Novation Nocturn Getting Started Manual

Brand: Novation

Model: Nocturn

Type: Getting Started Manual

NOCTURN

GETTING STARTED GUIDE

INSTALLATION

Before Nocturn can be used, the installer on the Resources disc must be run. To do

this, insert the disc into your computer and navigate to the relevant installer (PC/.exe

or Mac/.dmg). This will install the driver and Nocturn software (Automap Universal)

on your computer.

At the end of installation, the Plug-in Manager window will automatically open.

This is a facility within the Nocturn software that allows you to enable your

plug-ins for Automap (by wrapping them):

To wrap plug-ins, simply drag them from the left-hand list to the right-hand list. Once you

have dragged all plug-ins that you want to wrap, click ‘OK’ to close the window. If you wrap

a plug-in whilst your sequencer is running then you will need to restart your sequencer

before the wrapped version will be available to use.

The Plug-in Manger can be opened at any point by selecting it from the options in the

Settings menu of the Automap Universal software.

NOCTURN HARDWARE

The Nocturn hardware is a control surface, offering 8 encoders, 8 buttons, 1 crossfader

and a speed dial, which can all be used to control software using Automap or regular MIDI.

As the Nocturn hardware has no onboard memory or way of showing assigned names or

exact values, it requires the Nocturn software (Automap Universal) to function. When an

Automap-wrapped plug-in is opened up, a mapping is automatically created in the Nocturn

software to allow it to be controlled with the Nocturn hardware. All such active mappings

are categorised, stored, viewed and also edited using the Nocturn software.

NOCTURN SOFTWARE (AUTOMAP UNIVERSAL)

The Nocturn software is the communication hub that talks directly to whatever is being

controlled. It shows up on your computer as a semi-transparent window that displays the

currently assigned names and values of each Nocturn control. The software has two main

modes:

Mapping mode

Displays and allows editing of the currently active mapping:

Assignable

encoders and

buttons (8 of

each)

Speed Dial –

takes instant control of

anything the mouse cursor rests on,

or changes presets on a synthesizer

Assignable crossfader

Learn button –

turns the two

Learn modes

(once and latch)

on and off

View button –

makes the

Nocturn software window

appear and disappear

Page +/- buttons – scroll through

pages of parameter assignments

within a mapping, or scroll through

mappings in browser mode

Group buttons (User/

FX/Inst/Mixer) –

activate browser mode

in the Nocturn (Automap

Universal) software, allowing

all active mappings to be

viewed and selected (see

next section for details)

USB port –

used to connect

Nocturn to a

computer

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1. Mapping Name – click the box to edit

2. Group – shows the group the mapping is stored in. Click the box to change.

4 groups available (correspond to buttons on hardware)

3. Nocturn control – click to select

4. Control name – click the box to edit

5. Control value – shows the current parameter value of the control

6. Max value – sets the maximum value of the selected control. This allows the control

sensitivity to be deﬁned

7. Min value – sets the minimum value of the selected control. This allows the control

sensitivity to be deﬁned

8. Step size – sets the step size of the selected control

9. Parameter – allows a software parameter or MIDI data type to be assigned to the

selected control. Options vary with plug-in or if using regular MIDI

10. Page number – shows the active page number of the selected mapping. Each mapping

can have as many pages of parameters as required. Pages are added and removed

using the File menu of the Nocturn software (or relevant keyboard shortcuts)

11. Learn mode status – displays and allows editing of the Learn mode status

(used for Automapping software parameters – see the Using Nocturn section)

12. Preset number/name – shows the currently loaded preset of a connected client

13. Client name – displays the name of the client (thing being controlled),

e.g. V-Station – Novation or Cubase [Mixer]. If a MIDI mapping is selected then this

reads MIDI Out – Novation.

Browsing mode

Allows viewing and selection of all active mappings:

This window is activated using the four

group buttons on the hardware (User, FX,

Inst and Mixer). These are the locations for

storing mappings. Once a group is selected,

all mappings within that group are shown

in the software window, and can be chosen

either by touching the encoder or button

on the hardware that relates to the mapping

onscreen or by using the mouse.

If more then 16 mappings are available in

the group, use the PAGE + and – buttons

to scroll to them.

USING NOCTURN

Once you have run the installer, you can start using Nocturn to control plug-ins, your

sequencer and even external MIDI hardware. To control a plug-in:

1. Connect the Nocturn hardware to your computer using the supplied USB cable

2. Boot up the sequencer

3. Open the plug-in, making sure that you open the Automap-wrapped version -

the plug-in name will end with ‘… (Automap)’

4. The Nocturn software (Automap Universal) will have automatically loaded with

the sequencer and will now be displaying the mapping for the plug-in

5. The Nocturn hardware can now be used to control the plug-in

The plug-in will appear as normal but will have an additional Automap border, which provides

boxes and menus at the bottom of the window for editing the mapping for that plug-in. The

options in the border are virtually identical to the options in the Nocturn software, meaning

that you have the choice of working from the Nocturn software or actual plug-in window:

1. Automap Logo – click to control the plug-in (give it Automap focus). This will be

selected automatically as default when the plug-in window opens

2. Learn switch (crosshair) – indicates the status of Learn mode (on or off). Click to

activate Learn once (turns pink) or, when pink, click to turn Learn mode off (turns white)

3. Novation Logo – click to call up a drop-down menu with additional Learn, Clear, Load

and Save options (see User Guide for full details)

4. Name box – displays the name of the mapping for the plug-in when the plug-in is ﬁrst

opened and every time the plug-in is given Automap focus. Also displays the name of

the selected control (the last one that was moved or touched on the Nocturn

hardware). Click the box to edit names

5. Max, Min and Step values – identical to those in the Nocturn software: edit the

sensitivity and action of the selected control

6. Range preset switches –

change the max and min values of the selected control

to 127 and 0 (upper switch) and 1 and 0 (lower switch), respectively

Use the Automap border or the Nocturn hardware/software to edit the mapping for

the plug-in. For example, to activate Learn mode, either:

1. Use the Learn button on the hardware

2. Use the Learn box in the Novation software

3. Use the Learn switch (crosshair) in the Automap border

Then, once active, move the control in the plug-in window, followed by the control on the

Nocturn hardware to assign. When you have ﬁnished editing the mapping, you can use the

options in the File menu of Automap Universal or in the drop-down list that appears when

the Novation logo in the Automap plug-in border is clicked to save the mapping or set it as

default. This is not necessary, however, as individual plug-in mappings (called instances)

are saved with your music software session.

To ﬁnd out how to use Nocturn to control your music software with Automap or regular

MIDI mappings, watch the tutorial movies on the Novation website or consult the full User

Guide on the Resources disc.

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FA0166-02 E & O.E

Novation Nocturn Getting Started Manual

Novation Nocturn Getting Started Manual

Novation Nocturn Getting Started Manual

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