The display only has room for one row of eight parameters. But the problem is there isn’t space on the digital display to show two rows of text for eight knobs and eight buttons (16 total). So that leaves us with eight knobs and eight buttons. You’d think tha’d be quite a few parameters… but one of those eight buttons are for changing banks. The Push has eight knobs on top, and below them 16 buttons. However, you should know… You’re limited to 8 parameters per bank But I opt to physically manipulate something whenever possible because it brings you closer to your craft. I have two massive custom screens setup just for Reason, so everything’s on screen, ready to be clicked with a mouse. This is the number one reason I use a universal controller. Touching knobs and buttons brings closenessīeing able to physically turn a knob or push a button on the Push makes working in Reason that much more fun. Changing banks to a completely different area can typically be done without having to look up at the screen for reference. For instance, controlling the attack, decay, sustain and release is fairly straight forward and you can keep your eyes glued to the Push when jumping between different controls. The digital display of the Push enables you to change different parameters of a device without having to look at your computer monitor. Since the Push has banks, if the device map is organized correctly, it can be quicker to find the parameter you’re looking to control with eight knobs / buttons versus 32 knobs / buttons. For instance, the Malström has two oscillators (a and b) and parameters like “motion”, “shift”, “attack”, etc.įor the Mackie C4, each parameter is limited to only seven characters. In fact, in a slightly ironic way, because the bank can be named, it can add an additional layer of intuitiveness. This is what makes it possible to understand what knob / bank / page you should be on in nearly every situation. Not only does it display parameter values and parameter names, it displays eight bank names as well as displaying which bank you’re currently on (and the device, i.e. Our proverbial glass of cold water is the fact the Push has knobs and buttons with a digital display. But relief comes with compromise, yet in a surprisingly effective way… A breath of fresh air comes Push It’s sad because there isn’t a device on the market that fills the void the C4 was intended to fill. Mackie discontinued the C4 based, apparently, on how many returns it was receiving. The Mackie C4 was $800 or so new, has durability problems in the used market and still fetches a high price… It was so bad, most who bought it returned it solely on the performance of the rotaries. You either had to set the device to move super quick but could never dial in precise values (crucial for step knobs, selection buttons and many other things in Reason), or you had to set the device to move super slow (it can take four complete turns just to turn one knob from 1 to 127). Meaning, unlike the BCR2000, Push, X-Touch, Maschine and nearly everything else out there… the knobs could function fast OR slow, but not both. So what’s the problem? The rotary knobs are digital but lack proper acceleration movement. 32 rotaries with push button encoders, LED encoder rings and every rotary has its own digital display. There did once exist a holy grail of universal controllers with lots of knobs and digital displays for every knob, but… Mackie C4 rotaries are too wacky But now, being able to have digital displays adapt and show exactly what parameter is being controlled makes controllers without displays seem archaic. The BCR2000 was acceptable as a universal controller before digital displays existed as an option. Using physical scribble strips (console tape) isn’t an option because there’s too many devices to do that for, not to mention some devices like Thor have so many parameters that even the mighty BCR2000’s knobs and buttons use multiple banks. Need to find the Subtractor’s amp decay slider on a BCR2000? Yeah, good luck…
That’s a problem as big as an asteroid all those knobs and buttons are meaningless as you don’t know what knob does what. So what’s the problem? On the BCR2000, nothing’s labeled. Not to mention the BCR2000 has 32 knobs and 16 buttons compared to the Push’s eight knobs and eight buttons. The rotaries feel amazing, the digital acceleration is buttery smooth yet precise and the LED rotary indicators are as cool as they are useful.
Let’s give credit where credit’s due the BCR2000 is THE original universal controller. I’ve gotten quite a few emails from people who are interested in using a Behringer BCR2000 as a universal controller for Reason.
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