Controlling synths with Nano Kontrol 2

[fastfx]

Hi,

I have the nano kontrol 2 and ive got it controlling lives volume faders, mute, solo buttons etc ok, but i want to be able to control plugin knobs with it, like filter cut off etc on 3rd party synths in live......i can't seem to get it to work though.

I press midi, then move a knob on the plugin, then a knob on the kontrol2, exit midi mode but it doesn't respond....

any help would be great,

Thanks

[darkenedsoul]

Do you have the UserConfiguration.txt file set up and it seen in MIDI inside preferences? I don't have one but I'd recommend searching for Nano Kontrol 2 on the forum to see what is there for detailed information on what to set up. I use an Akai LPD8 occasionally but that's supported in Live 8/9 already. I did set up the text file though via a post from someone using it on the forums.

Mike

[fastfx]

hmmmm, .txt file, no? I think at the moment the nano kontrol2 is set up to just interact with live, but i need it to work with plugin parameters instead.

[darkenedsoul]

Well you should look under preferences->MIDI and see if your Nano Kontrol 2 is set up/showing there for one thing, not being in front of Live limits what I can have you look at but someone else may be able to chime in after. Your controller should be either showing at the top part of the MIDI preferences section as well as Track/Remote in lower part of the screen if it had been selected from a list at the top part of the screen. I also highly suggest you do a thorough search on the forum(s) for Nano Kontrol 2 as key words. That should point you to other threads which may help you get things set up. The UserConfiguration.txt file is saved in a directory named after whatever controller you are configuring/setting up (some may not require it, others do or for matching what Live is using for the knobs say for instance to the stock live devices for twiddling).

But I do recommend a) reading the manual after searching for userconfiguration or look in the MIDI section at the very least, and b) search the forums.

Mike

[fastfx]

yes its showing up in live prefs.

I have searched the forums, ive searched the korg forums, google, etc......

Ive finally found how to put it in CC mode, but i still cant get it to control plugins - it just keeps controlling Live's channels...

[darkenedsoul]

Well, then what plugins are you looking at being able to MIDI map? Is there a MIDI learn on the VSTi? Perhaps you need to enable MIDI mapping in Live (blue hand) then find it in VSTi and the click/twiddle?

That's all I got for now....without knowing what plugins you are wanting to map we can't move forward with what to try other than what I suggest above. But I think there should be/has to be a MIDI learn on the VSTi(s) in order for you to be able to MIDI map it to Live.

Mike

[mdk]

What you need is to have the Nano Kontrol setup for midi remote. In the MIDI preferences just make sure that the 'remote' button is highlighted in the bottom section.

That should do it, i've got a Nano Kontrol and thats how mine is setup. Then its just the usual setup for vst parameters.

1. Click the arrow on the device box to show the 'configure' button, click that
2. move the param on the vst ui, it should appear as a param in the device box
3. Click configure again to turn off the plugin setup
4. Click MIDI at the top to start midi mapping
5. Select the param you want to map
6. Move something on the controller
7. Click MIDI again to stop mapping.

[fastfx]

Mdk I love you. That's exactly it. Thank you

I'm sure ill be back with more questions!!

[fastfx]

I was just wondering, is it possible to stop the nano kontrol controlling abletons tracks/pans etc.....and only have it so it controls the plugins?

(Essentially so it's like a blank slate)

And my other questions was - if I map a knob on a synth, then go to a different track and map the same knob, the knob now controls both synths - but is it possible to have it so when I'm on track 1 it controls that synth and when I'm on track 2 it only controls that synth?

Thanks all

[mdk]

I was just wondering, is it possible to stop the nano kontrol controlling abletons tracks/pans etc.....and only have it so it controls the plugins?

(Essentially so it's like a blank slate)

Yeah, turn off the 'Control Surface' at the top of the midi preferences.

And my other questions was - if I map a knob on a synth, then go to a different track and map the same knob, the knob now controls both synths - but is it possible to have it so when I'm on track 1 it controls that synth and when I'm on track 2 it only controls that synth?

Well thats the trade off between the 'control surface' approach and the 'blank slate' style.

What you would do for the control surface is to put the plugin inside an instrument rack then map the parameters from the plugin to the macro controls. So same as before with the 'configure' button stuff, then

1. with the plugin device selected press 'ctrl+g' or the mac equivalent to group the device. That will put it inside an instrument rack.
2. pop open the macro controls with the button below the rack power button on the left (if they're not open already). You'll see a 'Map' button in the title bar.
3. Click map to enter macro mapping mode.
4. Select the configured parameter from the plugin
5. Click a 'map' button under one of the macro controls.

Press the title bar Map button when you're done.

Now, if you use the 'control surface' option you'll see the infamous BLUE HAND on the device which is currently controlled by the NanoKontrol, probably from the knobs rather than the sliders.

There may well be a way to setup some kind of hybrid half control surface / half standard midi mapping type thing, but it's not something i've ever wanted to do so I dont know. Personally I always map my own controls