Setting up Palette Gear as a MIDI controller

Jump to:

1. Module Assignments
2. Creating a MIDI Profile
3. Logic Pro X
4. FL Studio
5. Ableton Live

Module Assignments

When creating a MIDI Profile for your Palette Gear, you are not limited solely to MIDI assignments.

MIDI controls can be used alongside Keyboard Shortcuts and Media/OS controls (example: mouse scroll, system volume) in the same profile.

You may also use a button or dial to switch between multiple MIDI profiles to control different applications or to switch between performance and mixing modes, for example.

Each profile is assigned a MIDI channel, and multiple profiles can be assigned to the same channel.

Supported Assignments

Core

• MIDI channel assigned per-profile by selecting the core module. PaletteApp supports assignment of channels 1-16.

Buttons

• MIDI Notes from C0 to B10
• Keyboard Shortcuts (Macros available in PaletteApp Beta)
• Media/OS Mode
• Function Switching (Next/previous profile)

Dials

• MIDI CC from 0-127 (dial turn)
• MIDI Notes from C0 to B10 (dial press)
• Keyboard Shortcuts (discrete shortcuts for left turn, right turn, and press; adjustable sensitivity)
• Media/OS Mode (adjustable sensitivity)
• Function Switching (Cycle profiles)

Sliders

• MIDI CC from 0-127
• Media/OS Mode
  

Creating a MIDI Profile

To enable Palette as MIDI controller for your DAW there are a few steps required in the PaletteApp before you can start using it as a controller.

1. Create a MIDI profile. The first step in getting your Palette to act as a MIDI device is to open up the PaletteApp and open a MIDI profile.
   
   
   
   
2. Set the MIDI channel. By clicking on the core module when on a MIDI profile, you can change what MIDI channel the current profile is set for. You can select MIDI channels from 1-16.
   
   
   
   
3. Map your Palette modules. At this point, you can start setting up the modules for different MIDI functions or keyboard shortcuts.
   
   
4. Follow this guide to use standardized MIDI CC mappings for articulation and instrument control.

Mapping Options: 

• Buttons can send note data such as the piano note D6. First set the note, then choose the octave.
• Dials can send CC data when turning left/right and send note data when pressed.
• Sliders can send CC data when moved.

Once you have the MIDI layout setup in Palette you can create multiple banks by making more profiles and using different MIDI maps for each layout. You can cycle through the MIDI profiles by setting a button/dial for profile switching.

The next step is to configure Palette as a working MIDI device for your DAW.

Logic Pro X

Please Note: Assignments of MIDI CC # 1-11 will automatically control Modulation through to Expression, respectively, for Logic virtual instruments without assigning Palette Gear as a controller.

Use the below steps to set up Palette Gear as a MIDI control surface:

1. Open/Restart Logic Pro X
   
   
2. Navigate to Logic Pro X > Preferences > Advanced Tools
   
   
3. Select "Show Advanced Menus" and then enable "Control Surfaces"
   
   
4. Use your mouse or trackpad to adjust the parameter you want to control with Palette Gear
   
   
5. Press Command+L
   
   
6. Move your desired Palette Gear module. You should see the incoming MIDI CC "bind" to the parameter in Logic's Controller Assignments window.

FL Studio

1. Open/Restart FL Studio 11 or higher.
   
   
2. Navigate to "Options" tab and then select the "MIDI Settings" option.
   
   
3. Select "Palette Multi-Function Device" from the list of MIDI controllers. Select "Refresh device list" from the bottom left-hand side if you do not see Palette listed.
   
   
4. Wait a few seconds for FL Studio to detect Palette. Making an adjustment with the MIDI mapped controls should trigger MIDI events in FL Studio. You can map controls in the DAW following this guide.

Ableton Live

To connect Palette to Ableton Live follow the instructions below:

1. Open/Restart Ableton Live 9 or higher.
   
   
2. Select Live > Preferences > MIDI Sync.
   
   
3. Use the following settings to configure Palette (see illustration below):
   
   Input
   Track = On
   Sync = Off
   Remote = On
   
   Output
   Track = Off
   Sync = Off
   Remote = Off
   
   
   
   
4. Moving a mapped dial or slider should now show a flashing yellow light in the top right box. You will need to arm the track in order to record MIDI data.
   
   
5. Map your Palette modules to Ableton following this guide.
    

If attempting to connect your Palette kit as a MIDI controller did not work, contact us directly at [email protected]