NAMM Winter Show: Novation introduced Automap Universal, a technology that Novation says “renders old school MIDI control obsolete.”

Automap Universal lets users instantly control absolutely any automatable plug-in, in any sequencer, automatically without ever having to refer to a manual or worry about MIDI data and assigning. Parameters can be ‘learned’ and saved at the touch of a button. What’s more, any ReMOTE SL owner can upgrade their unit to Automap Universal for free, by downloading the installer on the Novation website.

Automap Universal is a completely independent system that works in all applications. With Automap Universal, any plug-in (VST, AU or RTAS), effects, instruments or otherwise, can be opened on any audio platform and be instantly controlled. The ‘Automapped’ plug-in appears as normal, only it now displays an Automap Universal logo, which glows when actively controlled. As soon as any plug-in is selected on the SL, parameters appear on the screens, laid out logically across all 64 assignable controls and displayed on the screens above.

In addition to instantaneous and comprehensive control of all plug-ins, Automap Universal provides a simple ‘Learn’ facility, allowing any active plug-in to be ‘Automapped’ in any way the user chooses; simply move a parameter on the plug-in and then move a control on the SL to auto-assign. Parameters can be easily renamed on the ‘Automap-wrapped’ plug-in GUI and the unique customised Automap template then saved for later use. As such the SL series of MIDI controllers has undeniably become the best controller solution for every sequencer platform, from Garageband and Reason, to Logic, Cubase, Pro Tools and beyond.

As well as seamless plug-in control, Automap Universal delivers a number of features requested since the launch of Automap, including enhanced Mixer and session control, as well as far more comprehensive control over Logic instruments and effects.