Can a Smart Control control a Smart Control on a separate track?

[JoshJ]

I need a Smart Control on a Track Stack to control a plugin parameter on a Sub-Track Stack (Stack within a Stack). This isn't currently possible directly using Smart Control. Cant open 2 Smart Control window at once so wondering how I could do this if its even possible?

Alternatively, is it possible for a Smart Control on a Track Stack to control a plugin on an Aux nested within that Track Stack?

Edited November 28, 2022 by joshj

[Atlas007]

11 hours ago, joshj said:

Alternatively, is it possible for a Smart Control on a Track Stack to control a plugin on an Aux nested within that Track Stack?

Yes.

The way I found to do it is by first instantiating an FX plugin (other than an EQ) on the master track (of that stack); then modify that Fx plugin Smart Controls (via the Smart Control inspector). You will be able to control the parameters of the various elements inside the stack (including Aux channel strip, providing that you have created a track from that Aux and inserted it in the stack), including the embedded stack's master track's elements.

To program and operate elements from within sub-tracks-stack, one has to map by selecting the parameter directly on the GUI of the target plugin, channelstrip, etc. since those aren't visible in the SC's inspector menus.

Edited November 29, 2022 by Atlas007

[David Nahmani]

Yes, the Smart Controls on the main track of a stack can be mapped to parameters or plug-in parameters of a subtrack. 

[JoshJ]

On 11/29/2022 at 5:08 AM, Atlas007 said:

instantiating an FX plugin (other than an EQ) on the master track (of that stack); then modify that Fx plugin Smart Controls (via the Smart Control inspector)

But wouldn't this just allow me to Smart Control the plugin on the Master Track Stack itself? I want to control a plugin on the Sub-Track Stack..

I've attached a screenshot of what my mixer looks like what what I'm trying to do.

I want to have a Smart Control on my "DRUM" group track, control all the "Neutron 4" Saturation plugins across all the sub-tracks inside that group, including the "KICK" and "SNR" Sub-TrackStacks. 

I've tried mapping it and it doesn't seem to work. As I mentioned, I'd settle for using Aux's for grouping the Kicks and Snare (instead of Sub-TrackStacks), but cant seem to map that either. Am I missing something?

 

 

 

Edited December 1, 2022 by joshj

[David Nahmani]

37 minutes ago, joshj said:

But wouldn't this just allow me to Smart Control the plugin on the Master Track Stack itself? I want to control a plugin on the Sub-Track Stack..

They SC on the main track can be mapped to plug-ins on the subtracks.

[JoshJ]

Yes but not sub-STACKS or Tracks within those Sub-stacks. Is this a bug or should it work?

[David Nahmani]

1 hour ago, joshj said:

Is this a bug or should it work?

I honestly have no idea. I suppose only the programmers know. All we can do is report it and hope that it's a simple omission, or something easy enough to fix. 

[Atlas007]

As mentioned previously, to SC Aux, one has to first create a track from that Aux. To SC from parent stack plugins (or Auxes)  found within embedded stack (IOW: stack within stack), one has to map the parameter directly via the target plugin’s GUI (graphic user interface).

Edited December 1, 2022 by Atlas007

[David Nahmani]

4 hours ago, joshj said:

Yes but not sub-STACKS or Tracks within those Sub-stacks.

Wait, actually I just tried and it does work as expected here. I can map the Smart Control of the main track of a stack to the plug-ins of the main track of a stack that is inside that stack, or the plug-ins on the subtracks of a stack that is inside that stack. 

[JoshJ]

4 minutes ago, David Nahmani said:

Wait, actually I just tried and it does work as expected here. I can map the Smart Control of the main track of a stack to the plug-ins of the main track of a stack that is inside that stack, or the plug-ins on the subtracks of a stack that is inside that stack. 

That's what I'm looking for but as you can see from the video it doesn't seems to be working on my end. Is there something you're doing differently to the process I'm using in the video?

Edited December 1, 2022 by joshj

[David Nahmani]

3 minutes ago, joshj said:

That's what I'm looking for but as you can see from the video it doesn't seems to be working on my end. Is there something you're doing differently to the process I'm using in the video?

I'm using Logic plug-ins only. Can you make it work in a test project with Logic's factory plug-ins? That would help narrow down the issue. 

[JoshJ]

Just now, David Nahmani said:

I'm using Logic plug-ins only. Can you make it work in a test project with Logic's factory plug-ins? That would help narrow down the issue. 

Yep i'll try that next..

[JoshJ]

Nope, not working when I use Logic compressor instead of the Neutron Exciter.

Smart Controls still work when theyre on the Track Stack controlling plugins on Tracks directly within their Stack (single layer Stack)... so I know i'm doing it right. 

Is there any chance you can screen record your setup similar to the above vid so I can see if theres anything different about mine. I'm running 10.7.5 so cant be a version issue

Edited December 1, 2022 by joshj

[David Nahmani]

Here you go: 

[JoshJ]

Damn thats so strange. Can I see a screenshot of your actual Smart Control mappings though just to double check pls. Updating to Ventura this evening, crossing fingers that has something to do with it..

[David Nahmani]

In case that helps, I first created two stacks then dragged the second one into the first one. 

[JoshJ]

It worked! Something to do with the routing I think and dragging the 1st Stack into the 2nd Stack like you mentioned. Going to look at it more closely tomo and will report back. Thanks a lot David.

[David Nahmani]

You're welcome! I'd love to hear what else you find out when experimenting further tomorrow. If we can isolate and reproduce a bug, it would be beneficial to pass it on to the development team. 

[JoshJ]

10 minutes ago, David Nahmani said:

what else you find out

Previously I was creating the Stack within a Stack only by right clicking on and going “Create Track Stack” so think it has something to do with this vs dragging one stack into another. Also maybe using the “Automatic” Smart Control face plate rather than selecting a custom one as was doing previously. 
Do you have any contacts on the Logic team for feeding back to? Or do you just submit via the site like normal? 

[David Nahmani]

31 minutes ago, joshj said:

Do you have any contacts on the Logic team for feeding back to?

Yes, I stay in touch with several of them. 🙂 

[JoshJ]

 

I tried a bunch of things. Couldn't replicate it in the new project. The problem still persists however in my Mix Template where I first noticed it..

 

[JoshJ]

Think I figured it out. The channels which I wasn't able to map to were duplicated from another channel. So I setup Drum 1 with my plugins and Sends on it and then duplicated it multiple times and renamed them Drum 2, 3, etc.

I can paste across my plugin chain and Sends from another channel and the SC mapping work fine. But duplicating channels seems to be a no no. @David Nahmani are you able to replicate? (using 3rd party plugins on the duplicated channel)

[JoshJ]

Confirming this. @David Nahmani is this something you could feedback to the Logic team or should I just report via the website?

[David Nahmani]

You should report it using the official feedback form: https://www.apple.com/feedback/logic-pro.html - I'll try to mention it directly as well.