Can I control my DAW using Fantom-G's transport and controll

[cyclops]

Some questions regarding the use of the Fantom-G in a DAW environment:

1. Is it possible to set the Fantom-G to control my DAW transport (like Sonar, Cubase, Nuendo etc) using the sequencer's transport controls?

2. Is it possible to control my DAW mixer or edit VST FX and instruments from Fantom-G's knobs, sliders or dynamic pads?

What settings should I tweak in the Fantom-G and my DAW to be able to to do that? Most of the time I use Sonar for recording.

So, if Fantom-G can do basic control when I work in my DAW, I could avoid the need of a dedicated keyboard controller with transport controls and stuff like that, like Novation ReMote SL61 or Edirol PCR-800.

[Hi, I have been fantomized]

good question, I was wondering if you could use the fantom g as a controller for the vst etc. Anyone?

[Undercoverman]

1. Only if the DAW's sequencer is slaved to that of the Fantom G. The G's transport controls only manipulate its own sequencer. You cannot control a DAW with the G's transport controls independently of the G's sequencer, sadly. Some software, like Cubase, does not provide support for syncing to an external MTC source - in this case, the G has to be the slave and the DAW with Cubase the master. If the G is the slave, the transport controls are disabled and you have to use your regular transport controls either from within Cubase or your usual interface. Frustrating? Yep.

2. Any of the knobs and sliders can be assigned MIDI CC messages. It is worthwhile finding out what MIDI CCs your VSTs can receive, or if they are assignable. Assigning CC messages to the G's knobs and sliders is child's play. The GUI on the G is very straightforward and intuitive. The D-Beam can also be assigned, as can two additional button switches (which can be latch or momentary, and light up when you use them). Control assignments can be saved as part of live sets or studio sets. I haven't explored assigning the pads to external MIDI yet so perhaps somebody else could help you there.

I should add that I control a great variety of VSTs via the G through a combination of studio sets (not live sets anymore thanks to the inclusion of the knob/slider HUD in studio mode in 1.20). For example, I have different studio sets with different CC assignments in order to manipulate Arturia's minimoog software. One set controls Tuning/OSCs, one set modifiers/mixer etc. You can do things like assigning the sliders to adjust the drawbar length in NI's B4 2, by assigning MIDI CCs to the sliders, then assigning those CCs to the upper manual in B4's options (and inverting the sliders there).

The G8 has perhaps the best key action I've ever played, so I use it to play EastWest's QL Pianos (the Bose in particular) a lot. There's a lot to be said for the board itself outside of the knobs and sliders.

[Hi, I have been fantomized]

how do you set up the fantom to be able to send midi messages to the daw? I know that some synths need to enable that function (for example: in the virus TI you have to set the synth in "remote control mode", is there a similiar function to the fantom or maybe it is done in a completely different way?) I would like to experience vst piano on the fantom too