BCF2000 - finally having a go...

Geoff_Wood wrote on 2/27/2007, 1:27 AM
After having it sitting there unused for a year, I've finally found the time to try to get it working in Vegas.

I've got it set up and talking, but not yet fully functional. So far (with standard mapping) I can control track levels. However I cannot 'write' the volume envelopes - the sound changes while I'm moving the fader , but the envelope doesn't change at all (it does write as expected when I grab the on-screen fader...). Yes have 'Show Automation Controls' and 'Automation Write - Touch, or Latch set).

Wasn't getting motional feedback on the BCF faders, but I've dug out MARKWWW's comments from a 2005 topic (!) and will implement those.

Pan controls don't work at all from BCF.

And when specifying the control device , I notice there is a column with 'Template' showing 'default map'. But how do you generate or load alternative maps ? And has anybody developed one to suit the BCF/Vegas ?.

geoff

Comments

MarkWWWW wrote on 2/27/2007, 5:40 AM
Initially I think the best advice I can give is to make sure you have everything set up as in the 2005 thread you referred to. If that doesn't get you going then we can try and sort you out step by step.

Judging by your last paragraph I've a feeling you may be trying to use the generic mode rather than the MCU emulation. If so, that may be where things are going wrong for you. I'd suggest you don't do this and use the BCF to emulate the MCU instead as described in the 2005 thread - there is much more control available that way.

Mark
drbam wrote on 2/27/2007, 7:08 AM
I followed Mark's "forum tutorials" which got me up and running with the BFC2000. Although it feels a bit clunky (probably because I'm still getting used to it), it works great and gives me the basic controls I need for an amazingly low price. My advice is to follow Mark's suggestions exactly. There's no way I could have figured this thing out on my own and I'd like to say thanks again to Mark for your expertise and generous assistance.

drbam
Geoff_Wood wrote on 2/27/2007, 11:34 AM
Definitely MCU emulation in Vegas(7). Will have another bash tonight, checking the USB3 mode.

Mark - how did you figure all this. The manual is the worst I've ever seen for anthing. Just look at the difference in 'support' for the BCF versus the Frontier Tranzport !

Still, the BCF is the only controller of it's type that I can afford, which is, I guess, the bottom line.

geoff
pwppch wrote on 2/27/2007, 12:56 PM
The key to getting the faders to move and to record automation is to place the 'surface' into automation mode.

I don't recall exactly what button needs to be pressed on the BCF, but I know it can be done.

Peter
MarkWWW wrote on 2/27/2007, 1:02 PM
The problem is that the manual only covers using a real MCU (and in fact covers it perfectly well, I think).

But if, like me, you are too cheap to go for a real MCU and want to use a BCF emulating a MCU then you have to accept that you'll have to jump through a couple of hoops to get where you're going.

One of these days I'm going to write it all up into a proper tutorial, but so far I haven't found the time.

Mark
MarkWWW wrote on 2/27/2007, 1:09 PM
It depends on the emulation mode you are using on the BCF, but if you are using the "MC C" mode (the "MCU emulation for Cubase" mode that most people would recommend for use with Vegas) then it is obtained by pressing and holding the bottom left of the four "encoder groups" buttons and then pressing and releasing the Edit button.

Mark
cchoy wrote on 2/28/2007, 11:23 AM
congrats on getting the BCF working mark...

I find it ironic that there is support for the $200 device, but I can't seem to get the dang $20,000 Dm2000 to work with Vegas... (even with an MCU emulation program-- wisemix... GAH!)

cheers
pwppch wrote on 2/28/2007, 5:51 PM
Well that is because a vendor of a $200 unit relies on compatability, where as the $20K vendor just believes they are right and don't need to make things work.

The $200 "works with everything" will sell units.

The $20K works with everything will not move any more units than it does with out supporting everything. Why spend the time to support everything if it doesn't help the bottom line.


Peter