modeStep

This is an Ableton Live 12 Control Surface script for the SoftStep 2.

It lets you control transport, device parameters, clips, mixer controls, and more. It provides realtime feedback via the SoftStep's LEDs and display.

The interface is highly configurable, so you can arrange things in a way that makes sense for you.

You can also switch back and forth between modeStep and your own SoftStep standalone presets.

Installation

Live

• Clone or download this repo and place it in your Live User Library under the Remote Scripts/ directory. If you download it directly, make sure to change the folder name from e.g. modeStep-main to modeStep (or any valid python module name).
• (Re)start Live, and go to Link, Tempo & MIDI in Preferences.
• Choose modeStep as one of your control surfaces, and select the main SoftStep port (generally SoftStep (Control Surface) or SoftStep) for the Input and Output.
• In the section with Track/Sync/Remote/MPE checkboxes:
  • for most users: ensure that all checkboxes are disabled for the modeStep input/output ports.
  • if you're using any standalone presets: ensure that the Remote checkbox is enabled for the modeStep input port, and that all other checkboxes are disabled for the modeStep input/output ports.

SoftStep 2

No presets or special configuration are required on the SoftStep - just make sure your device firmware is up to date (v2.0.3 or newer). The controller will be placed into hosted mode.

Intro

Transport Mode will be active when Live is started, indicated by Trns on the SoftStep's screen. Try pressing key 3 to play/stop the transport.

From any mode, you can press key 0 to open the Mode Select screen, and choose where you want to go:

Modes

Transport Mode

Mode Select: Key 9

Utility Mode

Mode Select: Key 9 (Long Press)

Implicit Arm refers to automatic arming of the selected track (a.k.a. the "pink arm button"). If you have other implicit-arming control surfaces (e.g. Push), they may interfere with the selected behavior.

Device Parameters Y Increment Mode

Mode Select: Key 8

Press the top/bottom of a key to increment/decrement the parameter.

Expression Pedal Map Mode

Mode Select: Key 8 (long press)

Maps your expression pedal to a numbered device parameter. This selects a parameter slot rather than the parameter itself - i.e. if a new device is selected, the expression pedal will control the same slot on the new device.

Device Parameters Pressure/Pressure Latch Modes

Mode Select: Key 7 / Key 7 (Long Press)

Provides pressure-sensitive pedals which control the current device. In the latch mode, the parameter retains its value when you release the pedal.

Device Parameters XY Position Mode

Mode Select: Key 6

The left half are latching controls which retain their values when released.

Device Bank Mode

Mode Select: Key 6 (Long Press)

Track Controls

Mode Select: Keys 1-5

These modes control 4 or 8 tracks within the session ring ("red box"). For example, pressing key 1 on the Mode Select screen opens:

By default, all of these modes control a single parameter across 8 tracks, except the clip launch mode which controls a 2x4 box. Key 5 is assigned to session record.

You can customize the track controls modes using override_track_controls in your configuration, or edit them directly if you need a different layout in the moment.

Advanced Usage

(click section headers to expand)

[+] Configuration

You can customize modeStep by creating a file called user.py in this directory.

See configuration.py for a full list and description of available options, and types.py for valid values for mode names and other literals. For example:

# user.py
from .control_surface.configuration import Configuration, override_nav

configuration = Configuration(
    initial_mode="track_controls_5",
    key_safety_strategy="single_key",
    override_elements: {
        "transport": [
            override_nav(horizontal="session_ring_tracks", vertical="session_ring_scenes")
        ]
    },
    # ...
)

Set-specific configuration

You can configure modeStep on a set-by-set basis by creating a clip anywhere in the session view with a name like:

ms={"initial_mode": "device_parameters_pressure"}

or:

ms<{"initial_mode": "device_parameters_pressure"}

The part after ms= or ms< should be a valid JSON string, which will be converted to parameters for the Configuration.

Using ms= will override all configuration from your user.py. ms< will preserve configuration from user.py, but override any specified fields.

Configuration is only loaded when a set is opened, so you'll need to save and re-open the set after creating this clip. Triggering or otherwise interacting with the clip doesn't do anything special.

[+] Live-Editing Track Controls

You can modify track controls for the current session directly from the SoftStep (for persistent changes, use the configuration file). To do this, long-press one of keys 1-5 on the Mode Select screen. You'll be prompted to choose the control for the top row of pedals:

See below for notes on action customization via key 5.

After selecting a control for the top row, you'll be prompted to choose the control for the bottom row in the same way.

If you choose different controls for the top and bottom rows, you'll have access to both controls across 4 tracks. The display will show the first two letters from each control. For example, if you choose Solo and Arm:

If you choose the same control twice, you'll have access to 8 tracks. For example, if you choose Mute twice:

Selecting the Key 5 Action

Key 5 is normally mapped to session record in track controls modes, but this can be configured. Press key 5 from the top or bottom edit screen to assign a different action. 1Act (or similar) will appear on the display, and you can press keys 1-9 to select an action. The layout mirrors the Transport Mode layout - so if you want to map Play/Stop, for example, touch key 3.

Long-pressing does the same thing, but with actions from the Utility Mode layout.

Disabling Track Controls Modes

If you want to remove clutter from your Mode Select screen, press and hold key 0 while editing a track controls mode to disable it. This disables the corresponding LED on the mode select screen. You can still reconfigure the mode by long-pressing the corresponding key on the mode select screen.

[+] Standalone Presets

modeStep can put the SoftStep into standalone mode and load any presets in your setlist.

This functionality needs to be configured manually in your user.py file by overriding one or more buttons on the mode select screen:

# user.py
from .control_surface.configuration import Configuration

configuration = Configuration(
    # Map Mode Select button 5 to setlist programs 1/2 on short/long press.
    override_modes={5: ("standalone_1", "standalone_2")}
)

With this configuration, if you press key 5 on the Mode Select screen, modeStep will place the hardware into standalone mode, send program change 1, and relinquish control of the LEDs and display.

To get back to modeStep while in standalone mode, configure a button in your preset with the Foot On source bound to CC 80 (channel 1). Key 0 is recommended, to match the layout of other modes. As usual, a short press will jump to the Mode Select screen, and a long press will jump to the most-recent other mode.

All other MIDI messages will be ignored by modeStep while the controller is in standalone mode. You can bind your controls using normal MIDI mappings in Live. However, you should avoid using certain CCs in your MIDI mappings:

• avoid CCs 40-86 (channel 1), since the SoftStep uses these controls to send sensor data while in hosted mode.
• avoid CCs 20-29, 40-42, 50-53, and 110-119 (any channel), since mapping these might cause Live to send feedback that interferes with the SoftStep's LEDs and display.

When using standalone presets, make sure that the Remote checkbox is enabled for the modeStep MIDI input in Live's settings.

Note: if you're having issues with LED states being overwritten when switching in and out of standalone mode, make sure to set a background_program in your configuration.