Mackie MCU Pro / Sonar X1a / VST Instruments

Hi there
 
Having bought an MCU Pro today and experimenting for many hours, I was wondering if someone could tell me how on earth you get it to see/interact with vst instruments in Sonar X1?
 
Thanks very much!
Steven

I think, you have to out it into plugin, mode. However it will only control some plugins. As Larry said FBB is your man. I have a MCU emulation called AC7 core on my iPAD. If I put it into plugin mode it will allow me to control the pro channel EQ, but not compressor, via the rotary knobs. HTH ...a little?

now i know this isnt what u want to hear but, the mcu by itself isnt that useful as a plugin controller.
i use mine in conjunction with the C4 which is designed for controlling vst and vsti.
 with the mcu you can control four bands of eq, pan, input, output, send levels, pre, post, phase, etc.
it has great transport controls and lots of useful buttons with the sonar overlay.
if u want to control your plugins and soft synths, the C4 is THE BEST because the display shows the current parameters and values.  it automatically maps all vsts.

i love it.  if the prochannel could be controlled with it, i would achieve ZEN.

hope this helps, even if its not great news.
also, i hope someone smarter chimes in and proves me wrong!

As pointed out you can use the MCU for plugins but the C4 is better.

To get into plugin mode press the 'plugin' button. Once puts you in multichannel mode. In that mode you are seeing the V-Pots control one parameter from 8 different tracks. Of course if there are no plugins on a channel you won't see anything.

Having said that the Prochannel EQ is always plugin number 1 so you'll see that on all audio channels at least, whether it's switched on or not.

Press the plugin button a second time and you are in 'single channel mode'. The P# displayed in the mode window on the MCU will show a period to reflect that you are in single channel mode. (That's true for all modes EQ, Dynamics, etc. etc.)

Once in that mode each of the V-Pots controls a different parameter of a plugin on one track only. A more useful mode IMHO.

To switch through the plugins make sure the 'Edit' light is lit and then press M1 & the channel change button. That will step you through the plugins on that track P1(=EQ). P2 P3 etc..... although of course unless you have a plugin on the track you won't see anything.

The parameters are displayed in the order that they are exposed to ACT (even though it's technically not using ACT) and if you want to change that order you can change the mackiecontrol.ini file see my post here for more details

There are several MCU users here so there's always plenty of help available, just ask.

EDITED: mistake on description of how to step through plugins. M1 key is needed not just channel button.

I have a feeling the C4 is discontinued.... can't find it anywhere...

[link=http://www.novationmusic.com/products/midi_controllers/remote_sl_compact]http://www.novationmusic....lers/remote_sl_compact[/link]

I own a Korg Kontrol49. It's awesome in controlling VST instruments....  For both (VST instruments & VST plugins) I'd choose above mentioned Novation Remote SL.

1. They make the track the active one when you touch that channels fader without having to actually move it, and also allow you to over ride automation. If you ever use something that isn't touch sensitive and try fighting the automation you'll see what I mean.

2. You can't but you can turn on the channel meters. Not the same I know but better than nothing I guess. Er...... now you're going to ask how to turn on the meters, and I'm not at my DAW and can't remember. I think it's one of the M keys with the value button, but I could be way off. My memory isn't quite what it used to be....... my age I think.

Check the help file - there's a sort of function summary page in it somewhere. Open the MCU properties and press F1.

This is very late. But for those who read this and don't know. fadersensitivity can be ON or OFF. Not everybody likes it when they touch a fader that the channel is selected. So it is usually an option wich can be ON or OFF.

Hi STinGA or anyone,
 
I just bought a new MCU Pro and downloaded the Quick Start Guide which is useless.
You mentioned opening the control surface options menu, then hitting F1 to get into the help menu.
How do you access the options menu on the Mackie?   I don't see any button for it on the Mackie on the Sonar overlay?
Is this help menu available online somewhere so I can print it out? 

Many thanks Karl!!! 
 
BTW, are you using X-2 with your MCU?
What problems are you experiencing?
Are you able to control all plugins that came with X-2?
 
 

Since we're talking about the MCU, can you use the MCU to trim regions? Like let's say I want to chop down a region from 4 bars to two by editing the start & end points, then turning the new region into a groove clip.

Preferably faster than it would take to do it with the mouse.

Excitement!
To control ProChannel EQ, simply drag it to the top of the ProChannel. You get access to EVERY parameter when you do that.  :-O