Ultimate Midi learn "how to" list

[aMUSEd]

I thought it would be useful to try and list all the hosts that have a "midi learn" feature (or equivelent. i.e. an easy way to assign a midi control to a function either in the host itself of in an instrument or effect. Some instruments already have this built in (e.g. most NI instruments do) but there are many exceptions and it seems hosts are very different in how they enable this. I'll start with the ones I like best as they are the simplest:

Plogue Bidule:

Standalone.

1) Open instrument editor window.
2) Click midi learn button.
3) Click on knob or slider you want to control
4) Move knob/slider you want to assign to it on your controller
5) Click midi learn button to turn it off (unless you want to assign more than one element - you can keep adding them if you want to use one controller for multiple knobs/sliders)

As plugin

Same as above but you need to add a cc to params module (from the midi section) to the Bidule plugin module - it shares the same midi out as the instrument.

Chainer:

1) Insert plugin
2) Open generic editor window (i.e. click button 2)
3) Select parameter you want to control and right click, select "learn"
4) Move controller you want to assign to the parameter

That's it - very easy

Tracktion 2:

1) Insert plugin
2) Go to Automation-Select midi controller mappings
3) Click on left column and move a midi controller
4) Click on right column and select parameter from list (not so easy as they are not always given the same name as in the plugin gui so some trail and error may be needed)

Not bad - could be easier.

Project 5 V2:

Have tried to use midi learn but it seems only to work for host functions like transport settings

1) Right click on transport button or other item you want to control
2) Select Midi remote control
3)Click learn
4) Move controller
5) Click stop learning

That's it - easy but should work for instruments and effects too.

Orion Platinum:

haven't a clue and nothing useful in help file about using controllers or midi learn.

Muzys 3 and Energy XT I have but haven't been able to get this working yet.

I don't know about Cubase SX/Nuendo, Sonar, FL Studio, Acid 6, Samplitude or any other host I may have forgotten as I don't have these so if anyone could add to the list I would be grateful. I'm trying to make comparisons between all hosts and this (together with midi control of my hardware) is one function I find indispensable.

[Kriminal]

Orion Platinum:

for VST:

click on 'cog' icon in toolbar
select 'Link to Next MIDI Controller' and select parameter
move knob of choice on hardware controller, and they are locked



for native generators:

right click on GUI knob of choice, select Link To Next Controller, and move knob of hardware controller.

[brambos]

I thought it would be useful to try and list all the hosts that have a "midi learn" feature

Tunafish:

- open VST window
- click "MIDI-learn" button
- twiddle knob on screen
- twiddle knob on midi keyboard/controller
- click store

[aMUSEd]

Orion Platinum. OK that's nice - thanks. Similar defect to Tracktion in that the names aren't always the same the plugin states on the gui but that's possibly the plugin designer's fault anyway. Much more direct than Tracktion though - I prefer that as it doesn't spoil the creative flow.

Tunafish - sorry I forgot that one. I haven't tried the demo yet as I didn't think it had got the the point where it recorded midi but thats an easy control method.

[speccyteccy]

FL

Move the parameter you want to link to in the VST's window.
Plugin Menu - Last Tweaked Parameter - Link to Controller
Move knob

Or

Plugin Menu - Browse Parameters
Right click parameter in browser - Link to Controller
Move Knob

[Kriminal]

Orion Platinum. OK that's nice - thanks. Similar defect to Tracktion in that the names aren't always the same the plugin states on the gui but that's possibly the plugin designer's fault anyway.

yes, it only lists what is input in the plugin by the author. Had a lot of probs before with VST's that have hundreds of parameters, and after the main ones, they get lazy, and are labelled 'parameter127' etc etc.

[aMUSEd]

I forgot Ableton Live as well - if anyone can add that I'd be interested - that's on my list of potential hosts to check out sometime. Supposed to be one of its strengths.

[pdxindy]

Tracktion 2:

1) Insert plugin
2) Go to Automation-Select midi controller mappings
3) Click on left column and move a midi controller
4) Click on right column and select parameter from list (not so easy as they are not always given the same name as in the plugin gui so some trail and error may be needed)

Not bad - could be easier.

I don't like how this works in Tracktion because it creates automation data and automation data in Tracktion does not move if you move a clip. If automation could be fixed to clips, then it would work just dandy

[aMUSEd]

Yeah, could be improved that way too.

[aMUSEd]

I forgot Logic too. Anyne want to add instructions for that one? (inc PC version)

[djsubject]

eXT

hold Ctrl & click on the paramater in the mixer you want to lern, then move controller

vst or transport, go to cc map (in sequencer or vst) add, chose paramater, Ctrl & click on the added paramater, then move controller

this only works if midi is being sent to what you want to map of course

Subz

[aMUSEd]

eXT

hold Ctrl & click on the paramater in the mixer you want to lern, then move controller

vst or transport, go to cc map (in sequencer or vst) add, chose paramater, Ctrl & click on the added paramater, then move controller

this only works if midi is being sent to what you want to map of course

Subz

Thanks but where is the function "cc map" - its not available to me by rightclicking or from any of the menus in the main window or sequencer.

[orange2k]

Thanks but where is the function "cc map" - its not available to me by rightclicking or from any of the menus in the main window or sequencer.

Its in the left lane of the screen in the main window (not in the sequencer) on any comp (in the header)...

When you select a parameter you want, it appears there and you can simply middle-click to activate midi-learn...

[Brandon Ryan]

Project 5 V2:

Have tried to use midi learn but it seems only to work for host functions like transport settings

1) Right click on transport button or other item you want to control
2) Select Midi remote control
3)Click learn
4) Move controller
5) Click stop learning

That's it - easy but should work for instruments and effects too.

Hi there,

It actually does work for effects and instruments. You just have to expand the controls for the respective instrument or effect in the Device Inspector pane on the left hand side of the interface. Then you can Midi learn controls using the method you describe in your post. You can even save these various control setups within each Device Chain you create.

[spaceman]

Logic

1) option - L
2) click learn if not yet active
3) move item to control
4) move controller
5) click stop learn or close controller window

the controller window lists all you assigned controls