9

Getting to Know Zones and Modes
You can define a group of controllers as a zone in Expert view, and switch all controls in
a zone to different parameters, all in one operation. Using a Mackie Control, for example,
you can define the eight rotary encoders as a zone, and switch them between pan, send
level, and plug-in parameters. You can also define multiple zones for a control surface:
one for the encoders, and a second one that switches the function keys (F1 to F8) to
different functions.
Each set of zone parameters is called a mode. A zone can contain one or more modes,
but only one mode can be the active mode at any given time. A zone can also contain
assignments that are always active, regardless of the active mode. (These are known as
modeless assignments.)
The simultaneous use of modal and modeless assignments allows you to do things such
as:
• Define a zone that switches between two modes (or functions) by pressing and releasing
a control surface modifier button (such as Shift or Option) while using a particular
function button (on the control surface).
• Define a zone that allows you to use modeless assignments for things like updating
the display, Transport functions, and Save and Undo operations. The same zone could
contain a modal assignment for all Volume and Pan controls. Switching to another
mode would provide access to EQ parameters. In both modal situations, the display,
Transport, and Save and Undo functions would be available.
A mode can contain any number of assignments. Only the assignments for the active
mode are processed by Logic Express. Assignments of inactive modes are ignored.
You can switch the active mode for a zone by making special assignments. See Defining
Zones and Modes.
Zones and modes can be defined across multiple control surfaces, to support the use of
control surface groups.
46 Chapter 2 Customizing Controller Assignments