Keyboards

Novation Nocturn 25 & 49

Nocturn Keyboard is an intelligent plug-in/sequencer controller. It has a high quality keyboard, with 8 drum pads and a total of 33 assignable controls, which allow you to get hands-on control of your plug-in instruments, effects and sequencer. 

Most keyboard controllers have two big problems: The idea of being able to control software parameters with knobs and buttons sounds great. However, the hassle of assigning them, and remembering what they are assigned to becomes so tedious that you always end up turning back to your mouse.

Nocturn Keyboard's Automap control software solves both these problems. To assign controllers, simply click on the parameter, touch a knob or button, and it is assigned! It also enables you to keep track of what is assigned to what - instead of using a small monochrome LCD screen, Nocturn Keyboard displays control information where you really need it: on your computer monitor. The Automap software graphically displays Nocturn’s control surface. The controllers themselves also tell you what is going on: LED rings around the 8 encoders show their current settings, and LED’s behind the buttons tell you if they are on or off.

Automap
Apart from from high quality hardware, what really sets Nocturn Keyboard aside is the Automap control software. Automap is now even more powerful and easy to use. Nocturn Keyboard ships with Automap standard, which acts as a software interface for the unit.

Instant Assignment
Automap enables you to map parameters in your software plug-ins, straight to dials and buttons on the controller by simply clicking on a parameter, then touching the controller. There is no longer any need to sift through long lists of MIDI continuous controller numbers. This applies to encoders, control-buttons, drumpads, modulation wheel, sustain and expression pedals; Automap can instantly assign them all to software parameters. Automap can integrate with Logic, ProTools, Digital Performer and any other HUI compatible sequencers, using the HUI control protocol.

Displaying Control Information
The Automap GUI graphically displays all the controls on Nocturn Keyboard, visually showing you what software parameter is assigned to each control, exactly as it is laid out on the unit. You can also name each control, turning the GUI into a giant screen where all information is instantly displayed and updated. With this, there is no need for a tiny LCD screen on the unit, which can only display very limited information.

Automatic Mapping
Automap will automatically assign knobs and buttons to parameters on a huge number of the most popular plug-ins. We are constantly building more maps which are available on the community pages of the Novation website. Nocturn Keyboard will automatically assign controllers to mixer and transport functions in all major DAWs/sequencers.

DAW Control
Nocturn Keyboard can be set up for use as a serious DAW/sequencer controller, as well as its ground-breaking Automap control of all VST/AU/RTAS/TDM plug-ins. See below for details of how Nocturn integrates with major DAWs. 

Ableton
Transport Control: Yes
Mixer Control: Yes, using Ableton's 'learn' mode
Further Control: More features can be controlled with Nocturn Keyboard via Ableton's 'learn' mode. 

Pro Tools
Transport Control: Yes
Mixer Control: Yes
Further Control: All Pro Tools' RTAS and TDM plug-ins can be instantly controlled with Automap

Record/Reason
Transport Control: Yes
Mixer Control: Yes
Further Control: All native instruments and effects can be instantly controlled with Automap

Logic
Transport Control: Yes
Mixer Control: Yes
Further Control: All native instruments and effects can be instantly controlled with Automap

Cubase
Transport Control: Yes
Mixer Control: Yes

Sonar
Transport Control: Yes
Mixer Control: Yes

Reaper
Transport Control: Yes
Mixer Control: Yes

DP
Transport Control: Yes
Mixer Control: Yes

Traction
Transport Control: Yes
Mixer Control: Yes