CNTRLR Bitwig Control Script

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Overview

The CNTRL:R Control Script for Bitwig Studio is an incredibly flexible workflow that gives you access to playing, editing, and composing in any track, device, instrument, or clip. Taking full advantage of Bitwig's advanced scripting engine, the CNTRL:R is easily mapped to different parts of the program: clip launching, mixing, playing drums, adjusting effects, playing synths, recording clips, and even step-sequencing midi notes. By dedicating the different modes to particular tasks, you can either dive into everything the CNTRL:R has to offer, or simply focus on one area of expertise. Either way, you'll find that you can get a lot done in Bitwig Studio with the CNTRL:R.

This documentation assumes some familiarity with Bitwig Studio's Clip Grid, Arrangement View, Devices, Drum Machines, Instruments, and Audio Tracks. More information can be found at Bitwig's website

Download and Installation

There is no need to download the scripts for Bitwig, as all scripts are delivered with the program. However, there may be a bug fix or new feature between Bitwig updates. If you want to try the latest scripts as we improve them, you can download them from our github repository

Installation

Make a backup of your current "Livid" Codec and Maps folders for Reason Remote. These folders are in:

Mac OSX

  • Right click on the Bitwig Studio application icon and select Show Package Contents.
  • Navigate to /Contents/Resources/ControlSurfaceScripts/livid
  • Create a backup of existing script files.
  • Replace existing Livid script files with files downloaded from Github.

Windows

  • Navigate to C:\Program Files\Bitwig Studio\resources\controllers\livid
  • Create a backup of existing script files.
  • Replace existing Livid script files with files downloaded from Github.

Linux

  • Navigate to /opt/bitwig-studio/resources/controllers/livid (found using the whereis bitwig command)
  • Create a backup of existing script files.
  • Replace existing Livid script files with files downloaded from Github.
  • Alternatively, you can install in Home>Bitwig Studio>Controller Scripts

Install Video

Watch Tutorial Video

Tutorial Video

An introduction to using the CNTRL:R with Bitwig can be found on our YouTube channel:
Watch Tutorial Video

Illustrated Guide

A PDF with all modes for all controllers illustrated can be downloaded here.

The Modes

Basic Conventions

The CNTRL:R Control Script attempts to access as many different functions in Bitwig as possible, while keeping tasks focused and available as needed, optimized for the unique layout of the CNTRL:R. There are two basic modes in this script for Mixing and Sequencing, plus a shift button for momentary access to special functions. The shift button is the bottom right corner button', and can be used to remap some buttons to quickly access additional functions. Mix Mode focuses on Clip triggering and Mixer controls, and Sequence Mode is used to edit and sequence MIDI clips for Drum Machines and Instruments.

Finger icon indicates momentary action
When you see a hand icon like this, it indicates that holding down the button will momentarily re-map the controls to new functions and the functions will revert to normal maps when the button is released.

Encoders, Sliders, and Knobs

The functions of the continuous controllers on the CNTRL:R do not change with Mode. They are always used to control Track Volumes, Sends, Device parameters, Shuffle, Master Volume, and Effect Track levels and Macro parameters. The Encoder bank can be used to control either Device Parameters, or Device Macros, depending on the encoder button toggle state Parameters or Macros. See graphics in the following sections for a more detailed description.

Mix Mode

The Mix mode is for triggering clips in Bitwig Studio's Mix or Arrange View, and for navigating which clips are in the Clip Grid. The bottom rows of buttons are dedicated to several tasks related to track control:

  • Mute
  • Solo
  • Record Arm
  • Stop all Clips
  • Track Selection
  • Clip Grid Navigation
  • Effect and Master Track Selection
  • Transport control
  • Mode Selection (Mix or Sequence)
  • Shift

The center 4x4 grid is used to trigger audio and MIDI clips in your tracks.

CNTRL:R in Clips Mode - Bitwig Studio

Video

Watch Tutorial Video

Sequence Mode

The CNTRL:R can act as a fully-featured sequencer for drums and instruments. Use the Mode button to change between Mix and Sequence mode. You can use this mode for simple 16-step sequencing for techno beats, or access greater levels of detail by editing on different time grids, swing, velocities, and clip lengths.

CNTRL:R in Sequence Mode - Bitwig Studio

Video

Watch Tutorial Video

Shifted Sequence Mode

Holding down the shift button re-maps some of the buttons for access to even more features. For clips that are more than one measure long, you can select a measure to edit with the sequence pads. There are also note quantization settings, and follow mode enable, so the sequencer pads are always populated with the current measure.

CNTRL:R in Shifted Sequence Mode - Bitwig Studio

Sequence Flip Mode

With Sequence Flip enabled, sequencing melodies is much easier. Rather than selecting a note and enabling steps of that note (a mode suited for Drum Machine editing), in flip mode, you hold down a step to view what notes are enabled at that time. Tap notes to add/delete from a step. This makes it easy to compose melodies in time, as well as build up chords. In other words, rather than selecting a note and placing it in time, you are selecting a time, and placing notes at that time.

CNTRL:R in Sequence Flip Mode - Bitwig Studio

Video

Watch Tutorial Video

About Bitwig Studio Device Control

The Instruments and Effects in a Bitwig Studio track have two different areas that can be controlled with the OhmRGB's top left knobs: Macros and Parameters. The macros or parameters switch on the Livid control surface will assign controls to the appropriate area of the device. Macro knobs can be easily assigned to one or more parameters in a device, and are great for customizing and organizing controls for a device, but parameters can give you specific control over any parameter in a device. Refer to the Bitwig Studio documentation for more details on using Macros.

On the CNTRL:R, use the encoder button for encoder 6 to reassign the Device encoders to Macros or Parameters. You may want to hold the shift button to make sure that the encoder doesn't change value when you press it down.

Difference between Macros and Parameters in Bitwig Studio Device