Overview
The MIDI assign feature in Scratch Live is a great way to add flexibility and speed to your performances by mapping Scratch Live controls and functions to MIDI controllers. Having a MIDI controller at your fingers can add a whole new element to your live DJ set. Whatever Scratch Live feature or plug-in you gravitate towards, you will no doubt benefit from having it mapped to a MIDI controller.
In this introduction, I'll take you through the basics of MIDI mapping by showing you how to map an Akai MPD 24 controller to certain functions in Scratch Live.
Note : This could be any standard USB MIDI device.
Assigning the MIDI controls
To assign MIDI controls in Scratch Live you need to enter MIDI assign mode by clicking the MIDI button at the top of the display screen next to 'Setup':
Once in MIDI assign mode it's very straightforward to assign the controls. Click the control on the Scratch Live GUI (display screen) then press/move/twist the desired MIDI control to map the two together. The brown box will turn green if successfully assigned to the MIDI control.
NOTE: Dials and faders in Scratch Live will need to be assigned to either dials or faders on your MIDI controller. Assigning these to buttons will not work. The same goes for the opposite i.e. assigning a button in Scratch Live to a fader / dial on your MIDI controller.
When assigning the temp cue point and navigation controls since they're not normally on the GUI, a 'Show MIDI Panel' tab will pop up for you to assign these functions.
Please note : When you enter MIDI mode you will not be able to open or close tabs (except for the 'Show MIDI panel' mentioned above) so make sure you open up the tabs you need for assigning beforehand.
SAVING YOUR PRESET
To prevent the hassle of having to MIDI assign everything again the next time you have a gig go to the 'setup' menu and click 'MIDI'. Here you can create a new MIDI template file that will allow you to save and load your MIDI presets. Make sure you create a new preset BEFORE you start MIDI mapping so that when you are finished there will be a preset to save to - just clicking 'new' will wipe your current MIDI settings.
Why use a midi controller?
If used effectively, MIDI controllers can make your life as a DJ a lot easier. Trying to quickly find that 'out' button with your mouse to end a loop when in a dark club (after a few beers) can be harder than it sounds. Ideally with your MIDI controller, you want to be able to stop using your computer keyboard or mouse during your performance and use your MIDI controller instead.
Equipment
My current setup consists of: laptop, mixer, Rane SL 3, two turntables, and an Akai MPD 24:
Some MIDI controllers seem to naturally lend themselves to certain functions. I am using the MPD 24 because it has buttons, knobs and faders and is therefore one of the more flexible controllers.
Deciding which controls to map
Different MIDI controllers will obviously be suited towards different Scratch Live functions. For example, with my Akai MPD 24 because there are sliders, knobs and buttons i will be able to map any of the Scratch Live functions that are MIDI assignable relatively easily. On the other hand a user with a Korg nanoPAD wouldn't be able to map any of the slider or knob features (because it has none) and would be better suited to mapping on/off functions i.e. - cue points and samples etc.
Because almost every feature/control on Scratch Live is MIDI assignable most people will map their MIDI controllers differently according to their personal preference and which Scratch Live functions they use the most. Since I'm using turntables, I have decided against mapping any of the internal mode playback controls (pitch, play etc) to the MPD 24 and focused on the more advanced performance controls.
Looking at my controller surface I decided which MIDI controls would suit mapping to which SSL controls and came up with the following:
My list is:
- Cues
- DJ-FX
- Loops
- Library navigation
Because the Akai MPD 24 has 4 pad banks, it gives you more than enough buttons to map. I have decided to keep my MIDI mapping relatively simple, not only for ease of this article but because it makes using it a lot easier.
Try not to map something to every control on your controller for the sake of it, chances are you will forget what everything does and/or end up pressing something by accident.
Bank A - Cues
I have MIDI mapped four of the five "Set" cue point functions for the left deck on the top row of pads on my MIDI controller, and the corresponding four 'Trigger' cue points to the row below. I have done the same thing for the right deck on the next two pad rows below. In this way i can quickly set and play 8 cue points at the touch of a button.
Bank B - DJ-FX
I have mapped the 6 FX on/off buttons to the two columns on the left in the B bank. I mapped it this way so it corresponds to the 6 dials on the right of the pads. i.e. Top left effect corresponds with the top left dial. The dials control the wet/dryness of the effect.
Bank C - Loops & Library Navigation
In Bank C I have simply mapped the LOOP in and out buttons to the first two buttons on the top-left. The other two buttons on the right of the first row will change which loop i am currently in. The first button on the second row is the LOOP on/button. In this way I can quickly set loops, change to other loops and turn them on and off.
I have also mapped the library navigation dial to the bottom left dial on my controller. Also the 'Load to left' and 'Load to right' buttons next to it at the bottom of the pad bank.
Congratulations! You are now controlling Scratch Live via MIDI controller :)
If you experience any problems or have any questions please jump onto our help forum here and start a help thread.
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