USB/MIDI Control Surfaces

Behringer XTouch Universal Control Surface

*currently kept in the control room but can be used in the project studio

Works with Logic, Pro Tools, Ableton, Reaper, etc.

USB input to computer

Allows you to connect other controllers and cascade them

• • Encoder knobs can be turned and pressed to alter many parameters (parameter controlled changed using the Encoder Assign buttons and the up/down/left/right arrows next to the large, main knob) (see below section*)

    • Default parameter is volume

  • Record arms a track for recording (record-enabled)

  • Solo solos a track

  • Mute mutes that track

  • Press Select button to select a track within the DAW (same as clicking on that track)

  • Motorized faders: alter track volume; can be used to write automation (if write, latch, or touch are selected under Automation (see below section*)); moves with automation that is already in the DAW

    • To write automation, select write, latch, or touch and simply move fader as project is playing

  • MAIN track = master track

• • Encoder assign – chooses what the knob above each track controls

    • Use left/right arrows next to the main knob to control what parameters within these categories the knobs are controlling (displayed on scribble screens – little screens under encoder knobs)

    • Press the specific ‘Encoder Assign’ button again to alter parameters for the selected track for EQ, Send, Plug-in, and INST

    • Track – encoder knobs control basic track information, including volume, panning, channel format (mono/stereo), input/output source, automation mode, and group (pressing the knob alters these as well (set to 0, enter, etc.)

    • Pan/surround – encoder knobs control panning (pressing knob sets to 0)

    • EQ – encoder knobs allow you to alter any parameters of an instantiated channel EQ

    • Send – controls sends for each track

    • Plug-in – controls various parameters for the instantiated effect plug-ins for a selected track (varies as to what parameters it controls for each plugin used) and can also change the plugin used

    • Inst – controls various parameters for the instantiated instrument/synth plug-in for a selected track (varies as to what parameters it controls for each plugin used) and can also change the plugin used

  • Grey strip (including Global View) – determines what types of tracks are displayed on the control surface and in the DAW mixer

    • With Global View, you see all types of tracks, with each of the other buttons (Midi Tracks to Outputs), you see only those types of tracks displayed 

  • Function buttons

    • Can be assigned to control a variety of functions (e.g. F1 could change your mouse tool from pointer to scissors tool, F2 could open/close the mixer, etc.)

    • Preset to whatever your DAW has assigned to your keyboard function buttons

    • To assign new functions (in Logic), go to Logic Pro X —> key commands —> edit

      • From this window, you click on the function you want to assign, press the ‘Learn New Assignment’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the window, and then hold Control and press the desired function button on the XTouch to assign that function to that button

  • Modify buttons – similar to how these buttons operate in the DAW (work in conjunction with other buttons)

  • Automation section

    • Read, Write, Touch, and Latch choose automation type (between these 4)

    • Group – automatically selects tracks which are grouped together (selects groups)

    • Use the up/down arrows in the up/down/left/right arrow buttons next to the main knob to cycle between groups (which one is selected is displayed on the screen strip under Assignment)

    • Trim – allows you to acutely adjust what automation is already written into the DAW as opposed to writing new automation over it

  • Utility controls – perform same operations as in the DAW (save, undo, cancel, enter)

  • Transport controls

    • Fast-forward/rewind: press to fast-forward/rewind (press again to speed up FF/RW process; press the opposite to slow it down, eventually to a stop)

    • Stop/Play pauses/plays the track

      • Press ‘stop’ twice to go to the beginning of the whole track (bar 1)

      • Pressing ‘play’ button again after it is already playing will play it from the same point that you previously played it from

    • Record button starts recording on the track that is selected

      • If the track is stopped and you press ‘record’, it will give a specified amount of bars in before it starts recording (default is 1 bar in)

      • If the track is playing and you press ‘record’, it will start recording from where the track locator is in real time (punch-in)

    • ‘Nudge’ button affects up/down/left/right arrow keys on the bottom (see below)

    • ‘Cycle’ button controls loop on/off

    • ‘Click’ button turns metronome on/off

    • ‘Solo’ button turns solo on/off for the selected track

  • Other buttons

    • SMPTE/Beats button on the far right of the strip screen changes the display on the strip screen to show either time or beats/measures through the project

    • Use main, large knob (in lower left corner) to move locator

    • Press SCRUB button next to main, large knob to make the locator move incremental amounts when the knob is used

    • Use ‘channel’ arrows under ‘transport’ controls to change which 8 tracks are included on the XTouch (cycles one track at a time)

    • Use ‘fader bank’ arrows under ‘transport’ controls to change which 8 tracks are included on the XTouch (cycles all 8 tracks to the next 8 tracks)

    • Up/down/left/right arrow thing next to main knob:

      • When middle (+) button is selected, use left/right and up/down arrows to zoom vertically and horizontally

      • When ‘nudge’ button is selected under ‘transport’ controls, use left/right arrows to cycle between adjacent audio/instrument recordings on one track

      • Determines parameters being controlled by encoder knobs within each ‘encoder assign’ category

• If not connecting to DAW...

  • Hold down ‘select’ button on track 1 while you power on controller

  • Track 1 will show ‘Mode’ options and Track 2 will show ‘IFC’ options; for ‘Mode’, use encoder knob (knob above track 1) to select ‘MC’ (=Mackie control), and for ‘IFC’ select ‘USB’

  • After these are selected, press select on track one of controller to connect to DAW

  • Might have to go to Preferences —> MIDI in your DAW to make sure the XTouch is selected as a controller

• 25 full-size, synth-action velocity-sensitive keys

• 8 velocity-sensitive trigger pads for beat production, clip launching, and more

• 8 assignable knobs for manipulating virtual instruments and plugins

• Assignable fader lets you mix your productions with ease

• Transport buttons let you control your DAW without reaching for the mouse

• DirectLink automatically maps controls to popular DAWs: Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, and more

• LCD screen provides instant parameter feedback

• Sustain pedal input for further creative control

• USB-powered, plug-and-play support, and USB-MIDI connectivity