CC121 impressions, reviews from owners?

Mikem

I'm curious about this little guy. I've got a Tranzport that I really only use to record myself from across the room when tracking. I've got an 01x that I never use as a controller--just never could tear myself away from the mouse. I'm wondering if the CC121 would break me of the mouse habit, or if it would sit idle.
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ozbusa · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 11:25 am Post subject:

I've only had it for a couple of days, but I'm pretty happy with it.

It's appears reasonably solid, well built and quite classy looking in the flesh, despite looking a little like a toy in the photos. The buttons and knobs all have a nice action and feel, and the coloured backlighting on the buttons is very visible as an indication of selection and function.

The interface for changing settings etc within Cubase is simple and logical. The bits I am using the most are the AI knob and the 4 Function buttons. The rotary encoder above the 4 function buttons can be locked to one of 4 specific functions; I have it locked to the Main Mix volume which I find pretty handy. The 4 function buttons can be linked to just about any function, menu etc within Cubase via the setup interface.

As far as using your mouse less, well you'll end up using it in a different way. I have the settings so that I just have to hover the mouse cursor over a part of the Cubase interface, like a mixer slider, panner, VST 3 plugin parameter etc, and then use the AI knob to make adjustments. So instead of moving the mouse cursor as well as clicking, dragging or mouse scrolling, I just use my right hand to move the mouse cursor over a control, and adjust it via the AI knob with my left hand. So you still use the mouse, but with a lot less clicking etc.

There are a few things that I don't like. The price. The fact that you have to use a power supply if you want to motorise the fader, despite the AlphaTrack that I also have, using only USB bus power to operate its motorised fader. The fact that its use is mainly limited to Cubase and VST 3 plugins. Maybe this can be addressed later via software? But I knew all this before I bought it, and I still think it's worth it. I like its simplicity. The buttons mostly perform one function, so its a lot easier to use than my AlphaTrack.

Your probably best off downloading the manual ftp://ftp2.steinberg.net/Download/CC121/CC121_OperationManual_en.pdf if you havn't already, and have a read to see if it will do what you want.
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Marmick · Junior Member Joined: 15 Nov 2007 Posts: 79

ozbusa · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 11:31 pm Post subject:

As far as I can tell from the manual and my usage so far, it will only work with Cubase versions 4.5 onwards (which support AI) and VST 3 spec instruments and plugins, which I asume also support AI.

I use a Novation Remote SL61 with Automap to control my VST instruments and mainly use the CC121 for the Cubase interface. When I can reclaim some desk space, I'm hoping to use my AlphaTrack again, alongside the CC121 to control non VST 3 plugins.

It would be a lot easier if the CC121 could interact with all plugins and instruments, but I suspect that will not be the case until they are recoded or re-written to VST 3 specs.
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KRK V4 Series 2, Barefoot MM27's
AlphaTrack, CC-121, Cyrus CD Xt

MarkEdmonds · Member Joined: 01 Apr 2005 Posts: 776

Hell Yeh · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 11:41 pm Post subject:

ossomepossum · Member Joined: 16 Aug 2005 Posts: 123 Location: Portland

I want to know if it is really that big of a time saver/workflow enhancer? I mean I saw a video and it seems like it could be cool and really facilitate time efficiency, but for 400 bones is it really worth it? After all... I have gotten pretty good with a mouse....
Anybody got a comment about that?
Seems like it just may be a different and fun way to work, but not really necessary (and it takes up another usb port... yay! (and power outlet))

Funny you say you use the 4 "custom" buttons or whatever more than the fader and general left side of the contraption because those seem like they are a big pull for the product?
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MarkEdmonds · Member Joined: 01 Apr 2005 Posts: 776

It is only the fader that is a real workflow enhancer IMO. When there are more than just a couple of 3rd party VST3 plugins out there, the AI control will start to appeal but until then, a controller like the Novation Automap does a really fine job for plugins.

(Most people just need access to a motorised touch fader so in that respect, the best is probably the Euphonix MC Mix but as that doesn't work with a PC properly, it can't really feature. The Mackie Control would be really good if it had significantly better QC but there are so many problems with their fader implementation that you would be taking pot-luck on whether you got a good one or not.)

Mark

marcus c · Member Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 647 Location: SW LONDON

you're forgetting that the Cc121 can be used along side any other controler, I use mine along side the houston and its great. Being able to Zoom horizontaly and vertically from it is great, having control of the Control room is great too. having hardware control of the Cubase channel is way better than using the mouse all the time.

Marcus
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matz · Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 12:49 pm Post subject:

i did some screencasts explaining the cc121 in comparison with the bcf 2000. maybe someone will find those helpfull. low quality and in german:

http://www.drummerforum.de/users/matzdrums/cc121/cc121_1_mono_klein.html
http://www.drummerforum.de/users/matzdrums/cc121_2/cc121_2.html
http://www.drummerforum.de/users/matzdrums/cc212_3/cc212_3.html
http://www.drummerforum.de/users/matzdrums/cc121_4/cc121_4.html
http://www.drummerforum.de/users/matzdrums/cc121_5/cc121_5.html

enjoy.
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animix

trifidmaster · Member Joined: 10 Jan 2005 Posts: 215 Location: Belgium

As I wrote: built quality is very good.
Installation was a question of seconds.

I like the motorized fader, the panpot the buttons.
I like a lot the transport buttons, too.

I am not a C4 EQ user but indeed the freq pots are not easy to use: either the frequency is moving in very small steps, or too fast.
This needs to be addressed in future updates.

I have used it only for a few hours. Do I regret? NO. Especially after days of headaches caused by my previous Faderport, the CC121 is a joy.

trif.
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trifidmaster · Member Joined: 10 Jan 2005 Posts: 215 Location: Belgium

Another hours of use - excellent!
So much better as a mouse is - even if the lights are low in the studio the unit is joy to use.

I use the 4 function buttons as zoom in/out horizontally/vertically - this is very handy, too.

trif.
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Alphacodex · Junior Member Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 64

My impressions after a "one day usage":

- First of all, after about 20minutes sorting out how everything works I can hardly think of not using it all the time

Specific PROS:
- volume mixing is so much more "pro" with the cc121. I swear the quality of the mixes I did today benefit from the usage of that little thing...
- the AI knob is a real timesaver (as a jog wheel) and makes editing a lot faster and more precise (however it does not work for third party plugins, see below)
- workflow is significantly improved when you get used to it and use the 4 assignable buttons well
- the motor-fader is quite responsive, however keep your fingers away when you are stepping through the channels, otherwise the fader will stop when it touches your finger, overwriting the actual volume of that channel

Specific CONS
- channel selection is a bit of a hassle, especially when you use multitimbral VST instruments that cannot use the new instrument-tracks (such as Kontakt). If you select a MIDI track of such a instrument and want to adjust its volume (not the MIDI main-volume but the vst-volume of that instrument) there is no simple way (shortcut / macro) that selects the associated VSTtrack in the mixer. You have to switch to your mixer window, scroll around until you find the desired channel and select it by clicing on it to be able to adjust the volume with the cc121 (if there is an easier way PLEASE let me know!!!).
- Stepping through the tracks in the mixing process sometimes leads to unwanted changes of midi controllers (like MIDI-main volume or MIDI-panning of that track) if your not always checking whether the selected channel is a MIDI-track or a VST-channel
- some of the controls have strange sensivity settings that do not "feel" good, like the EQ knobs or the panner ( however I read they're working on a firmware update improving that part)
- a real shame is that the AI knob only works for the built-in knobs and those of VST3 plugins. Everything else has still to be edited by mouse (third-party VSTi or effects) - I hope this will be changed in the firmware update!!

- some of the buttons need quite a bit of pressure to react for my taste, could have been more sensitive, but I can live with it

Overall it improves my workflow significantly, and if they fix the sensivity of the knobs and maybe even add VST 2.x compatibility for the AI knob, I would call it a worth investment.

Greetz
Codex

tb84 · New Member Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 1

Hey guys,

I am debating whether or not I should buy this thing. One of the things I really hate doing with the mouse is adjusting the quantize settings, i.e. from 1/4 to 1/16, while moving around midi notes or wavs.
Do you guys know whether the CC121 can be programmed to control this setting? For example, with the assignable buttons, just like people here have programmed them to control zoom.

If the answer is no, is there any other way of adjusting this setting without having to click the drop down menu every time?

Thanks!

telogic · Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 5:04 pm Post subject: quantize

hi yes you can set the assignable buttons to quantize on the cc121.
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Tycheth · New Member Joined: 10 Apr 2005 Posts: 13

Hi, does anybody knows if it's compatible with other control surfaces? I was thinking on getting this and the Mc Mix as well...

As a matter of fact, I was thinking in Getting the Mc Transport and The Mc Mix, but I just found the Steinberg one...

Any comments?

Thks in advance Smile

quaznizi4 · Junior Member Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 43

1. This controller ( cc121 ) needs to allow you to adjust the sensitivity of the encoders. For example, when compared with my Novation Nocturn, on the novation ....I can go through the entire range of any control ( 0 - 127 ) without lifting my fingers. On the CC121, you can turn so far, and will then have to lift your fingers and reset to get the rest of the range of values from the dial. On the nocturn, it simply scales better. If you turn it slow, you can get fine steps ( +1 increment). If you turn it faster, it goes through values faster...but at a smooth rate. The cc121 jumps around. BAD.

2. This controller needs to allow you to program ALL of the encoders to do what you want with them....like the nocturn. You should be able to assign any knob to any control in your VST instrument.

They made a great improvement with the latest software...you can now control VST2 plugins via the Ai knob...but the Ai knob ( as I stated ) , does not scroll through values nicely.

If I had it to do over, I might have skipped this and got a Novation SL-zero mk II .

If you use the Cubase EQ alot...then this is a great piece for you.

Angus Baigent · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 10:22 am Post subject:

hey quasnizi4, you know that the EQ controls can now be assigned to sends and cubase quick controls now, right? the quick controls can control just about anything parameters for any track, be it audio, midi or vsti - and are available per track, not global. so there's plenty more ways of controlling parameters now with the 1.5 firmware. just thought i'd mention it...

cheers,
angus

markfiona · Junior Member Joined: 11 Jul 2009 Posts: 57

+ 1 for both AplhaCodex and Quasznizi4.
Ai can be controlled by a standard mouse scroll wheel.
You can get away without one, and if you had one, u would use it but be disappointed with it's lack of functionality,
as there are alternatives to most controls - via Key Commands and a decent mouse.
A ReMote SL or similar has more functionality. Euphonix stuff looks pretty nice.

daslicht · Junior Member Joined: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 16

easy.sound · New Member Joined: 01 May 2010 Posts: 11 Location: Greece

very happy here..
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djthebandit · New Member Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 10

Considering buying this. Seems like (most) problems have been solved with the update. I am wondering if anything changed concerning assigning the AI knob to VST2 plugins from 3rd parties.
If that would be possible I would be sold, that would really make this thing set itself apart.
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