FA0085-01 Rev - 1.0

CONNECTING TO A COMPUTER If wanting to use your ZeRO SL to control software then the setup couldnt be simpler. As the unit is MIDI class compliant, no drivers are required so the only action to take is connection over USB. Using the supplied USB cable, connect the ZeRO SL to one of the computers USB ports. Power will be supplied over USB so an external power supply (PSU) is not required. If in use, Control and/or Expression pedals can also be connected to the rear panel inputs. Now, the ZeRO SL will appear as a MIDI device in the sequencer or music application in use and effortless controlling can begin!
CONNECTING TO EXTERNAL HARDWARE If wanting to control hardware MIDI devices (e.g. sound modules) with the ZeRO SL then an external power supply (Novation PSU-6, not supplied) will need connecting first or batteries will need inserting. To insert batteries, turn the SL over, remove the battery cover and install 4 C-size batteries. Once done, the ZeRO SL can be connected using standard MIDI cables (not supplied) to and from the hardware device. FRONT PANEL DIAGRAM

2 A 3 A

2 B 3 B
Mode/Action buttons select the mode (PLAY, EDIT, TEMPLATE, GLOBAL) or carry out an action (WRITE, TAP TEMPO) LCD Screens view control data and Menus Scroll up/down buttons move between Menu pages Row select buttons select row of controls to display on the LCD screen above in PLAY mode Transport controls assignable MIDI buttons used for Transport control in relevant Templates
Data/Tempo encoder - press to select Template/Program/ Bank/Tempo change mode (depending on illuminated LED alongside) in PLAY mode. Rotate to select Template/Program/ Bank/Tempo Data minus/plus buttons - press to increase/decrease the Template/Program/Bank/Tempo value (selected by pressing Data encoder)

REAR PANEL DIAGRAM

External power supply (PSU) input Power select switch - selects between battery/ PSU, OFF and USB (from left to right) USB port
Expression pedal input MIDI Out (Port 2) MIDI Thru (Port 1) MIDI Out (Port 1) MIDI In (Port 1)

Control pedal input

USING THE ZeRO SL If you are not familiar with Novation controllers, the ZeRO SL is a comprehensive hardware surface for easy and rapid remote control of any sequencing software, plug-ins or external MIDI devices. There are 40 (36 Manual, 4 Automap) onboard memory slots, all of which have been factory preset so that the ReMOTE SL works with all popular software and hardware from the moment the unit is first powered up. This means that some or all of the ZeRO SLs assignable controls (pots, encoders, buttons, sliders, trigger pads and Transport controls) have been assigned the relevant MIDI data to act as a logical remote control for the destination software or hardware. These saved MIDI settings are referred to as Templates. All Templates can be edited on the unit itself or using the Template Editor (available for free from www.novationmusic.com), whilst brand new Templates can also be created by the same means and saved in any of the 40 Template memory slots. If you are familiar with Novation controllers, the ZeRO SL employs the same fundamental modes of operation, with several obvious improvements. Two large LCD screens can display 16 assignable controls names and values simultaneously, whilst also allowing multiple edit Menu pages to be simultaneously viewed and modified. Generally, the left screen displays data and the right screen shows instructions. Modes are activated using the central vertical column of buttons, with the data encoder at the bottom now only used for one of four functions in PLAY mode and not as an option select for the edit menus (see PLAY mode section). Another major development is the enhanced software interactivity (Automap), where in some applications (Cubase SX3, Nuendo 3, Reason 3, Logic Pro 7, Ableton Live 5, more to follow) automatic MIDI mapping means that simply pressing one button or clicking once with the mouse is all thats required to switch from controlling one plug-in or instrument to another. In other words, the Automap Template does all the hard work for you so that no Templates need to be created or repeatedly called up and all devices and instruments automatically and intelligently map to known areas of the ZeRO SL control surface. (For full details, consult the ZeRO SL User Guide on the Resources CD or visit http://www.novationmusic.com/automap). The Mode/Action buttons running down the centre of the ZeRO SL call up the four modes (PLAY, Template Individual EDIT, TEMPLATE Common edit and GLOBAL) and perform two actions (WRITE and TAP TEMPO). The currently active mode is indicated by the LED alongside the buttons. The default setting is PLAY mode, which will be active when the unit first powers up. If wanting to activate individual Template edit mode, press the EDIT button and so on. The contrast of the LCD screens can be adjusted in GLOBAL mode (see GLOBAL mode section).

PLAY MODE This is the main mode of operation, in which different Templates can be selected and the ZeRO SL can be used as a control surface for multiple plug-ins/instruments. The DATA/TEMPO encoder has four functions, indicated by the four LEDs alongside. The default encoder function is Template select, so rotating the encoder will scroll through the 40 onboard Templates, displaying the number on the left LCD and the name on the right. Pressing the encoder will change its action to one of three other choices: MIDI BANK select (sending MIDI Bank change messages; calling up Sound Banks on a software synth), MIDI PROGRAM select (sending MIDI Program change messages; calling up sounds on a software synth) and MIDI TEMPO select (sending MIDI Tempo messages). The buttons to the right of the encoder will increase/decrease the encoder data value by 1, useful for auditioning the patches (programs) on a soft synth for example. Use the ROW SELECT buttons to display names and values of a particular row of eight controls on the LCD screens, and use the SCROLL UP/DOWN buttons to change to additional screens where more details about the MIDI data assigned to each control is shown. Moving a control in a row that the values for which are not displayed will make that row the currently selected one shown on the screen above. AUTOMAP WITHIN PLAY MODE Templates 37-40 on the ZeRO SL are the Automap Templates. Once Automap has been setup for a particular application (see section below), these Templates will automatically load when that application is booted up, and all instruments and sections within the session will be sensed by the ZeRO SL and mapped to it. Each Automap works differently and is being updated all the time, but each one allows different instruments or the Mixer to be controlled instantly with one button press on the SL or one mouse click on screen. Press the row select buttons on the ZeRO SL once to call up a particular rows names and values on the screen above. Pressing the row select buttons repeatedly changes the function of some rows in various applications, as controls can have multiple MIDI values in Automap mode. Note that for the current versions of Cubase/Nuendo and Logic, buttons on the ZeRO SL cannot be used in Automap mode, only pots, encoders, sliders and trigger pads. The currently supported applications (Apr 2006) are Cubase SX3 (version 3.1.0.933 or later), Nuendo 3 (version 3.2 or later). Reason 3 (version 3.0.4 or later), Logic Pro 7 (version 7.1 or later) and Ableton Live 5 (version 5.0.5 or later). Check the website for updates as other popular platforms are expected to follow shortly. SETTING UP AUTOMAP MODE On the Resources CD, there is an Installer (ZeRO SL Setup) which will set up Automapping for all of the available and compatible applications (see above). Double click the relevant version of the Installer (.exe file for PC and.dmg file for Mac) then simply check or uncheck the boxes when the Automap setup window appears during the install process. The ZeRO SL must be selected as the MIDI controller within the application in use. See sequencer documentation if unsure of the MIDI setup process. Full details are available in the ZeRO SL user guide on the Resources CD/Novation website. EDIT MODE (TEMPLATE INDIVIDUAL EDIT) This is the Template Individual Edit Mode, in which the nature of each assignable control (the data assigned to it and the way it behaves when pressed/moved/rotated) in any of the 40 onboard Templates can be defined. Pressing the EDIT button when using a particular Template will move to the edit mode for that Template so that it can be modified. To call up a particular control for editing (slider, pot, trigger pad etc.), simply hold down the EDIT button and move the control. Once activated, the Menu pages for that control will be displayed on the left LCD screen, with instructions on the right screen. To edit the control options, simply use the controls directly below each option on the screen; the buttons above and below the encoder increase and decrease the option respectively, whilst the encoder and pot will scroll through options. (See diagram on next page.)

LCD SCREEN

BUTTONS
INCREASE X INCREASE X/ DECREASE X

ENCODERS

DECREASE X

INCREASE X/ DECREASE X

CONTROLS THAT EFFECT X
Press the SCROLL UP/DOWN keys to the left of the screen to move to the additional edit page(s) for each control. The DATA/TEMPO encoder is inactive in this mode. TEMPLATE MODE (TEMPLATE COMMON EDIT) Pressing the TEMPLATE button activates the Template Common edit mode, in which the universal settings across all controls within a Template can be modified. Press the SCROLL UP/DOWN buttons to move to additional pages and modify settings using the same means listed above. The SL range has been expanded to allow for further User options with regards to override MIDI channel settings and routing. There are now two (universal) options for each control (in addition to the full range of individual options): COMMON and PROGRAM (Routing for Prog/Bank Change data). Any control now has the option of using the COMMON or PROGRAM MIDI channel and the COMMON or PROGRAM routing setting. Within each factory Template, controls can be set to COMMON or PROGRAM, as well as assigned an individual MIDI channel or routing option, to allow for quick changes to multiple controls simultaneously. The COMMON and PROGRAM MIDI channel and routing can be set within the pages in this (TEMPLATE) Mode. (See User Guide for full details.) GLOBAL MODE (GLOBAL EDIT) Pressing the GLOBAL button activates the Global edit Menu pages. These are General Parameters pages, where the main ZeRO SL settings such as Memory protect, port routing and display timeout can be defined. Press the SCROLL UP/DOWN buttons to move to additional pages and modify settings using the same means listed above. The facility to update the Operating System and receive/dump Templates is found within the General parameters pages in GLOBAL Mode. Press the GLOBAL button followed by the SCROLL UP button (repeatedly) to the left of the LCD screens to access. To adjust the contrast of the screens, press the GLOBAL button once and then use the first or last encoder or pot to set the left and right screen value, respectively, between 0 and 15. The GLOBAL memory protect must be off to save this setting. Press the left scroll up button (next to the left screen) once, then use the first encoder/ pot/button to set memory protect to OFF. Once this is done, the WRITE button can be used to save GLOBAL settings.
WRITE BUTTON The WRITE button is used to save the current Template or Global settings into the onboard memory. To save the current Template (individual and common) settings, press the WRITE button in PLAY, EDIT or TEMPLATE mode (but not GLOBAL mode), making sure that the Memory Protect is set to OFF in the Global settings. Then, to name the Template and select its number, use the buttons directly below the relevant areas of the left hand screen to move the cursor left and right as well as select the character type (upper case, lower case etc.), and the buttons/pot/encoder below the name and number to scroll through characters and numbers. Once done, press the WRITE button again to save the Template settings. Pressing the WRITE button whilst in GLOBAL mode (with GLOBAL memory protect off) will save the currently selected Global settings. TAP TEMPO BUTTON The Tap Tempo button provides another means of setting the Tempo of a track. Simply tap the button repeatedly to send a MIDI Tempo message based on the timing of each tap.

The content of this User Guide is correct as of 05/04/06. Novation products are subject to continual updates in order to achieve maximum usability. As such, certain sections of this document may be incorrect at the time of reading. Check www.novationmusic.com for updates.

1) Power in socket: Use to connect a 9volt DC 600-1000mAmp Centre Pin positive PSU. The power supply is available /www.focusrite-estore.com/ from the online store: http:/ 2) Power switch: Use to switch the ZeRO SL MkII to external power, USB power, or off. 3) USB in socket: Use to connect the ZeRO SL MkII to your computer with the included USB cable. 4) Control pedal socket: Use to connect a control pedal. Any polarity pedal can be used. 5) Expression pedal Socket: Use to connect an expression pedal. Note that a 3 pin jack connector must be used. 6) MIDI port 2 out socket: Use to connect the ZeRO SL MkII to the MIDI input of an external device using a 5pin DIN MIDI cable. 7) MIDI port 1 Through socket: Use to connect the ZeRO SL MkII to the MIDI input of an external device using a 5pin DIN MIDI cable. MIDI Through is a copy of MIDI received from the MIDI In socket. Note: No MIDI from the ZeRO SL MkII or computer can ever be sent to the MIDI Through socket. It is simply a way to forward MIDI from another device through the ZeRO SL MkII to elsewhere. 8) MIDI port 1 Out socket: Use to connect the ZeRO SL MkII to the MIDI input of an external device using a 5pin DIN MIDI cable. 9) MIDI port 1 In socket: Use to connect the ZeRO SL MkII to the MIDI output of an external device using a 5pin DIN MIDI cable.
Power Up Calibration The ZeRO SL MkII self calibrates all touch sensitive controls when it powers up. Therefore you should not touch any control during the boot up process.
ZeRO SL MkII SETUP EXAMPLES

Software Control

Power Feedback - LCD Screen/LED Rings
The ZeRO SL MkII can be used for controlling both computer music software and external hardware:

Control information

To use the ZeRO SL MkII to control your music software, connect the ZeRO SL MkII to your computer with the supplied USB cable.

Hardware Control

PSU (optional)
To use the ZeRO SL MkII with your MIDI hardware, you will need to power the ZeRO SL MkII with a 9 volt 1000mAmp DC PSU - center pin positive (not supplied). Connect a MIDI Cable (5pin DIN) from the ZeRO SL MkII MIDI Out 1 port to the MIDI In port on your hardware.

ZeRO SL MkII as a MIDI Interface with Software and Hardware Control
MIDI MIDI Power Feedback - LCD Screen/LED Rings
Using the ZeRO SL MkII with External Hardware AND a Host Computer You can also combine the two above set-ups so that the ZeRO SL MkII is used as a software controller and hardware controller - transmitting MIDI data to and from computer and MIDI hardware. This will allow you to record MIDI data to your software DAW or Sequencer, and the ZeRO SL MkII will then transmit this data to your hardware. For detailed information on using the ZeRO SL MkII as a MIDI interface please see the routing section in the global menu. 9
AUTOMAP MODE VS ADVANCED MODE
Automap Mode Advanced Mode
The SLMkII has two main Modes of operation: Automap Mode and Advanced Mode. These are both accessed via the main Automap button. Advanced Mode (Led off) If you are going to use your ZeRO SL MkII without a computer then you must use Advanced mode. In fact, if you will only ever use your ZeRO SL MkII in this way you can go straight to the Advanced Mode chapter of this user guide. Automap Mode (Led On) If you are going to use your ZeRO SL MkII with a computer, then you will most likely be using Automap Mode. To use Automap mode you will need to connect the ZeRO SL MkII to a computer via USB and install Automap from the CD contained within the product Box or by downloading the installer from the website. The Automap Server Application must also be running for Automap to work. The Automap Server is a unique software program written by Novation that allows dynamic communication between the ZeRO SL MkII and any computer running music software and plug-ins (AU, VST, RTAS and TDM). Easy Switching between the two modes It is very quick and easy to switch between Advance mode and Automap Mode. This way, both modes can actually be used at the same time once you become more familiar with the product. Advantages and Disadvantages to both modes Both Advanced Mode and Automap Mode can be used for controlling hardware and software via standard MIDI messages. Automap MIDI: MIDI message types available are: MIDI CC, NOTE. MIDI messages are limited to 1 MIDI channel per map. MIDI message are limited to 1 port Simpler Editing and assignment Elegant Graphic display (HUD) and dynamic feedback Advanced Mode: MIDI message types available are: CC, 14bit CC, SYSEX, RPN, NRPN, MMC NOTE. MIDI messages can be output to different MIDI channels from the same template. MIDI messages can be output to different ports from the same template. Does not require Automap Server to be running. Does not require and connection to computer. Limited to the number of template slots on the ZeRO SL MkII. Does not include any Learn functionality. More complex editing must be done using the ZeRO SL MkII hardware.

AUTOMAP MODE

Full instructions on how to use Automap Software have been omitted from this user guide. The Automap software is the same for all Automap Hardware, so please refer to the Automap User Guide, This guide can be found on this CD or downloaded from the website. Both the latest software and user guides can be downloaded at the following link: www.novationmusic.com/support Selecting Automap Mode To use the SL Mk II in Automap Mode, press the automap button so that it is lit.

Automap Mode - System Buttons
The Automap system buttons are important when in Automap mode and are used for navigation, assigning and browsing the Automap HUD (heads up display) view opens or hides the Automap HUD window learn - used for assigning and mapping parameters to ZeRO SL MkII controls. Group buttons - user, fx, inst and mixer allow the user to browse and load up the corresponding mappings.
Automap Template Overview When in Automap Mode (Led On), a unique template is used. This template is separate from the built in 32 templates in advanced mode. All highlighted hardware controls displayed in the image below are available for controlling software parameters via Automap.

Expression

Control
The following controls can be assigned to either the Automap Port or to the Control port. Control pedal Expression pedal Drum pads
When switched out, they are routed to USB Port 1 and send standard MIDI messages. When switched in, they are routed to the Automap client and therefore are not sending standard MIDI messages. Page Up / Down buttons - scroll through pages of an Automap mapping. Hold Preview button and press Page Up / Down buttons - scroll through presets of an Automap plug-in. Preset navigation will only work where a plug-in uses the host preset navigation system, rather than its own built-in one. Hold Preview and touch or press any assignable control to display that rows controls on the ZeRO SL MkIIs LCD screen. For example, by holding the Preview button and touching the third vertical fader, the parameter names and values assigned to all eight faders are displayed on the LCD.
Speed Dial The speed dial knob has 2 functions in Automap Mode. Speed Dial mode: The speed dial can be used to control any on-screen parameter that can be altered using the mouse. Simply move the mouse cursor over the parameter you want to change then rotate the knob to control it. This process can be used for e.g. altering parameters on a soft-synth, controlling mixer parameters in your sequencer, selecting an option from a drop-down menu or resizing a window. The Automap Server software must be running for this function to work. Preset mode: Press and rotate the knob whilst held down to select different plug-in presets. Preset navigation will only work where a plug-in uses the host preset navigation system, rather than its own built-in one.

Ports What is a Port and how does it work? The ZeRO SL MkII connects to the computer via a single USB cable, however this USB connection actually consists of 3 sub-connections called ports. Power Feedback - LCD Screen/LED Rings
U1 (Port 1) U2 (Port 2) Automap Port (Hidden)
SL MkII (Port 1) SL MkII (Port 2) Automap Port (Hidden)
Port 1 This port will be used when connecting external MIDI equipment to the ZeRO SL MkII MIDI inputs and for the ZeRO SL MkII Control and Expression Pedals. Port 2 Is generally reserved for special templates in advanced mode, but can be also used in more complex Advanced mode set-ups. Automap Port (Hidden) This is a hidden port (i.e. your computer does not display this port anywhere) and is used for all Automap Server messages. The Automap Server application then acts as a bridge between the ZeRO SL MkII Hardware and your DAW software and plug-ins.
Software Set-up Examples Automap for Cubase, Nuendo, Sonar, Tracktion

Port 1

MIDI/Instrument Track

Port 2

DAW Mixer Automap Port Plug-in
MIDI notes are sent on Port 1 to a MIDI / Instrument track. Automap Server controls the DAW Mixer and hosted plug-ins directly *Note other DAWs are being constantly added to this set-up configuration
Automap for Pro Tools, Digital Performer, Logic Pro, Reaper

Automap HUI

MIDI notes are sent on Port 1 to a MIDI / Instrument track. Automap Server controls the DAW Mixer using Automap HUI, and hosted plug-ins directly. Automap for all other software

Automap MIDI

Automap Port
Software that responds to MIDI CC
For software that responds to, or learns MIDI CC messages e.g. DJ software, stand-alone synthesiser software, certain plug-ins (with no host automation parameters). MIDI notes are sent on Port 1 to a MIDI / Instrument track (when applicable). Automap Server sends MIDI CC data to software using Automap MIDI - a virtual MIDI port.
Automap for hardware control Before you move on to the Advanced Mode section of this guide, you should know that Automap MIDI can also be used to hardware MIDI devices by routing MIDI CC data to the ZeRO SL MkII MIDI Ports (or any other MIDI interface connected to your computer). Please refer to the Automap User guide for more info.
Ableton/Reason Special Templates Please see advanced mode for more information on the Special Ableton/Reason templates.

ADVANCED MODE

Advanced Mode is primarily used to control external MIDI hardware, however it can also be used to control software when Automap is not supported or suitable for that software.
To switch to Advanced mode, press the Automap button so the LED is off. Advanced mode includes 32 pre-built templates for controlling both hardware units and some software. All templates have been laid out intuitively with all controls labelled, but for full information on advanced mode templates, please check the Novation Answerbase: www.novationmusic.com/answerbase

Selecting Templates To switch between the 32 Advanced mode templates, press the speed dial knob.
Once pressed, the first 16 of the 32 templates will be displayed on the LCD.
The flashing name on the LCD indicates the currently loaded template. Press the button or knob on the top row to select the corresponding template from the top row on the LCD. Press the button or knob on the bottom row to select the corresponding template from the bottom row on the LCD. Press the Page Up / Down buttons to list the other 16 templates.
Advanced MODE Template Overview

Expression Control

A Template in the ZeRO SL MkII is a layout of controls stored inside of the ZeRO SL MkII memory. They are remembered even when you turn the unit on and off. All of the hardware controls are used to send out MIDI data of some kind with the exception of the following: Automap System Buttons These are reserved for the Automap Template only so are unavailable for the Advanced mode templates. Hold Preview and touch or press any assignable control to display that rows controls on the ZeRO SL MkIIs LCD screen. For example, by holding the Preview button and touching the third vertical fader, the parameter names and values assigned to all eight faders are displayed on the LCD. Page Up / Down buttons press up once to display the type of MIDI message e.g CC or Sysex. Press up again to display the output port settings e.g. M1 (MIDI out 1) or U1 (USB port 1)
Speed Dial The speed dial / template knob has two functions. Speed Dial mode: The speed dial can be used to control any on-screen parameter that can be altered using the mouse. Simply move the mouse cursor over the parameter you want to change then rotate the knob to control it. Note: The Automap Server software must be running for this function to work. Template mode: Press down on the knob to display the list of templates.
Hardware Control In Advanced mode, MIDI data can be sent to either one of the 2 MIDI output ports
You can set up the templates so that all controls in the template are sent to only one or both of the MIDI output ports.
Software and Hardware Control

DAW/Sequencer

Any software that response to MIDI
Advanced mode templates can be used in complex systems so that controls are sent to hardware via the MIDI ports and to software via the USB ports 1 + 2. You can even set different controls from within the same template to be sent to different output ports.

Special Templates for controlling Ableton Live and Reason There are 2 special Advanced mode templates (templates 31 and 32). These are templates for controlling DAW software that cannot be controlled using Automap, however the software developers have worked with Novation to create a control experience that offers more than a standard template. Whereas with most of the Advanced mode templates, are set up to just send out control information to control software or hardware, these special templates include feedback, so if a parameter is changed from the software, then the ZeRO SL MkII will update its LCDs and LED rings. Additional level of control includes the Preview buttons and Page Up / Down buttons offering more functionality whereas these buttons have fixed functionality in all the other standard templates.

DAW Mixer

Plug-in
The 2 Special templates are for controlling Reason and Ableton. Ableton Users Note: VST and AU plug-ins can be controlled using the Ableton template (as shown in the above diagram), but can also be controlled using Automap. Press the Automap Button on the ZeRO SL MkII to switch between the Automap and Ableton (advanced) Template. Reason Users Note: The only port that is used in the Reason template is Port 2 (i.e. both notes and controls are sent on Port 2). The template offers control of Reason Mixer(s) and all Instruments and FX. Using Reason in Rewire mode with another DAW requires additional port set-up. Please refer to the DAW set-up guide in the Automap Server. For more information please refer to the DAW set-up guide which is accessible from the Automap HUD, or visit the Novation Answerbase at: www.novationmusic.com/answerbase

MENU OVERVIEW

The ZeRO SL MkII system menus are accessed by pressing their corresponding button on the ZeRO SL MkII. Once a menu is selected, all available options and sub-menus are displayed on the LCD screen. The main Menus are: (quick) Menu, Global, Edit and Write
Navigating Menus Navigating menus and selecting menu items is done using a variety of controls on your ZeRO SL MkII. To enter a menu, press the corresponding menu button. To exit a menu, press the same button again. Saving/Writing Settings To be able to save/write your settings, you need to ensure that Memory Protect is OFF. This option is available in the Global > Options menu. If you have made changes to any of the Global menus options, press Write whilst in the Global menu to save your changes. If you have made edits to your current Template, press Write to save your changes to the ZeRO SL MkII memory. Selecting To select an option, simply touch or press a knob, encoder or button directly below the options position on the LCD. If a button is lit, then this denotes that there are selectable parameters, if the button is not lit, then the option cannot be changed. To scroll through the options either rotate the encoder or the knob directly below the option. To step through the options either hit the top row of buttons to step up, or the bottom row of buttons to step down. Some of the menu options contain sub menus. ---> denotes enter sub menu. <--- denotes return to previous menu. Some menu options contain multiple pages. If the Page Up / Down buttons are lit, then this denotes additional pages. Press the lit button to navigate up/down through the pages. Hierarchy of Settings There are three levels of settings that can be made on the ZeRO SL MkII. Settings for individual controls within a template (Control edit menu) Settings for all controls within a single template (Template edit menu / quick menu) Settings for all controls within all templates (Global menu)

Although it is possible for the user to edit the Automap Template from the ZeRO SL MkII, editing the following settings for the Automap Template should NOT be done. Program Channel, Program Port - ProgChan, ProgPort These settings define which MIDI Channel and Port the Drum Pads, Control and Expression pedals are sent to. Common Channel, Common Port - ComnChan, ComnPort These settings define which MIDI Channel and Port the all Pots, Encoder, Sliders, Buttons and XY pad are sent to. Both Program and Common settings (above) provide a way of changing the routing of multiple controls from one knob. For example, in control edit options (see final chapter) setting each individual control to Common Channel and Common Port, rather than a specific Channel and Port, means that to change the Channel and Port of all controls is done via the routing sub menu (above) rather than editing each individual controls routing.
Template Grouping Sub Menu
Template This displays the template that is currently being edited. Position, Size Multiple templates can be grouped together. The Position and Size values show how multiple templates are grouped. These values can be changed (i.e. to group and un-group) templates. Note: Grouped templates must first be saved in adjacent positions. Position and size values must be correct for changes to be saved. E.g. for a group of 3 templates there must be 3 adjacent templates, each set to a size of 3, and with positions of 1, 2, 3 respectively. Remember, for changes to be saved, the write button needs to be pressed for all templates in the group. To step through templates within a group press any of the row select buttons multiple times.
Control Edit Overview Creating and Editing Advanced Mode Templates from the ZeRO SL MkII. Please note that we strongly advise you not to edit the Automap template. To enter Control Edit Mode, Press and HOLD the edit button. Now touch or press any control on the SL. The name of the control you have just touched will be displayed on-screen. Note that Control Edit will also work for the last-moved control. i.e. move a control, then press and hold edit and you will see that control on-screen. When the edit button is released you will be able to set which MIDI messages are sent from each control, and how the control behaves for example setting a button to toggle between settings or to step through a range. The control edit menu options are dependant on the type of control and the type of the MIDI message for example, options for buttons offer different options than options for encoders. Full details on how to edit a template on the ZeRO SL MkII are found in the final chapter of this user guide.
The Global Menu is a set of options that affect the operation of the whole unit.

GLOBAL MENU BUTTON

Options Sub Menu
Memory Protect - MemProt Ensure this is set to OFF if you want to overwrite your Templates. To prevent accidental overwriting of templates, set this to ON. Global settings can be saved regardless of whether this is set to ON or OFF. Pot Pick-Up - Pick-Up This sets the pot and slider response for all controls in all templates: The settings are ON or OFF, they work in the same way as described on page 22. Note: Individual controls can have their own Pick-Up settings. The Global setting will be ignored unless the individual control is set to GLOBAL. Display Timeout - DispTime This sets the length of time that temporarily displayed information remains on the ZeRO SL MkII displays. Set the value between 0 and 1260ms, or to PERM (permanent). Keep Values - KeepVals This applies to Advanced Mode (non-Automap) templates. If this is set to ON then the ZeRO SL MkII will automatically store the value of each control when you switch away from the currently selected template and restore those values when you select that template again. If this is set to OFF then the ZeRO SL MkII will only store control values when you manually write the template. Touch Select - Touch Sel When set to on, the ZeRO SL MkIIs touch sensitivity is active for Automap and all Advanced Templates. Setting this to OFF means that touching a control no longer displays that controls row on the LCD screen. Transport - Transprt When the transport button is active, the transport buttons (re-wind, fast-forward, stop, play, loop, and record) can be set to have independent settings for each template. For example, some MIDI hardware may respond to MMC (which is the default for most Advanced Templates), but other hardware may respond to different MIDI messages for transport control. When set to TEMPLATE, each template can have independent transport settings. When set to GLOBAL, no matter what template you are using, the transport settings will be the same. As default, the Global Transport settings are set to communicate with the Automap Server (which then sends Rewire transport messages to software), however Global Transport settings can be edited. When this option is set to GLOBAL, editing the transport control parameters from any template will affect the transport controls globally. Control Pedal Polarity - CnPedal The control pedal polarity can be changed here. The options are NormCLSD, NormOPN and Auto.If your control pedal is behaving the wrong way (i.e. a press on the pedal results in open rather than closed) then set the option to NormCLSD. If your pedal works correctly then set the option to NormOPN. Setting the option to AUTO means that the SL scans the control pedal port on boot up. It will presume that the pedal is in the Open position, and set the control pedal polarity accordingly.

Start-up Sub Menu

Start-up - Startup Select whether the ZeRO SL MkII will boot up in Automap mode or in Advanced mode Start Template - StartTmp If Template is selected in the startup option, then select the template number that will load on bootup. Automatic Demonstration - AutoDemo When set to ON, the ZeRO SL MkII will run through a demo routine when booting up. Set AutoDemo to OFF to disable this feature. Routing Sub Menu
The following abbreviations are used in the Routing menu: U1: USB Port 1 U2: USB Port 2 M1: MIDI OUT Port 1 M2: MIDI OUT Port 2 USB Port 1 To - USB1To MIDI data sent from the computer on USB port 1 can be routed to MIDI output port 1 and / or 2. USB port1 will be displayed as SL Mk II (port1) when selecting the output port from your DAW software. MIDI To - MIDITo MIDI data received at the MIDI In port on the back of the ZeRO SL MkII can be routed to either USB ports and / or either MIDI Out ports. MIDI Clock Output - MClck-Out MIDI Clock output destination can be set to any, or a combination of the following: M1, M2, U1, U2. MIDI Clock Input - MClk-In MIDI Clock input source can be set to any of the following: AUTO automatically selects the input port if there is MIDI Clock detected on that port. If there is not external MIDI Clock detected the SL will revert to the Internal Clock. INTERNAL - the SL will use the Internal Clock EXT-AUTO - automatically selects the input port if there is MIDI Clock detected on that port. If there is not external MIDI Clock detected the SL will revert to its internal Clock. Or any of the following options: MIDI-IN USB1 USB2 BPMPort This sets whether or not ReWire BPM messages are sent to your computer when you use the TAP TEMPO button or manually set the tempo from the Quick Menu. These messages are used for tempo control over your sequencer from the ZeRO SL MkII but they will only have an effect when the Automap server software is running. This should be set to OFF if you do not want to control the tempo in your sequencer from the ZeRO SL MkII using ReWire. 25
Program Change Channel and Port Input - PRCGChan and PRCGPort The SL can be set up so that Program change messages from an external device (or your computer) are used to change the template on the SL. This can be useful in both Live and studio situations when switching between various set-ups. The SL will respond to Program change messages 1-32 for Advanced Mode templates 1-32 and a Program change message of 33 for Automap Mode. PRCGChan and PRCGPort define which MIDI channel and input port are to be used to receive these program change messages. Send and Receive Sub Menu - SendRcv

Template, Dump The first two options on this page allow you to dump templates in sysex format from the ZeRO SL MkII to your computer or another MIDI device for backing up. The first option allows you to dump a single template. Rotate the encoder to select which template you want to dump (range is Current, 1-33), then press the button above the encoder to send the template. If you edit a template but do not save it, the edited version can be dumped by selecting Current instead of the template number. Selecting the template number will dump the version stored in the SL MkIIs flash memory (i.e. whether the template has been saved or not). Press the button below All to send all templates. Send Globals Press the button to dump the global settings in sysex format. Ports This option sets where template and global sysex dumps are sent to. MIDI O/S Send, Receive Press the buttons below Send or Receive on the left-hand display to transmit or listen for an operating system (OS) dump on the MIDI IN and OUT connectors on the back of the ZeRO SL MkII. You will be asked to confirm that you want to dump or update the OS before it will transmit or accept an OS dump. USB1 OS Receive Press the button below USB1 O/S Receive on the left-hand display to prepare the ZeRO SL MkII to receive an OS sysex dump from a computer on USB port 1. You will be asked to confirm that you want to update the OS before it will accept an OS dump.
Drum Pad Calibration Sub Menu - DrumPads
To begin the drum pad calibration press the Page Up button.
The eight values across the left-hand display correspond to drum pads 1-8. The pad hit velocity value is shown on the top line (--- if the pad has not yet been hit) and the calibration value is shown on the bottom line. This first page is for full velocity (maximum strength hit) calibration: Hit a pad at full strength to check the current calibration. If the hit velocity value above the pad goes to 127 too easily, decrease the pad calibration value using the encoder or buttons underneath. This will reduce the sensitivity of the pad, meaning you need to hit it harder to reach maximum velocity.
Once all 8 drum pads have been set for maximum velocity calibration, press the Page Up button again for soft hit calibration:
Hit a pad softly and view the hit velocity value. If the value does not update when you hit the pad then the threshold is too high. Use the encoders to adjust the threshold values. Lowering the threshold will increase the sensitivity of the pad meaning that it will respond to a softer hit.

Writing Global Settings

To save all global settings, press the WRITE button whilst in the Global menu. Remember that global settings can be saved regardless of whether memory protect is set to ON or OFF.

Transport

The second row of buttons below the sliders can either be used as transport control, or for use within the current template (either as Automap or Advanced mode MIDI buttons). When lit, the buttons will be available as transport controls. This will also be indicated in the Automap HUD when in Automap Mode. In Advanced Mode you can edit the MIDI message the Transport Buttons send in the same way as any other control.

With an encoder or pot, the control value will scale from the Low Value to the High Value as you rotate it clockwise. Consequently if you want the control value to increase as you rotate the encoder clockwise, make sure the High Value is larger than the Low Value. If you want the control value to decrease as you rotate the encoder clockwise (inverted action), make the Low Value larger than the High Value. It is possible to invert the action of the sliders, joystick, X-Y touchpad and the expression pedal in this way.
Additional Options for Buttons Only DispType (Display Type): Control value displayed as either ON or OFF. The low value setting determines the ON value and the high value setting determines the OFF value. This is best suited to a bi-state parameter where you want to see whether it is in an on or off state e.g. phase reverse on a mixer channel. LED: This is like ON/OFF except that nothing is displayed when the control is in an OFF state. ON/OFF & LED display types should be used with control type Momentary or Toggle. For buttons, drum pads and the control pedal, the Press Value and Release Value should be set in conjunction with the BtnType (Button Type) setting (see below). BtnType (Button Type): This setting is only available for buttons, drum pads and the control pedal. Where available, it can be found on the second page of control settings so scroll up to access it. It should be set in conjunction with the Press and Release values for the control to determine how the button works. The options are as follows: NORMAL: The Press Value is sent when the button is pressed, nothing is sent on release. MOMENTRY: The Press Value is sent when the button is pressed and the Release Value is sent when the button is released. TOGGLE: The Press1 Value is sent when the button is first pressed, nothing is sent on release. The Press2 Value is sent on the next button press, nothing is sent on release. The Low and High Values will be sent alternately on further button presses. This setting is useful when you want to control a bi-state parameter such as Track Solo On/Off. STEP: If this option is selected then an extra setting, StepVal (Step Value), will appear next to BtnType. With the STEP option, the value sent each time the button is pressed will step from the From Value to the To Value in steps whose size are determined by the StepVal setting. When the To Val is reached the next button press will cause the From Val to be sent and the value will step up again on subsequent presses. Note that the To Value is always sent before returning to the From Value, even if it takes a jump less than the step size to reach the To Value. For example if a button had the settings From Value 0, To Value 16 and Step Value 5 then on alternate button presses the value sent would be 0, 5, 10, 15, 16, 0, 5. If you want a button to step down instead of up then make the From Value larger than the To. The MOMENTRY option is not available for the drum pads because they only respond to a hit and do not have a mechanism to detect when you release your finger from them. Instead of MOMENTRY they have a special VELOCITY option. When this is set, the value sent out when you hit the pad will depend on how hard you hit it. The control value is still constrained within the Low Value and High Value settings. As an example if Low Value is 0 and High Value is 127 then a soft hit will give a value near 0, a medium hit will give a value near 64 and a hard hit will give a value near 127. If Low Value is 2 and High Value is 0 then a soft hit will give value 2, a medium hit will give value 1 and a hard hit will give 0.

General Control Edit Settings Ports: This sets the port routing for the control i.e. where the MIDI messages generated by the control are routed to when it is operated. The settings can be a combination of: M1, M2, U1, U2 or ProgPORT: Sent to the Program Port as set in the Template edit menu. ComnPORT: Sent to the Common Port as set in the Template edit menu. ProgPORT and ComnPORT are special options that allow the port routing for the control to follow one of two common routing settings that can be accessed from the Template edit menu (Program Port and Common Port). The advantage presented by these options is that if a number of controls are set to either ProgPORT or ComnPORT then you can change the port routing for all of those controls by editing a single parameter, rather than editing the individual setting for each control. More information on the Program Port and Common Port routing settings can be found in the page 24.
MidiChan (MIDI Channel): This option sets the MIDI Channel on which the data will be transmitted. This can be set to a value between 1 and 16, or to ProgCHAN or ComnCHAN. Like the ProgPORT and ComnPORT options for the Ports setting, ProgCHAN and ComnCHAN are special options which allow the MIDI Channel setting for the control to follow one of two common MIDI Channel settings which can be accessed from the template edit menu (Program Channel and Common Channel). More information on the Program Channel and Common Channel routing settings can be found in page 24. CC Num (Control Change Number): This allows you to set the Control Change (CC) number for the control to a value from 0 through 127. You can toggle the display format of the CC Num setting between decimal and hexadecimal by pressing the ROW-SELECT button for the upper left-hand row of buttons. Pick-Up: This setting is only available for pots, sliders, the pitch/mod joystick and the expression pedal. Where available, it can be found on the second page of control settings so scroll up to access it. It allows you to set the response of the control to one of the following: ON: After selecting a template, if the current position of a control does not match the value of the control stored with the template, the control will not have any effect when operated until its position matches the value stored with the template. OFF: After selecting a template, if the current position of a control does not match the value of the control stored with the template, the control value will jump from the stored value to match the position of the control as soon as the control is operated. GLOBAL: The control will follow the Pick-Up setting in the Global menu, which can be set to ON or OFF. The advantage presented by this option is that the response of some or all controls in multiple templates can be changed by editing a single parameter, rather than editing the individual setting for each control. TEMPLATE: The control will follow the Pick-Up setting in the Template menu, which can be set to ON or OFF. The advantage presented by this option is that the response of some or all controls in a template can be changed by editing a single parameter, rather than editing the individual setting for each control.

NON-REGISTERED PARAMETER NUMBER (NRPN) The DispType, LowVal, HighVal, Ports, MidiChan, Response, BtnType, TchMode and Name settings are the same as for Control Change (CC) so see the previous section for information on these settings. NRPN lsb (Non-Registered Parameter Number Least Significant Byte): This allows you to set the NRPN lsb value for the control to a value from 0 through 127. NRPN msb (Non-Registered Parameter Number Most Significant Byte): This allows you to set the NRPN msb value for the control to a value from 0 through 127. You can toggle the display format of the NRPN lsb and NRPN msb settings between decimal and hexadecimal by pressing the row select button for the upper left-hand row of buttons.
REGISTERED PARAMETER NUMBER (RPN) The DispType, LowVal, HighVal, Ports, MidiChan, Response, BtnType, TchMode and Name settings are the same as for Control Change (CC) so see that section for information on these settings. RPN lsb (Registered Parameter Number Least Significant Byte): This allows you to set the RPN lsb value for the control to a value from 0 through 127. RPN msb (Registered Parameter Number Most Significant Byte): This allows you to set the RPN msb value for the control to a value from 0 through 127. You can toggle the display format of the RPN lsb and RPN msb settings between decimal and hexadecimal by pressing the row select button for the upper left-hand row of buttons.
SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE (SYSEX) The LowVal, HighVal, Ports, MidiChan, Response, BtnType, TchMode and Name settings are the same as for Control Change (CC) so see that section for information on these settings. DispType (DisplayType): The options for this setting are the same as for CC however the REL1, REL2 and APOT display types are not available for encoders. Length: This determines the length of the sysex message sent when the control is operated. The value sets the number of bytes and is variable between 0 and 12, or 9 and 12 for ROLAND type sysex messages. DataType: This allows you to set the format of the sysex message as follows: NONE: Sysex message does not contain a variable byte and a fixed message is sent every time the control is operated. SINGLE: Sysex message contains one variable byte. The value of this byte is determined by the current control value and limited by the Low Value and High Value settings. The position of the variable byte in the sysex message can be edited. ROLAND: Sysex message contains one variable byte and one checksum byte. The value of the variable byte is determined by the current control value and limited by the Low Value and High Value settings. The format of the sysex message is fixed such that the second-to-last byte is always the variable byte and the last byte is always the checksum byte (excluding the F7 byte). If an encoder has DispType set to 0-16K then the options for DataType are as follows: NONE: Sysex message does not contain a variable byte and a fixed message is sent every time the control is operated. LSB-MSB: Sysex message contains two variable bytes which form an MSB and LSB pair, allowing a 14-bit value to be transmitted. The LSB precedes the MSB in the sysex message. The two bytes cannot be separated by non-variable bytes but the position of the pair of bytes in the message can be edited. MSB-LSB: This is the same as LSB-MSB except the MSB precedes the LSB in the sysex string. ROLAND: Sysex message contains two variable bytes and one checksum byte. The format of the message is fixed such that the last three bytes of the string are always MSB, then LSB and then checksum (excluding the F7 byte). DataPsn (Data Position): This allows you to set the position of the variable data byte(s) in the sysex message. This value will automatically be constrained by the Length setting. Note that if DataType is set to ROLAND then this value will be fixed, as the format of ROLAND sysex messages cannot be edited. To edit the value of each of the non-variable bytes in the sysex message scroll up to the sysex message page. All bytes are displayed in hexadecimal format. By default the ZeRO SL MkII will place an F0h at the start and F7h at the end of the message and set all other non-variable bytes to 00h. Variable bytes appear as DV and a checksum byte will appear as CS - these cannot be edited. To edit a byte use the buttons or encoders in line with the << and >> symbols to navigate the cursor to the desired byte and then use the buttons, encoder or pot in line with VALUE to set the value (range 00 to 7F). Scroll down after editing the sysex message to return to the control settings.