Automap and Novation Zero Mk II--want to love it, now I hate

[Stevee00]

I want to love my new Novation Zero, but now I hate it. I'm about ready to chuck it after spending 4 hours (including lots of Googling) trying to understand the esoteric setup and control architecture.

Please, if you can help me see how to make it do what I want, I'll love it. I'm using a Macbook Pro i7, OS 10.6.8, Live 8.2.2, Automap 4.6 and latest drivers.

Here's what I want to accomplish:
---8 faders and buttons on the right side controlling 8 tracks, but I want to remap the buttons to something different than the hard-wired Ableton template allows (part of my frustration).
--Use knobs and buttons left side to control a few pre-planned groups of Live functions, not have it jump to show whatever is in focus on Live.
--I perform live keyboards, so with hands on keys don't have time in performance to switch from Automap to Advanced, or swap out templates, etc. So controls need to be predictable, with most dedicated to a single function.

I'm having trouble getting the Learn function to work, both in and out of Automap. Unpredictable results. I do see the Setup screen and parameters. But get frustrated when I set a button to Toggle, and it stays Momentary. Or I Midimap into Live and see the assignment, but then nothing happens. Other times it does work (seems to be a conflict with some invisible mapping). And where do I change the MIDI channel of the Presets?

Can somebody please point me in the right direction? Or is this software interface the problem. If I have to spend much more time struggling to get Automap and the Zero to work with Live, I'll just go get a QuNeo and sell my Zero MkII on eBay.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Steve

[Timbeaux]

hello,

i have a zero sl mk2, too. And i have had the same problems at the beginning.

My solution:

DONT USE AUTOMAP. Then its a nice controller. U dont need to uninstall it, just uncheck the box in automap where is written: "launch automap at startup" (or something like this)

Then close Automap.

Now u can use the controller like a normal midi controller.

To change the midichannel u have to use the hardwareside menu. (Just search in quickmenu or menu, cant remember right now, iam on work )


I hope that helped a lil. Its a really nice controller, but automap sucks for ableton. on reason its nice to have.

[Stevee00]

Timbeaux, yes and thanks, this does help. In my research I saw some people suggest blocking Automap altogether, but I didn't know if that was the best route for Ableton + Zero MkII. I will try it.

Part of the problem is that nowhere can I find a straight forward explanation of what Automap is and what it isn't. Novation manuals and website infer that it magically solves all my mapping problems. As I tried everything I could think of to get it to work, I got some of the strangest results--like controls that would go up, but not come back down. Mappings that worked sometimes, or in some places, but not others.

Can anybody describe how Automap sits between the Zero and Ableton--what it messes with and what it doesn't?

I'll try Zero sans Automap and report back.

Steve

[Timbeaux]

maybe give this a try: http://beta.novationmusic.com/releases/sl_mkii/

Its a template editor for zero sl mk2. maybe more easy then chaning everything in with the hardware itself.

[Stevee00]

Anybody, what's the difference between a template and Automap in the Novation system? Are templates in Automap, or does Automap affect templates in the hardware, or is Automap some sort of special-case template. This is the sort of sorting out that I need, and that I can't get from the manuals.

Thanks,

Steve

[Stevee00]

Another question: does running an old version of Live--8.2.2 to be exact--prevent Novation and Automap from working correctly? I haven't upgraded because I didn't see any benefit in taking a chance on introducing new problems (I'm on Macbook Pro and OS 10.6..

Steve

[Timbeaux]

with the former posted template editor u can change the hardware configuration (midi i/o channels, cc's and so on) from ur desktop pc via usb.

auto map is like a unwritable 2nd template which is always available when u run automap and use software with it. so its some sort of special-case template. The confusing thing is, that u can make automap templates for software (VST's and so on).


So when u run automap, u have always 2 templates running.

For example in ableton u have the automap template and the ableton template (and u switch between both with the automap button).


For ur last question i would say no (it doesnt prevent novation and automap from working correctly)
, otherwise u would have read it in the release notes.

[Stevee00]

Good information, Timbeaux. Thanks.

So is it possible to tell Automap to not interfere with pure Ableton controls (tracks, drum racks, sends, etc.) but when invoked only give me access to plugins? I use Alchemy, Diva, Zebra, and Uhbik (U-he effects). That would be sweet! Would that be an edit of an Automap template, or something on the Zero side?

Steve

[Timbeaux]

maybe u missunderstood me. the ableton template for tracks, and sends are saved on the hardware. Even when ableton or automap is running and ur sl mk2 is on u can switch between several templates in the hardware to control everything u want.

Only when u activate automap with the button u use the automap template.

It should be possible to use only automap for plugins and not for ableton itself.


U have to edit the automap template for ur plugins. For every plugin another template. If i remember correct, there should be alredy presets for this plugins. U only have to search for ur VST/AU Folder in the automap software, so automap can recognize ur VST/AU.