Tags: Budget MIDI controller

Notes: From subtle adjustments to expressive performances, this versatile combination of control elements definitely won't disappoint you.

Includes metal shaft faders with medium resistance, smooth-turning knobs and sturdy buttons. Control your most used parameters, like expression, modulation and volume with the PBF4 Grid.

Equipped with customisable multi-coloured LED lights to enable labelling in dark environments. Facilitate differentiating each potmeter by changing the colour of each indicator LED, adjusting brightness levels individually or adding pulsing animations. All configurable in the Grid Editor.

Thanks to its compact and lightweight structure, the PBF4 is a fully ergonomic parameter controller with classical control elements in a slim modular design. Four banks, 4x possible configuration mappings switchable on the fly.

It is recommended that, Grid is connected directly to the computer with the supplied Intech Studio USB-C cable. Some USB hubs may not work with Grid, due to issues with how the various class compliant communication methods establish connection through a hub with the host computer.

Most digital audio workstations can identify Grid as a MIDI controller and appear as a MIDI mappable device. When multiple modules are interconnected, Grid is identified as a single control surface. If the interconnected controllers are plugged in separately into the same Host, they appear as Grid #1, Grid #2 MIDI devices and so forth.

By default, through the Host's MIDI learn functionality, all of the control elements can be mapped. Grid's default firmware uses a unique dynamic assignment, so a 10 module Grid control surface will have unique Channel, Command and CC/Note assignments on each control element.

Grid controllers are shipped with firmware default configuration. To modify the configurations of the controllers, the Grid Editor cross-platform application can be used. Through the Grid Editor, suggested manufacturer profiles and community profiles are also available. Grid has an event driven architecture, where every interaction with the controller triggers an event. The triggered event runs the configured actions, like setting LED colours and intensity.

Events on Grid available for configuration:
Init - when a page is initialized
Potmeter - fader or potentiometer change event
Encoder - rotation of endless encoders
Button - switch button or encoder interaction
Utility - side button
Midi rx - MIDI processing incoming to Grid
Timer - delayed message triggers

Grids are created to suit distinguished workflows. Whether it comes to controlling outboard hardware gear like synthesizers, guitar pedals, and effect boxes, or inboard software such as DAWs, Lightning, and VSTs, a Grid controller is an ideal choice.

Get started with Grid in an instant: just plug in, snap together and play. There is no need for a brain module or any additional software components.

Grid controllers are built with quality control elements. After numerous iterations the potentiometers have been carefully chosen to allow a firm grip and a stable control experience enabled by special shaft bushings.

The modules are made to withstand everyday studio use as well as the intense performances during tours. For connecting several Grids together, a flat surface or the use of our module stands is recommended.

Tech specs

Weight: ~ 175 grams (~ 0,38 lb)
Size: 106 mm x 106 mm (4.19 x 4.19 inches) Eurorack-sized modules
4 audio-grade linear metal shaft faders with 30mm travel
4 conductive, 300- single-turn plastic potentiometers with medium-hard resistance
4 tactile buttons with 1.27i0.49 N operating force
Customizable multi-coloured LED lights for easy labelling in dark environments

Materials

Black aluminium front panel with a metallic, rugged finish
Metal shaft faders equipped with dust cover
Plastic black potentiometers
White tactile plastic buttons
Injection moulded plastic base
Golden spring-loaded connector pins
Strong N52 neodymium magnets
Silicone feet on the back for extra stability

Compatibility

Class compliant MIDI device with simple PnP (Plug and Play) experience
USB HID keyboard class
Compatible with Mac OS (intel & arm), Windows, Linux and mobile platforms with support provided

Powering options

Single USB cable to power up to 8 modules
High speed USB 2.0
Draws ~250mA

Notes: Total Mixing Performance in a Small Package:

MIDImix is a portable compact high-performance mixer that has the unique ability to control your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) with the press of a single button, giving all musicians and producers complete, uncomplicated mastery over mixing and processing of their digital music creations on the go.

Until now, you had to build and layer your mixes at the performance site first, then transfer that mix at a later time to your DAW for post-mix processing and manipulation. What a pain. This is not the way you'd like to do it, because of the time lag between constructing the initial mix and then not being able to work on it until later in your DAW. This meant you only had a limited ability to create the exact mix you wanted in real time.

The On-Site Mixing Problem Solved:

Akai Professional's portable MIDImix solves this problem completely. With Akai Professional's famous build quality and cutting-edge engineering, it combines a high-performance mixer with 8 individual line faders and a master fader, 24 control knobs arranged 3 per channel and 1 to 1 mapping with Ableton Live (Ableton Live Lite is included). You can send all the mixer's settings to their DAW with a single press of a button, for unprecedented management and precise control over your DAW's functionality. This is great - it means that you can mix and modify/manipulate your projects concurrently in real time, giving you a much wider array of creative options as a result of the far greater creative flexibility afforded by MIDImix.

Nothing Else Like It:

Up until now, there was just no solution for musicians and producers who needed a compact, easily portable way to mix and process their projects on site. But MIDImix is the best solution for portable mixing on the go. MIDImix offers an intuitive, familiar mixer layout, solid connectivity with the most popular DAWs, and legendary Akai Professional quality. MIDImix is exactly what you need to do great mixes and professional processing on site - at the same time.