GroundControl - Universal Audio Console integration into Ableton Live

Compability:

• GroundControl is a MaxForLive device, so it only works with Live Suite or Live Standard with MaxForLive.
• Works with Live 10 Live 11, Live 12. *
• Requires a Universal Audio Apollo interface (FireWire or Thunderbolt).
• Compatible with every Universal Audio Apollo interface. (Not compatible with Volt interfaces.)
• Available for both Windows and Mac..* For Live 10, and 11 make sure you’re using at least Max 8.6.4 instead of the bundled Max application! https://help.ableton.com/hc/en-us/articles/209070309-Using-a-separate-Max-for-Live-installation

GroundControl is a pair of MaxForLive devices designed to fully integrate Universal Audio’s Apollo Console application into Ableton Live.
Its primary function is to give you full control over your Apollo interface’s input channels, and your monitoring section, directly from Live’s device view—without the need to open the Console application separately.

With GroundControl, you can control every aspect of your Apollo’s input channels, including preamp settings, monitoring, inserts, and sends, all from within Ableton Live.
Simply insert the GroundControl Channel device into an audio track, select your Apollo interface, and choose one of its inputs. From there,
You’ll have complete control over that input just as you would in the Console.

The same goes for the Monitor/Master section.
Just insert the GroundControl Master device into your Master/Main track, and start using it.

One of the standout features of GroundControl is the ability to create multiple configurations for the same input channel across different tracks.

For example, you might use the same microphone for both guitar and vocal recordings, but set up the guitar track with one configuration and the vocal track with another.
When switching between these tracks in Live, GroundControl will automatically recall all relevant settings (preamp configuration, plugins and their parameters, monitoring section, sends, etc.) for the selected track.
There’s no need to manually save or load presets—just select the track, and everything is ready to go.

This capability also makes GroundControl an excellent tool for preserving recording sessions.
When you reopen a Live Set, GroundControl recalls all Apollo settings for each track, ensuring that you can easily resume work with the exact setup you used.

You can even save GroundControl Channel presets into Live’s browser for easy reuse in future projects.

GroundControl communicates bi-directionally with both the Console application and your Apollo interface. Any changes made in GroundControl are reflected in the Console application and on your Apollo hardware, and vice versa. This ensures perfect synchronization between your DAW and your interface.

FEATURES:

Channel device:

Place the GroundControl Master device on the master track, and the GroundControl Channel device on any audio track in Ableton Live. Select your Apollo interface and its input channel directly within the Channel device:

• Automatic Input Assignment:
  When you select a Channel from GroundControl it’ll automatically assign the selected Channel as the input source for the audio track.
• Control the Channel:
  You can adjust any parameter in the Preamp, Insert, Monitor, and Sends sections from within the device, just like in the UA Console application.
• Plugin Management:
  Browse, load, and manage plugins directly within the GroundControl device. You can:-       Add or replace plugins on any channel.-       Open, close, delete, bypass, or rearrange plugins.

-       Open, close, delete, bypass, or rearrange plugins.

• Quick Control Slots: Assign up to 8 quick control slots to frequently used plugin parameters for easy access. These controls can be MIDI mapped, automated or modulated within Live, allowing for creative recording workflows.

• Preset Saving:
  Save presets of the GroundControl Channel device directly into Live’s Browser.
  When you drop a preset into Live it’ll apply every settings from the device to the selected channel.
  (Preamp/monitoring/sends section, and all the plugins and their configuration.)
• Session Preservation:
  GroundControl makes it easy to preserve recording sessions for later use.
  When you reopen a Live Set, GroundControl will recall all the input channel settings for each track, so you’ll know exactly how your inputs were configured for every recorded part of your song.
• Notes:
  Add notes or images to the device, such as details about the microphone used, or settings on your hardware, to document your setup for future sessions.
  You’ll know how you approached the recording even years later!
  You can also open this panel in a floating window with a keyboard shortcut, or with automation.

• MIDI map for remote access:
  Midi map any parameter to remotely access them even if you selected another track/Channel device instance.

Additional Features:

• Auto Channel renaming: GroundControl can automatically rename the selected Apollo channel to match the Ableton track name, to keep your session organized.  

• Input monitor linking: If the Cannel's monitor fader is on, the Audio track's monitoring will automatically turn off, and if the Channel’s monitor fader is off the Audio track’s monitoring will turn to Auto

• Tempo Follow: The Console application will automatically follow Ableton Live’s tempo including Tempo Automations.

Master/Monitoring section:

• Control your Monitoring Section and certain Console settings from the Master device:

INSTALLATION/SETUP

Place the devices in your Ableton Live User Library:

Default User Library locations:

Windows: \USERS\[USERNAME]\DOCUMENTS\ABLETON\USER LIBRARY

Mac: MACINTOSH HD/USERS/[USERNAME]/MUSIC/ABLETON/USER LIBRARY

Allow Live time to analyse your library after adding devices. You can still drag and drop devices from the library in the meantime.

• Ensure that all Apollo interfaces you plan to use are connected and powered on before launching Ableton Live.
• In Live’s Audio Preferences, make sure the selected audio interface is your Apollo. This step is essential to ensure that GroundControl’s auto input switch feature functions correctly.If using aggregate devices on Mac, make sure Apollo inputs are at the top.
• If you’re using an aggregate device on a Mac, make sure that your Apollo interface’s inputs are listed at the top of the aggregate device’s input configuration. This will prevent conflicts and ensure the correct inputs are available for GroundControl.

• In Live’s Input Config Preferences, enable the inputs from your Apollo interface that you intend to use. You can disable unused inputs to declutter your workflow. Feel free to rename the inputs in Ableton for clarity, as this won’t affect GroundControl’s functionality.

  

• Insert the GroundControl Master device onto your Master Track in Live.

• Add GroundControl Channel devices to any audio tracks where you want to control Apollo inputs.

Note:

I recommend integrating the Master and Channel devices into your default Ableton Live template. This will save you setup time, as the devices will automatically be ready when you start new projects.

Always ensure that the Master Device is present in your Live Set; otherwise, the Channel Devices will not function properly.

Avoid placing multiple Channel Devices on the same track, as this can cause issues with Undo History in Ableton.

MASTER DEVICE CONTROLS

Monitor Section:

You control the Main Output/Monitoring section directly from the device:

·      Main monitor Volume 

·      Monitor Mono toggle

·      Monitor Mute toggle

·      DIM toggle

·      Dim amount value

·      Monitor source selector

·      Talkback toggle 

Plus it display the current DSP, PRG and MEM values like the “UAD Meter & Control panel”. 

The values of these Monitoring controls are not saved into the Live Set! 

Whenever you reopen a Live Set all of these parameters will pick up the current values from the Console app.

(So you don't have to worry about blowing your speakers out. : ) ) 

You can use this section in two modes: 

Safe and Remote:

Safe:  

This is the default configuration. 

In this mode the Monitor sections parameters are not Automatable, and doesn't create any undo history entries into Live. 

You can safely tweak your monitor volume, Talkback switch, Dim amount, (and so on) right from the device without worrying about changing them when you press the undo button. 

But you can't access them from Push, nor can you assign Key/MIDI mappings to them.

Remote:

When you Enable the Remote mode, these parameters will become Automatable, MIDI/Key mappable, and you can access them directly from Push.

Unfortunately this also means that any tweak on them will get into Live's undo history.

(So be careful with this mode!) 

You can switch between the two modes any time. 

If you disable the Remote mode, and then start to use the undo redo shortcuts in Live , the previous tweaks won't affect the undo history anymore.

So you can switch between these two modes safely without worrying. 

If you want to Switch back to Remote mode The LiveSet will remember all the Key/MIDI assignments.

Note:
The Safe/Remote mode button is not Key/Midi mappable, and it's not saved into Live's undo history. 

So if you reopen a Live set it'll always default to Safe mode until you manually change it.

CONSOLE SETTINGS

You have the option to to control some Console related settings directly from the device.

If you enable this “Console Options” section You can manage these options on a /Live Set basis.
But you can disable this section completely if you prefer to continue to manage them in the Console app.

These options are: 

·      Sample rate

This is useful because you can force Live to open the Live set in the Sample rate you used.
(Plus you can change your Sample Rate from Push. : ) )

·      Clip hold time 

·      Meter Peak hold time

·      Pre/Post fader metering 

·      plugin Delay compensation value 

·      20dBu/24dBu headroom switch

·      FunctionSwitch button function selector for the Monitor Apollo unit

 GROUNDCONTROL SETTINGS

Refresh:
In certain scenarios, you may need to refresh the Master device to ensure all changes are properly reflected across your session. For example:

-       If you’ve created new plugin or channel strip presets in the Console after inserting the GroundControl Channel device.

-       If you’ve loaded the Live Set with the wrong audio driver (e.g., you accidentally started Live with your laptop’s mic and speakers, then switched to the Apollo driver).

The options in the “GroundControl” settings pannel affects the behavior of all Channel Devices:

·       Auto Switch inputs:
When you select an Apollo channel on a GroundControl Channel device, it will automatically switch the track’s input in Live to the corresponding Apollo input channel. This feature only works if the respective input channels are enabled in Live’s Input Config preferences.
Note: This automatic input assignment will not occur if the track is actively recording to avoid disrupting your session.

·       Turn Off Monitoring:
When you turn the Monitor Volume fader up in a GroundControl Channel device, (Or in Console) the track’s monitoring in Ableton Live will automatically be disabled. This prevents double monitoring (hearing the audio from both the Apollo interface and the Live track simultaneously.

·       Turn On Monitoring:
If you turn the Monitor Volume fader all the way down, the track’s monitoring in Ableton Live will switch back to Auto, enabling monitoring from Live. This feature gives you convenient control over when to monitor from the Apollo interface and when to monitor directly from the DAW.

·       Channel name:
Fix: The channel name in the UA Console will remain unchanged.
Follow: The Apollo channel name will automatically sync with the Ableton Live track’s name.

·       Open Plugins on load:
When this option is enabled, any plugin loaded into a preamp or effect slot will automatically open its floating window.
Note: The plugin windows are rendered by the Console app, so it has to be open, otherwise it can’t display them.
You can just simply open the app, and minize it, so it’s not in the way.

·       Follow Tempo:
Enabling Follow Tempo ensures that the UA Console will sync with your Ableton Live set’s tempo (Including automated tempo changes.)

Show Hidden Channels
When this option is enabled Channels that are Hidden in the Console won’t appear in the Channel devices IO menu.
Note:If you Hide/Un-Hide channels on the fly, you’ll have to refresh the Master device to see the change in the IO matrix.

CHANNEL DEVICE CONTROLS

CHANNEL SELECTION

GroundControl automatically detects all your connected Apollo interfaces and their available input channels.

Simply select the interface and the channel you want to work with from the IO list.

Note: Since GroundControl 1.2 Only those channels are accessible from this list that are enabled in the Console IO Matrix.

You’ll see that :

• The Preamp section dynamically adapts depending on the selected channel type. For example:

            •           If the selected channel supports Unison, all preamp controls will be available.

            •           If it’s an ADAT channel, the preamp controls will disappear, reflecting the different channel capabilities..

• All settings of the Channel in UA Console will change to match the settings of the device.

• GroundControl automatically assigns the corresponding Apollo input channel to the track’s input in Live (if it’s enabled in Live’s input settings).
  Note: This automatic input assignment will not occur if the track is actively recording to avoid disrupting your session.

The channel selector section is not available on Push.

PREAMP/MONITOR SECTION

The Preamp/Monitor section mirrors the controls found in the UA Console application. All parameters behave exactly as they do in Console, and can be automated, MIDI-mapped, and controlled via Push.

EFFECT SLOTS

You can add or replace plugins, presets, or full channel strips just like in Console.

If a slot is not populated just click on the plus icon to reveal the plugin browser:
In the Plugin browser you’ll see all the plugins that you have access to (or currently demoing).

(When you want to add effects to the Unison slot, the browser will only show unison capable plugins.)

If you click on the „+” icon before the INSERTS text, you can browse and load full channel strip presets.

Once a slot is populated with a plugin you can just hower your mouse over it to:

-       Replace it by clicking on the plus icon

-       Select a specific preset by clicking on the „P” icon.

-       Open the floating window by clicking on the Plugin icon.

-       Bypass/Enable the plugin with the on/off button.

-       If you want to replace the order of the plugins you can simply drag&drop it to another slot.

-       If you want to remove a plugin just drag it and drop it out from the slots window anywhere.

SENDS

The Sends section in GroundControl works exactly as it does in the UA Console application. You can MIDI map, Automate/Modulate these parameters, and access them from Push.

QUICK CONTROL PARAMETERS

If you need quick access to specific plugin parameters without opening the plugin’s floating window, you can assign them to one of the 8 available quick control slots.

To assign a parameter, select the desired plugin slot, then choose the specific parameter you want to control. The parameter will now be adjustable directly from the GroundControl device interface.

Once a parameter is assigned to a quick control slot, it can be MIDI mapped or automated/modulated for creative recording purposes. These parameters are also accessible via Push.

Note: Be aware that assigned parameters will be cleared if the associated plugin is removed or if its position in the effects chain changes.

NOTES

GroundControl allows you to save written notes and images directly within the device, making it easier to recall important details about your session, even years later.

Written Notes: The notes section lets you document essential information such as microphone types, placement, hardware settings, or any specific recording setup. Simply type in a note that you want to remember later, and it will be saved within the GroundControl Channel device.

Adding Images: GroundControl supports up to four image slots. You can drag and drop images from your computer directly into these slots.

For better file organization, I recommend to create a folder called “Pictures” within your current LiveSet’s folder in the Live browser and place your images there first. This ensures the images are saved with your project and don’t get lost over time.(Then you can drop these images into the device.)

You can also open the note section in a resizable and pinned floating window, with pressing on the note Icon.

You can assign a Keyboard or MIDI shortcut for this button, or you can automate it so it opens automatically during a section of your song.

Open the “notes settings” panel to customize the look of the note section. You can change the:

·      Font type

·      Text Size

·      Text Color

·      Background Color

This section is also avaliable as a separete device called “Notes & Pictures”
(Included in the pack)

OPTIONS

• Enable Output if track not selectedIf enabled the device will continue to output it's parameter values to the console. So you can MIDI map it's parameters to remotely control the channel.
  Important: If this option is enabled be careful with automation and modulatio!
   especially for plugin parameters, because it could cause unwanted effects.
• Link mute to record armIf enabled the device will mute the Channel if the track’s record arm is disabled in Live.And it’ll un-mute it once the record arm is turned back on.
• Enabled monitor modeIf the TurnOn/TurnOff monitor option is enabled in the master device, you can choose whitch monitoring option you want to use for the track: Auto or In
• Plugins Channel switching behaviourWhen you switch to a different channel from the IO menu you can either:o   Apply the plugins from the device to the newly selected channel.o   Pick up the Plugins from the newly selected channel into the device.
• Parameters Channel switching behaviourWhen you switch to a different channel from the IO menu you can either:o   Apply the current parameter values from the device to the newly selected channelo   Pick up the parameter values from the newly selected channel into the device.(Preamp/Monitoring/Sends) Important: In "Pick up" mode  switching between Channels can create a lot of undo steps, so use this option with care! It’s mainly there so you can easily copy/import Console Sessions into your Live set Templates/presets.

GOOD TO KNOW

48V WARNING

GroundControl will automatically scan your project when reopening a LiveSet. If any channels have +48V phantom power enabled, you will be asked whether you want to disable them before proceeding. This feature ensures your equipment is protected

Also, if you load a preset of a GroundControl Channel device that had +48V enabled, you will again be prompted to decide whether to disable it before it interacts with the Console and your Apollo interface.(Only if the Phantom Power is not already enabled on that channel.)

MISSING UNITS

If you reopen a LiveSet and the Apollo interface previously used in a ChannelDevice is no longer present in your Console setup (For example if it’s been sold) the Channel device will notify you that the interface is missing. You can either reconnect the interface or select another Interface/Channel for the device.

A similar message will appear if you open a Live Set with the interface turned off or disconnected. You can choose to ignore this if you’re just inspecting the project, or select another interface/channel for the Channel device.

SWITCHING DELAY

When switching between tracks in Live where you used the GroundControl Channel device, keep in mind that it may take a few seconds for the Console application to recall all the settings for the selected channel.
This delay depends on how many settings need to be recalled and your computer’s performance.

Once the settings have been fully recalled, the red indicator on the Channel device will turn green, signaling that the device is ready for use. At this point, you can safely begin recording with all the correct settings in place. :)

BYPASSED STATE

When You Bypass a GroundControl Channel device it’ll stop communicating with the Console.

You can also Bypass the master device to bypass every channel device.

STEREO CHANNELS

Stereo linked channels are only accessible from their Left channel pair. (So for example if Analog 1 and 2 are linked, you need to select Analog 1 from the IO list to control them in linked mode.)

If you try to select the stereo channel pairs right channel (when they’re linked) GroundControl will prompt you to either un-link the channels or select the Left channel.

DISABLED/HIDDEN CHANNELS

If you re-open a Live set and it contains a Channel device where the selected channel got disabled in Console’s IO matrix since you worked on this Live set, GroundControl will ask you to either enable this channel again, or select another one.

The same message will appear if the selected channel in the device is a currently hidden channel, and you disabled the „Show hidden channels” option in the Master device.

Release Notes:

GroundControl 1.2 - 2024.11.12.

New features: 

The notes/Pictures section got a complete redesign: 

• You can now have options to change the Font, Text size, Text color, and Background, for the notes section.
• You have a mappable button that opens the note in a floating window. You can put it anywhere, you can resize it, and you can automate the opening/closing of this floating window. 
• The pictures section is also available from this floating window: 
• Also this Notes Pictures section is now available as a separate device (Included in the pack of course) :
• It is now possible to Switch between Channels with the IO matrix list, and Pick up the new Channel's preamp/monitor/sends parameter values. 

The master section also got an overhaul:

• Now you have controls over the Main Output/Monitoring section:

- Main monitor Volume 

- Monitor Mono toggle

- Monitor Mute toggle

- DIM toggle

- Dim amount value

- Monitor source selector

- Talkback toggle 

- Also now it can display the current DSP, PRG and MEM values. 

• You can now Control certain Console options from the Master device:

-Sample rate

-Clip hold

-Peak Hold

-Meter mode

-Delay compensation

-Headroom

Other improvements:

-The Channel selection list now only includes the Channels that are enabled in the IO matrix in Console

-You have the option to hide hidden channels from the IO selection menu

-You can set the Channel device into "Parameter pickup" mode.
This option combined with the "Plugin pickup" mode allows you to import Channel configurations into the device from
a console session.

Bugfixes: 

• Fixed a bug with the IO selection list. For Stereo Linked tracks previously the device only showed the Left channels mono name, instead of the correct Stereo linked name of the two channels. 
• Also when you rename the selected channel in the console, now the change is instantly reflected on the device, even if it's a stereo linked channel pair. 
• Fixed a bug that broke the undo history if the undo point reached a "Stereo Link" button change. (previously it created a new undo history step.) 
• Fixed a bug that disabled the Channel device in certain cases when you switched from a Stereo linked channel to a Mono channel. 
• Fixed a bug that caused the Console's IO matrix to report random Channel names through the API like "ANALOG 16" 
• Fixed a bug that caused some Channels to show up with a Preamp section even if it didn't have one (Like Virtual Channels) 
• And that caused Some Channels to show up Without a Preamp section (Like simple Line inputs)
• In some cases the Channel device was unable to pick up the Channels plugins on initiation (Mainly with setups where the IO matrix were modified) 
• Fixed a bug that made some channels hidden in console while unlinking them.
• And a lot more internal fixes, cleanups, modifications...

GroundControl 1.1 - 2024.09.24.

• New Features:
  • Input and Send Meters: I added meter sections to provide visual feedback on input levels and send levels.

• Record Arm & Mute Linking: You can now link the track’s record arm button to the channel’s mute. If you disarm the track, it mutes the channel, and enabling record arm unmutes it.
  • Monitor Mode Switching: If you’re using the monitor mode switching feature from the master device, you now have the option to select either “In” or “Auto” mode.
  • Plugin Copying Control: When switching channels, you can decide if you want to copy plugins from the previous channel or stick to those already on the newly selected one.

• Improvements:
  • Faster Track Switching: Track switching is much quicker if the device doesn’t need to load or remove plugins from the channel, and even if it does, it’s still faster than before.
  • Plugin Window Stability: No more blinking! The plugin windows won’t close and reopen while switching channels.
  • Smooth Audio Switching: The Audio won’t cut out when switching between channels and the device doesn’t have to load, or remove plugins. (if it has to there's no way around it... the Console mutes everything while it loads/removes a plugin).

Bug Fixes:

• Correct Monitoring Mode Switching: Fixed an issue where switching or moving tracks could unintentionally change some unrelated track’s monitoring mode to “Off”.
  • Swappable Plugin Order: You can now swap plugin orders on all channels, not just the first one.
  • Channel Setting Bleeding: Resolved an issue where settings from one channel device would “bleed” into others if you quickly selected tracks one after another.

GroundControl 1.0 - 2024.09.24.

• Initial Release

Contact:

If you have any questions or encounter difficulties with the device, feel free to reach out to me at:

·      elisabethhomeland@gmail.com

·      https://twitter.com/ElisabethHom

Have Fun! :)

https://elisabethhomeland.gumroad.com