MIDI Remote CTRL --> "colored when active"

[Astraios]

Hello Mr. Cakewalk and Mrs. Sonar,

I have a small (big) request for the programming team: Would it be possible to color-code all envelopes assigned to a remote assignment in the clip editor, so you can see at a glance which ones already have a remote link? Sometimes I have 5, 10, 20, or 30 envelopes in the Clip Editor and it's difficult to see which ones already have a active remote connection.

If you delete the envelopes for storage reasons, the remote assignments remain in the project – but then you no longer have any overview of the remotes that have already been assigned.

That would be great.

[Promidi]

Another feature related to Remote Controls that would be handy is the ability to open up a dialogue box that lists all Remote Controls that have been set in a project, and what they have been mapped to. 

[Astraios]

As you can see again in this short clip, there's no visual indication in the Clip Editor window as to whether the MIDI remote is enabled or not. The first window in the clip has a remote assignment and is active; the other two have no assignment.

 

Edited Tuesday at 07:01 PM by Astraios

[user905133]

1 hour ago, Astraios said:

As you can see again in this short clip, there's no visual indication in the Clip Editor window as to whether the MIDI remote is enabled or not. The first window in the clip has a remote assignment and is active; the other two have no assignment.

As I understand it, remote control / MIDI Learn of plugin parameters can be set at the host level or within the plugins themselves.  If that's true, I wonder if Cakewalk Sonar can ever know and keep track of what plugins are doing with incoming MIDI CCs.  If it can I can easily see the benefit of Sonar being able to tell users (1) yes, remote control is at work and (2) what parameters are being controlled remotely by what CCs.

I just don't know, if I change control assignments in a Melda Sound Factory Instrument preset  (for example), do the changes within MSF get communicated to Sonar in such a way that (1) Sonar knows remote controls are in effect within MSF and (2) Sonar can report what parameters each learned CC is mapped to.

Or are you proposing this feature only for use with controllers as learned/assigned using the Synth Rack knobs and/or the Automation Dialogs? 

Of course, I might be missing something and would be happy to be enlightened about how others use remote control/MIDI Learn.  I am not adverse to learning new tricks if they would help with workflow efficiency. Thanks.  

Edited Tuesday at 08:16 PM by user905133
added missing words I thought, but didn't type

[Astraios]

There's a significant difference between MIDI Learn assignments and Synthrack (VST parameter) assignments. MIDI Learn typically only supports the "essential" functions of a plug-in, while VST parameters support all available functions of a plug-in. MIDI Learn has the ability to be transferred project-independently. Unfortunately, this is only possible to a limited extent with envelope assignments, and you have to set it up again each time. Many have had the unpleasant experience of losing all the painstakingly created MIDI Learn assignments with one click. Once you've experienced this a few times, you quickly get fed up with it.

It's probably up to the programmer how the MIDI Learn is organized, but in my experience, it can only operate on one channel, which is quite a limitation. Sometimes, for backup purposes, you can even save the entire MIDI Learn setup, such as with the reFX Nexus 5 synth.

 

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I just don't know, if I change control assignments in a Melda Sound Factory Instrument preset  (for example), do the changes within MSF get communicated to Sonar in such a way that (1) Sonar knows remote controls are in effect within MSF and (2) Sonar can report what parameters each learned CC is mapped to.

This question, I have to think about...

 

Nice to meet you 😁

 

If you are into Melda Products you may like my YT Clip about Remote controlling a Melda EQ

 

[user905133]

On 9/2/2025 at 4:41 PM, Astraios said:

If you are into Melda Products you may like my YT Clip about Remote controlling a Melda EQ . . . .

Thanks for including the video set up to play a section of the video that focusses on one of the Melda Plugins. The video gives me an clearer idea of parts of your workflow.  As for me, I tend to use hardware controls (knobs, sliders, buttons) for direct hands-on control of parameters although sometimes I use Cherry Audio's Voltage Modular software to automate / program changes (which can also be tweaked with hardware controls).

Years ago I experimented with Touch DAW using a tablet, but I prefer the personal contact I get with non-virtual controls for.

[Astraios]

22 hours ago, user905133 said:

Thanks for including the video set up to play a section of the video that focusses on one of the Melda Plugins. The video gives me an clearer idea of parts of your workflow.  As for me, I tend to use hardware controls (knobs, sliders, buttons) for direct hands-on control of parameters although sometimes I use Cherry Audio's Voltage Modular software to automate / program changes (which can also be tweaked with hardware controls).

Years ago I experimented with Touch DAW using a tablet, but I prefer the personal contact I get with non-virtual controls for.

But there's always a bitter aftertaste with hardware controllers: you can't name the controls arbitrarily. So, if you want to trigger 50 parameters of a soft synth, you have a problem because it's very difficult to remember the assignments. Then you need pen and paper – a kind of roadmap.

I think that's been the big problem with MIDI controllers for many years. "Virtual" hardware controllers are excellently labeled (as in my case with Touch Portal). With Touch Portal (MIDI plugin), you can also build 100 (or more) layers to completely control an entire soft synth. As long as switches, knobs, and sliders can't be easily and modifiably named, I don't think Remote CTRL will ever be a resounding success.

Blue Cat's "Remote Control" plugin can also do a great job. A great virtual MIDI controller...

Just as an exemple for the Z3TA+ Synth:

Edited Thursday at 08:30 PM by Astraios

[Astraios]

https://mpmidi.com/automapping-parameters-vst-au-plugins

model 2A 
€780 including worldwide express shipping

🥶that's a bit too much, if you can have it for free...