Novation ReMOTE SL

Single Patch Editor

This patch editor was originally designed and tested with the ReMOTE SL Mk II keyboards and the Zero MkII. However, it probably works fine with the earlier ReMOTE SL Keyboards and Zero (untested). It may also work properly with the ReMOTE SL Compact (untested), but you have to set it up right (see discussion below). This patch protocol is extremely complex, and had to be entirely reverse-engineered, so the editor is likely to have errors, especially for the untested machines. If you discover irregularities, please contact me (sean@cs.gmu.edu).

This editor was tested on a Zero Mk II with the latest firmware (1.3.14). You'd probably want to update to the latest firmware, but beware that the firmware options available on Novation's website are out of date and incorrect.

Communicating with Edisyn

If you're using USB, set Edisyn's Send and Receive devices to your SL's Port 1 (on my Zero, the device is called "ZeRO MkII Port 1", and make sure that the SL is connecting to at least port U1 when you dump. If you're using 5-Pin DIN MIDI, make sure Edisyn's Send and Receive devices are your MIDI interface, and that the SL is connecting to at least port M1 or M2 as you see fit. Windows/Linux Warning  Java on Windows or Linux does not play nicely with the Novation SL's USB port. Instead, Windows and Linux users should use a good USB MIDI interface.

About the SL Compact

Novation's sysex is very strange in that the same exact sysex is meant to work for the SL Compact and for other SL models, even though they have different capabilities: the same sysex data is reused. The upshot of this is that if you have an SL Compact, you should turn on the "Compact" checkbox. This won't affect your current SL editor (close it), but it will affect future editors.

The Compact version of Edisyn's editor replaces the Faders and Pots with additional banks of Encoders, and eliminates the Cross-fader (which overlaps with a Compact encoder, don't ask). Note that for sysex compatibility some items still exist in the editor which aren't available in the Compact, such as the X1/Y1/X2/Y2 touchpad controls, MIDI 2 options, and the global pot strategy. You can just ignore them.

The Compact does not support MIDI 2. So don't select that.

SL keyboards versus the SL Zero

On the Zero, you have the choice of "Common" vs "Program" Ports and Channels. But on the keyboards, the choice is between "Common" and "Keyboard". Obviously this is because the Zero doesn't have a keyboard. Because I own a Zero, and I think they're more common nowadays, I have elected to use the term "Program" in the editor.

Also, you can set any parameter you like, but note that the keyboards have certain capabilities the Zero does not, and vice versa. Items specific to keyboards are marked with [Key] and the sole item specific to the Zero (Mk II only), namely the Cross-Fader, is marked with [Zero].

Sending and Receiving a Patch

The SL has limited sysex options. Edisyn cannot request a patch (a "template") from the SL -- instead you must manually send Edisyn the patch from the unit.

If you Send to Current Patch from Edisyn, it will upload the patch to the SL without a patch (template) number. You'll then have to save it on the unit directly. If you Write to Patch..., it'll save it directly at the patch number.

Individual parameters cannot be sent. You have to send a whole patch.

You can do a batch download of all the SL's patches, but you cannot specify a range, and because Edisyn cannot request patches from the SL you will have to initiate a bulk dump ("Dump ALL") from your SL after you have asked Edisyn to start the batch download.

About the Buttons

Edisyn groups the buttons into A, B, C, D, and Transport. They are:

On the Compact, these button groups are known as 1, 2, 3, and 4, and Edisyn will call them this as well, so as to be compatible with the Compact's odd nomenclature.

Because it has nowhere else to go, the Cross-Fader is lumped in with the Transport buttons.

About the Layout Category

This category just displays the labels for the controls as your SL would, so it's clear how they're laid out.

Cutting and Pasting

Novation's original editor had considerable flexibility in enabling you to move commands among controls or groups of controls. Edisyn cannot provide this level of flexibility, but it endeavors to give as much as it can. Even though there are some differences between encoders, pots/faders, buttons, drum pads, and pitch bend, you can in fact cut and paste between any control just like in the original editor. This is done by cutting and pasting the controls' categories: just click on the category headers. You can also copy and paste entire tabs, as well as keyboard zones. Edisyn will do its best to match up commands transferred between different kinds of controls.

Bugs in Novation's SLMkII Editor

Novation's editor has a lot of bugs and missing features. Edisyn tries to be compatible with the SL, not the editor. For example: Edisyn tries to remedy these errors.

Errors in the Novation SL

The SL also has a few bugs and oddities itself.

Gotchas



Hints



Librarian Support

You can't request patches from the SL, thus you can't request banks or ranges of patches -- you have to send them to the librarian manually.

Thanks

Thanks to Focusrite PLC (Novation) for their assistance in gathering certain information helpful in development of this editor. Thank you to Zsolt Szabo (zsolt.szabo.000@gmail.com) for bug reports.

By    Sean Luke
Date    February 2021