can ask him:

Ooops, forgot the name

https://www.facebook.com/VSTCustom

(no homepage I know)

 

Last edited: Feb 18, 2025

depends what you use it for.
I've always wanted a midi harmonica for live performance, that could be quite a treat..especially with a foot pedal to change samples, envelopes, reverbs, etc.

 

Looks nice actually, not sure what the keybed is, but nice design and that beautiful EMPTY space atop to put other modules like a Minitaur or keyboard on ...

 

yeah thats what they wanted. Nice and simple no frills

 

As a consumer/customer, I'd go wild if someone created something like the discontinued Livid DS-1 but with 16 channels or more.

Is this possible, a gap in the market? I'm still using two UC-33'S ffs and was so damn happy Windows 11 recognised them. But one compact unit could be perfect for home studio and live performance, imho.

 

I have no idea what you wrote in your comment, but I thought I could reply anyway.

 

What country are they based in?

 

Some crazy stuff here: https://www.controllerism.com/

 

US. Brooklyn/LA based

 

MIDI can't be controlled, its a force of nature...

we try to bend it to our will, but MIDI will always win..

 

Cool to see folks still diving into hardware despite the uphill climb. Manufacturing's tough, yeah, but from design snags to partner splits, the real mess often hits on the business side. If you’re getting serious, brush up on startup legal issues, especially around contracts, IP, and what happens if things go sideways. Saves you a ton of grief down the line.
Also, +1 to that Livid DS-1 comment, would love to see a modern take on that.

 

Last edited: Jul 14, 2025

I used on around 1996 in Nashville. It used an Atari ST with a Digitech Vocalist. You could move the 5 frequencies up and down.

 

I started small with handmade wooden enclosures and basic PCB designs, then tested them with local producers before scaling. Getting feedback early helped me avoid expensive mistakes down the line.

 

(My response comes 4 years too late, but anyway

You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about...

Drehbank is a dinosaur idea. How would I be supposed to memorize parameter names for 128 knobs? Even if I attach some labels, what would I do when just switching to another VST, which has completely different set of paramaters? Does the Drehbank show current parameter values? Etc., etc. Drehbank, Faderfox and other similar solutions - no, thanks.

Nektar Panorama integrates with a DAW (Reaper in my case) via a dedicated dll library. (So no wrapper needed then.) All parameter names and their curent values are shown in their native units (you see values in Hz, dB, %, 0-1 etc. - both in plugins in the DAW and on the Panorama's LCD). It automatically maps plugin's parameters - you don't have to do anything in that regard. But if you want to have them sorted in a particular order, you can create and save a simple config file. So, right from the start (=after adding the proper dll to your system) you are ready to go - you have a quick tactile controller for all your VST synths and plugins, as well as for the mixer and transport.

TLDR:

• Panorama P1 automatically shows parameter names for every encoder/fader/button - for any selected plugin
• Panorama P1 shows current parameter values for a selected plugin - not translated to 0-127, but in their native scales
• It uses high quality encoders (MUCH better than, say, BCR2000), with properly scaled speed
• After trying/using it, I would not go back to the 0-127 MIDI CC system (e.g. for tuning oscillators)

 

Last edited: Dec 16, 2025 at 9:29 AM

After years and years trying countless midi controller, the "double info" consisting in having display on the controller never worked right.
Screen too small, too few infos, added complexity, instability ...

No controller screen is going to equal my computer screen. Especially in size.
And i prefer by a large margin "all on computer screen" infos, with all displayed the right way on the same medium.

Something like Studio One Control Link / Focus Mode.
Or Cubase Controller link / Quick Control.

My experience only, nothing else.
I always end up looking at my computer screen, whatever is displayed on controller itself.

And you can go further than CC 0-127 with most controllers already for years and years.
1991 : 14 bits CC

 

Lately we have a thing going for zombie threads... anyway..
@Piszpunta: From my side its a thumbs up for stuff like faderfox et al. I use two midifighter twisters and I'm very happy they don't have displays. The led ring shows the value and the led rings color shows it meaning. thats fine for me. A display would ramp up the price and the devices size.

 

The problem could be solved if there were the will. Unfortunately, manufacturers always look at the competition's prices, and then the initially planned large display falls victim to cost-cutting measures, because manufacturers want to sell high volumes.

I wish there were manufacturers who would assemble the product according to my specifications—the case color selection, the keyboard (from 37 to 88 keys), the display (from small to medium to large)—and then calculate the price.

As we know, that won't happen anytime soon. Perhaps sales figures will have to collapse completely before a manufacturer asks its customers, "What do you want? We'll implement it, because you're the ones paying."

 

@Plendix
Faderfoxes or Twister are good if they are permanently dedicated to the same device(s). If you setup Twister to do some EQ/filter/FX you can happily use it for DJ-ing for years. But if I want to control 5-6 different synth plugins and each of them has several dozen parameters, then it is impossible to remember which knob controls what.

@ItsFine
[And you can go further than CC 0-127 with most controllers already for years and years.
1991 : 14 bits CC]
Please, read my post again: values are shown in their native units. Which means if I tune an oscillator, I can see the values the plugin uses (for example: "+2 semitones" or "-8 cents"). Even if the CCs would be 32-bit, the values shown using MIDI (1.0) are still translated to bare numbers. (And, by the way, Panorama's display assures me that I'm controlling *OSC tuning*, and not e.g. changing *OSC waveform* accidentally.)

I am waiting for a proper MIDI 2.0 hardware controller (and I believe DAW devs will adopt the standard quickly then).

 

Last edited: Dec 15, 2025 at 2:28 PM

My Midi Controller - Sampler system

-SSD port for Samples ( any samples, any files support structured in Folders)
- System backup on Micro or SD port, USB access to these ports
-128 GB of system memory
- Configurable Touch Panel buttons to put them in any order you want
- USB-C+ Physical Midi Out In Ports+ Built in Midi Router displayed on LED screen displaying system information including Midi in data, voltage on ports.
- Built in LED Display on Foldable Hinge
-Keyboard attaches to main system with standard USB C Port so you can use different sized Keyboards
A slide tabbed screwed in system attaches the keyboard to the main unit securely
- Main system area should be the size of a 49 key keyboard, as you expand the system is the same only the keyboard changes size
- Firmware updates through any of the ports

I have the credit card ready!!!