Directly below the Assignment LED are six ASSIGNMENT buttons.
Press one of the ASSIGNMENT buttons to select the type of parameter that you want to control or edit with the channel strip V-Pots, faders, and switches. The corresponding LED is lit to indicate the currently active assignment, and the Assignment display shows a two-digit abbreviation of the assignment type.
The ASSIGNMENT buttons work in both Single and All views. View modes are discussed in Control Surface Group Parameters.
Each ASSIGNMENT button has two views: Mixer view and Channel view. These views provide two ways to edit parameters in your project.
Pressing an ASSIGNMENT button once selects it, and switches to the Mixer view, except when switching between Instrument Edit view and Plug-in Edit view. In this case, the mode remains in Channel view.
Note: For each of the ASSIGNMENT buttons, the parameters you can edit will change, depending on the active view mode.
The NAME/VALUE button also affects what is shown on the main LCD when in the Mixer and Channel views. For more information, see Mackie Control: Function Key Zone.
Pressing the TRACK button selects Channel view, and assigns the channel strip controls to edit channel strip parameters.
Press the TRACK button once to edit a single parameter in multiple channel strips, and to activate Mixer view.
Press the TRACK button again to edit multiple parameters for a single channel strip, and switch to Channel view.
Mixer view allows you to edit a single parameter in multiple channel strips: volume, pan, input format, input assignment, output assignment, or automation mode. When you switch to Mixer view, the parameter being edited is briefly displayed on the right side of the main LCD. The mode display shows “tr” (for track), and the upper row of the LCD shows track names.
Press NAME/VALUE to display parameter values on the lower row of the LCD. These are shown when you turn a V-Pot, or press its button.
You can manipulate the following controls for editing in Mixer view.
Turning the V-Pots changes the associated channel strip parameter.
Pressing the button on a V-Pot sets the parameter to its default value.
The Cursor Left/Cursor Right buttons switch to the next or previous channel strip parameter. The selected parameter is displayed briefly in the upper row of the LCD.
Note: Ensure that the ZOOM button isn’t active when using the cursor buttons.
Channel view allows you to edit the most important channel strip parameters for a single channel strip: volume, pan, instrument, Insert slot 1 assignment, Insert slot 2 assignment, Send 1 level, Send 2 level, and Send 3 level. When you switch to Channel view, the mode display shows “tr.”, and the upper row of the LCD shows the name of the channel strip.
Press NAME/VALUE to show parameter names in the upper row, and parameter values in the lower row.
The following table lists what each V-Pot edits in Channel view mode:
Control | Action |
|---|---|
V-Pot 1 | Edits volume. The current value is shown in the lower row of the LCD. |
V-Pot 2 | Edits pan. The current value appears in the lower row of the LCD. |
V-Pot 3 | For software instrument tracks, turn to choose the instrument. Press the V-Pot 3 button to confirm your choice, insert the instrument, and open the plug-in window. |
V-Pot 4 | For audio and software instrument tracks, turn to choose the plug-in used on Insert slot 1. Press the V-Pot 4 button to confirm your choice, insert the effect, and open the plug-in window. |
V-Pot 5 | For audio and software instrument tracks, turn to choose the plug-in used on Insert slot 2. Press the V-Pot 4 button to confirm your choice, insert the effect, and open the plug-in window. |
V-Pot 6 | Edits the send level of Send 1. |
V-Pot 7 | Edits the send level of Send 2. |
V-Pot 8 | Edits the send level of Send 3. |
Holding down SHIFT while pressing one of the MUTE or V-Pot buttons switches between mute and bypass.
Control | Action |
|---|---|
V-Pot 1 or Mute 1 | Mutes (or unmutes) the channel strip. |
V-Pot 2 or Mute 2 | Mutes (or unmutes) the channel strip. |
V-Pot 3 or Mute 3 | For software instrument tracks, mutes (or unmutes) the software instrument used on the channel strip. |
V-Pot 4 or Mute 4 | For audio and software instrument tracks, bypasses the effect plug-in used in Insert slot 1. |
V-Pot 5 or Mute 5 | For audio and software instrument tracks, bypasses the effect plug-in used in Insert slot 2. |
V-Pot 6 or Mute 6 | Mutes (or unmutes) Send 1. |
V-Pot 7 or Mute 7 | Mutes (or unmutes) Send 2. |
V-Pot 8 or Mute 8 | Mutes (or unmutes) Send 3. |
Hold the TRACK button to display the Track shortcut menu on the LCD. When this menu is active, the mode display shows “t_ “ (for Track shortcuts). Press one of the V-Pot or Function buttons to make the following changes.
Control | Action |
|---|---|
V-Pot 1 or F1 | Switches to Mixer view, and selects volume as the parameter edited by the V-Pot. |
V-Pot 2 or F2 | Switches to Mixer view, and selects pan as the parameter edited by the V-Pot. |
V-Pot 3 or F3 | Switches to Mixer view, and selects input format as the parameter edited by the V-Pot. |
V-Pot 4 or F4 | Switches to Mixer view, and selects the input assignment as the parameter edited by the V-Pot. |
V-Pot 5 or F5 | Switches to Mixer view, and selects the output assignment as the parameter edited by the V-Pot. |
V-Pot 6 or F6 | Switches to Mixer view, and selects the automation mode as the parameter edited by the V-Pot. |
V-Pot 7 or F7 | Switches to Mixer view, switches Logic Pro to Arrange view, and selects the automation parameter selected in the Arrange window. |
V-Pot 8 or F8 | Switches to Channel Strip Setup view. |
Hold the TRACK button to display the Track shortcut menu on the LCD, and press V-Pot 8 or press F8 to enter Channel Strip Setup view. In this mode, you can edit the following (less frequently used) parameters for the selected channel strip.
Control | Action |
|---|---|
V-Pot 1 | Edits the channel strip format (mono, stereo, left, right, surround). |
V-Pot 2 | Edits the Spread parameter. |
V-Pot 3 | Selects the channel strip input assignment. Confirm by pressing V-Pot 6. |
V-Pot 4 | Selects the channel strip output assignment. Confirm by pressing V-Pot 7. |
V-Pot 5 | Edits the automation mode. |
V-Pot 6 | Edits group membership. You can only choose one group or Off. To make a channel strip a member of multiple groups, use Group Edit mode. |
Pressing the PAN/SURROUND button activates Pan/Surround Mixer view. Press the button repeatedly to switch between Pan/Surround Mixer and Pan/Surround Channel views.
Pan/Surround Mixer view allows you to edit one pan/surround parameter for all channel strips: Angle or Pan (on non-surround channel strips), Diversity, LFE, Spread (on surround channel strips). The parameter being edited is displayed briefly when switching to this mode. Regardless of the selected (and active) surround parameter, non-surround channel strips always display the standard Pan control.
In a project containing both surround and non-surround channel strips, you can edit a specified surround parameter for surround channel strips, while the V-Pots of non-surround channel strips edit pan position, as usual.
The mode display shows “Pn” (for Pan).
The upper row of the LCD shows channel strip names.
Turning the V-Pots changes the current pan/surround parameter.
The Surround Angle parameter rotates between 0 and 359 degrees, avoiding any angle limits.
Pressing the button on a V-Pot sets the parameter to its default value.
Cursor Left/Cursor Right switches to the next or previous surround parameter. The selected parameter appears briefly in the upper row of the LCD.
Note: Ensure that the ZOOM button isn’t active when using the cursor buttons.
Pan/Surround Channel view allows you to edit all surround parameters for the selected channel strip.
The mode display shows “Pn” (for Pan).
The upper LCD row shows the name of the channel strip and “Pan/Surround.”
Control | Action |
|---|---|
V-Pot 1 | Edits angle (or pan on non-surround channel strips). |
V-Pot 2 | Edits diversity. |
V-Pot 3 | Edits LFE level. |
V-Pot 4 | Edits spread. |
V-Pot 5 | Edits Surround X. |
V-Pot 6 | Edits Surround Y. |
Note: The Angle/Diversity and X/Y pairs influence each other. Only the Angle/Diversity parameters are automated and recorded.
Hold down the PAN/SURROUND button to display a submenu on the LCD. The V-Pots and function keys allow you to make the following changes.
Control | Action |
|---|---|
V-Pot 1 or F1 | Switches to Pan/Surround Mixer view and selects Angle. |
V-Pot 2 or F2 | Switches to Pan/Surround Mixer view and selects Diversity. |
V-Pot 3 or F3 | Switches to Pan/Surround Mixer view and selects LFE level. |
V-Pot 4 or F4 | Switches to Pan/Surround Mixer view and selects Spread. |
V-Pot 5 | — |
V-Pot 6 or F5 | Switches to Pan/Surround Channel view. |
V-Pot 7 or F6 | Switches to Surround Angle/Diversity Mixer view.
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V-Pot 8 or F7 | Switches to Surround X/Y Mixer view.
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Note: X and Y have a value range of –1000 to +1000, but the resolution is not that high, as surround positions are currently recorded as 7-bit data.
Note: The X and Y parameters are limited to a rectangular coordinate system. As such, value pairs outside the surround circle are not possible. If you try to set a Y value that is invalid, the X coordinate is automatically adjusted to a valid position, and vice versa. As an example, moving Y to +1000 will result in an X coordinate value of 0.
When only one coordinate value is edited, the other coordinate value defaults to the setting of the most recently selected channel strip. This helps you to create linear movements.
Pressing the EQ button activates EQ Mixer view. Pressing the button repeatedly switches between EQ Mixer view and EQ Channel view.
Note: If no Channel or Linear Phase EQ is present on the selected channel strip, a Channel EQ is inserted automatically when you enter EQ Channel view.
EQ Mixer view allows you to edit one equalizer parameter for all channel strips: Frequency, Gain, Q, or EQ bypass. The EQ band number, and parameter being edited, are displayed briefly when you switch to this mode.
The mode display shows E1 to E8, indicating the selected EQ band.
The upper LCD row shows channel strip names.
Turning the V-Pots changes the current EQ parameter.
Pressing a V-Pot button sets the parameter to its default value.
Cursor Up/Cursor Down switches to the next or previous EQ band.
Cursor Left/Cursor Right switches to the next or previous EQ parameter. The selected parameter is displayed briefly in the upper LCD row.
Pressing a MUTE button while holding down the SHIFT button switches the current EQ band’s Bypass status.
When Flip mode is turned on, the MUTE buttons display, and switch, the current EQ band’s Bypass status.
Note: Ensure that the ZOOM button isn’t active when using the cursor buttons.
EQ Channel view allows you to edit all EQ parameters—in all bands—for the selected channel strip.
The mode display shows EQ (EQ channel strip).
The upper row of the LCD shows the name of the channel strip, EQs, the page number, and total number of pages (for example: “Page 1/2”).
Control | Action |
|---|---|
V-Pot 1 | Edits the frequency of odd-numbered EQ bands. |
V-Pot 2 | Edits the gain of odd-numbered EQ bands. |
V-Pot 3 | Edits the Q-factor of odd-numbered EQ bands. |
V-Pot 4 | Switches the bypass status of odd-numbered EQ bands. |
V-Pot 5 | Edits the frequency of even-numbered EQ bands. |
V-Pot 6 | Edits the gain of even-numbered EQ bands. |
V-Pot 7 | Edits the Q-factor of even-numbered EQ bands. |
V-Pot 8 | Switches the bypass status of even-numbered EQ bands. |
The Cursor Left and Cursor Right buttons switch to the next or previous EQ band. The LCD displays two EQ bands. If you have one or more connected Mackie Control (XT) units, each XT can display two EQ bands—up to a total of eight bands.
Note: Ensure that the ZOOM button isn’t active when using the cursor buttons.
Holding down the EQ button gives you access to a further submenu in the LCD. The mode display shows E_ or E_., depending on whether you are in EQ Mixer or EQ Channel View mode.
Control | Action |
|---|---|
V-Pot 1 or F1 | Switches to EQ Mixer view and selects frequency. |
V-Pot 2 or F2 | Switches to EQ Mixer view and selects gain. |
V-Pot 3 or F3 | Switches to EQ Mixer view and selects Q. |
V-Pot 4 or F4 | Switches to EQ Mixer view and selects bypass. |
V-Pot 6 or F6 | Switches to EQ Channel view. |
V-Pot 7 or F7 | Switches to Frequency/Gain Mixer view. In this mode, you can edit the frequency and gain parameters of a specific EQ band (1 to 8) for all channel strips.
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V-Pot 8 or F8 | Switches to Frequency/Gain Channel view. In this mode, you can edit the frequency and gain parameters for all EQ bands of the selected channel strip. Each pair of channel strips corresponds to one EQ band.
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Note: The faders form a frequency response curve in this mode, if the EQ bands have ascending frequency values.
Tip: You can edit another channel strip’s EQ without leaving this view by simply selecting the channel strip in Logic Pro, or by pressing the appropriate SELECT button on the Mackie Control.
Pressing the SEND button activates Send Mixer view. Pressing the button repeatedly switches between Send Mixer view and Send Channel view.
Send Mixer view allows you to edit one send parameter for all channel strips: Destination, Level, Position, or Mute. The Send slot number, and the parameter being edited, are displayed briefly on the LCD when switching to this mode.
The mode display shows S1 to S8, indicating the selected Send slot.
The upper LCD row shows channel strip names.
Turning the V-Pots changes the current send parameter.
Pressing a V-Pot confirms the preselected send destination, and sets the other send parameters to their defaults.
Cursor Up/Cursor Down switches to the next or previous Send slot.
Cursor Left/Cursor Right switches to the next or previous send parameter. The selected parameter appears briefly in the upper LCD row.
Pressing a MUTE button while holding down the SHIFT button switches the current send’s mute status.
When Flip mode is turned on, the MUTE buttons display, and edit, the current send’s mute status.
Note: Ensure that the ZOOM button isn’t active when using the cursor buttons.
Send Channel view allows you to edit all send parameters for the selected channel strip. The mode display shows “SE.” (for send channel strip). The upper row of the LCD shows the name of the channel strip, the text “Sends,” the page number, and total number of pages—“Page 1/4,” for example.
Control | Action |
|---|---|
V-Pot 1 | Edits the destination of odd-numbered sends. |
V-Pot 2 | Edits the level of odd-numbered sends. |
V-Pot 3 | Edits the position (pre/post) of odd-numbered sends. |
V-Pot 4 | Sets the mute status of odd-numbered sends. |
V-Pot 5 | Edits the destination of even-numbered sends. |
V-Pot 6 | Edits the level of even-numbered sends. |
V-Pot 7 | Edits the position (pre/post) of even-numbered sends. |
V-Pot 8 | Sets the mute status of even-numbered sends. |
The Cursor Left and Cursor Right buttons shift between pages. The number of sends that can be displayed simultaneously depends on the number of Mackie Control XTs you have.
Note: Ensure that the ZOOM button isn’t active when using the cursor buttons.
Holding down the SEND button gives you access to a further submenu in the LCD. The mode display shows S_ or S_., depending on whether you are in Send Mixer view or Send Channel view.
Control | Action |
|---|---|
V-Pot 1 or F1 | Switches to Send Mixer view and selects destination. |
V-Pot 2 or F2 | Switches to Send Mixer view and selects send level. |
V-Pot 3 or F3 | Switches to Send Mixer view and selects position. |
V-Pot 4 or F4 | Switches to Send Mixer view and selects mute. |
V-Pot 5 or F5 | Switches to Send Channel view. |
V-Pot 6 or F6 | Switches to Send Channel Strip 2 view:
This mode is similar to Send Channel view, but parameters are arranged in a slightly different way. You can control one parameter for all Send slots used in the selected channel strip.
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V-Pot 7 or F7 | Switches to Destination/Level Mixer view.
In this mode, you can control one Send slot for all channel strips. Each channel strip corresponds to the channel strip name shown in the upper LCD row.
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V-Pot 8 or F8 | Switches to Destination/Level Channel view.
You can control all Send slots for the selected channel strip in this mode. Each channel strip corresponds to the (embossed) send number shown below the LCD.
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If one or more sends are activated on multiple channels, you can switch between them while in the Channel View modes, by simply pressing the SELECT button of the desired channel.
Pressing the PLUG-IN button activates Plug-in Mixer view. Pressing the button repeatedly switches between Plug-in Mixer view and Plug-in Channel view.
Note: There is one exception to this behavior: If you are in Instrument Edit view, pressing this button switches to Plug-in Edit view. For more information, see Instrument Edit View.
In this mode, you can view and edit the plug-ins associated with a particular Insert slot for all channels.
The mode display shows P1 to P9, or 10 to 16, indicating the selected Insert slot number.
Note: If a software instrument channel is selected, the display shows P1 to P9 and 10 to 15.
The upper row of the LCD shows channel strip names.
The lower row of the LCD shows the currently selected plug-in for the active Insert slot. Muted plug-ins are shown with an asterisk (*) that precedes the plug-in name.
Turning the V-Pots preselects a new plug-in. The plug-in name flashes until confirmed by pressing the V-Pot button.
Turning another channel’s V-Pot cancels any earlier preselection, and starts preselection on the newly selected channel strip.
Pressing a V-Pot button:
Confirms or activates the preselected plug-in (assuming that you’ve made your preselection by turning the V-Pot).
Opens a plug-in window, if none is opened. If a plug-in window is open, and Link mode is turned on, the selection of another plug-in replaces the existing plug-in window.
Switches to Plug-in Edit view.
The Cursor Up/Cursor Down buttons change the currently displayed plug-in Insert slot (1 to 15).
Pressing a V-Pot or MUTE button while the SHIFT button is held down mutes or unmutes the plug-in.
Note: Ensure that the ZOOM button isn’t active when using the cursor buttons.
Preselect the “--” value (by turning the V-Pot fully counterclockwise), then press the V-Pot button of the appropriate Insert slot.
The Mackie Control does not switch to Plug-in Edit view, and no plug-in window opens when the “--” value is chosen. If a plug-in window is open, it closes (if Link mode is inactive).
This mode shows the plug-ins associated with all Insert slots for the selected channel.
The mode display shows the text “PL.”
The upper LCD row shows Ins1Pl through Ins8Pl.
The lower LCD row shows the plug-in that is currently selected for this Insert slot. Muted plug-ins are indicated by an asterisk (*), which precedes the plug-in name.
Turning the V-Pots preselects a new plug-in. The plug-in name flashes until activated.
Turning another channel’s V-Pot cancels any previous preselection and starts preselection on the newly selected channel strip.
Pressing a V-Pot button:
Activates the preselected plug-in (assuming that you’ve made your preselection by turning the V-Pot).
Opens a plug-in window if none is opened. (If a plug-in window is open and Link mode is turned on, the selection of another plug-in replaces the existing plug-in.)
Switches to Plug-in Edit view.
Pressing a V-Pot button while the SHIFT button is held down mutes/unmutes the plug-in.
Preselect the “--” value (by turning the V-Pot fully counterclockwise), then press the V-Pot linked to the appropriate Insert slot.
The Mackie Control does not switch to Plug-in Edit view, and no plug-in window opens. If one was previously opened, it closes (if Link mode is inactive).
You can view and edit plug-in parameters in this mode.
The mode display shows P1. to P8., indicating the number of the selected plug-in Insert slot.
Depending on the NAME/VALUE button, the LCD display changes between the two modes in the following ways:
Turning the V-Pots changes parameter values.
Pressing a V-Pot button sets the parameter to its default value, except when the parameter only has two values (on/off, for example). In this case, pressing the V-Pot button switches between these values.
The Cursor Left/Cursor Right buttons switch to the next or previous parameter page.
Note: Ensure that the ZOOM button isn’t active when using the cursor buttons.
When using the cursor buttons to switch between parameters, the parameters change in groups of eight (unless the parameters on the last page do not make a complete group of eight). For example, if a plug-in has 19 parameters, and the Mackie Control is controlling parameters 1 to 8:
Pressing the Cursor Right button shifts to parameters 9 to 16.
Pressing the Cursor Right button again shifts to parameters 12 to 19.
Pressing the Cursor Left button shifts back to parameters 9 to 16, not 4 to 11.
This way, you always revert to the page positions you expect to find, and are comfortable with.
To switch by a single parameter, rather than by page, hold down the CMD/ALT key while pressing the Cursor Left or Cursor Right button.
The Cursor Up/Cursor Down buttons change the currently displayed Insert slot (1 to 15).
If you have a control surface group consisting of several Mackie Control and XT units, the parameters are distributed across their displays. The number of parameters shown depends on the Multiple Controls per Parameter settings in the Logic Pro > Preferences > Control Surfaces > Preferences. See Setting Control Surfaces Preferences for details.
Note: When you exit Plug-in Edit view, the plug-in window closes.
Mackie Control can edit all plug-ins that can be automated. The plug-in type (Logic Pro native, Audio Units) is irrelevant.
Some third-party manufacturer plug-ins unfortunately don’t provide parameter names or values as text. In such cases, parameters are named and enumerated as “Control #1,” “Control #2,” and so on, with values displayed as numbers ranging between 0 and 1000.
Contact the plug-in manufacturer to obtain a version that supports this feature.
Pressing the INSTRUMENT button activates Instrument Mixer view, unless the Mackie Control is currently in Plug-in Edit view. In this case, pressing the INSTRUMENT button switches to Instrument Edit view.
If you can’t see the software instrument channel strips, use the BANK or CHANNEL buttons in the Fader Bank zone, or switch to All view by pressing the INSTRUMENT button. (This assumes that you have created at least one or more software instrument tracks.)
In this mode, you can view and edit the Instrument slots of all channels.
The mode display shows “In” (for instrument).
The upper LCD row shows channel strip names.
The lower LCD row shows the currently selected instrument. Muted instrument names are preceded by an asterisk (*).
Turning the V-Pots preselects a new instrument. The preselected instrument name flashes until activated.
Turning another channel’s V-Pot cancels any previous preselection, and starts preselection on the newly chosen channel strip.
Pressing a V-Pot button:
Activates the preselected instrument plug-in (assuming that you’ve made your preselection by turning the V-Pot).
Opens a plug-in window, if none is opened. If a plug-in window is open, and Link mode is turned on, the selection of another instrument plug-in replaces the existing one.
Switches to Instrument Edit view.
Pressing a V-Pot or MUTE button while holding down the SHIFT button mutes/unmutes the instrument.
Preselect the “--” value (by turning the V-Pot fully counterclockwise).
Press the V-Pot button.
Mackie Control does not switch to Instrument Edit view, and no plug-in window opens. If a plug-in window is open, it closes.
You can view and edit instrument parameters in this mode.
The mode display shows “In.”
Depending on the state of the NAME/VALUE button, the LCD changes in the following ways:
Turning a V-Pot changes the corresponding parameter.
Pressing a V-Pot button sets the parameter to its default value, except when the parameter only has two values (on/off, for example). In this case, pressing the V-Pot button switches between these values.
Mackie Control can edit all instruments that can be automated, regardless of the type of plug-in you are using (Logic Pro native, Audio Units).
Some third-party manufacturer instruments do not provide parameter names or values as text. In such cases, parameters are named and enumerated as “Control #1,” “Control #2,” and so on, with values displayed as numbers ranging between 0 and 1000.
Contact the plug-in manufacturer to obtain a version that supports this feature.