Creating a Custom Controller


1. Create your first controller / Add a new controller, '+' In the top left corner.


2. Choose your layout, name it, and click on create.

3. You may get a notification on your mac/pc to 'allow incoming connections', and congruently, ONE Control may ask to connect to your previously established connections.


Customising your Controller


Adding Modules/Panels


4. Once open, your controller is, naturally in 'edit' mode, allowing you to add new components, using the Add buttons '+'


    • The size of the modules available will vary depending on the layout you have chosen. Here you will find the freedom to create your ideal layout.


    • Activate, 'Show Options', to view more configurations and MIDI assignment ranges for each module.


    • Once you have chosen, press 'Add Module' to load it in your controller.


Customising Panels / Modules


    • The Module is now added to your controller, still in edit mode, you can choose to edit;

  1. The whole module by pressing the pencil in the blue circle,
  2. Each component within the module separately by pressing on any wheel, button, or fader.
  3. General module editing options are listed under the '...' button.


5. For this example, we have added a number of modules to show the different assignment and editing options available.


• If you have the same modules, make sure to choose different MIDI assignment ranges beforehand (step. 4), else this can be edited by pressing on any component, and under the 'Automation' tab, change the cc address.


Assigning MIDI Controls


6. To assign any virtual control to your Custom Controller, ONE Control will act as any other MIDI controller.


    • Let's assign our ADSR Settings,

  1. Enable MIDI Assignment mode in your DAW.
  2. Select the button you want to assign from your virtual instrument/DAW.
  3. Now select the component you want to assign on you custom controller.
  4. You can repeat this for all the components necessary.
  5. Once you are done, make sure to close the MIDI assignment mode.
  6. Finally, check you work, assignments and ranges!

Customising Components: Knobs


7. Let's assign a knob for our Cut-off frequency and make it tactile.

  1. Choose the knob you would like to assign.
  2. Press on it to start editing.
  3. I will name it 'Cut-off' and set 'Label content' to Percentage to give me and indication of its position during use.



In the 'General' tab you can show/hide/disable the component;

• Under 'Label' Show or hide and modify labels and choose the parameter affecting it.

• Under 'Options' One can choose to set the knob into pan, which will have its default position resting at the centre.

• Under 'Value';

  1. You can add multi-step controls with dedicated labels.
  2. Set a default value, keep current, or none.
  3. Choose to return it to the original position on release.


In the 'Aspect' tab we will design the button.

  1. Under 'Styles', select 'Other Themes' to find your preferred style, and hit 'Select'.
  2. I will be following the UADx Polymax synthesiser theme, thus, I will be going for the 'Retro theme'.
  3. Colours can also be changed to your liking using the palettes.


In the 'Automation' tab we will not need to make changes, we will dive into this when creating buttons.


Next I will modify the other knobs on the same module.


I can get a quick start by copying the Cutoff button and pasting the whole thing, only its aspect, or its automation, using the drop down menu.


Else, one can also Drag&Drop component features, depending on the 'Drag&Drop' function selected in the footer, (Bottom right.), 'All / Aspect / Automation'.



Customising Components: Buttons


Next, lets create some buttons for ON/OFF, CUE/SOLO, and RECORD.


Lets start by adding a three button module;


I will start with the ON/OFF (Mute).

  1. While in 'EDIT' mode, click on the button you want to assign.
  2. In the 'General' Tab, enter a label name, ON or ON/OFF.
  3. Under 'Options' choose 'Two state button' (Switch), This will turn the button into a 'Toggle Switch'


Now let's edit their 'Aspect' to resemble the buttons on our DAW.

  • Like buttons, we can choose a style, and further edit the colours.
  • The button can be clicked to check if the functionality is to your liking.
  • Choose a theme, and hit 'Select'. This will set it to 'Current'
  • Now you may choose to colour the, primary, secondary, and label colours.


Automation


Now move to the 'Automation' tab. Here we will adress and set commands for the button states.

  • You will first find an event called 'On Activate'.
  • Set the 'Value' here to '127' (as this is the max possible value in the range from 0-127.)

  • Now we must 'Add Event' to state a command for deactivation of the button.
  • 'On Deactivate'.

  • Here we must add an action by pressing the circled '+' button.
  • Choose 'MIDI CC' from the drop down menu.

  • Assign the CC address to correspond to the same button.
  • Set the value to the minimum state, '0'.

The button trigger is now configured.

  • Press 'Done' and close the 'Edit' menu.


  • You may now copy and paste the aspect to save some time, or start from scratch with the next buttons.
  • I do not recommend pasting the whole button as this will change its 'MIDI CC' assignment.

  • So, I will 'Paste Aspect', edit the label, choose colours, and adjust automation as previously shown.

  • You can also click the button to check if it suits your aesthetic.

  • In 'Automation' Set 'On Activate' (CC address, Value 127)  and 'On Deactivate' (CC address, Value 0) events.



Once all buttons are configured, the buttons will need to be assigned to your DAW like any other MIDI controller and you are good to go.


Panel Customisation

  • For the next module example, I will first need to replace it, as I need more functionality and control.
  • Click on the three dot icon '...', choose, 'Replace Module...'


  • Select your preferred module, and click 'Replace Module'.

  • That's more like it!


... it is always a good idea to think of what you need before you start editing...


Start by listing the instruments parameters you want to assign, and plan their placement on the controller. This will save you a lot of time during editing.

  • I will start by removing the module name, to have larger controls.
  • This is done by editing the module,
  • Press the circled blue pencil, and in the 'General' Tab, untick, 'Show Title'.


   


  • From the 'Panel' menu, 'General' tab, one can also 'Hide Container' under 'Visibility'.
  • The controllers backgrounds can be changed to your preferred colours, library, or custom pictures from the 'Aspect' tab.


Controller Settings


You can also edit the whole background and general module settings using the page settings menu.

  • Simply click on the page you want to edit while in 'Edit' mode, 'Main' in this case.

  • Here you will find many more options for your controllers' 'General' configuration.


  • And also, in 'Aspect' you will find quick ways to style your controller, using themes, pictures and more.


There are loads of features within custom controllers to suite your needs in any field of work or hobby. Experiment with all the different features and find the most efficient designs that work for you!