My alternative device to the CC121 after the production has ceased

Steinberg Hardware CC121
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  • Connected to a project, I’m beginning to find my way around with the cheat sheet. But: the fader doesn’t “fly” as I flip tracks with the Prev/Next buttons. It does work i.e. when I use the fader it affects the Cubase level, but drags my track slider to wherever the physical device is if I touch it. Can I enable the fly-to-current-level behaviour? (I’ve tried with the correct PSU in case I wasn’t feeding it enough power, same behaviour, no flying fader).

Hello AllanP,
I assume it’s about a track where automation was recorded?
If this is the case, the motorfader will be forced to move to the volume associated with the project cursor as long as “read” automation is set.
With the “read” button, you must therefore decide whether the automation data determines the position of the motorfader (= read on) or whether YOU want to determine the position of the motorfader (= read off).
So if you set “read” automation to off for all tracks in the project and then go through the tracks with Prev/Next, it should work the way you want it to.

There is also a Motorfader Mode “off” in the script, with which you can switch off the motor of the fader. If the fader does not move back and forth when you switch from track to track, you may have switched the motorfader to off, but the motorfader is always on at the beginning.

  • I’m hoping there’s an easy way to do EQ. I am already looking at the blank space where my CC121’s dedicated 12 knobs for 4 bands of EQ sit.

It takes a while to get used to how it’s done in the script, but then it feels very good when the operation is intuitive, I think. There are also a few exclusive extras in the script, such as resetting parameters, LED displays and the special memory functions.

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82

Thanks Butterfly. I’ve not even found the instructions for accessing EQ yet… RE the flying fader, I didn’t touch the default script yet. And all my tracks have no automation,except one group (my Master) has a fade out automation on the ending. Is that why its not working as expected? Not back on mac till later to check anything..

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83

You can do a simple test, AlanP: Start Cubase; create an empty project; then the script should be in Pan Mode (yellow pan LED ); create 5 audio tracks; switch through the tracks with Prev/Next and set different volumes with the motorfader. If you then switch through the tracks with Prev/Next, the motorfader should automatically jump back and forth accordingly. If it doesn’t work that way you might have a serious power problem.

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84

@AlanP

Yes, that little test that @butterfly listed should work. If not, then something is not normal.

Regarding the functionality of the EQ Mode: As this is one of the first functions I implemented, the instructions are composed of several passages in the release notes and the quick reference guide at the moment. It should also be possible intuitively.

Best regards
CKB (Christian) :innocent:

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85

Hello @AlanP,
I have tried this and it cannot be the cause.

Let’s go back to the EQ Mode in comparison to the CC121. The easiest way to switch to this is with Bypass + Master.

Here is a summary of working with the EQ Mode:

In EQ Mode, you select the band with the 4 buttons Link, Pan, Channel, Scroll and the parameter with Click for Gain, Section for Freq and Marker for Q. The LED (Link, Pan, Channel, Scroll) associated with a band flashes when the band is selected.
This sounds cumbersome, but is very convenient when used over a longer period of time.

The 4 buttons Link, Pan, Channel, Scroll are used simultaneously to switch the bands on or off.

With the 3 buttons Click, Section and Marker you can simultaneously switch between the current setting of the parameter and the factory setting (reset). The CC121 cannot do this.

The LEDs of the 4 buttons Link, Pan, Channel, Scroll show the gains of the bands in a gliding color (negative = white to cyan, positive = white to red) or light up blue when the band is switched off. This color feedback on the FaderPort is very helpful. The CC121 cannot do this.

With the Write button, you can save all EQ parameters at once and load them back again with the Read button, even on a different track. There are 4 more such “special memories”. The CC121 cannot do this.

I also think that it is more convenient to operate with just one large encoder knob than with 12 small encoder knobs.

In practice, it is also often the case that only a few specific EQ parameters are set later in the project. As i said, after a while it becomes very intuitive, and then you realize that - compared to the CC121 - you don’t have to think about which of the 12 encoder knobs there to turn, because there is only ONE encoder knob on the FaderPort.

Then there is the possibility to switch between the EQ Mode and PF Mode (= PreFilter Mode) in the script for the FaderPort. The PF Mode offers numerous settings in the channel strip that cannot be adjusted with the CC121.

br * butterfly :wink:

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86

Thank you, Butterfly and Christian, for the above tips. I have come back to “macBook mode” (aka the Weekend!) and rebooted and my fader is flying like it should, with no change at my end. I’m still running it on the CC121’s PSU (which claims less output than the one that came with the Faderport). First impressions are that the fader is noisier on longer jumps than my CC121 but I will use the Faderport for a good bit and then compare. Thanks again for the tips, about to look at EQ after your excellent description, and hope to spend a bit of time in the next couple of weeks learning some of the capabilities of the script! Thanks again.

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87

@AlanP

There is a new update (July 15, 2025) of fp-wizard.

The operability of the Rotate Knob in the EQ Mode has been improved.
This should be interesting compared to the CC121, because you can now set the values of the parameters of the EQs more efficiently with the FaderPort than with the CC121. A high-resolution grid with practicable frequencies is now exclusively integrated in fp-wizard.

Best regards
CKB (Christian) :innocent:

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88

Amazing!! :laughing:
I think, no other DAW-Controller can do this
like with your script in combination with the FaderPort!

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89

Thanks @CKB, I have downloaded and am using. Updated first impressions:

  • I am getting used to the EQ stuff and it is working nicely for me now.
  • I don’t notice the fader noise in use much (though I think a comparison to the CC121 after a few months use will be interesting)
  • I do notice the fader sharp edges as per your documentation: need to find a UK supplier of the softer fader cap you mentioned (not ready to cannibalise my CC121 yet!)
  • The rotating big blue knob is a little stiff, waiting to see it loosen off.
  • Might have to do the flip of Solo/Mute buttons for my sanity
  • We have Mute, Solo and Record Enable (Arm) dedicated buttons, but no “Monitor” button for the selected track… Or is there? Haven’t found it.
  • I’m tempted to create a bigger manual where the tiny footnotes are in line next to the things they affect… So I can learn quicker..

So in general I’m happily using it instead of my CC121 and looking forward to embracing new capabilities..! Thanks again for your ongoing amazing work on this script.

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90
  • We have Mute, Solo and Record Enable (Arm) dedicated buttons, but no “Monitor” button for the selected track… Or is there? Haven’t found it.

Thank you for your nice posting, @AlanP.

There is a “press knob” column in the functional overview pdf.
In most cases, “Press (the Rotate) Knob” is used to toggle the monitor state, as with the special button on the CC121.

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91

Excellent, thanks for pointing me to that..

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92

This post today has I think just answered my next Faderport question, how to stop the midi notes I hear sometimes when using FP transport functions. Different MIDI controllers for Notes and CC messages - #2 by Martin.Jirsak

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Hi AlanP,
you’ll find the solution for this at the top of the second page of the setup PDF.
In this PDF you’ll also find solutions for other problems. I regularly add solutions to this PDF so that if it is a known problem, you don’t have to search for it in all the forum posts.

fp-wizard_setup.pdf (512.7 KB)

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94

Hi @CKB, could you please explain what this bit means, directly after the instruction to remove Faderport from the All Midi set? What capabilities am I losing by doing so?

But you have to enable this preference, if you want to work with the MIDI Remote script using there the Motorfader Mode direct.

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I think you can ignore this hint, AlanP. You’ll rarely use the special Motorfader Mode direct, perhaps never. Explaining what you can all do with it (= the scenarios) would be too extensive at this point. (There is a discussion within the long FaderPort thread.)

96

Thanks.
I will improve the PF Mode (= PreFilter Mode) in the same way.
This will be included in the next update of fp-wizard.

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97

Very good. That’s useful for me too, as I like to work with ‘simple’ values. :smiley:

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98

A wee update, after a few weeks of using the Faderport with this script. In short, my (fully functional) CC121 sits looking pretty on the shelf while I continue to use the Faderport. And I can’t see that changing…. C14.0,20+ seems to have fixed earlier glitches with Midi Remoting, too, so everything just works now.

The few script functions I have mastered are so useful. Moving around the transport and setting up looping sections to work on (Cycle+Left-Arrow) etc. was the first game-changer, but there are several things like that which I used to do on keyboard that I now do automatically on the Faderport. The physical device fits better into many places on my desk / near my synths / in my travel kit than even the CC121 used to. The build of the device is definitely a pleasure (although it does seem to be a dust and cat-hair magnet… now I know why all the pictures of 2nd hand ones look scratched - it’s the cat hairs…). Anyway, it’s now my go-to number-one device to have connected before I start a Cubase session.

The tips in the document are helpful, thank you. I haven’t managed to secure a replacement fader slider cap or rubber ring for the ‘jog-dial’ (easier in the EU than the UK it seems) but I plan to. I am still planning to flip solo/mute in the script. Without good sticky labels it would make the Faderport more confusing when others come to use my rig, though, so I need to do the label thing first I think.

That tip about the EQ earlier in this thread helped clue me in to how to read the 1 page document a bit better. I’m still struggling with learning the new button combinations to use more of the functions. My muscle memory seems slow to internalise them. If I ever make myself a nice cheat sheet to remember the Shift+ Button to get to my top useful features, I will share it here!

So: for me, as long as this script continues to do what it does for us via effective Steinberg Midi Remote-ing: the answer to the question - what device after the CC121 - is asked and answered.

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99

Yes, these aspects were very convincing factors also for me in choosing the FaderPort as the heart of my production.

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100

Note to those who have not yet decided on a controller…

A new update (full version) of fp-wizard - the MIDI Remote script for the single FaderPort - will be available shortly.

Here is a list of all 453 functions that will then be available:

* 178 functions for each track:
* equalizer 1..4, gain with knob
* convenient EQ gain adjustment in 0.4 dB steps
* EQ gain adjustment without rubberband effect
* equalizer 1..4, frequency with knob
* high resolution EQ frequency adjustment with useful fixed frequencies
* EQ frequency adjustment without rubberband effect
* equalizer 1..4, Q-factor with knob
* equalizer 1..4, on / off with button
* compact equalizer 1..4 overview with four LEDs
* handling of EQ parameters optimized for recording of automation
* set EQ parameter to default value with button
* adjusted default parameter values for EQ bands 1..4
* restore EQ parameter in default function with button
* copy EQ parameter value from track to track functionality
* pregain with knob and LED feedback
* convenient pregain adjustment in 0.8 dB steps
* pregain adjustment without rubberband effect
* pregain level LED in 9 steps:
* off, grey, blue, cyan, green, yellow, orange, orangered, magenta
* automatic bidirectional synchronisation of pregain level LED
* reset pregain to 0 dB with button
* restore pregain in reset function with button
* copy pregain from track to track functionality
* phase 0° / 180° with LED feedback
* prefilter bypass on / off with LED feedback
* summarized switch for prefilter bypass and phase in 4 steps with button
* prefilter low cut frequency on / off with button and LED feedback
* select low cut frequency slope with button and LED feedback
* summarized switch for low cut on / off and slope in 6 steps with button
* low cut frequency with knob
* high resolution low cut frequency adjustment with useful fixed frequencies
* low cut frequency adjustment without rubberband effect
* reset low cut frequency with button
* restore low cut frequency in reset function with button
* copy low cut frequency from track to track functionality
* prefilter high cut frequency on / off with button and LED feedback
* select high cut frequency slope with button and LED feedback
* summarized switch for high cut on / off and slope in 6 steps with button
* high cut frequency with knob
* high resolution high cut frequency adjustment with useful fixed frequencies
* high cut frequency adjustment without rubberband effect
* reset high cut frequency with button
* restore high cut frequency in reset function with button
* copy high cut frequency from track to track functionality
* send 1..8, level with knob and LED feedback
* send adjustment without rubberband effect
* send 1..8, bypass on / off with button and LED feedback
* send 1..8, pre / post with button and LED feedback
* compact send 1..8 overview with four LEDs in 2 banks
* fast navigation to EQs & sends from anywhere with button combination
* toggle send bank 1..4 / send bank 5..8 with button
* handling of send parameters optimized for recording of automation
* set send level to default value -oo dB or 0 dB with button
* restore send level in default function with button
* copy send level value from track to track functionality
* set all 8 send levels to -oo dB with button combination
* cue send 1..4, level with knob and LED feedback
* cue send adjustment without rubberband effect
* cue send 1..4, pan with knob and LED feedback
* cue send 1..4, bypass on / off with button and LED feedback
* cue send 1..4, pre / post with button and LED feedback
* compact cue send 1..4 overview with four LEDs
* set cue send level to default value -oo dB or 0 dB with button
* restore cue send level in default function with button
* copy cue send level value from track to track functionality
* set cue send pan to default value -oo dB or 0 dB with button
* restore cue send pan in default function with button
* copy cue send pan value from track to track functionality
* set all 4 cue send levels to -oo dB with button combination
* send level LEDs and cue send level LEDs in 9 steps:
* grey, blue, cyan, green, yellow, orange, orangered, red, magenta
* automatic bidirectional synchronisation of send level and cue send level LEDs
* cue send pan LEDs in 7 steps:
* grey, blue, cyan, green (center), yellow, orange, orangered
* automatic bidirectional synchronisation of cue send pan LEDs
* Quick Control 1..8 for tracks and plugins with knob
* Quick Control 1..4 for tracks and plugins with fader
* simultaneous optimized control of track and focused Quick Controls
* automatic synchronization of Quick Controls when changing tracks
* toggle Quick Control value to min / mid / max / old with button
* set Quick Control value to min / max with special button / knob-push combination
* use knob for Quick Control with low / high resolution
* set knob resolution for Quick Control to low / high with button combination
* manual sync Quick Control to motorfader with button combination
* functionality for copying Quick Control values from track to track
* direct link to Channel Editor with button
* direct link to Instrument Editor with button
* solo on / off with button
* mute on / off with button
* arm on / off with button
* toggle monitor state on / off with knob-push and LED feedback
* bypass cue sends on / off with button
* bypass Channel Strip Gate with button
* bypass Channel Strip Compressor with button
* bypass Channel Strip Tools with button
* bypass Channel Strip Saturator with button
* bypass Channel Strip Limiter with button
* compact Channel Strip overview with five LEDs
* status if Channel Strip module is loaded with LED feedback
* automatic bidirectional synchronisation of all Channel Strip functions
* write automation on / off with button
* read automation on / off with button
* modify pan with optimized grid with knob
* set pan to center with button
* set pan to full left with button combination and LED feedback
* set pan to full right with button combination and LED feedback
* restore pan in center function with button
* copy pan value from track to track functionality
* realtime VU-Meter LED in 10 steps:
* off, grey, blue, cyan, green, yellow, orange, red, magenta, flashing
* default VU-Meter dB thresholds: -48, -24, -12, -6, -3, -1.5, 0, +1.5, +3
* VU-Meter peak control with LED and button
* clipping functionality with reset function
* volume with motorized fader with bidirectional functionality
* move fader to initial volume of Quick Track 1..4 with button combination
* move fader to -oo dB with button combination
* move fader to 0 dB with button combination
* reset fader to last volume with button combination
* enable / disable track with button

* 47 functions for transport:
* play with button
* pause with button
* recording with button
* stop with button
* return to last start with button and prevent option
* set left locator at cursor position with button combination
* set right locator at cursor position with button combination
* return to zero (RTZ) with button combination
* jump to end of project with button combination
* jump to left locator with button combination
* jump to right locator with button combination
* rewind with button
* forward with button
* fast rewind with double speed with button doubleclick
* fast forward with double speed with button doubleclick
* scroll left in timeline with button
* scroll right in timeline with button
* scroll through timeline left / right with knob
* toggle Scroll Mode normal / per frame with knob-push and LED feedback
* GPS (Global Project Scroll) with button and knob-rotate combination
* GPS possible in Play Mode or with an automatic Stop
* GPS automatic step sequence adaption
* GPS available everywhere, even in Custom Mode
* shuttle play with half speed with button combination
* shuttle play with double speed with button combination
* shuttle speed changeable while playing
* cycle on / off with button
* click on / off with button
* modify click level with knob
* start recording & playback by footswitch
* stop recording & playback by footswitch
* punch-in recording by footswitch
* punch-out recording by footswitch
* automatic state detection while recording by footswitch
* set Quick Marker 1..4 at cursor position with button combination
* jump to Quick Marker 1..4 with button combination
* toggle lock stop functionality with button combination and LED feedback
* jump to Quick Marker possible in Play Mode or with an automatic Stop
* next grid type as global function with button combination
* transport functions always directly accessible everywhere

* 43 functions for navigation and editing:
* previous track with button
* next track with button
* scroll through all tracks with knob without bank restrictions
* GTS (Global Track Scroll) with button and knob-rotate combination
* GTS toggle mute track functionality with knob-push combination
* GTS available everywhere, even in Custom Mode
* speed optimization within GTS functionality
* set Quick Track 1..4 with button combination
* jump to Quick Track 1..4 with button combination
* jump to first Track with button combination
* jump to last Track with button combination
* jump to Quick Track possible in Play Mode or with an automatic Stop
* horizontal zoom out with knob
* horizontal zoom full out with knob-push
* horizontal zoom in with knob
* vertical standard zoom out with button
* vertical standard zoom in with button
* vertical track zoom out with button / knob-rotate combination
* vertical track zoom in with button / knob-rotate combination
* vertical zoom out of waveform with button / knob-push combination
* vertical zoom in on waveform with button / knob-push combination
* go to nearest event left with button
* go to nearest event right with button
* scroll through events left / right with knob
* nudge selected event to left with button
* nudge selected event to right with button
* nudge selected event to left / to right with knob
* go to nearest marker left with button
* go to nearest marker right with button
* scroll through markers left / right with knob
* insert marker at current position with knob-push and LED feedback
* Markers Window within Marker Mode and Hitpoint Mode with button
* go to nearest hitpoint left with button
* go to nearest hitpoint right with button
* scroll through hitpoints left / right with knob
* insert marker at hitpoint position with knob-push and LED feedback
* toggle zoom / scroll with button

* 185 other functions:
* check all tracks as a self-learning function with button combination
* realtime optimization within the self-learning function
* fully automatic scrolling through all tracks for control purposes
* modify value under mouse with motorized fader with bidirectional functionality
* modify value under mouse with knob
* simultaneous use of motorized fader and knob for value under mouse
* toggle lock / unlock current value under mouse with knob-push and LED feedback
* toggle lock / unlock current value under mouse with button and LED feedback
* set value under mouse to min / mid / max value with button combination and LED feedback
* set value under mouse to min / max with special button / knob-push combination
* use knob for value under mouse with low / high resolution
* set knob resolution for value under mouse to low / high with button combination
* special memory functions for value under mouse for to write / read up to 5 values
* special memory functions for EQ for to write / read up to 5 sets of 20 values
* single button special memory write / read functions for value under mouse with LED feedback
* single button special memory write / read functions for EQ for all 20 values with LED feedback
* special memory functions for up to 4 fader positions
* pick up fader positions 1..4 automatically when Quick Tracks 1..4 are set
* modify Control Room master volume with knob
* Control Room master volume adjustment without rubberband effect
* set Control Room master volume to 0 dB with button
* restore Control Room master volume with button
* Control Room master volume dim functionality
* global undo and redo with button combination and LED feedback
* unsolo all tracks with button
* unmute all tracks with button
* arm all audio tracks with button
* unarm all audio tracks with button
* toggle read automation on / off of all selected tracks with button
* toggle write automation on / off of all selected tracks with button
* toggle enable / disable all selected tracks with button
* select previous quantize preset with button
* select next quantize preset with button
* scroll through quantize presets with knob
* set quantize to 4th with knob-push
* Quantize Panel within Quantize Mode with button
* clear performance peaks with button
* clear all Cubase VU-Meters with button
* clear FaderPort VU-Meter and FaderPort clipping with button
* single button summary for all three clear functions
* enable / disable FaderPort VU-Meter with button combination and LED feedback
* easy individual setting of the VU-Meter and other parameters in the script
* value table available with 36 typical dB thresholds for the VU-Meter
* color steps of the VU-Meter can be deactivated separately
* global function to toggle monitor state on / off with button combination
* easy option to exclude global toggle monitor function from solo / mute swap
* global function to close all plugins and toggle Channel Editor with button combination
* global functions to activate all Modes with button combinations
* adjusting the fader U-position of the FaderPort to the 0-position in Cubase
* script-internal calibration routine for determining the fader U-position
* integrated additional layer for optimizing the motorfader control
* automatic secure shutdown of the fader motor when the fader is touched
* automatic suppression of redundant control signals to the fader motor
* 3 footswitch types supported: a soft button (NC and NO) and a hard toggle switch
* 2 Start Modes adjustable in the script
* easy option to switch between +6 dB and +12 dB projects
* automatic adjustment of LED thresholds to +6 dB and +12 dB projects
* automatic reset of the knob resolution when exiting the AI mode
* easy option to disable the reset of the knob resolution for the AI Mode
* automatic reset of the knob resolution when exiting the QC mode
* easy option to disable the reset of the knob resolution for the QC Mode
* easy option to disable the complete pregain / prefilter functionality in the script
* easy option to disable the complete cue send functionality in the script
* easy option to swap the solo button and the mute button in the script
* easy option to change GTS track functionality to toggle monitor state in the script
* easy option to disable fast navigation to EQ Mode in the script
* toggle Motorfader Mode bidirectional / unidirectional with button and LED feedback
* extra direct Motorfader Mode for sending PitchBend data to MIDI tracks
* extra +QC1..4 Motorfader Mode for to select Quick Control for fader
* Quick Controls can be controlled simultaneously with knob and fader
* fast navigation to Quick Controls from anywhere with button doubleclick
* remember last Quick Control functionality
* toggle lock Quick Controls with button an LED feedback
* hide all / show all plugins within Quick Control Mode with button
* toggle through plugins within Quick Control Mode with button
* all Quick Controls at once total recall functionality with button combination
* total recall of all Quick Controls with LED feedback
* automatic preparation for a total recall of all Quick Controls
* set volume of audio event with knob
* set fade in time of audio event with knob
* set fade out time of audio event with knob
* remember last Audio Mode parameter
* volume functions editors, play selection, crossfade and bounce with button
* fade in functions delete, standard, to cursor and to range with button
* fade out functions delete, standard, from cursor and from range with button
* fast navigation to Audio Mode from anywhere with button combination
* select Control Room source with button combination
* select Control Room monitor out with button combination
* replace and reset CR volume 0 dB value with button combination
* gliding LED color for EQ Gains as option in the script
* negative and positive EQ Gains in different colors as option in the script
* reset functionality for special memory functions with button combination
* clear special memory when changing projects as option in the script
* toggle lock / unlock all FaderPort functions with special button / knob-push combination
* unlock / lock function executable during stop, play and record
* full bidirectional functionality
* automation supported for most parameters
* consideration of the touched fader functionality during automation
* all functions usable during play and record without realtime problems
* automatic fader shutdown on close
* optimized script reloading functionality
* optimized switching between projects
* integrated debugging options to support individual customizations
* automatic, optimized page mapping
* optimized button navigation
* user-tolerant operation for all button combinations
* ergonomically colors for LEDs with optimized orientation support
* optimized thresholds of LED colors for each parameter
* integrated automatic midi data traffic reducer
* direct link to 51 free assignable custom functions on 3 custom pages
* switch between custom pages with just one button
* display number of the selected custom page with LED feedback
* modify value under mouse with motorized fader in Custom Mode
* modify value under mouse with knob in Custom Mode
* all transport functions available in Custom Mode
* 8 custom default functions as preset
* hide / show left zone, lower zone and right zone as custom default function with button
* undo as custom default function with button
* redo as custom default function with button
* quick exit from all 3 custom pages as custom default functions with button
* 43 more free assignable custom functions
* fast navigation to Custom Mode from anywhere with button combination
* single-page functional overview & quick reference guide
* document for a device tuning
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