PS4 controller MIDI cont'd (Reason 10)

Since my first and only post to this blog, I have lost my Controllermate mappings for the PS4 controller not once but two times, both due to personal negligence vis a vis hard disk management and backups.  Now,  I have multiple redundant backups and I never bother to update or work on the mapping, which is something I fully intend on doing once the two friends I have realize I'm a piece of shit and stop asking me to hang out with them.

When I lost the file initially, I had done a lot of updating - to the point that the joysticks were actually usable to modify rotary parameters.  There was a toggle to enable modification, and each stick was assigned two parameters, X and Y, as far as I can recall.  I'll try to figure it out again tonight, maybe.

This weekend is Sunday Session (or 'band practice'; whatever) so I will have zero time to think my own thoughts and probably have to poop for 72 straight hours.

PS4 controller MIDI implementation in Reason 9.5

Recently connected a PS4 controller to Kong in Propellerhead Reason 9.5, and it is fucking fantastic.  It took me four hours of sorting through HID (human interface device) to MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) programs, many of which cost dollars that no producer wants to spend when they're trying to connect a control surface to their DAW.  Unfortunately, paid the the way you have to go, in this case.

Eventually I broke down and purchased Controllermate (4.10), which I highly recommend if you happen to be interested in connecting non-MIDI devices as control surfaces.  Incredible flexibility, functionality, and simple to jump into.  It also has the added benefit of not being seven years out of the last update and doesn't require Cycling '97 MAX to function.  It is, however, $25 fucking dollars.  

If you click the image you can download a snapshot of my current PS4 controller to Kong mapping.  Requires full version of Controllermate to import.

I have the touchpad button assigned as a toggle to shift the Square, X, and O buttons to high number MIDI note messages (outside of the Kong range) - this is to remote override control the transport functions of stop, play and record, but this might be better as a simple hold function instead of toggle.  I had envisioned the shift function providing access to other drum triggers or a synth but the twelve to fourteen functional buttons on the controller cover the majority of the pads in Kong.

In the map provided, the joysticks are not connected to a MIDI out - they are very sensitive and seem to constantly put data out regardless of whether or not they are being engaged.  Still in the process of working that out.  This, coupled with their return to center after being used is counterintuitive as far as DAW parameter control (except in the case of pitch bend.) Considering secondary and tertiary controllers to make loose-stick MIDI controls.

According to the Propellerhead Reason MIDI implementation chart, MIDI notes 36 - 51 trigger the 16 Kong pads.  If you have Controllermate, you can reassign the buttons as you see fit.  I am still fornicating which places each pad should go for my special brand of nerve damage.  If you're a gamer, or have been familiar with a gaming controller in the last ten years, this method of controlling the Kong drum module will appeal to your tactile nature.

In order to have the Controllermate MIDI output enabled, you have to enable the setting in preferences.

In Reason, you have to add the controller in the keyboard and control surface section. The input will be Controllermate.

I'm hoping to be able to test multiple controllers running through Controllermate in order to manipulate a Thor and Kong to live build songs and loops.




Good luck out there.