The Power of Control Ports with PlayAUDIO1U: Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Let’s talk about one of the most powerful yet somewhat undiscovered features of the PlayAUDIO1U: the control ports on the device. If you prefer manual failover instead of automatic failover, like I do, you’ve likely connected a foot switch to the control port on your PlayAUDIO12 or PlayAUDIO1U, but on the PlayAUDIO1U, the control ports are capable, of so much more!

In this article, we’ll explore how you can leverage the control ports to maximize the efficiency and flexibility of your PlayAUDIO1U setup.

Exploring Control Port Possibilities

To access Control Ports, Download Auracle for X-Series, and click Control Ports.

Initially you can see the basic customizations available for the control ports, but to see the full possibilities, click Input Actions.

Take a moment, and explore the possibilities of the control ports in Auracle. You can certainly continue to switch scenes manually for failover, but you can do so much more.

You can arm and disarm failover states, load presets, and send MIDI messages.

This means very practically, you can connect a pedal to a control port on your PlayAUDIO1U and use it to control your DAW, without the need for a MIDI controller.

Customizing Actions with Control Ports

Control ports offer more than just scene switching and MIDI messaging. They allow for extensive customization, which allows you to customize this to your specific needs and preferences. For this example, let’s use a sustain pedal to trigger play commands in Ableton Live. This is a pedal that doesn’t send MIDI commands, that we’ll use as if it’s a MIDI controller.

First, I’m going to connect my sustain pedal to Control Port 2 on my PlayAUDIO1U.

  • Check the MIDI monitor to see the message being sent and discover the channel and note.

  • Reconfigured the sustain pedal to send that specific MIDI message.

  • Send it through the same host port as the MIDI controller or use a unique control port for separate commands.

By repurposing existing peripherals or integrating new control devices, users can craft personalized workflows that align with their creative vision and technical requirements.

Efficient and Flexible

The functionalities of control ports with the PlayAUDIO1U highlight the transformative potential of audio technology. From manual failover for enhanced redundancy to the creation of aggregate devices for expanded capabilities, control ports open up a realm of possibilities for creative exploration and technical innovation.

For more insights and tutorials, check out our previous articles on the iConnectivity blog. If you have any questions we didn't cover in this article, visit our help center for more assistance.

Explore the full potential of your PlayAUDIO1U and elevate your audio experience today!

Will Doggett