MIDI and Desk Setup

Desk Properties

Pan Law

Defines the global pan law for mono channels.

Options:

-6 dB (Linear)

-4.5 dB

-3 dB (Constant Power)

-2.5 dB

-1.5 dB

0 dB (Constant Peak)

Note: This option affects mono channels only, stereo channels are linear; when hard-panned in opposite directions the amplitude will be maintained; when both are at the centre, the individual amplitudes will be halved (stereo-to-mono conversion).

Meters Type

Defines meters visual response standard (ballistics).

Options:

- EBU Digital (Default).

- IEC PPM type I.

- IEC PPM type II.

Multi-Selection

Defines the behaviour for multi-channel selection.

If Apply to All is set, fader, mute, solo, PFL and phase reversal actions apply to all selected channels.

Options:

- Off (Default).

- Apply to All.

Note: faders increase/decrease is relative to the current position, all other functions are absolute.

Latency Display

Defines the global behaviour for latency displays.

Options:

- Plugin Latency (Default) - Shows the total plugin latency for that channel in samples.

- Compensation Delay - Shows the ADC added for that channel in samples.

Note: SoundDesk uses Automatic Delay Compensation or ADC to automatically correct latency introduced by plugins.

Mixer Latency

Defines the global behaviour for the mixer latency.

Options:

- Zero Latency (Default).

- Padded by Buffer Size.

Zero Latency desks are guaranteed to be synchronised by the Automatic Delay Compensation system at all stages.

Padded by Buffer Size desks will unlock the ability to send Auxs to other Auxs. This option no longer adds extra latency to other channels and automatically prevents feedback loops, but sequential Aux receivers can escape the Automatic Delay Compensation system, so audio is not guaranteed to be synchronised past the first Aux. We can still have synchronised audio, if all Aux receivers use, exclusively, latency-free plugins. This should be considered an advanced feature, and only be used when the consequences are clear.

MIDI Desk Control

SoundDesk can be controlled by a MIDI device connected to your computer.

Currently supported protocols:

- Mackie Control

- Mackie Control XT

- HUI

- Baby HUI/HUI XT

- CC (Controller Change messages only)

Note: for MIDI Instrument setup please see Channel Overview.

CC Map

After selecting CC as the protocol SoundDesk will let you change the assigned Controller Change message Numbers (hexadecimal or binary values need to be converted into decimals to be used in SoundDesk).

Functions like faders are assumed to be in series or banks of 8 channels, if we assign the CC Map -> Fader to 20, the first fader is 20, the second is 21 and so on. This is also true for Pan pots, Solo, Mute, PFL and Sel toggles.

Please refer to the controller manufacturer to find the device CC assigns.

Channel

Control+clicking (mouse right-click) over any CC message assign will show the channel options. By default, SoundDesk will listen to all channels and reply to the last received channel or the first channel if no message has been received yet. By selecting a channel SoundDesk will send and receive from that channel exclusively.

MIDI Learn

By pressing the MIDI Learn button, SoundDesk will enter learning mode until the MIDI Learn button is pressed again (the learning state is indicated by the red colour on the button). While in learning mode, we can select a message box (for example Fader) and then move the first fader of the controller, SoundDesk will learn the message and channel number for the first Faders and assume a bank of 8 from there.

I/O

SoundDesk supports up to 4 MIDI Surfaces for up to 32 real channels.

Each device can use its own protocol so devices can be mixed and matched. When available, extender (XT) protocols should be used for Extender devices to keep the setup efficient.

Devices should be set up from top-to-bottom, for a left-to-right device order.

Note: For single-device setups, users should always use the top-most I/O options.

Mackie Control Protocol

Modifiers
shift	Same as alt key.
option	Same as alt key.
control	Same as alt key.
alt	Alternative Key Option.

Utilities
save	Save menu option, Save as… menu option (save + alt).
undo	Undo menu option, Redo menu option (undo + alt).
cancel	-
enter	Pressing while one of the function keys is pressed, flips the bypass state for that insert (see Function Keys).

Transport
marker	-
nudge	-
cycle	-
drop	-
replace	-
click	Timekeeper Tap
solo	-
rewind	-
fastFwd	-
stop	-
play	-
record	-
up	Same as Up keyboard key.
down	Same as Down keyboard key.
left	Same as Left keyboard key.
right	Same as Right keyboard key.
zoom	-
scrub	-

Global View
midi tracks	Show Desk Timekeeper.
inputs	Main Desk Window to Front.
audio tracks	Show Global Audio Options.
audio instrument	Show Track Utilities for All.
aux	Show Track Aux Sends for All.
busses	-
outputs	Main Desk Window to Front.
user	Show Desk and MIDI Options.

Automation
read/off	-
write	-
trim	-
touch	-
latch	-
group	-

VPot Assign
track	Assign Input Gain (if available).
send	Assign and cycle through Aux Send banks.
pan/surround	Assign Pan.
plug-in	-
eq	-
instrument	-

Channel
rec	Track PFL Toggle.
solo	Track Solo Toggle.
mute	Track Mute Toggle.
sel	Track Select.
touch	Track Fader Touch.
pan	Track Pan/Bal.
fader	Track Fader.
master	Master Fader (with Link).

Function Keys
F1	Bring Plugin Window (1) to the front for the Selected track.
F2	Bring Plugin Window (2) to the front for the Selected track.
F3	Bring Plugin Window (3) to the front for the Selected track.
F4	Bring Plugin Window (4) to the front for the Selected track.
F5	Bring Plugin Window (5) to the front for the Selected track.
F6	Bring Plugin Window (6) to the front for the Selected track.
F7	Bring Plugin Window (7) to the front for the Selected track.
F8	Bring Plugin Window (8) to the front for the Selected track.

Note: functions followed by - are currently not in use.

HUI Protocol

Keyboard and Shortcuts
shift	Same as alt key.
option	Same as alt key.
control	Same as alt key.
alt	Alternative Key Option.
save	Save menu option, Save as… menu option (save + alt).
undo	Undo menu option, Redo menu option (undo + alt).
editmode	-
edittool	-

Edit
capture	Creates a New Recording Window.
separate	-
cut	-
copy	-
paste	-
delete	Same as Delete menu option.

Locate Numerics
0	-
1	-
4	-
2	-
5	-
.	-
3	-
6	-
enter	Pressing while one of the function keys is pressed, flips the bypass state for that insert (see Function Keys).
+	-
7	-
8	-
9	-
-	-
clr	-
=	-
/	-
*	-

Transport
audition	-
pre	-
in	-
out	-
post	-
rtz	-
end	-
on line	-
loop	-
click punch	Timekeeper Tap
talkback	-
rewind	-
fast fwd	-
stop	-
play	-
record	-
down	Same as Down keyboard key.
left	Same as Left keyboard key.
mode	-
right	Same as Right keyboard key.
up	Same as Up keyboard key.
scrub	-
shuttle	-

Window
mix	Main Desk Window to Front.
edit	Show Desk and MIDI Options.
transport	Show Desk Timekeeper.
memlock	Show Track Aux Sends for All.
status	Show Global Audio Options.
alt	Show Track Utilities for All.

Automation
plug in	-
pan	-
fader	-
send mute	-
send	-
mute	-
read	-
write	-
trim	-
touch	-
latch	-
off	-

Status Group
phase	-
monitor	-
auto	-
suspend	-
create	-
group	-

Assign
send a	Assign Aux Send bank A.
send b	Assign Aux Send bank B (if available).
send c	Assign Aux Send bank C (if available).
send d	Assign Aux Send bank D (if available).
send e	Assign Aux Send bank E (if available).
pan	Assign Pan.
input	-
output	-
rec all	-
bypass	-
mute	-
shift	Assign Input Gain (if available).
suspend	-
default	-
assign	-

Channel
rec	Track PFL Toggle.
solo	Track Solo Toggle.
mute	Track Mute Toggle.
sel	Track Select.
touch	Track Fader Touch.
insert	Opens Inserts for editing.
v_sel	Desk Select List Add/Remove.
auto	-
pan	Track Pan/Bal.
fader	Track Fader.

Function Keys
F1	Bring Plugin Window (1) to the front for the Selected track.
F2	Bring Plugin Window (2) to the front for the Selected track.
F3	Bring Plugin Window (3) to the front for the Selected track.
F4	Bring Plugin Window (4) to the front for the Selected track.
F5	Bring Plugin Window (5) to the front for the Selected track.
F6	Bring Plugin Window (6) to the front for the Selected track.
F7	Bring Plugin Window (7) to the front for the Selected track.
F8	Bring Plugin Window (8) to the front for the Selected track.

Note: functions followed by - are currently not in use.