Which are the best options for a full control of bitwig?
Which version of Faderport do you use? I have the Faderport V2 but as I looked at the controllers Bitwig supports there are only the 8 and 16 fader versions.
You can use faderport single but you use the standard MCU or HUI drivers.
Cool, thanks for advice!
Best Controller ever integrated directly with Bitwig Studio was the Maschine JAM. I have one and the integration is second to none. Step Sequencing, Drum Machine, velocity setting, Mixing, Panning, Automation Control, transport, tap tempo, pattern length all the way up to 64. It’s seriously better than the Push 2 by a long shot.
I love this! Is there a script for the Jam, or does Bitwig have it's own?
Yeah, there’s a Bitwig Script for the JAM & Moss has one as well.
How do the Bitwig and Moss scripts compare?
Interesting. I have a Maschine Jam in the closet. Also have Push 2. What makes it better than Push 2? And which Jam script are you using?
The native JAM script from Bitwig is great. You can launch clips, and control pretty much every function is controllable via the touch strips. You can switch the focus of devices, mixer tracks, and control the macros and automation all from the device. On screen- feedback when switching scales, octaves, you can adjust quantize level, pattern length, input notes via the step sequencer, launch.
I would have thought that all of that is also possible from Push 2 with Moss' script, is it not? I don't use my Push with Bitwig currently, so I don't know.
I’m not sure about the Push 2. I’ve never owned one. I just feel natively it’s the best solution that doesn’t require you to use a third-party script is all. It’s super fun though. I say give it a try and compare the two and see what comes from that.
Ha, okay, not sure why you said “It’s seriously better than the Push 2 by a long shot” then? I’ll give them both a try.
Lol I meant from what I’ve seen ppl do with the Push 2 using the Moss Script on YouTube & whatnot. Like the longshot for me is just overall native integration without having to remember specific button combos.
Eager to know how they compare. I have a Jam, I've had a Push 2, but I'll get another Push 2 if there's value there over the Jam (or use both).
Keyboard and mouse
This is the correct answer.
You only have a single cursor yet can press multiple buttons, turn multiple knobs, press multiple keys, and get velocity, aftertouch and other values from controllers. A keyboard and mouse isn't really comparable for anyone who plays music.
I use a Native Instrument S49 as my keyboard and a mouse to move the cursor.
Neither provides "full control" though.
Highly depends on your needs/workflow...
As a masterkeyboard i really like the SL MK3, because the drivenbymoss script for it is quite good and gives instant access to remote-controls (including visual feedback via the display).
If by "Full Control of Bitwig" you really mean full control over most of Bitwigs functions including almost all shortcuts (Drumpad/Keyboard excluded) i'd choose my custom built touch osc controller :D But as you can guess that's quite an biased opinion/decision :D A very short video of it can be seen here at minute 25.50 https://youtu.be/-z5ywDo2bU0?si=jK2f5O1SRxLcf_QE&t=1551
https://www.reddit.com/r/Bitwig/comments/160pqf0/took_me_two_years_to_build_this_initially_started/
love the launchpad pro mkIII w the drivenbymoss script (though there is a native bitwig integration now, I still prefer the moss). agreed that you will want several. and just accept that it's very difficult to ever completely lose the keyboard/mouse for certain things.
Interesting, I just got the Launchpad recently. How does the Moss script differ from the default? Or more specifically, what are the differences that you prefer in the Moss version?
The main thing for me is that on the Launchpad Pro at least, the moss "Custom" mode lets you modify the clip length/start/end on the grid, which is really performance friendly - eg dividing a sample for a buildup, or just for exploring a longer clip. And it lets you do this down to the 8th note.
Thanks! I appreciate that it is possible to customize the default workflow of the controller. I might explore extending the Launchpad functionality via scripting/coding at some point myself, if it turns out that some workflows I desire are missing.
That has been an issue for me as well. And honestly that is my biggest wishlist item for Bitwig in general: some sort of scripting language. Coming from Reaper you can basically program any controller to do any series of actions you want very easily with Lua. A nice thing about the mossgraber scripts is that you can assign custom actions for generic controllers, but only one action, so it's not really a solution.
Possibly a touchscreen monitor! Bitwig's multi-touch controls are artfully designed. You can access everything via touch without a keyboard and mouse. If you are okay not having tactile feedback, a touchscreen can provide you with a very portable performance surface.
Drivenbymoss controller script lets you use basically any controller for full control. YouTube tutorials on it I recommend checking out
I’m using the custom script for Akai fire by Rich Hawtin, basically gives you an old school drum machine layout. I’m using his script with a launch control xl to control the arpeggiator too, I can switch between arpeg and mixer instantly. For keys and macro control I’m using the Nektar impact as you can navigate really well around your project and have 8 encoders. Drivenbymoss has some crazy integration, it’s amazing what he’s achieved, well worth a look, for me a mouse is still essential alongside any controllers but everyone is different, I’ll just add that this setup is for techno jamming and might not suit other styles.
https://youtu.be/Hyw3d4bD7ig?si=gztqn8Fl3suaIetw
Drum machine vid
Have a look at the list of Driven By Moss supported Controllers. He created an outstanding support for those devices. AND he created a very flexible script called "Generic Flexi" or just "Flexi" where i have already created some video tutorials the last days on my YT channel and there are still some upcoming.
I have no issues with my push 2. But I don’t really use it to fully control Bitwig as using a mouse and keyboard for me is infinitely faster.
But for live performance the push is fantastic.
EDIT: I should mention I didn’t buy the push for Bitwig. I had already owned the push because I used ableton for years before switching.
My vote goes to StreamDeck XL with Bitwig profile https://www.sideshowfx.net/bitwig-pro-stream-deck
Do you happen to know if this would work with the stream deck +?
An icon ProG2. If you want motorized faders that you can adjust anything with. The integration with bitwig is fantastic, and fully customizable. It works perfectly with vsts too. Just set up remote controls
Akai APC 40 mk2 is the only correct answer 🙈
I use an old original launchpad pro does what I want
nektar panorama/impact series have full integration
Yeah.. Buying a Nektar impact 61x with the free bitwig 8track subscription is what got me started on the wig.
I got bitwig studio 1 in an arturia keylab bundle, but the nektar integration is better. the lx 61 is my fav controller to day, just perfect weight on the keys. 👌
I like it too.. I have a NI mk2 whatever it's called and I still use the nektar
Push 2/3 gets my vote for making music without needing to look at the screen at all, but that's kind of a specific use case. Every controller has its pro's/con's. Push 2/3 has the best support for the screen though of the ones I've seen. Downsides being, no keys and no faders, if you want those things. I personally like keys/faders so I also have a Keylab 61 that is my daily driver.
Mouse
I also use a Fantom 07 it's a brilliant midi controller with 4000 sounds
For clip launching and performance/interactivity push2 or launchpad. For budget friendly, launchpad. For keys playing, the biggest keyboard you can fit. For motorized faders for mixing, presonus faderport. There is no one best controller. Most people use two to four.