Hy, i would like to use a generic keyboard (2 octaves, 8 pads x various banks and 8 knobs) in Logic Pro X as a Mackie controller, but it's an "unsupported" control surface...
Controller assignments are useful, but too cumbersome and limited. And Logic sometimes "forgets" port inputs in controller assignments, it's a long known bug, so it's a downer.
Smart Controls are fine and have their place, but are too much single channel and "presets" oriented.
I would like to make some primitive mixing with my little keyboard

So i'm considering what my options are:

- LC Xmu: this software would be ideal, but looks like abandonware and the developer states it's totally discontinued. I don't even know if this would work on recent macOs versions (is anyone still using it?)
- Bome Translator: i'd still have to put together my own preset i think, and it seems quite a lot of work, but maybe doable for me.
- Building a dedicated Logic Environment: it would be very interesting, and i'm very tempted, but it would feel like reinventing the wheel. Another Con: in principle i could not use this translation with other DAWs (unless i keep Logic open and use strange midi routings).
– Buy a supported control surface (the eternal G.A.S. option)

I'm listening to your ideas, thanks

 

Last edited: Dec 25, 2019

The word 'unsupported' means nothing. Don't worry about it.
As long as it has 5-pin din MIDI, or MIDI via USB, you're all good.
Specifically though, you won't be using the keyboard as a Mackie controller, you'll just use the keyboard & pots to trigger the controllers that you need. And it won't be as versatile as a Mackie!
Plus, I wouldn't try to marry up the keyboard with some Mackie preset that Logic may have. If that's even possible.
20 years ago, the word Environment made me shiver! But it's not so bad now in newer Logic. Even so, my head sometimes still aches!

A new control surface is the way forward!

 

Thanks Smoove Grooves,

I've already used controller assignments i.e. to control Logic's integrated Channel EQ and it's quite fun, i've my little configuration to call each band, relative OR absolute Freq... it's a pity that you have to configure each and every plugin... and for example you can't control let's say 2 identical Gain plugins in the same channel (that's one specific problem i have, i'd like to do a bit of gain staging).

With a Mackie emulation of some sort i could experiment with the thrill of emulated Vpots :D I'm so curious!

Good to know that the Environment is somehow better now, i'm still on LPX 10.3.3, but i'm transitioning to Mojave and LPX 10.4.7. There's already one Enviroment somewhere that deals with Environment > IAC bus > Mackie protocol. That would be a crazy deal of control for a Mackie simulation.

Meanwhile i'm reading Bome MIDI Translator's manual, it seems you can do great things with it, somehow a better interface with multiple presets, switches, "chord" triggers, and "double clicks" on the keys (it would impossibile in the Environment, unless you are in play mode: afaik there is no concept of "delay" or "time trigger" inside the Environment when the project is not playing).

The compatibility with other Mackie supporting editing softwares it's another point for Bome MIDI Translator, as it's standalone. I hope there's no sensible lag and it would be transparent.

Mackie "commands" are 112, a DIY emulation seems very feasible, and making it it's the only way i have to test it for now.

Spoiler: Mackie mapping

Appendix – Default mapping (decimal)
Faders: Pitch Bend on channels 1-9
V-Pots: CC 16-23 on channel 1 Jog Wheel: CC 60 on channel 1
Switches: NoteOn on channel 1, note numbers follow:
Note number Function
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 rec/rdy 1
1 rec/rdy 2
2 rec/rdy 3
3 rec/rdy 4
4 rec/rdy 5
5 rec/rdy 6
6 rec/rdy 7
7 rec/rdy 8
8 solo 1
9 solo 2
10 solo 3
11 solo 4
12 solo 5
13 solo 6
14 solo 7
15 solo 8
16 mute 1
17 mute 2
18 mute 3
19 mute 4
20 mute 5
21 mute 6
22 mute 7
23 mute 8
24 select 1
25 select 2
26 select 3
27 select 4
28 select 5
29 select 6
30 select 7
31 select 8
32 v-pot push 1
33 v-pot push 2
34 v-pot push 3
35 v-pot push 4
36 v-pot push 5
37 v-pot push 6
38 v-pot push 7
39 v-pot push 8
40 assignment: track
41 assignment: send
42 assignment: pan/surround
43 assignment: plug-in
44 assignment: eq
45 assignment: instrument
46 fader banks: bank left
47 fader banks: bank right
48 fader banks: channel left
49 fader banks: channel right
50 flip
51 global view
52 name/value
53 smpte/beats
54 f1
55 f2
56 f3
57 f4
58 f5
59 f6
60 f7
61 f8
62 global view: midi tracks
63 global view: inputs
64 global view: audio tracks
65 global view: audio instrument
66 global view: aux
67 global view: busses
68 global view: outputs
69 global view: user
70 shift
71 option
72 control
73 command/alt
74 automation: read/off
75 automation: write
76 automation: trim
77 automation: touch
78 automation: latch
79 group
80 utilities: save
81 utilities: undo
82 utilities: cancel
83 utilities: enter
84 marker
85 nudge
86 cycle
87 drop
88 replace
89 click
90 solo
91 rewind
92 fast forward
93 stop
94 play
95 record
96 cursor up
97 cursor down
98 cursor left
99 cursor right
100 zoom
101 scrub
102 user switch a
103 user switch b
104 fader touch 1
105 fader touch 2
106 fader touch 3
107 fader touch 4
108 fader touch 5
109 fader touch 6
110 fader touch 7
111 fader touch 8
112 fader touch master

 

Last edited: Dec 26, 2019

Interestingly enough, i've found a MCU translator preset for Bome on this page.
Hopefully i will be able to adapt it to my device (even if vPots support seems inferior to another tutorial: absolute control change to relative encoder).
I've got a lot to read