zcx-core

Leveraging ClyphX Pro from NativeKontrol, zcx turns your matrix-equipped MIDI controller into a deeply customisable interface for Ableton Live. It offers an alternative configuration system that makes heavy use of yaml files and templating to allow rapid prototyping of new ideas. It aims to enable musicians to program more ambitious controller setups with less work than it took before.

documentation

download

discord

hardware

zcx-core is currently maintained for these devices, with more planned:

• Ableton Push 1
• Ableton Push 2
• Akai APC mini mk2
• Novation Launchpad X
• Novation Launchpad Pro mk3
• Novation Launchpad Mini mk3

If your device isn't here

---

features

zcx scripts contain many features that are impractical or impossible to replicate natively in ClyphX

built for modes

Easily define any control as a modifier for any other control.

record:
  color: red
  gestures:
    pressed: SEL / ARM ON
    pressed__shift: SEL / STOP
    pressed_delayed: SREC  8
    pressed_delayed__shift: SREC 16
    pressed__shift__select: SETSTOP

shift:
  gestures:
    pressed:
      mode_on: shift
    released:
      mode_off: shift

select:
  gestures:
    pressed:
      mode_on: select
    released:
      mode_off: select

^{see how}

---

unlimited pages

Turn an 8x8 matrix into an 8×8×∞ matrix.

# matrix_sections.yaml

home_row:
  col_start: 0
  col_end: 7
  row_start: 0
  row_end: 1

# pages.yaml

pages:
  main:
    - home_row
    - main_left
    - main_right
  track_page:
    - home_row
    - track_control
    - device_control
  drums:
    - home_row
    - drums_section

^{see how}

---

rapid configuration

Configure dozens of buttons in seconds.

# matrix_sections.yaml

clip_section:
  col_start: 0
  col_end: 7
  row_start: 0
  row_end: 7

# matrix_sections/clip_section.yaml

color:
  palette: nebula
gestures:
  pressed: SEL / PLAY ${me.Index}

pad 1: SEL / PLAY 1
pad 2: SEL / PLAY 2
..
pad 64: SEL / PLAY 64

^{see how}

---

deeper customisation

Unlock the full capabilities of your hardware.

play:
  color:
    pulse:
      a: red
      b: purple
      speed: 1
  gestures:
    double_clicked: STOPALL NQ

^{see how}

---

intelligent controls

Specialised control types give smart LED feedback without you writing any code.

__state_row:
  includes: [
    state_1, state_2, state_3, state_4
  ]
  type: page
  page: ${me.index}
  gestures:
    pressed:
      page: ${me.index}

play:
  type: transport
  transport: play
  gestures:
    pressed: SETPLAY

^{see how}

---

reusable components

Use templates instead of repeating definitions. Make a change in one place to see the differences across the whole control surface.

# control_templates.yaml

my_green_button:
  color: green shade ${me.index % 4}

hold_warning:
  gestures:
    released_immediately:
      msg: You must hold this control to trigger it!


# named_controls.yaml

scene_1:
    template: [hold_warning, my_green_button]
    #color: green shade ${me.index % 4}
    gestures:
      pressed_delayed: SCENE 1
      #released_immediately:
       # msg: You must hold this control to trigger it!

^{see how}

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I'd like to read that again!