Before you get started, always make sure that you have the latest version of the software/plugin you want to use with the SFC-Mini V4. You might also need to update the controller firmware to unlock features. I am always striving to add support to new plugins and improve integration. Firmware updates will be posted on the support page when available. The manual will specify firmware versions needed when relevant.
The controller sends CC MIDI messages to take control of the synth plugin parameters. Therefore the plugin needs the right MIDI mapping and MIDI needs to be routed to the plugin's track. There is no magic connection between the controller and plugins, the MIDI needs to be routed like any other MIDI devices.
Every plugin has a specific MIDI mapping system, so please refer to your plugin’s manual to start assigning MIDI CCs. It is always a very quick process that needs to be done only once. Please refer to the “Using your controller with plugins” section of this manual for specific plugin instructions.
The MIDI mapping is the connection between a pot or switch on the MIDI controller and a plugin control, it is the assignment of a MIDI CC number to the plugin UI element.
That connection is made within the plugin MIDI mapping system and it is saved within the plugin memory. After the initial mapping is done, the MIDI mapping will always be recalled when a new plugin instance is created.
Some plugins may have a MIDI mapping preset system, where users can save and load different MIDI mappings easily. Some others may have only 1 unique MIDI mapping available at the same time.
In the MIDI controller memory, only the CC numbers for each physical control are saved and these CC numbers can be changed in the control panel.
The controller front panel layout was designed to fit as many Mini-styled plugins as possible. There are differences between plugin interfaces (specifically the amount of positions in certain switches) and plugin MIDI implementations (CC messages value requirements). For those reasons, the plugin modes are needed to make the controller working as well as possible with all Minimoog plugins. The plugin mode is saved in the controller memory and reloaded at boot automatically.
The SFC-Mini V4 firmware V1.0 supports the following plugins modes: