Globally set Expression pedal to macros?

Software Instruments Analog Lab
#1

Hi !

I own a Keylab MK3 with Analog Lab V Pro (+ other instruments I bought afterwards).
I recently added an expression pedal.

I noticed that no preset (or verrry few) seem to support the expression pedal by default. (which kinda surprises me)

I can assign manually, preset by preset, the expression pedal when editing a preset but

  1. I can assign it to effects settings, volumes etc. but couldn’t find how to assign it to macros. For instance, if I could assign it to the second macro, I could then control the “Morph” parameter in the augmented series, which would be extremely useful.

  2. Apparently I have to do it preset by preset

Is there a simple solution to have a global setting that would make my expression pedal immediately useful ? (then, I could tweak if necessary)

Thanks a lot ! :slight_smile:

BTW : I am using Linux.

#2

HI @Bidinou

As far as i’m aware there isn’t a global setting as you’ve discovered, ALWAYS happy to stand corrected though!
It’s pretty quick and easy to assign, though.

Just open ALV, click the little ‘Cog’ icon in the top right-hand corner of the GUI, select the ‘Macros’ tab, then which parameter/s you wish to use and then use the ‘Learn’ function by clicking it and then moving your pedal.
Guessing you know this already? But might be handy for others for future reference.

1 Like
#3

Hi Matjones !

Thanks for your reply !

Actually, what I am trying to achieve is the contrary.

I do not want to set what the macros will control
But I’d like to set my expression pedal to alter macros.

For instance, in the Augmented Series, the second Macro controls the “Morph”.
I can edit the preset in ALV so that the Expression Pedal alters some values like volumes, effects etc. but it cannot alter the inner parameters of the synth – the most important being, IMO, the “Morph” value :slight_smile:

Cheers ! Thanks for your help :slight_smile:

#4

To make it more clear because I am not sure I am :slight_smile: If I am not mistaken :

I can set macros (through the cogs → Macro menu) to alter internal synth values.

I can set my expression pedal, the modwheel, aftertouch etc. (through the edit sound menu) to alter effects, EQ etc. values.

I can edit MIDI CCs (through the cogs → MIDI menu) – but actually not in my case as my keyboard is detected as a Keylab MK3 and thus, the profile is not editable

So there is something missing apparently… I’d like my expression pedal to alter internal synth values (or at least, to act is if it were one of the macros)

#5

Ah Gotcha!

No, i don’t think this is possible, unless you do it on a ‘case by case’ basis as you’ve already stated.

You could always make a ‘feature request’ post, outlining your ideas to bring it to the attention of The Arturia Devs.

#6

Hi all,

@Bidinou

Expression pedal midi CC 11 is a modulator. Unfortunately Expression pedal also is’nt available as modulator in some of Arturia applications - including in new applications. It can in those cases only be applied to individual parameters.

However - If you use a pedal using another midi CC that’s not reserved, then you for example can assign it to a Macro. This require you can do it with your controller one way or another.
I don’t have a Keylab. Perhaps an AUX input can be used if not the Expression input.

Please note, that Arturia do not officially support Linux. You can’t expect official support about that.

#7

Hi @Bidinou,

FWIW, as suggested by @LBH, using MIDI Control Center to reconfigure your Keylab, you should be able to change the Pedal config to send another MIDI CC value (under Device Settings) – e.g. change from CC#11 (expression) to CC#71 (Timbre / Morph / Macro 2). At least, I can do this with my Minilab 3.

BTW, from what I can see in Analog Lab, the Expression pedal (CC#11) is usually already configured to control Part 1 or Part 1+2. The real problem is that most presets within each part often don’t have a mapping for the Exp. Pedal so you need to Edit most of them (something I do a lot myself).

Of course, for Analog Lab Play users, Editing is not even possible. So, having default mappings for the Expression pedal within all (factory) presets would make sense for those users wouldn’t it? But then, another problem would arise: the Exp. Pedal is often expected to be a volume control for a lot of users/scenarios. So what should that default be? For me, that answer varies based on my expression needs (volume, wah, cutoff…).

Hope this helps somehow.

1 Like
#8

Hi Eric,

thanks a lot for your reply.

I understand, it kind of makes sense. There could, still, be a way to set a default behaviour in Analog Lab like, which could be bypassed / overwritten on a per preset basis but maybe it would be confusing.

If I modify the CC sent by the Exp pedal on the Keylab side, it will be an issue when using it with other pieces of software.

So I’m not sure what I will do with it. Maybe just modify my favourite presets one by one.

If I modify the global CCs in the standalone instruments (like Augmented Strings), will they be carried to Analog Lab V ? I don’t think so as they won’t be stored in the presets. I wonder why I can manually globally change global CCs in the Augmented series but not in Analog Lab V Pro.

(when I choose “Keylab MK3” in the MIDI Tab, everything is mapped automagically and I cannot alter the CCs).

Thanks again ! Cheers !

1 Like
#9

Yeah, Analog Lab forces your MIDI config to to your Arturia hardware and hides the mappings. That’s one of the reasons that makes me prefer using a 3rd party MIDI controller…

I also agree that the best approach for configuring the Exp. Pedal is to edit presets one by one. That’s what I do and I don’t find this a real issue since I only use AL as a complement to my hardware and I tend to tweak the factory presets (after copying them to my Playlist) when I need them for performing specific songs.

#10

It’s possible to set Analog Lab to Generic Midi Controller. Then you edit your mapping.

But midi CC#11 is reserved. That’s probably the same for the other applications you use, that will not work, if you change this.
All instruments that use Expression midi CC#11 in modulation matrixes or other modulation system need midi CC#11 to work, as you say.

You could use 2 pedals. One in a AUX input. Then use a safe midi CC for the second pedal. Then try to create you own generic controller mapping. Include all the mapping that is in the pre made midi config for your Analog Lab setting.
If the AUX inputs are mapped in the Arturia map, then you can use that and can use the “normal” Artuia premapping.