Overview
Novation’s most affordable hardware controller to date, Nocturn is an intelligent plug-in controller that promises to unleash the full potential of all your favourite instruments and effects. Featuring the latest
Automap Universal 2.0 software, exclusive to Novation controllers, Nocturn provides automatic, instant and intelligent control of all automatable plug-ins within every major sequencer, including Pro Tools.
Nocturn features eight touch-sensitive rotary encoders, each equipped with a bright eleven-LED ring (ideal for laptop DJ’ing in a dark club environment). These are accompanied by eight user-assignable illuminated buttons and a smooth, professional 45mm cross-fader. The finishing touch is Novation’s unique ‘speed dial’; a touch-sensitive rotary encoder that instantly takes control of whatever your mouse is focused on!
Featuring a revolutionary new 'heads-up transparent control GUI',
Automap Universal 2.0 places a transparent control map across your computer screen, to be recalled or hidden at will. Little or no user setup is required and plug-in control can be exactly the way you want it, no matter what music software you use. Just boot up the plug-in and you’ll see at a glance how the parameters are automatically assigned to each of Nocturn’s controls. An instant click and control ‘learn’ function is also available for quick re-assigning of controls, or for creating your own controller map in seconds. Multiple page options mean that you can assign a potentially infinite number of parameters for each plug-in.
Automap Universal 2.0 also categorises all your control maps. A simple browsing facility lets you review all open plug-ins, then quickly switch to controlling one of them. Automap Universal 2.0 also supports standard MIDI protocol, providing the same transparent display for quick and simple assigning of MIDI parameters. This ensures Nocturn can also turn its hand to controlling a hardware MIDI device, any non-automatable plug-ins, or your sequencer mixer. Once a ‘MIDI map’ is created, it can be saved and recalled via the same map browsing facility. A growing number of maps will be available to download from www.novationmusic.com
Nocturn’s spacious and tactile control layout, side mounted USB socket and ultra-low profile allow it to sit neatly in front of your QWERTY keyboard or on a larger keyboard such as the SL61. Large, rugged rubber grips hold it steady whilst you let rip with your favourite music software.
Combined,
Automap Universal 2.0’s heads up transparent control GUI and Nocturn’s touch sensitive dials remove the pain inherent in controlling multiple instruments and effects, allowing you to flow intuitively from one plug-in to the next, leaving you free to focus on what matter most – your music.
Automap Universal 2.0
Control technology exclusive to Novation,
Automap Universal provides instant and intelligent control of all your Music software. Just boot up any majorapplication and the parameters automatically assign to your Automap-compatible controller. Little or no user setup is required and control of your software can be customized just the way you like it. Massive flexibility means that you can assign a potentially infinite number of parameters for each application.
What’s new in Automap Universal 2.0?
•
RTAS and TDM Plug-in Support Now Included
Novation controllers are now the best solution for controlling multiple instruments and effects within Pro Tools LE and HD. Currently Mac only. PC support in development and will follow soon.
•
A Revolutionary Heads-up Transparent Control GUI
Automap Universal 2.0 allows you to view all parameters simultaneously on your computer screen. The size of the window can be modified, as well as the degree of transparency, so a permanent view of the GUI is possible without interfering with your regular setup.
•
Simple Re-writing of Names, Parameters and Step Sizes
In addition to displaying all your assigned parameters, the ‘heads-up’ transparent control GUI now allows for quick entry of new control names, parameter ranges and step sizes.
•
Grouping of Control Maps
A simple browse facility allows you to view plug-ins by type, (all instruments, all FX etc.) then instantly switch to control any of them.
•
Instant ‘Learn’ Mode
For easy and instantaneous mapping of controls - simply click the software parameter on the new transparent control GUI, then move or touch a hardware control to automatically assign.
•
Standard MIDI Protocol Supported
The transparent GUI also allows quick and simple editing of standard MIDI parameters.
Specifications
Controls:
Assignable Rotary Encoders: 8 - Infinite Rotation, touch-sensitive, LED surrounds
Speed Dial (Encoder): 1 - Infinite Rotation, touch-sensitive, LED-surround, press and rotate for second function
Assignable Buttons: 8
Assignable Crossfader: 1 x 45mm
System Buttons: ‘Learn’, ‘View’, ‘Page+’ and ‘Page-’
Group Buttons: User, FX, Inst, Mixer
Interfacing Data Ports: 1 x USB MIDI
Weight and Dims
Size: W=239mm (9.41”), H=137mm (5.39”), D=18-28mm (0.7”-1.1”)
Weight: 0.5 kg (1.1 lbs)
Minimum Operational Requirements:
Mac OSX 10.4.0 or greater (Leopard also supported) or Windows XP with
Service Pack 2 or greater (Vista 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)
Interfacing:
USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 compatible
Reviews
iDJ Magazine Review Quotes
May 2008
"As well as compact, the Nocturn is well thought-out. The layout gives a spacious feel while being tactile and rugged"
"The silky-smooth 45mm crossfader feels quality and teamed with the backlit switches and encoders make the Nocturn ideal for laptop DJs playing in dark, dimly lit clubs."
" If you're looking for a digital control solution, its intuitiveness and ease-of-use make Novation's Nocturn a must to check out. It's compact, well built and the Automap feature takes all the hassle out of setting up. At this price point, the travelling digital DJ can probably even afford to carry a spare!"
Future Music Magazine Review Quotes
April 2008
"Novation have thought about what musicians really need and designed a surface that makes perfect sense."
"This is a fabulous product. If you have a stack of plug-ins that you want to take hands-on control of, there is no more elegant, accessible or affordable solution."
Computer Music Magazine Review Quotes
April 2008
"Novation have been working into the small hours creating this glow-in-the-dark intelligent controller. Whats more, its one of their cheapest and most innovative devices yet…"
"The Nocturn is extremely quick to get up and running. It takes only a short while to become comfortable with the heads-up display, and in no time at all we were using it to control the bulk of our plug-ins. "
"The Nocturn is ideal for anyone wanting a compact, easy-to-use yet highly-flexible control surface for studio or live use, and the software ‘brain’ should ensure a future-proof, upgradeable system. Those who may have been put off in the past due to the perceived difficulties of getting a controller to play ball should try it out, as its software-centric approach is bound to make a lot of sense to computer musicians. On top of all that, at just £69, the Novation Nocturn has got to be the bargain of the year, and we’ve already got our orders in…"
Computer Music Magazine
Nocturn First Look - 11/02/2008
Read the review
Reverb Magazine Review Quotes
March / April 2008
"As you can probably tell, I was extremely impressed with Nocturn. For one, I have a bit of a thing for small, simple and stylish desktop products right now, but I’ve also rarely come across a product that offers so much for such a small price. Never before has such a modestly sized box had such an impact on my workflow. Being so easy to use means that this is one MIDI controller that you can actually rely on, and have the time to use to its full potential. Although I only used Nocturn in my studio for the review, it also has massive appeal as a live performance controller, particularly as a mixer and effects box for a laptop DJ. Whatever your music style and whatever software you use, Nocturn will fit right into your setup and almost certainly change the way you make music."
Read the full review from
Reverb Magazine
