Novation Remote Zero SL

Well, this unit doesn't actually HAVE keys... [but this still seemed the best slot to file the review as the unit is identiacal to the other Novation Remote keyboards (except for the keys). The contollers (and the Automap software) are what sets these units above the rest. Can be powered by USB, batteries, or wall wart. The data display is excellent, and everything can be viewed on computer monitor anytime. Very well made, in the Novation tradition.

8 endless encoders, 8 rotary pots, 8 linear faders; many buttons, also veocity sensitive pads, dedicated transport buttons (play, rewind, etc), and inputs for (reassignable) sustain and expression pedals. Everything is deeply and easily assignable.

It does not have the mod and pitch wheels and x-y pad of the keyboard units. I found a freeware VST called touchpad2MIDI that lets my laptop act as an assignable x-y MIDI pad- and USB touchpads (with velcro!) are going for 30 dollars or so...

Main I/O is USB, but DIN MIDI is fully supported (two outs, in and thru). Driver and software installation a snap.

It's actually the Automap software that puts these units above the rest. Not just for automatically assigning knobs to parameters as i thought before purchase (which isn't actually that useful i find, i wipe them all out and quickly reassign as i desire). But somehow the software operates between the controller and the (plugin AND host) software so that they are in sync. The endless encoders automatically know and display the value of parameter they are assigned to, and continue to know when the value is changed, no matter how. You can change VSTs on the fly, or change the value with the mouse or anything else (automation, LFO, whatever) and the Novation is right there. The rotary pots and faders are not motorized, so they can't physically change if the value is changed say with the mouse, BUT there is a 'pot pickup' [no, not that kind of pot], so the value doesn't jump. This is SO IMPORTANT maybe i should give an example:

I'm playing live: i am controlling a VSTi synth and have a knob controlling say LFO1 depth, and it's set at maximum. I switch to another program or VSTi. Now the parameter the knob is controlling is feedback, and it's set low. If that knob is on one of my keyboard controllers (a CME UF and an M-Audio Mid-Air37- both have pots and faders) and i touch that knob, the feedback will immidiately jump to maximum, maybe i destroy the sound system and deafen the audience. Not with the Automapped Novation.

The unit can also operate without automap mode (there are plenty of templates), i think you still have the 'pot pick-up' option, but you lose that special 2 way communication.

N.B. i am using Traktion2, maybe other software can do this 2 way communication, but I have a Behringer B-Control Nano, and i can't use the 'learn' function, because the software can't 'talk' to it.

I think it now comes with a bundled Bass Station plugin.

Works great. It it were stolen i would hunt the thief down and eviscerate them. If, like me, you already have a controller keyboard but find the controllers inadequate because they 'jump', this is the solution.

SECRET BONUS INFO: this wasn't in the manual, maybe so obvious they didn't bother. The unit normally sits at a low angle, with two 'wedge' feet, but if you switch them (one screw), it sits steeply, like the backplate on a MiniMoog. Cool.

Personally, i'd prefer 24 endless encoders to the encoder/pot/fader combo, but that's just me, i can see the value of the faders (i have my CME keyboard's faders doing master and channel volumes), and one can make 'pages' to have as many parameters controlled by the encoders, so it's no biggie. I had a couple advance tweaking issues (turning off the flashing 'temp' LED, and controlling sevaral plugins at once), tech support was excellent, fast and accurate, even though i told them i purchased the unit used.

Also i don't care for the onscreen (the computer's screen, the onboard display is superb) display, the type's too small. I almost bought a Nocturn, which just came out (would have cost a bit more new (in US anyway) than this unit was used. It has LEDs for its encoders, but no onboard data display, only on he computer monitor, i think i'd have been dissapointed. But I would LOVE to have that middle knob from the Nocturn- it controls whatever the mouse cursor is over, MIDI or not! Maybe a software update could make this awesome feature assignable to an the Remote?