the next Rig Kontrol

ideas for rig kontrol 4 go here.

Judging by the upgrades from RK2 to RK3, it appears that NI wants to keep it simple and small. both of them are the same size, and they fit in the front pocket of my laptop case. Even though I'd prefer RK4 to be a full size board similar to the FCB1010, I imagine this is impractical. what I don't like about using my FCB1010 with GR3 is there's no way to comunicate control states back to the pedal, so the lights never sync with whats active in a given patch.

My rigs on average are pretty complicated, and I always run out of switches. I have 2 external expression pedals, but the curve on them is terrible and they don't have toe switches. I propose that all rig kontrols from here on out include a USB in port that allows for expanding the rig kontrol. This way, I won't have to ditch my RK3 if I upgrade - I can plug it in to the RK4 and have twice the room for control.

Other features that were mentioned in other posts were:
-tuner on the pedal
-silent switches
-LCD screen for patch names
-knobs, and lots of 'em!
-xlr balanced outputs
-ability to send midi messages

 

Daisy chaining RK's sounds like a great idea to me. Possibly make it so that they could be screwed together with some prefabbed brackets to 1 long RK. Having multiple pedals could get rather interesting. Perhaps a dongle that splits the USB like a hub so multiple RK2's could be used.

I was just thinking that it would be nice if the switches were staggered instead of stacked inline (top to bottom) so that your foot would fit between the bottom row of switches when hitting the top row switches instead of having to contort your foot. It would make it a quite a bit wider, but much more accessible. Using RK3 as an example the spacing would be like removing switch 5 giving room to hit switch 2 without having to "step over" switch 5.

 

Great idea!

+1 on daisy chaining Kontrollers.

 

+ 1 balanced outputs
+ 1 tuner display
+ 1 patch name display

I'm actually OK with the size, layout & number of controls. The ability to connect a 2nd CC pedal and another footswitch work fine for me.

 

+1 midi!
+1 on the balanced outputs
+1 on knobs
+1 tuner!

Also it would be cool if they made a more expencive version wich could be directly connected to a speaker cabinet ... but maybe that's too much.

Oh and ... keep the design, it rocks!

 

FYI RigKontrol already have balanced outs - even RK2 had that.
It comes in the shape of TRS jacks instead of XLRs, but this is not uncommon, and the functionality is exactly the same !
You only need a set of cables with TRS jacks (AKA Stereo Jack) in both ends, or TRS in one end, XLR in the other (going to stagebox of whatever), and voila! you have balanced connection right there. As I said, it's been there for years. (Cable with any of these plug combinations is easy to find in any store stocking PA / studio equipment)

I think some may confuse 'balanced' outs, which is a functionality you can obtain with any three point connection - even a mini jack should it be, with XLR connectors which is exactly that; (just) a physical connection. They're good: XLR plugs are very robust and you can lock them so they won't be pulled out by accident. Cable(plugs) are more expensive however, and so it would be for RigKontrol too. Since not everyone would want to use balanced connection, with XLR you'd need an alternative for them - add a dual set of outputs to the cost.
XLR connection gives an extra sheen of 'professional', but other than the visual impact any other benefit is debatable. The design of the plug does not affect sound quality. I think the current design where you can use either un-balanced or balanced from the same connection - without even thinking about it - is a good design.

This is meant as a clarification only - I too hope RigKontrol comes with new features like active MIDI, tuner display and my personal wish: soft switches which are not only noiseless but more precise when tempo tapping too.

 

+ 1 on daisy chaining
+ 1 tuner display ! my laptot isn't always just by and getting it in front of the stage... i would like to prevent that
+ 1 patch name display
+ 1 on some knobs, i find it a lot easier to just turn the knob that go and search the right knob on your screen, then trying to twick it with the touchpad... pff
Lots of knobs!
+ 1 on silent switches, as much as possible without "softening" them, it always nice to know that your switch ain't going to brake just because you stepped on it a bit too hard.

 

in addition to lots of knobs, I'd also like faders w/ LEDs. faders are better visually for volume and eqs. I'll say 5 small push/pull knobs and 5 20mm faders along the top of the rig kontrol somewhere.

 

As a matter of principle, I won't pay for new hardware to get MIDI support, given that the existing hardware would accomodate 90% of us if the software were handled properly. (Specifically, the 90% of us who want MIDI so we can route it to other software.) Not unless someone at NI can explain why this is not possible, anyway...

 

Introducing New RIG Kontrol Link!

This great extention to the Rig Kontrol driver now allows all Rig Kontrol pedals from GR 1-5 to be used together! Old Rig Kontrols gathering dust? No problem! Now you can use them along-side RK2, 3, 4 and TBA 5! This is a once in a life-time never-to-be-release driver! Get it now!