Using the FLkey 2 61 with other DAWs

Updated

You can use your FLkey 2 61 in a range of other DAWs. The HUI integration allows you to use some main features of the FLkey 2 61 without dedicated scripts.

Note

The features in HUI mode are different from the common DAW control section.

What is HUI?

HUI (Human User Interface) is a MIDI protocol allowing MIDI controllers to communicate with DAWs without custom controller scripts. If there's no dedicated script, your DAW may support HUI. 

This lets your controller handle basic functions like:

  • Mixer control (volume, pan, mute/solo)

  • Transport control (play, stop, record)

  • Track selection

Which DAWs support HUI?

You can use your FLkey 2 61, via HUI, in many DAWs. We've outlined the setup in the following DAWs, but the steps are similar in most DAWs:

  • Reaper (partial HUI)

  • Studio One

  • Pro Tools

Setting up FLkey 2 61 HUI in your DAW

HUI integration in most DAWs isn't automatic; you'll need to change some settings to get your FLkey 2 61 to work.

Pro Tools

  1. Go to Pro Tools > Setup > Peripherals…

  2. Click the 'MIDI Controllers' tab:

  3. Under ‘Type’, select HUI: 

  4. Under 'Receive From', select:

    • Windows: Predefined > MIDIIN2(FLkey 2 61 MIDI) [Emulated].

    • macOS: Predefined > FLkey 2 61 DAW Out

  5. Under 'Send To', select

    • Windows: Predefined > MIDIOUT2 (FLkey 2 61 MIDI) [Emulated].

    • macOS: Predefined > Predefined > FLkey 2 61 DAW In.

  6. If set up correctly, the settings should match the following, with '# Ch's' set to 8:

  7. Click 'OK'.

Reaper

Windows

  1. Go to Options > Preferences…

  2. Click ‘Control/OSC/web’.

  3. Click 'Add' and select HUI (partial).

  4. Select MIDI IN 2 under MIDI input FLkey 2 61.

  5. Select MIDI OUT 2 under MIDI output FLkey 2 61.

  6. Click 'OK'.

  7. Click 'OK' to close the window.

macOS

  1. Go to Reaper > Settings… > Control/OSC/web

  2. Click ‘Control/OSC/web’.

  3. Click 'Add' and select HUI (partial).

  4. Select Focusrite - Novation - FLkey 2 61 - DAW Out under ‘MIDI input’:

  5. Select Focusrite - Novation - FLkey 2 61 - DAW In under ‘MIDI output’:

  6. Click 'OK'.

  7. Click 'OK' to close the window.

Studio One

Keyboard control

  1. Click 'Studio One' at the top of the screen.

  2. Click 'Options'.

  3. Go to 'External Devices'.

  4. Click 'Add'.

  5. Click 'New Keyboard'.

  6. Set 'Receive From' and 'Send To' to the FLkey 2 61's MIDI ports (first entries):

  7. Enable 'Send MIDI Clock' and 'Use MIDI Clock Start'.

  8. Click 'OK' at the bottom of the window.

DAW Control

  1. Click 'Studio One' at the top of the screen.

  2. Click 'Options'.

  3. Go to 'External Devices'.

  4. Click 'Add'.

  5. Select the 'Mackie > HUI' option on the left-hand side menu.

  6. Set 'Receive From' and 'Send To' to the FLkey 2 61's DAW ports (second entries):

    • MIDIIN2 and MIDIOUT2 on Windows.

    • DAW on Mac.

  7. Click 'OK' at the bottom of the window.

You should now be able to control the mixer.

What functions work via HUI?

When HUI implementation varies by DAW, but generally you can control the following:

  • DAW Mode – the pads control Mute/Solo.

  • Mixer Mode – the encoders control Pan.

  • Sends Mode – the encoders control Sends A-E. The Encoder Bank buttons toggle between the different sends.

  • The transport controls map to the corresponding transport functions in your DAW.

  • Holding Shift and moving an encoder previews the encoder parameter on the screen, without affecting the value.

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