Automap Universal

• Automatic plug-in mapping
  All automatable VST, AU or Pro Tools format plug-ins need just be opened in any DAW** for instant control.
• Heads-up transparent GUI
  Automap Universal provides a transparent control map across your computer screen, so you can see at a glance how every parameter is assigned.
• Learn and Clear modes
  Make and delete assignments directly from your computer screen using lightning-fast click and touch facilities!
• Automatic Mixer control
  A growing number of supported DAWs allow comprehensive control of the mixer via the Automap Universal software. (Non-supported DAWs can be controlled using separate Automap systems onboard the SL and SL Compact.)
• Ultra-fast workflow
  Control maps are automatically placed into categories depending on type (instrument, mixer etc.) for quick and easy browsing and selection with hardware or software.
• MIDI integration
  16 standard MIDI control maps can be created to be used alongside plug-in and mixer maps - ideal for software with a MIDI learn facility.

(**Mac only with Pro Tools at present, PC Pro Tools compatibility out in summer '08)

What is Automap Universal?

Automap Universal is the future of MIDI control and the answer to every electronic music maker's prayers.

It is the latest development in Novation's revolutionary and intelligent MIDI controlling technology, now encompassing virtually every aspect of your DAW and making controlling your session and plug-ins completely pain free!

No matter what music software you use, Automap Universal offers an instant controlling solution for all your plug-ins. The latest version (v2) supports VST, AU and now Pro Tools (TDM/RTAS) plug-in formats too (TDM/RTAS support is currently Mac only. PC will follow soon). In addition, automatic mapping of some mixers is included for immediate control of your DAW alongside your plug-ins. (Separate Automap systems are available onboard the SL and SL Compact for DAWs with non-supported mixers.)

How does it work?

The system works by the Novation hardware communicating with the Automap Universal software (sometimes called the Automap Server), which is a free application that is installed with the hardware and runs in the background on your computer, opening up automatically when your music software is loaded. This software then communicates with whatever it is you're trying to control, which is referred to as a client.

A client can be any automatable VST/AU/Pro Tools format plug-in, the mixer in a supported DAW or the MIDI client. The MIDI client is a part of the Automap Universal software itself and allows CC numbers to be sent from the hardware controls (essential for Nocturn, which isn't a standalone MIDI device).

Q: What is Automap Universal?

A: Automap Universal is Novation’s revolutionary MIDI controlling system that allows instant and automatic control of your music software. It comes free with both Soft Label (SL) ranges, as well as Nocturn.

Q: Is Automap Universal hardware or software?

A: Automap Universal is a software application that runs in the background on your computer, sometimes called the Automap Server. This application senses what music software you are using (plug-ins or the mixer in certain DAWs) and maps the parameters of that software to any Novation hardware (SL, SL Compact or Nocturn) automatically. The Automap Universal software can also show you what parameters are mapped to the connected hardware on its ‘heads-up transparent’ Graphical User Interface (GUI), which also allows you to display other plug-ins in your session and select them for control.

Q: What products does Automap Universal work with?

A: Automap Universal works with Nocturn, as well as all ReMOTE SL and SL Compact series controllers.

Q: Does Automap Universal work the same way for all the Novation products it works with?

A: Yes, the functionality is identical for all three ranges. However, the number and type of assignable controls available (and displayed on the GUI) will of course change to match the hardware in use. The implementation of Automap Universal is also slightly different for each product. For example, Nocturn only works with Automap Universal so it does not work when disconnected from the Automap Universal software or in standalone mode. The ReMOTE SL and SL Compact, on the other hand, are unrivalled MIDI controllers that have other Automap modes for specific DAWs, in addition to comprehensive MIDI capabilities for use with other software or hardware. These modes work from other Templates onboard the SL and SL Compact, which can be selected manually, so the SL and SL Compact must have Template 38 selected when using them with the Automap Universal software.

Q: What can you control with Automap Universal?

A: Automap Universal can be used to control any automatable plug-in (VST, AU, RTAS or TDM format) running in any DAW**, the mixer in a supported DAW (currently Cubase, Nuendo, Sonar or Tracktion, but increasing with each update) or the MIDI client. These are all referred to as clients in the support movies and documentation.

Q: What is the MIDI client?

A: The MIDI client is part of the Automap Universal software; it has the ability to create 16 control maps (1 per MIDI channel) that allow MIDI CC data to be transmitted from the Automap Universal software using the Novation hardware controls. This was a facility originally created for Nocturn, which has no standalone MIDI capabilities, but it works identically for all three ranges. The advantage of using the MIDI client with an SL or SL Compact (rather than using them in standard MIDI mode) is that it works in the same system as Automap Universal, so there is no need to change templates and control maps can be created directly from the GUI rather than using hardware menus.

Q: Does Automap Universal work in any DAW?

A: Yes. Plug-ins can be controlled using Automap Universal in all VST, AU and Pro Tools format plug-ins hosts. The mixer can also be controlled in several supported DAWs. If using an SL or SL Compact, dedicated Automap systems are also available for additional DAWs that do not have Automap Universal mixer support (more information below).

Q: What mixers can Automap Universal control?

A: Automap Universal can be used to control the mixer in Cubase, Nuendo, Sonar and Tracktion.

Q: How do you control the mixers in DAWs that Automap Universal cannot control?

A: The ReMOTE SL and SL Compact have dedicated Automap systems for various DAWs (Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Logic, Reason and Digital Performer) that work from separate Templates onboard the controllers. Once setup in the DAW preferences, these Templates load automatically on the hardware and intelligent 2-way communication begins; all track names from your session pop up automatically on the hardware LCD and the mixer and internal devices can be controlled instantly.

If using a Nocturn then the MIDI client can be used to control the DAW, ideal if there is a MIDI learn facility as with Ableton Live. However, mixer support for additional DAWs will be included in the next major Automap Universal update, which will be a free download for SL, SL Compact and Nocturn owners.

Q: Can I use more than one Novation product with Automap Universal?

A: It is not currently possible to use more than one product with Automap Universal as the Automap Server can only connect to one device at a time. However, the ability to use multiple units with the server is scheduled for release with the next major update, later in the year. Furthermore, multiple devices can be connected if using Automap Universal alongside a dedicated Automap system for a DAW (which works from a different Template onboard the ReMOTE SL or SL Compact). This way, one Novation device (Nocturn, SL or SL Compact) connects to the Automap Universal software (Automap Server) to control plug-ins, whilst the other device (SL or SL Compact) connects directly with the DAW for automatic control of the mixer and/or internal instruments. For more information, click on the Multiple Devices link above.

Q: How do I access the Automap menu options such as Learn, using an SL or SL Compact?

A: As there are no dedicated Automap buttons on the ReMOTE SL or SL Compact, the last row of assignable buttons has been reserved for the Automap menu options whilst using these devices in Automap Universal mode. So, with the Automap Universal template (number 38) selected, the Automap menu options can be found on the bottom row of buttons below the sliders on an SL and on the assignable buttons whilst button group B4 is active on an SL Compact.


(**Mac only with Pro Tools at present, PC ProTools compatibility out in summer '08)

Multiple devices with Automap Universal

The current version of Automap Universal (version 2) does not allow multiple hardware devices to be connected to the Automap Server (Automap Universal software). This is planned for release with the next major software update.

However, multiple Novation controllers can be used where one device connects to the Automap Server (Nocturn, SL or SL Compact) to control plug-ins, whilst one or more device connects directly with the DAW (SL or SL Compact) to control the mixer and/or internal devices using a dedicated Automap system.

For example:

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