SMC-PAD DAW Setup Manual

Getting Started with SMC-PAD

Select the Presets

To access preset modes, hold the SHIFT button and press PAD 2 (Presets 2). In this mode, all pads will illuminate white and will not function for finger drumming until configured within your DAW software.

Diagram showing the SMC-PAD controller layout with 16 pads (PAD1-PAD16) and function buttons. Labels include TRANSPOSE, SWING, LATCH, SYNC, OCTAVE, TAP TEMPO, VELOCITY, and PRESETS with rhythmic subdivisions. Other buttons like SHIFT, NOTE REPEAT, TEMPO, RATE, SWING, LATCH are also visible.

Volume Control (1-8 Tracks)

The controller offers volume control for tracks 1-8. Use the left and right navigation buttons (◀️, ▶️) to cycle through additional tracks.

Simplified view of SMC-PAD showing pads 1-8 and controls, with navigation arrows indicating track selection.

Track Operations

Select Track (1-8 Tracks)

Use the pads and navigation buttons to select tracks within your DAW. The left and right buttons (◀️, ▶️) allow you to navigate through more tracks.

Shows PAD1-PAD8 with preset labels and navigation arrows for track selection.

Arm Recording (1-8 Tracks)

Configure pads to arm tracks for recording. Navigation controls (◀️, ▶️) extend track selection.

Similar to track selection, showing PAD1-PAD8 with preset labels and navigation arrows for arming tracks.

Solo Track (1-8 Tracks)

Pads PAD9-PAD12 and PAD13-PAD16 are configured for soloing tracks. Use the navigation buttons (◀️, ▶️) to manage track selection.

Shows PAD9-PAD16 with velocity and transpose/octave/sync labels, alongside navigation arrows for track management.

Mute Track (1-8 Tracks)

Pads PAD9-PAD12 and PAD13-PAD16 can be used to mute tracks. Navigate through tracks using the left and right buttons (◀️, ▶️).

Similar to solo track controls, showing PAD9-PAD16 with relevant labels and navigation arrows for track muting.

Transport Controls

The transport buttons (▶️ Play, ⏹️ Stop, ⏺️ Record) are automatically mapped to your DAW. Their states will reflect the DAW's current transport status.

DAW Setup and Configuration

Wireless Connection Setup

For wireless DAW control, follow these steps:

Windows Users

Download and install the Bt Midi Connector. Upon successful connection, you will have two pairs of MIDI ports: SMC-PAD-Bt and SMC-PAD-Bt-Daw. Use SMC-PAD-Bt for regular MIDI playback. Configure the control surface of SMC-PAD-Bt-Daw MIDI in/out to Mackie Control for DAW control.

Download Link: https://q-vave.com/software/pc/Sinco_Connector.exe

Mac Users

Download MidiUitils from the App Store. After connecting, you will have another pair of MIDI in/out ports. Set the control surface of SMC-PAD-Bt-Control MIDI in/out to Mackie Control for DAW control.

1. Setup in Ableton Live

In the Options menu, select Link Tempo MIDI.
Enable Track/Sync/Remote for SMC-PAD (port 2) and SMC-PAD (port 3) Input & Output.
In the Control Surface section, select Mackie Control for the first line, setting Input & Output to SMC-PAD (Port 3).
For the second line, select None, and set Input & Output to SMC-PAD (Port 2).

Screenshot of Ableton Live's Preferences window, showing MIDI settings with Mackie Control and other ports configured.

2. Setup in FL Studio

In the Options menu, select MIDI Settings.
Set the Controller type for MIDIIN3 (SMC-PAD) to Mackie Control Universal, and set its Input & Output to the same port.
Set the Controller type for MIDIIN2 to Generic Controller.

Screenshot of FL Studio's MIDI settings, illustrating the configuration of input and output devices.

3. Setup in Cubase

Click Studio > Studio Setup from the pulldown menu.
In the MIDI Port Setup, click the input & output for MIDIIN2 & MIDIIN3. Click Add Device and select Mackie Control.
Set the MIDI input & output to MIDIIN3 and MIDIOUT3.

Screenshots showing Cubase's Studio Setup window, detailing MIDI port configuration and adding the Mackie Control device.

4. Set in Logic Pro X

In Logic Pro X, navigate to Control Surfaces > Setup > New > Install. Select Mackie Control & Recording Light.
For the Recording Light, set the Output Port & Input Port to SMC-PAD-Master.
For the Mackie Control Device, set the Output Port & Input Port to SMC-PAD-MCP.

Screenshots of Logic Pro X's Control Surface Setup, showing the configuration for Mackie Control and Recording Light.

5. Set up in Bitwig

In Bitwig, go to Settings > Controller and click Add Controller.
In the Hardware Vendor menu, select Mackie.
Set the Input & Output to MIDIIN(SMC-PAD) & MIDIOUT(SMC-PAD).
To add another controller, select Generic as the Hardware Vendor, and set the Input to MIDIIN(SMC-PAD).

Screenshots from Bitwig showing the Controller settings, adding a Mackie controller, and configuring generic controllers.

6. Set in Studio One

In Studio One, go to Options > External Devices and click Add.
For the Mackie Control, set Receive From & Send To to MIDIIN3(SMC-PAD) & MIDIOUT3(SMC-PAD) respectively.
For the New Keyboard, set Receive From & Send To to MIDIIN2(SMC-PAD) & MIDIOUT2(SMC-PAD) respectively.

Screenshots of Studio One's External Devices setup, showing configurations for Mackie Control and a New Keyboard.

7. Set in Cakewalk

In the Edit menu, go to Preferences > Control Surfaces.
Click Add new controller/Surface.
In the Controller/Surface Settings, click MIDI Devices and check the MIDIIN3(SMC-PAD) & MIDIOUT3(SMC-PAD) Inputs & Outputs.
Set the Input Port & Output Port to MIDIIN3(SMC-PAD) & MIDIOUT3(SMC-PAD).

Screenshots from Cakewalk's Preferences, illustrating the setup of Control Surfaces and MIDI devices.

8. Set in Reaper

In the Options menu, go to Preferences > Control/OSC/web.
Click Add. Set the Control surface mode to Mackie Control Universal. Set MIDI input & MIDI output to MIDIIN3(SMC-PAD) & MIDIOUT3(SMC-PAD).

Screenshots of Reaper's Preferences, showing the Control/OSC/web settings and adding a control surface.