Nocturn Live Api Device
     

Nocturn Live Api Device

Name: Nocturn Live Api Device
Version: 0.9
Published: 2014/3/5
Updated: 2016/4/7
Type: Ableton Max Device
OS: only Windows x86/x64

 

Control Ableton Live with your Novation Nocturn. Provides several pages for mixer and device control, switchable with the controller.

The layout of the pages is pretty much like you would expect for a control script in Ableton Live. Parameters and tracks sorted in Banks of 8. But there's a custom section for more experimental stuff.

It works completely independent from Live's midi I/O and control scripts. A "part" of the device can directly "talk" with the Nocturn via a custom driver that we have to install first (read below).     

Highlights:

  • open a GUI window any time with the controller to see the current mapping
  • device parameter control with snapshot saving, fading, randomization
  • 16-tracks-mode - allows to use all 16 buttons for mute, arm, selection of 16 tracks on one page
  • on mixer/1 page you can show level meters on the encoder led rings, what looks nice
  • more complex mappings like "All Tracks Volume", "Select Track + Arm it" or mappings to keystrokes
  • build your own page by assigning parameters to dials
  • save and recall settings with the Liveset

If you want to edit this device in max4live's preview mode, switch off the device before you hit the edit button. This prevents the 11nocturn object to block the second instance opened for preview mode.

For this device to work it is necessary to replace the original driver of the Nocturn with the libusb driver. Further instructions below.

Have fun. O.

 

Screenshots:
Requirements:

Novation Nocturn, Ableton Live + Max4Live, Windows OS

nocturn device

Setup:

It should work right out of the box IF the Nocturn driver has been replaced with the libusb driver.

How to install the libusb driver:

  1. connect the Nocturn and make sure the Novation driver is installed.
  2. create a temporary folder because you'll need one
  3. execute the inf-wizard.exe included in this publication*
  4. select Nocturn device from list, click "next" until you are asked for a location to store inf-file and use your temporary folder
  5. at the last screen click on "Install Now.." Done!

You can delete the temporary data afterwards.
If you change the USB-port for the Nocturn, your system may install the original
Novation driver again.
In this case just repeat the procedure with inf-wizard.exe.
You can use the Windows Device Manager to monitor driver changes and stuff.

Insert the device on a midi track. It doesn't interact with this track, it just needs a place to live somewhere in the Live Set.


* the inf-wizard.exe file is not my work, it is part of this sourceforge project ver1.2.6.0
http://sourceforge.net/projects/libusb-win32/ (GNU General Public License version 3.0 (GPLv3))
So if you don't trust the executeable file in this release, download it by yourself.

 

Frozen into this device are current versions of 11nocturn, 11strokes, 11clicks objects for win x86/x64.

This information is mirrored in the Nocturn_Live_Api_Device-READ-THIS.txt file.

 

Changelog:

v 0.7:

  • new encoder resolution system
  • save your own order of parameters for devices
  • 2 additional modes for snapshot fades
  • hotswap device with the speed dial
  • several small but important fixes

v 0.7.1:

  • some smaller fixes including missing mapping button on device pages

v 0.8:

  • device mapping is saved with Liveset
  • parameter snapshots are saved with Liveset
  • current page index is saved with Liveset
  • hold mixer button also provides quick access to crossfader
  • Live 9.6 device selection bug workaround
  • assign any parameters to dials on device page 11 and 12

v 0.9:

  • all problems with selected device detection fixed
  • redesigned MAP function for devices and dials
  • smaller fixes and cleanup

Files:

Nocturn_Live_Api_Device_0.9.amxd

Nocturn_Live_Api_Device-READ-THIS.txt

inf-wizard.exe
 591.56 KB
 


Category: Max4Live Devices

Comments   

dbun30
0 # dbun30 wrote on Saturday, 19 November 2016 09:11
Hi, amazing device, thanks so much! :D
Just one question, how to switch between pages for more than 8 parameters?
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
11oLsen
0 # 11oLsen wrote on Tuesday, 22 November 2016 14:09
Hold lower left button (learn) and use upper button row to set the page. Same for tracks in the mixer pages. cheers, O.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
castlejim
0 # castlejim wrote on Wednesday, 03 February 2016 12:41
Hi! Thank you for this wonderful device!

Any news for possible upgrade? Since the framework updated to Python 2.7 in Live 9.6, some functionality of device doesn't work anymore :(
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
11oLsen
+1 # 11oLsen wrote on Thursday, 04 February 2016 22:44
Hi, there has to be another reason if the device suddenly stopped working for you since there is no script involved.
I'd really love to make a bigger update, I have to wait for some more freetime.
I haven't tested it in 9.6, yet
O.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
11oLsen
0 # 11oLsen wrote on Monday, 07 March 2016 18:46
Indeed, there's a problem in Live 9.6 with this device. The Live API path to observe the current appointed device seems to not work anymore. A bug or a persistent change they did but there's no reason to kill an API feature..
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
Castlejim
0 # Castlejim wrote on Tuesday, 08 March 2016 18:08
In 9.6.1 beta this problem remains. So I guess it's not a bug.
I will wait for device update patiently, since there's no compact controllers with endless encoders and such functionality :-)
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
11oLsen
0 # 11oLsen wrote on Tuesday, 08 March 2016 21:51
the opposite. i'm sure it is a bug. it seems to work on mac latest Live so it is not an intentional change of ableton, i guess. we will see. could you also report it? live api path "live_set appointed device" isn't working :eek:
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
ScottW
0 # ScottW wrote on Friday, 31 July 2015 17:25
When are you going to finish your other project? I'll have it all working by then! 8)

Seriously, I had thought myself of using the speedial push to trigger instead of delete, so I manage to figure that out.. with a bit of messing, I managed to get it to trigger scenes too if the Master track is focussed ;-)

So just need to work out where to put delete clip and close browser now.. I'll leave the device assignment pages up to you when you have time!

Thanks,

Scott
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
ScottW
0 # ScottW wrote on Thursday, 23 July 2015 20:02
Great work with this! I tried the Guille scripts for a while, but Automap kept messing up - this just works! Couple of questions:

I can't see what encoder 5 does on the Custom page - it says 4-Audio but doesn't seem to map anywhere?

I like the Browser / Session encoder, but would it be possible to close the browser from the Nocturn please?

How easy is it to start a clip playing? I can do it by switching focus from browser to session, then using select track and scene then pressing button 6 (Enter) but if the session view doesn't have focus this doesn't work (although I can still highlight the clip using select track & scene).

How do you assign specific instruments to Devices A-G?

Lastly, how easy is it to edit the mappings? The work you've done here has inspired me to start looking into M4L but would need some guidance...

Ok more than a couple sorry - but great work, it's brilliant!

Thanks,

Scott
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
11oLsen
0 # 11oLsen wrote on Friday, 24 July 2015 23:50
hi, i'll contact you when i'm finished with my current project. What i can answer for now: Encoder 5 on custom page controls the current focused control in Live. If you click on any mapable parameter in Live it is "focused" until you click the next.
You're right, it depends on the window focus to start a clip with enter. An idea is to have the speeddial button triggering the clip, and putting the "delete clip" function somewhere else.
The device assigning is hidden, that's a bug. This needs an update that's for sure.
Edit mappings: that depends, but at the moment not without roughly understanding the patches. I'm glad that you feel inspired. I started with m4l the same way. I had this device from someone else and i needed to understand it to make the changes which i thought would make it the ultimate device. Never used the device but learned enough to start with selfmade things. And after a while I even started learning js, java, C. The only thing I regret is that I did not come accross Max/MSP earlier. :P
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
steve
0 # steve wrote on Friday, 06 February 2015 16:27
how you doing? great patch, i cant stand automap and this has just brought my nocturn back to life. a couple of things you may or may not be able to help me with. ive been creating quite a few max for live devices and have currently been writing alot for the push. i have written one enabeling you to grab the push track select buttons and send midi notes to bomes in order to send keystrokes to live so as to browse and loads audio clips. would it maybe be possible to cut bomes out of the equasion and map keystrokes directly from max using the same technique you have?
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
11oLsen
0 # 11oLsen wrote on Friday, 06 February 2015 18:31
hi steve,
yes i wrote an external for that purpose but it's only windows compatible. download 11keystrokes from this page and see if that fits your needs. that's what i used in the nocturn device.
O.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
11oLsen
0 # 11oLsen wrote on Friday, 06 February 2015 18:33
sorry, 11strokes not keystrokes
http://www.11olsen.de/code/max-objects/11strokes
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
Fred
0 # Fred wrote on Sunday, 01 February 2015 16:14
Thank you! very nice job, i like it a lot

Few Questions

How do you create new custom room (custom 2) and save it?

how to map keystrokes?

Thank you
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
11oLsen
0 # 11oLsen wrote on Monday, 02 February 2015 17:57
I'm afraid you have to have some maxforlive knowledge to do that. You need to edit the device, there's no frontend to create new pages.
Maybe I can help a little, the device needs an update anyway.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
Fred
0 # Fred wrote on Friday, 30 January 2015 15:25
Hi,

Does it workes with vst plug in?
Do we still have a learn button?

Thank you
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
11oLsen
0 # 11oLsen wrote on Friday, 30 January 2015 19:50
It only works in Ableton Live + Max4Live and it's not like Automap. No learn button. But can control Vst in Live of course.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
Eanna
0 # Eanna wrote on Wednesday, 27 August 2014 02:08
Wonderful work. All good on Win7 32-bit. Thank you!
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote

Add comment

Security code
Refresh