Nektar Panorama P4 Controller & Cubase

WaveLab
#1

First I’d like to say that I LOVE my Panorama P4 :smiley: It has EVERYTHING one could want in a keyboard controller and then some. BUT I am noticing a few issues with some things while using it with Cubase 7.5.3 and I have yet to find an official forum for Nektar. So, since I’m using it with Cubase, I figured I’d come on here and see if anyone else has some of the same issues or if it’s just unique to my situation.

The specs for my Macbook and what I’m using are in my signature so I won’t go into all that but here are a few things I’m noticing-

1) When switching from Mixer or Transport to Instrument on the controller, all of the data on the screen of the controller disappears and it just flashes “Updating” at the top left part of the screen and then it goes blank and I’m not able to utilize the View button for that particular track. If I switch to another track using the Track buttons on the controller, sometimes I get the data screen back for that particular track and some times I don’t. It doesn’t affect the ability to use the pads or keys but it affects being able to see the data on the screen and utilizing certain functions such as the View button.

2) I have occasional crashes of the P4 where it just leaves “Cubase” mode while I’m changing a track or adding a new instrument or switching between modes, if that makes sense… Basically up in the left corner of the screen, the controller will indicate that it’s connected to Cubase when you first startup Cubase by simply displaying the word Cubase but if it’s not connected, you’ll see something like “Midi CC” indicating that it’s just in basic Midi mode. It doesn’t happen often but it’s annoying as hell when it does because when it does this, I have to save my project, shut down Cubase, shut down my controller and restart everything except my computer to get the functionality back.

3) The last thing is documentation… It does come with a Quick Start guide but its outdated and it only refers to Reason and the online documentation just doesn’t cover enough yet to really be useful in situations like these.

With all that being said, I wouldn’t want any other controller… Just need to get a few things ironed out and some more documentation.

If anyone else has a Panorama P4 or P6 and are having similar issues or other issues, post them here along with any fixes or solutions you may have figured out or solved please.

#2

Hello,

thanks for this cause i think about to buy P1 or P4 and these issues sound serious. I don´t want to restart cubase if it´s lost the keyboard controller. Or isn´t it so bad??? maybe after an update??

Uwe

#3

i am using C8.05 with panorama4 and its good - does what it’s meant to do… but there is an update on Nektar site that may help

#4

Where is an update on their page ?
It´s stil the integration file based on 2014/7/10 date.

#5

Must do an refresh for critics. Working with the P6 since 2 months now. Yes they are some issues with the device. The Documentation is ok. Out of the box and for installing…enough is enough (it was first developed for Reason, but you don´t have to read it :wink: ) You´ll get an PDF file with all Cubase funtionalities within your downloaded integration files.

The most important fact of the Panorama series is the way it will changes our workflow…less time with your eyes to the monitors, more “screwing” and information from the display. Yes sometimes their is an display issue but it´s fixed on my device by changing the track and turning back…beside all little “bugs” it´s worth the price and the “feel” for MAKING music, PLAY a synth and not starring on 32" monitors while “frickling” with the mousecoursor over “virtual” knobs…

I would give the Panorama P6 an overall 8/10.
…it´s a great controler…and beside my SL MKII and m-audio far away from all…even AKAI will have a hard fight with their “candycoloured” controller series “Advanced”… :wink:

#6

Hello,

i´ve got one question about the p6 you own, can you control the channel strip from cubase?
I can´t find it on the nektar website just the sends and inserts but not channel strip?

Uwe

#7

could be, but it sorted out my issues anyway.

#8

Hi, I was planning to get a light weight yet powerful MIDI keyboard controller. Now since akai announced its advance keyboard, I’m in dilemma whether its a good one or p4. With bad experiences with automap for my Nocturn controller, i am having doubts on akai’s VIP wrapping the plugins. So can you confirm me that panaroma keyboard doesn’t require wrapping the plugins nor a separate additional protocol to communicate with all vsts?

#9

Correct, Panorama’s plugin map technology works transparently through Cubase so Panorama will integrate with your existing projects and pickup the plugin parameters immediately.

The video below is focused on Panorama’s plugin technology specifically:
http://www.sonicstate.com/news/2014/05/27/presentation-nektar-and-plug-ins-in-cubase-/

However, the big advantage of Panorama over other MIDI controllers is the deep control over the entire DAW - not just instrument plugins.

#10

Hi, I encounter the same issues as described in the begining…I use Cubase 8 Pro with the Panorama P4 and when I change from one track to another the instrument view sometimes disapears and then flashes “Updating” but nothing occurs…not really stable this device…
Anybody solved this problem? If yes how?
Thanks so much! :slight_smile:

#11

Hi All,

I just wanted to share my solution on some issues I had with my lovely New P6.
I’m working under Windows 8.1 and had often the weird behaviour of a ‘non responding motorised fader’ or lost connection of the control unit as a whole.
All my usb connections go through an active hub, and I even tried to put the motorised fader usb directly in a wall mount, but to no avail!

When I set my “USB Selective Suspend” Setting, under “advanced power options”, to ‘Disabled’, all problems disappeared!! Panorama as steady as a rock. :smiley: :smiley:

This hopefully might work for the display problems too?
Anyway I think that this information can be useful for Tim Chandler :sunglasses:

(Such nice Keys… love it!!! )

#12

This is great info Lulu, thanks!

Best bet is to log a support ticket through your Nektar account:
http://www.nektartech.com/Support

#13

I can say that though I have had some issues with the P4 and Cubase 7 & 8, they seem to be fixed as of 10/29/2015.

I do agree with the original poster though I can say that some things on the website have been updated to include some more info for those who were wondering.

I won’t lie though… I wish the internal mode was a little less complicated to configure when setting up the P4 as just a basic MIDI controller without using the actual dedicated “maps” for the various DAWs. It’s not like it’s impossible but it’s not as simple (IMO) as some other controllers I’ve used.

But I must say… THE CUSTOMER SUPPORT IS AMAZING. When I had an issue with connectivity, they got back to me within about 12 hours of sending the initial request and were always very prompt, professional and HELPFUL with the issue.

It’s a bit of a learning curve for sure but this controller is by far the most advanced and useful product I’ve used besides Cubase… Not to mention the Keys on it feel great. The pads are a little stiff for my taste but more recently I’ve been getting into using the keys for drums just cause they feel so great. And when I want to do some more natural feeling snare rolls or any kind of roll or repeat, I’ve actually found that using the keys WITH the pads at the same time produce some amazing results.

I do love the motorized fader and the dedicated pages for parameters and such which has sped up my workflow quite a bit. They definitely dreamt big and have their heads in the proper place as far as creating a “dedicated” controller for the various DAWs out here. I’m sure they’ll keep updating the software side of things while figuring out where they go next in terms of a flagship controller.

I do hope that if they (Nektar) ever release an updated version or a “2nd Gen” version of the P4, that some of us early adopters would be able to do some sort of trade and upgrade to the newer one… (I KNOW, I KNOW… Wishful thinking. But a guy can dream right?? Lol)

#14

No it doesnt look like it.

#15

Is this for real? I just bought a P1 and I’m trying to figure out how to control the Cubase Channel strip. I know you can control the built-in EQ, but there seems to be no way to control the channel strip?

To control Cubase’s own channel strip would seem to be considered “deep integration” imo. I am a bit disappointed if that is the case, that it can’t be done - at least out of the box with Nektar’s Cubase setup.

#16

Hi @Shmihe, recently I’v decided to give the Nektar Panorama P1 a try to get a more efficient workflow.
For your info: Lot to study, but if I understand you correctly, I have seen that the Channelstrips are working well.
See the Nektar documentation:
’ … In addition to the multi-channel control we have just covered, Panorama can control a complete Cubase mixer channel strip including EQ, Dynamics, Inserts, Sends and more for the currently selected channel. A channel is selected either by its association with a track (changing track changes the channel also) or by using the LED buttons when assigned to “Select”. You can open/close the channel strip window in Cubase by pressing [Shift]+[View].’
Regards Ton

#17

Have you actually adjusted the “Channel Strip” (Comp/Sat/Tools/Gate/Limit) from the Panorama?

The Cubase Equalizer is nested right next to the channel strip, and IT is available for adjustment by the Panorama.

I was in recent contact with Nektar support about a separate issue, but I asked about this channel strip control - or lack of it.

“Unfortunately it’s not currently possible to access the extended channel strip through Cubase’s SDK. Once this is possible we will of course release an update.”

#18

Yes, now I see what you meant. You’re right about that. It seems that Steinberg/Yamaha doesn’t made those parameters available in the documentation. That’s neccessairely to have control on the Channelstrip. I hope that Steinberg/Yamaha will communicate that in short time to Nektar. They could (and are willing to do so) made an update for the Impacts/Panaroma’s . I hope you agree that Panorama is pretty good at controlling almost everything else :wink: Regards Ton

#19

I do agree, the Panorama is the best choice for me (P1 here) with Cubase and Reason, there is still more “out of the box” control and integration than with any other controller.

I have hopes that Nektar will continue to improve on an already great mix controller, but am very impressed with this as it is currently.

I recently got S1 3.5, and have only the basic midi controller integration with that -> after assigning everything/controllers from S1, then saving as an S1 template. I wish PreSonus would work with Nektar to improve this, it would be awesome if it could work as well as Cubase and Reason does with the P1/P4/P6.

#20

Of course ‘out of the box’ control is very handy. But I also like to have control and layout designed by myself, as everyone has their own way of working. The good news about this issue is that Nektar is working on an editor for instrument plugins that will allow us to create more pages, name them and name parameters as well. The plan is that it will eventually also allow us to create effects maps too.
That would be an great app to have just more control on ‘whatever’ we like.
I hope sincerely that Steinberg will fully support these developments. The complex structure of Cubase and the workflow with keyboard and mouse is so ‘1970’ :wink: