New tool for Mackie C4/MCU Users [Updated 11 May '19]

[msmcleod]

I've knocked together a tool to make it easier to map VST parameters to the knobs on a Mackie C4, rather than editing MackieControl.ini manually. It allows you to drag/drop your VST parameters and arrange them as required.

Although it's geared at the C4, MCU users can use it to if they limit themselves to the top 8 knobs.

As MackieControl.ini lives inside a sub directory of C:\Program Files, you'll need to run it as Administrator if you want to overwrite MackieControl.ini. If you don't run as Administrator it'll default to letting you save your edited MackieControl.ini in your Documents folder (you'll then need to copy it over manually to C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\Shared Surfaces).

You can download the tool here: http://msmcleod.co.uk/cakewalk/C4Mapper.zip

No installation necessary, just extract the .zip file and run C4Mapper.exe. Note that depending on how many plugins you've got, it may take 30 seconds or so to read in all the plugin details when your run it.

Also, as the tool is just a GUI front end to MackieControl.ini, it assumes you know what the various parameters mean (particularly with regard to EQ bands). It's best to consult Chris Boucher's original guide here: https://web.archive.org/web/20120625023520/http://www.chrisboucher.com/cakewalk/mackiecontrol/, or if you've got my version of the MackieControl.dll, this guide is included in the help pdf. 

If you find any bugs... give me a shout!

[BassDaddy]

Thanks you. How cool is this?!

[balinas]

Awesome to see some life and crazy functionality being developed for the MCU and C4!

now if this could only port over to a few other daw’s!  

[msmcleod]

I've made an update to the C4Mapper:

• Loading of GenericPluginParams.xml is slightly quicker
• A progress bar is shown when loading GenericPluginParams.xml and processing the plugins, so it doesn't look like it's hung when starting up

Same download URL: http://msmcleod.co.uk/cakewalk/C4Mapper.zip

[msmcleod]

Another update to the C4Mapper...

There were compatibility problems saving MackieControl.ini, mainly due to it being a 32 bit application. Running it in XP SP3 compatibility mode helped, but the behaviour seemed to be inconsistent, and I shouldn't have to expect people to mess around with compatibility settings.

So the changes/fixes:

• Now a native 64 bit application, to fix compatibility issues affecting saving
• Fixed an issue with "EQ Param" selection not being remembered
• Fixed an issue with parameter mismatches if the parameters weren't in order within genericpluginparams.xml

Same download URL: http://msmcleod.co.uk/cakewalk/C4Mapper.zip

[msmcleod]

I was using this in anger yesterday - I've now got mappings for 96 plugins for my C4 ?

During the process, I added a few enhancements to make life easier (and much faster) when doing the mapping:

• The plugin list is now colour coded per type (VST2, 32 bit etc), similar to how Cakewalk shows them in the browser
• The currently selected plugin is now shown in big letters at the top
• Keyboard shortcuts have been added for the knob "ring" display types, so after clicking on knob: 
   L = Level; P = Pan; F = Freq; S = Switch ; B = Boost/Cut; R = Spread
• Keyboard shortcuts have been added for the EQ VPot drop downs, so after clicking on knob:
  • Q followed by key 0..9  = Q[n]
  • C followed by key 0..9  = CoarseFreq[n]
  • N followed by key 0..9  = FineFreq[n]
  • G followed by key 0..9  = Gain[n]
  • E followed by key 0..9  = BandEnable[n]

Same download URL: http://msmcleod.co.uk/cakewalk/C4Mapper.zip

 

[Patrick Jones]

This is cool!  Checking it out right now.  THANK YOU!  :)