Turning MIDI control on its head
Why most MIDI controllers are rubbish:
Although they may have faders and knobs, assigning them to things in your software means digging through 100s of MIDI controller numbers. Or even worse, knobs and faders can only control a few basic functions.
Computer musicians often work with lots of plug-in instruments and FX. Keeping track of what your knobs and faders are controlling is next to impossible. So, you end up just using a tiny number of them, even if you have loads on your controller.
Why SL MkII is brilliant:
We have worked with the major software companies so when you want to control instruments and effects, you simply click on the thing you want to control, touch the knob, fader or button, and its instantly assigned! Mixer and transport control also work seamlessly in all major sequencers.
You can also instantly assign knobs, faders and buttons to any VST/AU/RTAS/TDM plug-in using the same touch, click, assign system. So Native Instruments, Waves, FXpansion, etc can be instantly controlled!
Touch, click, its assigned!
We know that producers, musicians and sound designers want hands-on control of their music software without the headaches that come with controllers. SL MkII uses Novation's Automap control software to solve these problems.
With over 56 assignable controls, you need to be able to assign things quickly, and keep track of which knob, fader or button is controlling which bit of your software.
Some DAWs/sequencers have their own 'learn' function, which allows you to quickly assign controls to things in the software. Automap allows you to 'learn' SL MkII's controls to all 3rd party plug-in instruments/FX too (like UAD, Native instruments, etc…) This includes VST, AU, RTAS and TDM format plug-ins.
See exactly what you're controlling
SL MkII shows you exactly what software parameter you are controlling, and the value or amount:
• Touching the touch-sensitive knobs and faders, brings up names (and values) of whatever they are controlling on the giant LCD display.
• Automap's software edit page shows you a graphic of the entire control surface, with every control labelled, on your computer monitor.
• LED rings around the knobs instantly show the value of whatever they're controlling, and each button lights up when switched on.
Spesification
Physical controls
Assignable controls:
• 8 Encoders (Infinite Rotation) with touch-sensitivity and 11 segment Led rings
• 8 Pots (270 Rotation) with touch-sensitivity
• 8 Sliders with touch-sensitivity
• 32 Buttons with integrated LEDs (37 in MIDI mode]
• 8 soft feel Trigger pads
• Xpression Pad (as on existing SL)
• Xpression Stick (as on existing SL)
• Touch sensitive Speed Dial (as on Nocturn)
System buttons:
• General Automap Operation Buttons (Learn, View, Browser Groups etc.)
• Octave up/down buttons with LED indicator
The central system buttons from the SL have been simplified; there is now:
• 1 Automap button with LED to toggle Automap mode on and off (this replaces the PLAY button) – this way, manual MIDI mode is separate from Automap mode and can be avoided completely if preferred
• Template and Edit modes have been combined into one edit mode, for editing both individual controls and overall settings within one Template
Connectivity
Rear Panel connections are as follows:
• Data Port: 1 x USB (Win XP/Vista and Mac OSX – Not Class Compliant
• MIDI: MIDI ONE: IN, OUT and Thru, MIDI TWO: OUT
• Sustain Pedal: 1 x 1/4 Jack Input
• Expression pedal: 1 x 1/4 Jack Input
• Power switch: Ext DC/USB
Minimum Operational Requirements:
Mac OSX 10.4.0 or greater (Leopard and Snow Leopard (32-bit kernel only) also supported) or Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or greater (Vista 32/64 and Windows 7 32/64 also supported)
Minimum Computer spec:
Mac - G4/1GHz, both with 256MB RAM or PC -
Pentium 3/1GHz/256MB RAM (machines running Vista will require a higher spec)
Dimensions
Size (25 key): W=468mm, H=68mm, D=293mm
Weights
25SL net weight : 3.3kg /unit
