Scratch Live 2.1 Manual

MIDI Overview

The MIDI Control feature in Scratch Live provides the ability to map MIDI controls to Scratch Live controls, and thus control the functions of Scratch Live using MIDI controllers such as keyboards, triggers, sliders, and knobs. Integrating MIDI controllers into your Scratch Live setup can improve live performance usability, such as hitting pads on a MIDI controller to trigger loops and cue points.

MIDI Controller Setup

The process of setting up a MIDI controller for use with Scratch Live will vary depending on the hardware in question. Many devices can connect to a computer using MIDI over USB, and will either be supported directly by your operating system, or require installation of drivers and configuration utility software. Follow the manufacturers instructions for installation. Other controllers may solely use a MIDI out connector to send control messages, and will require a separate MIDI interface unit to communicate to software. Generally the MIDI interface will come with drivers and configuration tools which pass your controllers output onto an available MIDI channel, which can be used by Scratch Live. Once your controller is installed and functioning correctly, use the directions for assigning controls below.

Assigning Controls

To enable MIDI assign mode, click the MIDI button. Hovering the mouse pointer over a control will bring up the MIDI assignment box, showing the current assignment status.

To assign a MIDI control, click on the control in Scratch Live, then move the MIDI control. The MIDI assignment box should update to show it has mapped the controls to one- another.

To un-assign a MIDI control, click on the control in Scratch Live, and press return on your computer keyboard.

NOTE: Once in MIDI assign mode, Scratch Live controls will no longer respond directly to the mouse. If you need to change a control using the mouse, disable MIDI assign mode. While in MIDI assign mode, controls which have MIDI inputs assigned show a green box indicator around them.

MIDI Data Types

Some Scratch Live functions allow you to change the MIDI data type after assigning. As MIDI controllers vary between brand and model, not all MIDI data sent is the same. Because of the different MIDI messages received from controllers, Scratch Live has different ways of interpreting these MIDI messages. That is where these MIDI data types come in.

Note: MIDI data types are only an option for certain functions, namely those which are controlled with knobs and/or faders.

To change MIDI data type press 'C' after you have successfully MIDI assigned a function to a MIDI control.

The four different MIDI data types are :

• Absolute
• Relative - signed bit
• Relative - binary offset
• Relative - 2's complement
• Relative - on/off

Absolute data mode gives a direct reflection in the software of the physical position of the knob or fader on the MIDI controller. i.e. If the fader is at 2 on the MIDI controller, then it will also be at 2 in the software.

The Relative data modes tell Scratch Live how to interpret the continuous MIDI controller data differently. The Relative modes are variants of each other, and depending on the MIDI controller you are using will determine which mode you should use. When assigning a MIDI control, try each of the Relative modes until you have found the mode which works best for you.

MIDI Platters

The Scratch Live virtual decks are not user assignable to MIDI control. MIDI devices with platters on them all send different data so user mapping is not possible. To control the platter use a natively supported controller.

Assigning MIDI To Other Controls

Controls which are not normally visible are available for assignment when in MIDI assign mode by clicking on the Show MIDI Panel button. This will open up a panel allowing MIDI assignment for controls including library navigation as well as additional Deck functions such as fine pitch control

CTRL-Click Functionality

Some Scratch Live controls on the GUI have additional functionality assigned to ctrl-click. You can assign ctrl-click functionality to a MIDI control, alongside the normal functionality. For example, ctrl-click on the internal mode pitch slider returns pitch to zero. To assign this to MIDI control, enter MIDI assign mode, ctrl-click on the slider, and then assign one of the pads to it. When you press the pad, pitch goes to 0.

Presets

MIDI presets are accessible in the MIDI panel of the setup screen. By default, the current MIDI assignments in Scratch Live are automatically remembered and loaded next time you start the program. The preset screen allows you to save
and recall several different MIDI setups. This is useful if you are using several MIDI devices or want to quickly switch. MIDI setups without having to reassign all your controls.