Thanks to Arturia’s XML controller mapping system, a greatly improved integration with the Arturia OP-XaV plugin (version 1.7.3.6106 and higher available in V Collection 8/9/10/11) can be accessed thanks to 2 XML files.

This unlocks easy pre-mapping of the plugin to the controller but also activates 2-way communication, an advanced integration feature that allows for seamless control of multiple instances and smooth transitions when changing presets and instances.

To start, set the controller to the “Arturia OP-Xa V” plugin mode using the control panel. New units are delivered out-of-the-box in this plugin mode by default.

What is 2-way communication:

2-way communication is the full duplex exchange of MIDI data between the Arturia OP-Xa V and the SFC-OB. Not only the controller can send MIDI to the plugin and moves its parameters, the plugin is also able to send user interface data back to the controller.

The controller will receive sysex data from the plugin when presets or instances are changed in the DAW. On the controller side, the sysex data is loaded to the interface and the controller can update the front panel accordingly. It can also request the sysex interface data on demand if needed, this is necessary when a DAW will not trigger certain events correctly.

This integration works thanks to Arturia's XML system originally implemented for their own line of MIDI controllers. This functionality won't be available for other plugins unless developers program special functions as this is not a standard functionality of VST/AU/AAX plugins. Special thanks to Marie from Arturia for taking the time to explain me how it works.

To recap, the controller will synchronize to the plugin in the following situations:

• when a new plugin instance is created and the GUI is opened
• when the standalone version is opened (if the SFC-OB is checked on in the Audio MIDI Settings)
• when changing presets
• when switching tracks/instances by moving the record arm and opening the plugin GUI (For Ableton, a additional press on SYNC is needed, more info below)
• when requesting it manually using the SYNC switch (located on the bottom between the up/down switches and the DUMP switches) on the controller

The plugin will also send a single sysex message when a plugin control is moved or touched using the mouse as well.

When the sysex interface data is sent to the controller, the firmware will ingest it and the LEDs will be changed to mirror the plugin status. The pot data is also ingested and they are 3 behaviors possible, see below in the MODES switch options.

How to set it up:

On the controller side:

To start, make sure that the SFC-OB is in the Arturia OP-Xa V plugin mode. See the control panel for more information about changing plugin mode. The controller will be in this mode by default out-of-the-box. If you previously changed the default CCs numbers, using the control panel make sure you use the “Reset to factory values” to restore all the default CCs needed for the Arturia OP-Xa V integration.

On the plugin side: