ReMOTE SL v2 Automapping: Mackie HUI, Pro Tools, Combined Auto/Manual Mode
Automapping, the ability to automatically assign controls on hardware to software parameters, is a big draw for a lot of users, and a new upgrade to the ReMOTE SL keyboard brings this feature to Pro Tools for the first time — while smoothing out the rough edges in support for other software.
The ReMOTE SL is a fantastic keyboard in terms of hardware, but the software when released was a work-in-progress, at least when it came to the much-publicized “Automap” capabilities. Fortunately, Novation’s been making steady progress on its SL keyboard software over the past months, as have some of its partners. When I first fired up Ableton Live 6, for instance, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that many things “just worked”, thanks to new features on the Live end.
This week, Novation has released its new version 2 of its SL operating system, with some major new features:
- Mackie HUI support
- Automatically maps to Pro Tools tracks, sends, panning, record arming, plug-ins, effects, and even window navigation
- Use manual and automatic templates simultaneously in software like Pro Tools and Live
Those of you who have an SL will recognize right away what this means. It sounds like Novation is really listening to user feedback on the SL, because this is exactly what a lot of us wanted.
For those of you who haven’t tried the SL, what’s great about the Automap feature is the ability to get hands-on physical control of parameters without having to switch between a lot of templates and manually assign MIDI controls. The Pro Tools integration appears to be the tightest yet, with the ability to select plug-ins and navigate windows directly from the SL without touching the mouse. (In Ableton Live, by contrast, you have to click a device first, then let the SL’s Automap take over.)
At the same time, though, what many early adopters of the SL found was that automatic mapping isn’t always what you want — it’s actually too much control. What’s nice about the v2 update is that you can use manual assignments (like those you hand-picked out of a Live session to control in performance) while still taking advantage of Automap (saving you a lot of work).
What I don’t see mentioned is Apple Logic Pro support, for which there are still some issues that need addressing (see my review); I’ll have to check to see if fixes are hiding in there and Novation just isn’t talking about them.
I’m deep in Live 6 template creation for the ReMOTE SL and my Faderfox control surfaces, so stay tuned and I should be able to share some tips.
Novation ReMOTE SL v.2 Announcement and Downloads [Novation]
Previously:
Novation ReMote SL Keyboard Reviewed: Automapping Control Surface
11 Comments
Leave a Commenthacked
nice… the novation website has been hacked:
http://www.novationmusic.com/productupdates.asp
October 4, 2006 @ 5:44 am
Peter Kirn
I missed it; what did it say?
It’s pretty hard not to get hacked occasionally in this day and age, I’m afraid.
October 4, 2006 @ 8:50 am
Simon
Hi Peter,
I presume with the Mackie HUI support that the Zero will work with Final Cut Pro… and I was wondering if the faders are motorized?
cheers
Simon Kirby
Lunchtime Pro
http://www.digitalzoo.com.au/lunchtime/
Final Cut Pro links and resources all in one spot
October 5, 2006 @ 2:03 am
Peter Kirn
I’m not sure about HUI support, honestly; I’m researching that. It sounds as though what they did was use the HUI protocol to set up Automapping for Pro Tools (not for anything else via HUI — Ableton Live’s Automap support is in MIDI, even though Live does HUI, as well). Now, theoretically that should still mean you could use manual mapping with HUI. I’m not sure, though.
The faders are not motorized, though, so I’m not sure this would be my top choice for Final Cut, anyway.
October 5, 2006 @ 10:57 am
hacked
@ Peter Kirn
yep was a minor hacked link to the ReMOTE SL V.2 Software
fixed anyways :p
October 5, 2006 @ 1:45 pm
aj
Peter, where exactly is the HUI template if I may ask? I just got a Remote Zero today and updated the OS to the latest version, but I don’t see a ProTools template anywhere when I scroll through the defaults. I use Digital Performer and I am hoping to use them together via HUI emulation (I was assured by someone at Novation that I could do this) and there’s no official word on that beyond creating a custom MIDI controller map in DP itself.
October 15, 2006 @ 11:45 pm
Peter Kirn
The official Novation word only mentioned HUI support in conjunction with Pro Tools. So it’s possible it supports the HUI protocol but only mappings for PT. That said, if they’ve done HUI for Pro Tools, it seems possible that it would work for something else … and if the Pro Tools template is missing, then we’re obviously missing something here.
October 16, 2006 @ 12:13 am
aj
It seems to be a mystery all around. All you can do is set the ‘automaps’ to either SLMAPS, None or HUI in the Global edit menu, but there’s no included Template for ProTools or any other way to select a ‘HUI’ mode.
I’ve written to my contact at Focusrite Novation (UK head office) to see if there’s a procedure to follow to use HUI mode or some missing documentation. The whole point of getting this was to avoid tedious manual MIDI mapping…it’s supposed to be easy!
in the meantime, it does work well with Reason.
October 16, 2006 @ 4:03 pm
aj
ok, I think I’ve cracked it…if you install the OS update via sysex instead of downloading the actual installer app, then you don’t get the ProTools automap templates. You need to download the full installer to get those.
Right now, it seems as if you are correct, the basic HUI functionality is there but there’s no corresponding template for DP, so it looks like someone’s going to have to create one.
October 16, 2006 @ 4:42 pm
aj
Got word from Oliver at Focusrite: they’re working on developing official documentation on how to use the SL in HUI mode with Digital Performer (yay!). He forwarded me some in-progress notes towards the eventual tutorial / PDF guide, if anyone would like a copy they can email me at ajkandy at gmail dot com.
October 17, 2006 @ 3:36 pm
SaschaD
Hi
does anyone know if theres anything like an official Novation messageboard? Ive been looking forever…while the sl is cool, im having lots of trouble gettingit all to work…
November 17, 2006 @ 12:47 am
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