Novation Remote Zero SL 


 

 
Novation's ReMOTE (25/37/61) SL keyboard range has been causing a massive stir throughout the industry, with each one offering giant LCD screens and revolutionary Automap™ technology. Even some producers and DJs without keyboard skills or any desire for keys have been purchasing a keyboard just to get “the jump on the future” of MIDI controlling. 
 
Well, Novation have now provided a solution for those who already own an assortment of controller keyboards but are desperate to get their hands on Automap™, with all the joy it brings. The ZeRO SL is a first for the company and a move away from an instrument or all-in-one controller keyboard towards a focussed control surface. Additionally, the removal of keys brings with it a large reduction in cost, which makes the ZeRO SL the most affordable way to experience the benefits of Novation’s Automap™ technology. 
 
In conjunction with Automap™, the ZeRO SL offers a huge amount of assignable controls, including 8 musically-responsive trigger pads. All of these are pre-programmed in 32 Manual Templates onboard the unit, so that the SL works with the most popular software instruments, whether Automapping or not. A stylish Template Editor software package is also included, allowing quick and easy construction or modification of Manual and Automap Templates, through the selection of named parameters, rather than arduously looking up MIDI data. 
 
With all of these features combined in one compact and extremely portable device, the ReMOTE ZeRO SL is a highly desirable control surface for studio and live performances alike. Sitting at an elevated angle, the ZeRO SL fits neatly behind a querty keyboard for quick access and minimum space consumption. Whether wanting to taste the future of MIDI controlling or just acquiring a comprehensive control surface for tailoring to a specific need, the ZeRO SL is the perfect choice for anyone into music creation, from complete beginners to the consummate pro. 
 
AutoMap 
 
Automap began with two of the major sequencing applications onboard, Cubase SX and Reason. With both, the ReMOTE SL took all the hard work out of MIDI controlling, simply requiring the software to be booted up for music making to begin; instantly, the SL’s controls map to active instruments and devices on screen, with an intelligent 2-way communication not previously seen in controller keyboards. In Cubase, two buttons on the SL can be used to move up and down through the VST rack, with the Envelopes and Filters on each soft synth consistently assigned to the same areas on the keyboard’s knobs and sliders. 
 
Since its release at the end of last year, Automap has already expanded to include three other major sequencing applications, namely Logic Pro 7, Ableton Live 5 and Nuendo 3, with many more platforms on the way. Logic Pro’s Automapping is already now in phase 2, having expanded to a dual-mode functionality that allows both Mixer and Instrument control. Cubase SX Automapping has also been updated to feature a similar dual operation, with the SL now working as an integrated control surface for the Mixer, which even displays individual track metering as the session plays! 
 
Ableton Live 5 Automapping, devised by Ableton closely in conjunction with Novation, provides an effective implementation of Automap™ technology for Live 5, with the Mixer permanently mapped to the SL’s sliders, whilst the left side of the unit automatically maps to any device or instrument clicked on screen. Meanwhile, additional buttons on the SL can be used for navigating around the session grid, with the trigger pads free to assign to firing audio clips in each scene. 

Posted: Sun - December 24, 2006 at 12:33 PM        

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