www.solidstatelogic.com Nucleus2 User Guide Nucleus2. This is SSL.
Document History 82BN0M01C September 2016 Initial Release 82BN0M01D October 2016 Minor changes
Table of Contents Introduction 1 Nucleus2 1 How to use this Manual Conventions Glossary Software Versions Help! 2 2 2 2 2 1. Nucleus2 Overview 3 Channel Strip and Mode Switches 3 Centre Section and Analogue Control 4 Nucleus2 Remote 4 2. Nucleus2 Configurations DAWs With Proprietary Soundcards DAWs Without Proprietary Soundcards Multiple DAWs 5 5 7 8 3. Software Installation Software Installation – Mac Software Installation – Windows 9 9 10 4.
Layer Profile Configuration Protocols Creating Profiles – Method 1 Creating Profiles – Method 2 Selecting a Profile Managing Profiles Timeline Functions Transport Master Jog Wheel Function Automation Display (HUI Only) Soft Key Configuration Default Soft Keys User 1, User 2 Soft Keys Transport / Utility Soft Keys Assigning Soft Key Functions DAW Protocol Commands DAW Keyboard Shortcuts Soft Key Menus Renaming Softkey Assignments Assigning Modified Functions to Soft Keys Removing and Replacing Soft Key Assig
Introduction Nucleus2 Welcome to Nucleus2, SSL’s integrated DAW controller and soundcard for the Dante audio-over-IP network. Nucleus2 allows you to record audio and monitor your studio software through SSL’s legendary analogue circuitry and converters, while placing full control of your session underneath your fingertips.
HOW TO USe THIS MANUAL After this introduction, you will find a quick overview of Nucleus2, followed by more detailed sections covering installation, use of the Nucleus2 Logictivity Remote, and general Nucleus2 operation. Conventions Throughout this manual, the following conventions will be used: • Labels found on the Nucleus2 control surface are indicated in capitals LIke THIS. • Labels and text shown in the Nucleus2 Remote or other computer dialogues are indicated in bold Like This.
1. Nucleus2 Overview The diagrams below and overleaf provide an overview of the Nucleus2 control surface along with the main DAW screen of the Nucleus2 Remote. CHANNeL STRIP AND MODe SWITCHeS Channel meter and record status indicator Mode Switches The Mode switches are not part of the channel in which they are located. In normal operation, they select V-Pot modes. By default only Mode switches 1-8 are assigned.
CeNTRe SeCTION AND ANALOGUe CONTROL USeR Soft Key Set selectors DAW Channel Control modifiers Analogue Control: Monitoring and Mic inputs DAW Computer modifier keys * Channel/Bank scrollers * Global DAW Control keys Additional DAW Layer Selectors * Transport Control Note The function of switches in areas with asterisks are defined in the Nucleus2 Remote. (Default functions are shown.
2.
DAWs With Proprietary Soundcards Some DAWs can only receive audio via their own proprietary soundcard hardware. Many of these soundcards provide digital (S/PDIF) connections, allowing you to take full advantage of the SSL quality pre-amps and converters. The two Nucleus2 input channels are sent using the left and right channels of the S/PDIF Out, and the S/PDIF In feeds the monitor inputs.
Using Nucleus2’s Analogue IO For soundcards which don’t have digital IO, line-level analogue connections allow you still to make use of Nucleus2’s SSL pre-amps. Nucleus2 PRe (Pre-Amp) outputs and eXTeRNAL monitor inputs can be used to connect Nucleus2 to the soundcard inputs and outputs. (Note that the PRE amp outputs are sourced from the pre amp’s Insert Send, so are always active.
Multiple DAWs Up to three DAW applications on up to three computers can be connected to Nucleus2 simultaneously, as described on Page 14. This configuration requires both a Network Router and USB switcher.
3. Software Installation In order for Nucleus2 to integrate into your working environment, it will be necessary to install drivers and supporting software on your DAW computer(s) and/or studio computer(s). The following computers and operating systems are supported: Mac • Intel Core2 Duo, 1.2GHz or faster • OS X Version 10.8.5 ‘Mountain Lion’ or greater Windows • 1.2GHz or faster • Windows 7, 8, 8.
Dante Controller Installation of the Dante Controller is optional; if you intend to connect Nucleus2 to your DAW using only analogue or S/PDIF audio connections, you do not need to install Dante Controller. • To install Dante Controller, go to www.audinate.com. Click ‘Register’ in the top right hand corner and create an Audinate account. If you already have an Audinate account, please login. • Go to ‘Products’ > ‘Dante Controller’ and choose a download appropriate for your version of OS X.
Software Installation – Windows 1. Go to www.solidstatelogic.com click ‘Register’ in the top right-hand corner, and create an SSL account. If you already have an SSL account, please login. 2. Click on your Username in the top right-hand corner of the website, then go to ‘My Products’, and click ‘Register a product’. Select ‘Nucleus’, enter your console serial number, and click ‘Add’. 3.
ipMIDI Driver If an older version of the ipMIDI driver is already present on the computer, it should be uninstalled (using Add/Remove Programs) before running the installer. • To install the ipMIDI driver, locate the ipMIDI Setup application and double-click this file to launch the ipMIDI installer. Follow the instructions in the installer (it should be safe to accept the defaults). It will be necessary to restart the computer after the driver has been installed.
4. Connection and Software Configuration PHySICAL CONNeCTIONS The Installation Guide that came with Nucleus2 contains important safety information. Please be sure to read that guide before attempting to connect Nucleus2. The mains power connection for Nucleus2 is via a standard 3-pin IEC320 power cable into its external power supply.
CONFIGURING NeTWORk CONNeCTIONS Network Wiring To ensure the fastest possible communication between your DAW computer and Nucleus2 – and to simplify the installation wiring – Nucleus2 communicates with your workstation over Ethernet using the ipMIDI driver to emulate a multiport MIDI interface. To ensure minimum latency ipMIDI uses multicast UDP rather than TCP/IP. This means that: • The network connection should be short and direct.
Direct Network Connection Configuration (Mac) Connect your Nucleus2 directly to the DAW computer using a standard network cable, and check that the IP address is set to Fixed in the Nucleus2 Remote (see previous page). OS X does not currently allow two ports to be used for IP traffic – your main network connection will become unavailable when using Nucleus2. • On the Mac, open the Network control panel in System Preferences, and use the LOCATION: drop-down to create a new location.
Connecting Nucleus2 to Multiple Computers Connecting a Nucleus2 to multiple DAW computers introduces a little more complexity. Network To connect Nucleus2 to multiple DAW computers, you will probably need to connect the Nucleus2 and all the computers via a network switch or router with sufficient bandwidth to cope with the volume of data which is transferred to and from Nucleus2. It is essential that you take note of the configuration issues described previously.
IPMIDI CONFIGURATION The ipMIDI driver enables your DAW to send and receive MIDI control data via the network connection, and must be configured to match the requirements of Nucleus2 before it can be used. Mac Once the driver has been installed and you have logged back in, use the Finder to navigate to the Utilities folder (in Applications). Double-click Audio MIDI Setup, select MIDI Devices and double-click on the ipMIDI icon. Set the number of MIDI ports to 6 in the resulting pop-up.
Logic Pro Control surfaces are setup via the Logic Pro X > Control Surfaces > Setup menu (or Preferences > Control Surface Setup if using Logic 9 or below). In this example we will setup Logic for operation on DAW layer 1 of Nucleus2. 1. Choose New and then Install… 2. Choose Nucleus (left) and then Add 3. Set both Output Port and Input Port to Port 1 4. Again, Choose New and then Install… 5. Choose ‘Nucleus (right)’ and then Add 6.
DANTe SOUNDCARD CONFIGURATION Setup Go to www.audinate.com, click Register in the top right hand corner, and create an account. Under My Account go to My Products, and enter the Dante Virtual Soundcard token code – included with Nucleus2 – in this box. Click submit, and this will provide you your license listed in the account. Take note of this license code. Below the license code you will see a link appear. This will take you to the latest installer for Dante Virtual Soundcard.
Sample rate To change the sample rate on both your Nucleus2 and the Virtual Soundcard: • On the computer, double-click on the device you wish to change in Dante controller • Select the Device Config tab. The sample rate for each device can be selected via the drop down list (see image). The LOCk LED in the centre of the console will be illuminated when locked and off if there is an error with the Dante clock.
5. Nucleus2 Remote The Nucleus2 Remote performs an essential role in defining how Nucleus2 functions, from the control protocol being used to the functions assigned to many of the Nucleus2 switches. The Remote can be run from any computer that has access to Nucleus2 over Ethernet. eSTABLISHING THe ReMOTe CONNeCTION In the bottom left-hand corner of the Remote window there is a Find ( current status of the connection to Nucleus2.
ReMOTe TABS The row of tabs across the top of the window define what is displayed in the rest of the window. The DAW Tab The DAW tab is where most of the action occurs and is used for configuring the selected Nucleus2 and its control protocol as described in this Section of the manual. The Network Setup Tab The Network tab is used for configuring the Nucleus2 network connection, as described in Section 4.
ReMOTe LAyeR SeLeCTION Before adjusting any of the settings in the Remote, the Layer to which the settings refer must be defined. This is done by clicking on the DAW 1, DAW 2 and DAW 3 buttons in the Layer area towards the top of the DAW tab in the Remote window. The only area of the DAW tab which is not Layer-specific is the Transport Master area – see Page 26 for details.
Creating Profiles – Method 2 An alternative way to create new Profiles is to use the Save As button in the Soft key Setup area which makes up the bottom half of the DAW tab. 1. First select the Profile you want to use as a starting point and assign it to a layer, as described on the previous pages. 2. Click the Save As button in the Soft key Setup area at the bottom of the window to bring up the Save Profile As popup. 3. Type a name for the new Profile into the pop-up and click on Ok.
Managing Profiles The Profiles are all stored on the SD card plugged into the rear of Nucleus2, not the computer the Remote is running on. Profiles are however easily copied, renamed, deleted and backed up using the browser as well as being physically transferable from one unit to another if required. Deleting Profiles To delete a Profile, click on edit Profile to bring up the Profile editor popup, select the Profile which you wish to delete, and click Delete.
TIMeLINe FUNCTIONS Transport Master Nucleus2 directs transport commands to whichever DAW is currently selected on Nucleus2 but if multiple DAWs are being used simultaneously it is possible for one DAW to be made the Transport Master. When a DAW has been set as the Transport Master, Nucleus2 will then always direct transport commands to that DAW, regardless of the DAW (Layer) selected on the control surface. DAW transports on other Layers will be slaved to the master DAW.
SOFT key CONFIGURATION The functions assigned to almost half of the switches on Nucleus2 are ‘soft’ and can be altered. This is done in the Soft key Setup area at the bottom of the Remote’s DAW tab. There are four Soft key Setup pages, selected via the Soft key Set buttons in the middle of the DAW tab – Default, User 1, User 2 and Transport / Utility. Default Soft keys The Default soft keys are the 16 switches located above the channel displays on either side of Nucleus2.
Transport / Utility Soft keys The Transport / Utility soft key set comprises all of the assignable switches within the Nucleus2 centre section. All of these switches (with the exception of F3 and F4) come pre-assigned to the functions printed on the Nucleus2 control surface. Due to the constraints of displaying a faithful representation of the Nucleus2 centre section within the Remote, the layout of switches in the Transport / Utility page of the DAW tab differs from the actual control surface layout.
DAW Protocol Commands To assign a HUI or MCU protocol function to a switch, select the relevant Soft key Set in the Remote’s DAW tab and click on the on-screen key that you wish to assign. The key will go yellow to indicate that it is being edited. From the drop-down menu which appears, selecting DAW CMDS produces a second drop-down which lists all of the functions and commands available to you within the selected Profile. Note that the list shown below is for Pro Tools.
DAW keyboard Shortcuts Soft keys can be set up to issue DAW keyboard key presses; either single keys or more complex combinations such as OZG. To assign key presses, first select the relevant Soft key Set in the DAW tab and click the on-screen button that you wish to assign key presses to. The button will go yellow to indicate that it is being edited.
Soft key Menus To create a menu under a soft key switch, select the Soft key Set for Default, User 1 or User 2 in the DAW tab and click on the on-screen key corresponding to the Nucleus2 switch which you wish to use to access the new menu. From the drop-down menu which appears, selecting Menu sets that switch on Nucleus2 as a menu selector when the relevant Soft key Set (Default, User 1 or User 2) is active.
Renaming Softkey Assignments Every time you assign a soft key in any of the ways described above, they are named automatically: - DAW protocol functions are labelled according to the function you have chosen, as listed in the Appendix - DAW keyboard shortcuts are labelled ‘USB n’ where ‘n’ is a number that individually identifies that particular shortcut - Menu selectors are named ‘Menu n’ where ‘n’ reflects the position of the soft key in the top row, counted from the left To rename a soft key, go to the r
Configuring Continuous Controller Layers When a Continuous Controller Profile is assigned to a Nucleus2 DAW Layer, Continuous Controller (‘CC’) messages are sent on channel 1 of the first MIDI send port assigned to that Layer. These messages can be used to control software instruments within the current DAW by using the DAW’s MIDI ‘learn’ mode to attach messages to instrument plug-in parameters.
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6. DAW Operations This section provides an overview of Nucleus2’s DAW control capabilities once Nucleus2 and the Nucleus2 Remote have been fully connected, installed and configured. We will concentrate on the three main areas of control: the channel strip, the transport, and additional master controls. You may want to keep a finger in the previous Section (Nucleus2 Remote), as many of the DAW operations are defined by the Remote.
CHANNeL CONTROL Channel Scrolling On sessions with more than 16 channels, the CHANNeL and BANk switches allow you to choose which DAW channels are controlled by the 16 Nucleus2 faders. To scroll the Nucleus2 through the DAW channels in increments of one, use the left and right CHANNeL switches. To scroll in increments of 16 DAW channels, use the left and right BANk switches. A channel scrolling function can also be assigned to the Nucleus2 jog wheel via the Nucleus2 Remote.
V-Pot and V-Sel Control The channel V-Pots and V-Sel switches below the digital display fulfill a number of different DAW-specific functions. The V-Pot value is displayed using the LEDs surrounding it and the small red LED beneath indicates that the V-Sel switch is in its active position (as shown). The V-Sel switch is activated by pressing on the V-Pot. Note also that the Mode switches do not hold any function specific to the channel strip in which they are located.
Plug-in Control (Pro Tools Only) Nucleus2 is able to control plug-ins and their parameters using the standard HUI plug-in editor. This consists of four encoders with integral switches, a two-line 40-character parameter display, plus additional switches to assign and control the plug-ins within a Pro Tools channel strip. Note that the alignment of some of the labels in the Nucleus2 scribble strip is approximate.
MASTeR CONTROL Basic Transport Your DAW’s transport can be controlled from the rewind, fast forward, stop, play and record TRANSPORT switches at the bottom of the centre section. Above the main transport controls are three smaller switches. The functions assigned to these switches are defined in the Nucleus2 Remote by selecting the Transport / Utility Soft key Set. Their default HUI functions are printed above them, their default MCU functions are printed below them.
USeR keyS Two soft keys sets are available for users to configure. These soft keys employ the Mode and V-Sel switches in channels 9-16: The two soft key sets are called User 1 and User 2, and are activated by pressing the USeR 1 or USeR 2 switch, below the Nucleus2 logo in the centre section. The top row of the scribble strip display indicates the Mode switch function, the bottom row the V-Sel function.
7. Analogue Operations Nucleus2 has two areas of analogue operation: the input section (used for recording sources to the DAW) and the monitoring. ReCORDING SOURCeS The input section of Nucleus2 is located in the top right-hand corner of the centre section. There are two input channels, with insert circuits for introducing external processing to the signal.
MIX Mode When mixing down, Nucleus2 can be used to insert external processing to the stereo master by pressing the MIX switch above the HP LeVeL control. In Mix mode, the monitor inputs replace the input channels as the source for the channel insert sends. The insert return is routed to the channel outputs in the normal way, allowing the processed signal to be rerecorded within the DAW. In Mix mode, none of the monitor controls affect the insert send or return.
Appendix TRANSPORT/UTILITy FUNCTION MAP The chart below details the assignments of the transport and utility functions within Pro Tools, Logic and Nuendo/Cubase: Switch Type Transport Utility RTz eND LOOP ONLINe PUNCH PReVIOUS NeXT LAST CUe NUDGe – NUDGe + SHIFT OPT/ALL CTRL ALT eSC eNTeR SAVe UNDO FOOT 1 FOOT 2 Pro Tools Logic Nuendo/Cubase RTZ End Loop On-Line Quick Punch Prev Marker Next Marker Last Marker Keypad – Keypad + Shift/All Option/All Control CMD/Alt/Fine Function Key 8/Esc Keypad Enter
DAW PROTOCOL COMMAND SOFT key LABeLLING The following list details the way in which each DAW protocol command is labelled when the command is assigned to a Nucleus2 soft key.
Logic Function Track Pan/Surround EQ Send Plugin Instrument Flip Global Name/Value SMPTE/Beats Function Key 1 Function Key 2 Function Key 3 Function Key 4 Function Key 5 Function Key 6 Function Key 7 Function Key 8 MIDI Tracks Inputs Audio Tracks Audio Instruments Aux Busses Outputs User Shift Option Control Alt Read Nucleus2 User Guide Soft key Label Track PanSur EQ Send Plugin Instr Flip Global NM/VAL SMPTE F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 MIDITr Inputs AudTr AudIns Aux Busses Outpts User Shift Option Ctrl Alt R
Nuendo Function Page Down Pan EQ Page Up Inserts FX Sends Flip Edit Name/Value SMPTE/Beats Function Key 1 Function Key 2 Function Key 3 Function Key 4 Function Key 5 Function Key 6 Function Key 7 Function Key 8 Fader Group 1 Fader Group 2 Fader Group 3 Fader Group 4 Fader Group 5 Fader Group 6 Fader Group 7 Fader Group 8 Undo Redo Page 46 Soft key Label PageDn Pan EQ PageUp Insert FXSend Flip Edit Nm/Val SMPTE F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 FadGp1 FadGp2 FadGp3 FadGp4 FadGp5 FadGp6 FadGp7 FadGp8 Undo Redo Funct
Index ø switch 39 ∑ switch 40 F F1 and F2 37 +48v switch 39 Flip Mode 35 80Hz switch 39 Foot Switches 26 FOOTSWITCH connector 11 A About tab 20 ALT 37 Auto Mode 24 AUTO switch 34 Automation 34 Automation Display 24 B BANK BLEND pot 34 39, 40 G Glossary 2 H Headphones 39 HEADPHONES connector 11 Hi-Z 39 HP LEVEL 39 HUI 2, 21 I iJack 40 C CC Layers 31 iJack connector 11 CHANNEL 34 INS 39 Connections 11 INSTRUMENT 35 CTRL 37 IP address 12 Cursor keys
MIDI Controllers (Pro Tools) 15 MINI 13, 41 MIX 39, 40 MODE Display 37 MODE key 37 Mode switches 35 Modifiers (DAW keyboard) 28, 37 MONITOR Connections 11 Monitoring 39 MONO L and R 39 MUTE 35 N Network 11, 14 Network Setup tab 20 Network Wiring 12 O OPT 37 P PAD 39 PAN 35 PARAM switch 36 Plug-in Control (Logic) 35 Plug-in Control (Pro Tools) 36 PRE Connections 11 Profiles 21 Protocols 21 R REC switch 34 Record Ready 34 Recording Sources 39 Remote Installa
Notes Nucleus2 User Guide Page 49
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