Foxtex VM200: control Sonar via the Universal Control Surface Plug-in & macro player

[JJM]

02.17.05 VM200 How to

I am using the Universal Control Surface (UCS) plug-in to control Sonar with a Fostex VM200.

The VM200_UCS.zip file and other UCS docs can be obtained at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/universalcontrolsurface

(((This group discusses the development of the "UCS", a universal control surface
being developed by Marc(mbncp). The UCS is an advanced full duplex control
surface for use with Cakewalk Sonar. UCS is in the early stages,
a beta test version is expected soon. )))

==================================
NOTE: Only ONE preset is available. This is the UCS_beta3.ini file.
Backup this file before changing.

FOR MACRO'S ONLY: rename the UCS_beta3.ini file
Rename the macros only UCS_beta3.ini file to UCS_beta3.ini

==================================
The UCS is also a MACRO editor / player: NOT a recorder.
However, lottsa stuff can be controlled by hot-keys, and by assigning a MIDI controller to a Macro.

See:
UCS Help 1003d WordPad format.doc for Sonar parameters: TransportTime, TransportState,...
Command Actions for Sonar 3 PE.txt, Command Actions for Sonar 4 PE.txt for menu items,...
And: review the INI and other docs for examples.

==================================

The included example Sonar project file has 32 audio tracks and 16 busses.
More of each can be added. Including Midi tracks.

Note::: This setup works with existing projects.
32 tracks, 16 buses are NOT required to use the included vm200 INI configuration.


A macro can be added in the ini to switch Bus Banks if more that 16 buses.
And the UCS dialog can be used to switch banks.

Note: if there are not a matching number of tracks/buses, switching banks will
result in the VM200's fader 16 controlling the last track/bus.

Sometimes Bus16 does not respond. This is intermittent.

During testing (changing stuff a lot) Sonar sometimes lost the midi in port. Do not know why.
If this happens, enable the midi port connected to the VM200.
Then Click Options | Control Surfaces, double click UCS and select the proper MIDI port.

======================================================

The included INI file is configured to control:

Sonar Tracks: (in VM200 channel mode)
Fader
Pan
Solo

Send 1 volume (in VM200 effect 1 mode)
Send 2 volume (in VM200 effect 2 mode)


Sonar Buses: (in VM200 channel mode)
Fader
Pan
Solo

Send 1 volume (in VM200 effect 1 mode)
Send 2 volume (in VM200 effect 2 mode)


Fostex Master (red) Fader in channel mode
Sonar Master Volume


Fostex Master (red) fader when in various modes (not enabled/assigned in current INI file)
Aux1 Master Volume
Aux2 Master Volume
Aux3 Master Volume
Aux4 Master Volume
Effect1 Master Volume
Effect2 Master Volume


Fostex Master Channel ON button switches between the track and bus panes.


====================================================
NOT enabled in this ini:

Channels 17- 20 do work. But the effects sends are confusing:
Channels 17-18 Effect1 send does not work
Channels 19-20 Effect2 send does not work

The faders/pan controls/Chan On/Off could be configured to do other stuff: EQ maybe.
I have not attempted this.

====================================================
=============================================
MACROS: current macros in INI file

Shift + Windows + U
Open the UCS dialog, load default ini file

Shift + Windows + i
load default ini file


Shift + Windows + Left Arrow
Move Track Bank left

Shift + Windows + Right Arrow
Move Track Bank right


Shift + Windows + Up Arrow
Control Tracks

Shift + Windows + Down Arrow
Control Buses


Shift + Windows + i
Insert new audio track
Then: Display Name, Inputs, and Outputs dialogs
Set input monitoring on
Arm for recording

Shift + Windows + d
insert new MIDI track
Then: Display Name, Channel, Outputs, Bank, and Patch dialogs
Arm for recording


=============================================

TO INSTALL

Expand the VM200.zip file to the c:\ root folder.
This will create these folders:
C:\AudioCommon\UCS\ucs_stuff
And copy all the files to these folders

=================================================
VM200 setup:

MIDI:
Set Transmit and Receive to Channel 16
Set Control change RX and TX to ON
Set System EX RX and TX to ON
Set Program Change to Table 02

Current Scene Status
Set Add Aux to ON
Set smoothing to level 1
Set AUX PAIR to OFF

Set all Channel On/Off buttons to OFF

Save this Scene.
(If ya want, do a bulk dump to a MIDI library program for quick reset.)

=================================================

UCS setup:

Double click the "Register.bat" file in the c:\AudioCommon\UCS folder.
(Do this only once.)

((
Note: The C:\AudioCommon folder is where I install programs and shared content
I want quick access to without having to explore to an annoyingly buried folder.
E.G., C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\Sonar4\shared content\templates\,....

Also: I have installed programs such as Sonar1,2,3,4 to folders in the C: folder:
i.e., C:\Sonar1, C:\Sonar2, etc.,...
))

Open Sonar
Load the "32 channels 16 buses.cwp" file in the c:\AudioCommon\UCS folder.

Click: Options | Control Surfaces
Add the UCS
choose MIDI In / Out ports connected to the VM200
click OK to exit dialogs

Press Shift + Windows + U
To open the UCS dialog, and load default ini file.
(Only 1 preset at this time.)

(If this does not work:
Click Tools | UCS
Click Edit
Click File | Save and Update
Click X to close editor.)

Test controls.

SaveAs to use with new project.

==============================================
This setup works with existing projects. But, you may have to
Press Shift + Windows + U
To open the UCS dialog, and load default ini file.

=============================================

Reference: VM200's manual, page 212, for Midi messages sent by the VM200.

Note:
message 32 not used
messages 9 - 104 not used

The VM200 does NOT send Fostex System Exclusive messages as stated on page 217.

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02.17.05
Jesse Jesse3@Lansing.com