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www.solidstatelogic.com
Nucleus
User Guide
Nucleus. This is SSL.
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Document History 82BN0M01A December 2010 Initial Release 82BN0M01B December 2011 Corrected footers and other small typo’s Clarified Mac requirements for USB Soundcard
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Table of Contents Introduction 1 Nucleus 1 DAW Control Principles 1 How to use this Manual 2 Conventions 2 Glossary 2 Software Versions 2 Help! 2 1. Nucleus Overview 3 Channel Strip and Mode Switches 3 Centre Section and Analogue Control 4 Nucleus Remote 4 2. Nucleus Configurations 5 DAWs With Proprietary Soundcards 5 DAWs Without Proprietary Soundcards 7 Multiple DAWs 8 3. Software Installation 9 Mac Installation 9 Windows Installation 10 4. Connection and Software Configuration 11 Physical Con
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Timeline Functions 24 Transport Master 24 Jog Wheel Function 24 Automation Display (HUI Only) 24 Soft Key Configuration 25 Default Soft Keys 25 User 1, User 2 Soft Keys 25 Transport / Utility Soft Keys 26 Assigning Soft Key Functions 26 DAW Protocol Commands 27 DAW Keyboard Shortcuts 28 Soft Key Menus 29 Renaming Softkey Assignments 30 Assigning Modified Functions to Soft Keys 30 Removing and Replacing Soft Key Assignments 30 Configuring Continuous Controller Layers 31 6. DAW Operations 33 Layer
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Introduction NUCLEUS Welcome to Nucleus, SSL’s integrated DAW controller and soundcard. Nucleus allows you to record audio and monitor your studio software through SSL’s legendary analogue circuitry and converters, while placing full control of your session underneath your fingertips. While the basic configurations created by SSL’s studio engineers allow you to get working with Nucleus straight out of the box, the functions assigned to much of the control surface can be adapted to suit the speci
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HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL After this introduction, you will find a quick overview of Nucleus, followed by more detailed sections covering installation, use of the Nucleus Logictivity Remote, and general Nucleus operation. Conventions Throughout this manual, the following conventions will be used: • Labels found on the Nucleus control surface are indicated Like This. • Labels and text found either in the Nucleus Remote or other computer dialogues are indicated Like This. • The few instances where we
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1. Nucleus Overview The diagrams below and overleaf provide an overview of the Nucleus control surface along with the main DAW screen of the Nucleus Remote. CHANNEL STRIP AND MODE SWITCHES Mode Switches The Mode switches are not part of the channel in which they are located. In normal operation, they select V-Pot modes. By default only Mode switches 1-8 are assigned. Note that the V-Pot modes are printed beneath the switches, and not shown in the digital display. When the USER switches in the c
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CENTRE SECTION AND ANALOGUE CONTROL USER soft key Analogue control: set selectors Monitoring and Mic inputs DAW channel control modifiers DAW computer modifier keys * Channel/bank Global DAW scrollers control keys * Additional DAW Layer selectors * Note. Transport The functions of control * switches in areas with asterisks are defined in the Nucleus Remote. Default functions are shown. NUCLEUS REMOTE Defines which layer Select DAW to view is being edited or edit Nucleus setup in the Remote Defi
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2. Nucleus Configurations Nucleus operation requires the following: - an Ethernet connection between Nucleus and the DAW computer(s) – for DAW control and the Nucleus Remote - a USB connection between Nucleus and the host DAW computer(s) – for DAW keyboard commands (and soundcard audio if applicable) - audio connections – for recording sources and monitoring The way in which audio is sent between Nucleus and the host DAW computer is dependant on the connectivity options associated with the DAW(s
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Using Nucleus’ Analogue IO For soundcards which don’t have digital IO, line-level analogue connections allow you still to make use of Nucleus’ SSL pre- amps. Nucleus PRE (pre-amp) outputs and EXTERNAL monitor inputs can be used to connect Nucleus to the soundcard inputs and outputs. Monitoring Headphones DAW Computer Recording Sources PRE Out USB and Ethernet (DAW keyboard EXTERNAL (DAW control commands) In and Remote) MP3 Player Mains Power Note. Socket locations are approximate Page 6 Nucleus
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DAWs Without Proprietary Soundcards For software which can send and receive audio via any soundcard connected to the computer, Nucleus can be connected directly to the DAW using the USB connection. Monitoring Headphones DAW Computer Recording Sources Ethernet USB (DAW control (Soundcard and and Remote) DAW keyboard commands) MP3 Player Mains Power Note. Socket locations are approximate Nucleus User Guide Page 7
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Multiple DAWs Up to three DAW applications on up to three computers can be connected to Nucleus simultaneously, as described on Page 14. This configuration requires both a Network Router and USB switcher. DAW DAW DAW Computer Computer Computer Network USB Router switcher Ethernet USB (DAW control (Soundcard and DAW and Remote) keyboard commands) Note. Diagram doesn’t indicate socket locations. Page 8 Nucleus User Guide
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3. Software Installation In order for Nucleus to integrate into your working environment, it will be necessary to install drivers and supporting software on your DAW computer(s) and/or studio computer(s). The following computers and operating systems are supported: Mac • Intel only, 1.2GHz or faster • OS X Version 10.5.8 or greater (‘Leopard’, ‘Snow Leopard’ or ‘Lion’ – 32 or 64bit) Windows • Pentium IV or equivalent, 1GHz or faster • Windows XP SP3, Vista SP1 or higher, or Windows 7 (32 or 64bi
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6. To uninstall the ipMIDI driver, simply delete the ipMIDIDriver.plugin file from the /Library/Audio/MIDI Drivers folder. USB Soundcard Installation of the USB soundcard is optional; if you intend to connect Nucleus to your DAW using only analogue or S/PDIF audio connections, you do not need to install the soundcard. 7. To install the USB Soundcard driver, locate the USB Soundcard package in the Finder window. Double-click this icon to launch the USB Soundcard installer. Follow the instructions
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4. Connection and Software Configuration PHYSICAL CONNECTIONS The Installation Guide that came with Nucleus contains important safety information. Please be sure to read that guide before attempting to connect Nucleus. The mains power connection for Nucleus is via a standard 3-pin IEC320 power cable. The following audio and data connections can be found on the Nucleus back panel: Audio Connections PRE 1 IN, PRE 2 IN Combi inputs for Nucleus pre-amps 1 and 2, XLR connections are routed via the pr
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CONFIGURING NETWORK CONNECTIONS Network Wiring To ensure the fastest possible communication between your DAW computer and Nucleus – and to simplify the installation wiring – Nucleus communicates with your workstation over Ethernet using the ipMIDI driver to emulate a multiport MIDI interface. To ensure minimum latency ipMIDI uses multicast UDP rather than TCP/IP. This means that: • The network connection should be short and direct. Where possible all cables should be as short as possible and on
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Direct Network Connection Configuration (Mac) Connect your Nucleus directly to the DAW computer using a standard network cable, and check that the IP address is set to Fixed in the Nucleus Remote (see previous page). OS X does not currently allow two ports to be used for IP traffic – your main network connection will become unavailable when using Nucleus. 1. On the Mac, open the Network control panel in System Preferences, and use the Location: drop- down to create a new location. Next select th
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Connecting Nucleus to Multiple Computers Connecting a Nucleus to multiple DAW computers inevitably introduces a little more complexity. Network To connect Nucleus to multiple DAW computers, you will probably need to connect the Nucleus and all the computers via a network switch or router with sufficient bandwidth to cope with the volume of data which is transferred to and from Nucleus. It is essential that you take note of the configuration issues described previously. Note that when connected t
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IPMIDI CONFIGURATION The ipMIDI driver enables your DAW to send and receive MIDI control data via the network connection, and must be configured to match the requirements of Nucleus before it can be used. Mac Once the driver has been installed and you have logged back in, use the Finder to navigate to the Utilities folder (in Applications). Double-click Audio MIDI Setup, select MIDI Devices and double-click on the ipMIDI icon. Set the number of MIDI ports to 6 in the resulting pop-up. Windows On
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Logic Pro 9 The DAW protocol used by Logic Pro 9 is the Mackie Control Unit (MCU) protocol. Therefore when a Logic Profile is assigned to a Nucleus DAW layer, in order for Nucleus to control Logic, a Mackie Control together with a Mackie Control Extender must be added to Logic Pro. Click on Preferences then Control Surfaces Setup to access the menu shown below. Both the Mackie Control and Mackie Control Extender provide just eight faders. Therefore Nucleus faders 1-8 are mapped to the Mackie Con
