Customer Reviews

Novation Nocturn Compact Intelligent Plug-In Desktop Controller with Automap Universal Technology

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This controller uses the novation Automap software. When using the hardware as intended, no midi messages are sent to your DAW. Midi is sent to the automap virtual server, which then sends automation data to your DAW. You may use the controller as a midi device, but you lose all functionality with automap. In Ableton Live 8 this type of implementation is buggy and has considerable latency. With Ableton 8.2.1 and Automap 3.7 it is not possible to use this controller to record automation unless you MIDI learn your controller parameters to instrument rack functions. This being the case, you might as well save yourself 50 bucks and buy a korg nanokontrol or the lpd8 which do not use automap type technology. Don't let this discourage you if you want it for live performance only or for use with another DAW.

I bought the Nocturn specifically to use with the new FX features of Serato Scratch Live 2.2 in my DJ setup on a MacBook Pro and I am glad that I did. The Nocturn, is a pretty solid little device, that fits well above a 10" mixer. The rotary controls are responsive and the led indicators around the knobs are perfect indicators on what level the knob is. At first I tried to use the AutoMAp software for mapping the midi functions to scratch live, but this wasn't the easiest option. Eventually I figured out that the easiest way is to click on the Midi button and open up the FX plugin controls in Scratch live software. Then simply click on the knob in scratch live and turn the actual knob on the controller a couple of times to map and repeat for all the different knob you wish to map. EASY! Once mapped it just works every time you plug it in. One last thing, I have 2 USB ports on my MacBook Pro 13" so in order for me to plug in SL 2 Hardware, USB hard drive with my music and the Nocturn, I had to use a USB hub, a mini one from iogear, and I had no issues with lack of power in the hub to support all 3 devices, or performance issues.

i bought the nocturn to have full control [w/ a crossfader] of my serato dj/vj video setup, since i don't use the rane ttm57. it works perfectly, but the one thing i don't care for is the fact that you HAVE to run the novation software to have it work, rather than just being upnp w/o having to run the sw in the background. it doesn't effect performance in any way, but it'd still be better imo if it wasn't a must to have to run it. i'd recommend this compact and inexpensive controller to anyone running realtime controls for serato, ableton, or any other audio/video dj/live stage shows, as it has a very small footprint, and works perfectly once you have it midi mapped.