Making Software Modular Fun with Knobs - MIDI Fighter Twister

Software modular is cost effective and extremely powerful, but tweaking knobs with a mouse can feel a bit lacking. There are a few MIDI controllers that consist of nothing but knobs, and today I'll be looking at DJ Tech Tools' MIDI Fighter Twister. This little box has opened up software for me, making it a much more viable platform for exploration and performance.

[@joshoids4551]

So happy you're digging the Twister, we're working really hard to keep making them in an incredibly challenging manufacturing climate!

[@aristotle_4532]

Buttons on the side is an obvious design mistake.

[@steveduffy5137]

Also works well with ipad synths. Hardware knobs combined with touch screen of ipad is really tactile and playable.

[@mrdaviderobbins]

love the sense of humor in this :)

[@sarabelqis]

lol that intro got me hooked

[@CatFish107]

Ooh, that box o knobs is pretty ace. I'm a cheapo though, so I went with a korg nanokontrol2. Little knobs and sliders to use in vcv rack.

[@EspenFrafalne]

I like software, but the problem with MOST midi controllers is that they dont have a display to tell me what the different knobs do, and so i forget the mappings, and end up never using the controllers. The Akai Advance keyboards have that VIP software, which is pretty decent, but it only has 8 knobs, and 4 pages of settings for each plugin; which gives 32 parameters. IIRC; this is not even enough to get full control of the 4 envelopes in Massive... Maschine MK3 also has only 8 knobs, but i dont THINK it is limited to a set number of pages for each plugin (just got this recently, so im not 100% sure). This is totally useable IMO, but having to flip through pages like that will not give you the best workflow, so at least synth lovers might find it a bit limiting... The Faderfox "EC4" ALMOST seems like the perfect controller, with a display where you can write in custom names for each parameter and bank, and 16 knobs, and 16 x 16 banks, that is laid out in a treelike structure, so you can set it up to control track volume on the first page of 16 knobs, and then push down the knob for the track you want to control, which could take you to a bank where you can control volume or dry/wet on your plugins. And with another push on a knob, you could navigate to the specific plugin (or group of parameters) that you want to control. This gives over 2000 parameters that can be controlled from this relatively small controller..! Having the banks laid out in such a "tree structure" allows for relatively fast switching from one plugin to the next - and having 16 knobs on each page seems like the perfect balance between providing a reasonable amount of knobs, without making the display so crowded with too many parameter names, which would make it slow to navigate. The downside of the EC4 controller is that you need to map it for each and every plugin manually. Maybe not a huge problem, but i REALLY like that Maschine MK3 allows me to load up any (NKS compatible) plugin, and have it ready to go, without having to map anything. The workflow may not always be super fast, but paired with my Electribe 2 synth, at least i dont have to look through 10 pages to tweak a synth parameter. I feel like the Electribe 2 is highly underrated. Its envelope is not good for pads, but it is very affordable, and considering that it offers around 55 "tweakable" waveforms, and allows you to play up to 16 oscillators at once, i feel like it has some serious potential. The workflow is GREAT, and it is very good for making your own drum sounds that you can sample in Maschine. It can also be run with 6x AA batteries, which makes it a pretty decent "all in one" solution for when i want to make music outdoors in the summers. Maybe not the most professional setup when used standalone, but it still has enough features to make it a lot of fun to use. I absolutely love this thing, and think its by far the best value for money i have gotten in any music device i have bought 👍🏼

[@ambidex]

That's great info about Faderfox. I've been trying to research if/how well they can handle Sysex based parameters. Any idea? Trying to figure this out about the Midi Twister Fighter too.

[@ambidex]

That's great info on the faderfox device. Any idea how well they do with Sysex to send Midi control parameters?

[@EspenFrafalne]

@@ambidex Sorry, i never bought that controller, so dont know how it works for Sysex... But i would be surprised if you could not use the "BOME MIDI Translator" software (or hardware) as a workaround to send such signals. That software is extremely powerful if you have the time to program it. By utilizing buttons and pads as modifier buttons, i was able to get well over 10.000 mappings from the 8 knobs on the Akai Advance 25 keyboard..!

[@dakoiaa]

Hi there! Thank you for making this great and comprehensive video. Would I be right assuming that I'd be able to assign SysEx messages to those knobs so that I could control a hardware synth (such as a JD-Xi for example) and save deep-diving menus?

[@ZenMountain]

This device has nothing to do with SYSEX, it's a USB MIDI controller. Behringer BCR2000 sends SYSEX.

[@dakoiaa]

@@ZenMountain I'm aware of the Behringer BCR2000, which is a MIDI controller as well, but unfortunately no longer produced. I was hoping this new device you're showing could also make it. Rather than "nothing to do", I'd prefer and better apreciate a friendly reply telling that "no, this device is unable to handle or be programmed to send SysEx".

[@ambidex]

@Mountain It's a completely reasonable question. There's no reason to assume that a USB "Midi controller" couldn't send sysex as that was the original way to send Midi control info. Many controllers can have been able to do this, even USB based ones. But they're getting harder and harder to find, and even when they do support sysex it's often not known until you have one in your hands. No offense, but I'm going to take it from your response that you don't know. I'd like to find something like this (and with sysex support) to use as a Midi controller for my JDXi, too.

[@dakoiaa]

@@ambidex thank you for adding your comment. Also, I totally agree, with a few exceptions it's surprisingly hard to be sure of a given controller ability to be programmed and send slightly more complex MIDI messages like SysEx unless you have access to try them yourself.

[@ambidex]

@dakoiaa the only items I know for certain can send the sysex needed for the JD-Xi are the Roland A Pro series, like the Roland A800 Pro. And Of course, there are lots of computer programs, and DAW programs can do it, but I try not to need to rely on a PC for my music.

[@mikede2464]

So one needs to memorize the function of 4 banks of 16 encoders-64 in total-to get full functionality with this? Was it too much to ask for the manufacturer to at least leave room to stick a label next to the knobs?

[@aeko]

Great video! Been looking for more reviews on this. How do the knobs feel? Are they solid and firm (no wobble)? Do they feel like they'll last? Does the lack of resolution of the lights (led spacing) ever bother you, or seem less precise than a normal knob?

[@Hermbot]

The knobs do not wobble, they are very sturdy. The only thing I've noticed is that some turn easier than others, and I don't know if it's because I use them more. The knob resolution isn't really an issue, they do a crossfade between steps so it feels very smooth.

[@tom22333]

Thanks! Mine's coming Monday

[@DJYotripLive]

Hey there bro. That’s really useful and I’m amazed how u make it so simple and sheared a tons of information about Midi fighter. I’m preparing a video on the midi fighter and how I mapped it to FL studio so I’d be really happy to tag ur video in the distribution if u are ok with it?! Thank u 🙏 and wish u all the best.

[@Hermbot]

Sounds awesome, thanks!

[@tom22333]

You got that vid out bro?

[@DJYotripLive]

@@tom22333 not yet Tom I want to make sure I use it for a while so I can be honest 🙏

[@tom22333]

@@DJYotripLive How do you like it so far? Mine's coming in soon. Going to use with Fl studio and sometimes an MPC Live :D

[@DJYotripLive]

@@tom22333 ✅hey there Tom. I will make the video really soon and put it together and how to map it with everything in fl studio.. but I never used mpc before so I don’t know if u can use it there but I hope my video will help u . 🙏

[@kurisuchiinathecrocodile333]

great showcase, thank you. but surely it requires good memory :D

[@SyncdAlien]

Very good. Very cool review.👍 Subscribing to your channel now! 👍

[@not_n_no]

omg pls do more vids about software modular

[@kurisuchiinathecrocodile333]

Can you use 2 or 3 of those at same time? so you can assign ~40 parameters

[@kurisuchiinathecrocodile333]

also can i glue mini stickers on top of each knob? that way i would colour code stuff like vco, adsr etc.

[@kurisuchiinathecrocodile333]

ah, wait. so color coding is already done via glowing leds, right? and you switch between several rows of knobs also, so 2 of twisters will give you MUCH MORE

[@gkillmaster]

Really appreciate the thorough overview. Is this device MIDI 2.0 compatible?

[@tekis0]

Interesting stuff!!

[@functionform]

Ok, but do you like the Buchla Easel?

[@guysmiley7289]

If I were to use this with a midi to CV for eurorack, how do the positional lights work? Have you used it with a hardware synth?

[@nurungi_]

Can i use midi fighter twister in logic pro X or Mainstage3 ?

[@Hermbot]

You should be able to, any program that can accept MIDI CC will work.

[@post-faderradio8384]

Great stuff!

[@floozyspeak]

Plz do a video that shows twister controlling eurorack via polyend midi or mutant brain

[@lambert2969]

Dolphins vs Predators.

[@markovchains573]

So what about now. Is it suits well to control vcv rack mappings?

[@Hermbot]

Oh yes, very well. You can use either the MIDI-CC module or the MIDI-MAP module. Works great.

[@markovchains573]

@@Hermbot Thank you!

[@menacerisamir198]

if you do not want spend too much , the pyle pmidi pd30 work very fine with vcv rack , i am thinking to purchase another one

[@Massproduce201]

So....is there a way to use this standalone without computer to control a tabletop synth?

[@Hermbot]

Yes, you can do that. You need a computer to configure the MIDI channels, but it will happily send MIDI to anything. The only caveat is that it only has MIDI over USB (no DIN output) and you will need the synth to act as a host to provide power. You could also get a standalone MIDI host for relatively cheap that would convert to 5-pin DIN.

[@ambidex]

@Hermbot are you saying that, even without a PC attached, and if you had it pre-configured, you could attach it to a class compliant USB to Midi interface and they'd be able to "talk" to each other without a PC?

[@jorgeelalto]

Dude your voice is really similar to JerryRigEverything's voice :| I was really confused for a few seconds...

[@Hermbot]

Now all I need are 6 million+ subscribers like him

[@ZenMountain]

Stop winging about the Buchla. Just get a job, save the money and buy it. Great video, thanks.