User manual M-AUDIO AXIOM DIRECTLINK FOR CUBASE

[. . . ] Once Cubase has been launched, DirectLink is activated in its default state which is Mixer Mode. In Mixer Mode, Axiom faders, buttons and knobs are mapped to Cubase mixer functions such as track and master channel volume, as well as the pan, track selection, mute, solo, and record arm, as explained in Chapter 3, "Axiom Controls with DirectLink. " Although Mixer mode provides effective control of the Cubase Mixer, Axiom DirectLink also gives you hands on control over any virtual instrument in your project. The first step towards controlling virtual instruments within your project is selecting a "target" track using the dedicated Track "<" and ">" buttons. If there is a virtual instrument in the target track, pressing the Instrument button (Inst) instantly maps all Axiom controls to useful parameters on the instrument. [. . . ] Axiom will be in DirectLink Mode and ready to control Cubase. Now, whenever Cubase is launched, DirectLink will activate automatically and map Axiom controls. Axiom DirectLink for Cubase User Guide 6 Chapter 2: Installation and Configuration Chapter 3: Axiom Controls with DirectLink 3 4 6 7 F 1 2 204 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 F9 E E1 E2 E3 E4 E5 E6 E7 E8 Recall Ctrl Mute Panic Vel Lock E9 E10 E11 E12 E13 E14 12 F10 F11 F12 F13 F14 F15 F16 F17 F18 Patch Track Mute Shift Bank Solo 5 11 10 9 8 This chapter provides an overview of how Axiom controls function when controlling qualified versions of Cubase via DirectLink. 1 Shift Button This button is used to access alternate functions of the Faders, Encoder knobs, as well as the Mute and Track (< and >) buttons, as described later in this chapter. 2 Instrument Button (Inst) DirectLink offers two different modes of operation as described below. Mixer Mode This is the default DirectLink mode, in which Axiom Faders, Encoder knobs, and Fader buttons are mapped to their corresponding Cubase mixer functions. When a mapped Axiom control is used, its parameter assignment and numerical value will appear on the LCD screen. Pressing the Instrument button at any time switches Axiom controls to Instrument Mode. Instrument Mode Pressing the Instrument button (Inst) selects Instrument Mode. The LCD screen will momentarily display the name of the instrument being controlled, and then revert to the target track name. This maps Axiom Faders, Fader buttons, and Encoder knobs to instrument parameters within the target track in your Cubase project. The target track determines the destination of MIDI notes and control data transmitted from your Axiom keyboard. Axiom DirectLink for Cubase User Guide 7 Chapter 3: Axiom Controls with DirectLink When a mapped Axiom control is used, its parameter assignment and numerical value will appear on the LCD screen. While in Instrument Mode, holding down the Instrument button will open and close the active instrument window. Axiom Transport, Shift, Track select and Mute/Solo buttons are not affected by the Instrument button, and retain their assignments in both Mixer and Instrument Mode. 3 Group F Button (Axiom 49 and 61) The Group F button is illuminated by default, indicating that all nine Axiom faders and fader buttons (F1­18) are in DirectLink mode. When this button is pressed, it is no longer lit, and the faders and buttons are released from their DirectLink assignments, and mapped according to the active Patch. Pressing the Group F button again returns all controls to their DirectLink assignments. The button also illuminates confirming the group is in DirectLink Mode. 4 Faders Mixer Mode (Default) On Axiom 49 and 61, the first eight Faders (F1 ­ F8) control the track volume for the currently selected bank of eight tracks. The active bank (for example 1 ­ 8) is highlighted in white along the lower edge of the Cubase mixer, as shown in the following illustration. The right-most Fader (F9) and the single Fader on Axiom 25 will map to the Master Fader of the Cubase project. When an Axiom fader is moved, the current function or parameter assignment and its value will appear on the LCD screen. Instrument Mode The faders map to parameters on the virtual instrument within the target track. When an Axiom fader is moved, the current function or parameter assignment and its value will appear on the LCD screen. Moving an Axiom Fader while holding down the Shift button allows you to view or "peek" at its current parameter assignment and value. Axiom DirectLink for Cubase User Guide 8 Chapter 3: Axiom Controls with DirectLink 5 Fader Buttons Mixer Mode (Default) On Axiom 49 and 61, the first eight buttons (F10 ­ F17) map to the currently selected bank of eight tracks in Cubase, and by default each button targets its corresponding track when pressed. Pressing the right-most button (F18) switches buttons F10 ­ F17 to Mute mode. The LCD screen will display "Mute, " indicating the current mode of operation. Each button illuminates when pressed, and its corresponding track is muted. Pressing button F18 again switches buttons F10 ­ F17 to Solo mode, and the LCD screen will display "Solo. " Each button illuminates when pressed, and its corresponding track is soloed while all others are muted. Pressing F18 another time switches buttons F10 ­ F17 to Record Arm mode, and the LCD screen will display "Arm. " Each button illuminates when pressed, and its corresponding track is armed for recording. Instrument Mode Buttons F10 ­ F17 map to virtual instrument parameters within the target track. When a mapped Axiom button is pressed, the current function or parameter assignment will appear on the LCD screen. Pressing this button "flips" the faders and fader buttons back to Mixer mode, while the Encoders remain in Instrument mode. [. . . ] Pressing the Zone button returns these buttons to DirectLink. For more information, refer to Chapter 7, "Keyboard Zones" of the Axiom User Guide. 12 Patch Buttons These buttons are used for selecting virtual instrument sound patches when an active instrument window is open or hidden. Hiding an instrument window is not the same as closing it. Refer to the Cubase User Manual for more information about hiding instrument or plug-in windows. Axiom DirectLink for Cubase User Guide 11 Chapter 3: Axiom Controls with DirectLink Chapter 4: Instrument Mode Instrument Mode maps Axiom controls to numerous virtual instrument parameters within a targeted track in Cubase. This chapter provides an overview of how to setup and use DirectLink to control an instrument loaded into a track within a Cubase session. Setting Up Instrument Mode The following steps will guide you through setting up Instrument Mode. Please make sure Axiom is properly installed and connected to the host computer. To Set Up Instrument Mode: 1 2 3 Load a virtual instrument on to an Instrument track. [. . . ]