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Elisabeth Homeland

GroundControl

$50.00

GroundControl is a pair of MaxForLive devices designed to fully integrate Universal Audio Apollo Console application into Ableton Live.

Its primary function is to give you full control over your UAD Apollo interface’s input channels - and your monitoring section,
Directly from Live’s device view — without the need to open the Console application separately.

With GroundControl, you can control every aspect of your Apollo’s input channels: preamp settings, monitoring, inserts/Plugins, sends, and so on. 
All from within Ableton Live.

This integration offers a lot of new possibilities, like automating the Channel and plugin parameters for creative recording purposes, and creating different configurations of the same Channel on different Audio tracks.

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MaxForLive devices by Elisabeth Homeland

 

Compatibility:
Ableton Live 10, Live 11, Live 12,
System Mac, Windows,
Apollo Compatible with all Apollo interfaces.
(Original, Blackface, X, X-gen2)
Not Compatible with Volt interfaces!

Apollo In Live

Control your Apollo interface Directly from Live's device view without jumping between Live and the Console App.

New workflows

This integration opens up a lot of new possibilities, such as creating different Channel configurations on different audio tracks, which can be recalled by selecting a track.

Automate

Automate all the Channel parameters like: Preamp gain, Monitoring Volume, Sends.
Or even any Plugin Parameter!

Preservation

When you re-open your Live set GroundControl will recall the Channel configurations, so you'll know exactly how you approached the recording for each track.

MIDI and Push

Key Or MIDI map everything, or Control your Apollo from your Push.

Customer Reviews

Based on 16 reviews
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Paul H.
Very pleased so far!

I can't say I'm an expert user of either Ableton or my new Apollo x6 Gen2, but my impression so far is very positive and the Ground Control app immediately worked, whereas I have not really figured out how to accomplish the same things without using it! So, I'd say it's doing a good job if it's solving problems I don't have to waste my time trying to understand :)

S
Shaun L.
This is HUGE. Ableton needs to hire this person!!!

A MUCH needed plugin. At first, i thought price might be a bit high but it really saves so much time and keeps you from opening multiple windows. Thanks for everything you do! GAMECHANGER

M
Michael L.
Revolutionary Device!

Most M4L devices are handy, useful, improve workflow and make Ableton more fun. This one takes it to the next level, incredible development in Apollo/Ableton communication!

S
SyntheGris
Ground Control to major Nándi

Excellent lift off, very well implemented solutions and yes, Ground Control, it landed perfectly. After looking for some sort of UAD integration for Live last year I personally wasn't happy enough with a wrapper-only solution that I found on Gumroad. Due to circumstances I missed some emails from Nándi and while browsing his new website I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw something related to UAD. A bit hyped, I instantly watching the YT walkthrough of Ground Control and I'm still having a big smile on my face. Everything is so extremely thought through and implemented, so congrats with this successful project Nándi. It was an insta-buy for me right after your great explanation about the product!. Believe me UAD users, Ground Control is undeniably a workflow enhancement you don't want to miss!!

T
Thor M.
Engineering Excellence

In a world of scam YouTube product "endorsements" and industry bloatware, Nándi and his tools are a breath of fresh air for musicians looking for precisely engineered, purpose-built plugins to contribute to our musical projects. Ground Control is a wonderful addition to my tool belt, and brings precise in-place console control of my Apollo X-stacks directly into Live. I love seeing this kind of development in the Max for Live space, and I really appreciate the time and effort put into Ground Control. I'm sure many of you reading this have used Console Recall and not only found it lacking, but also that it doesn't clean up after itself well, and your console is left with Session Sync settings after you've closed out your DAW. Ground Control gives me per track control of my Apollo stack directly on my Live channels, and even lets me control multiple Ableton tracks mapped to the same Apollo input channel with distinct plug-ins for each. It's just wonderful to be able to easily move between different track configurations as I play, particularly when I'm combining different amp profiles for different tracks. I can concentrate on being creative and not futzing around with the console while I'm trying to keep my Left Brain in control. I've been using GC with all my tracks for my new album, and wish I had it for The One You Feed (Thor Mullen). Though I use Live for creative, I use Cubase/Nuendo for engineering, and GC even makes my virtual integration between DAWs easier. I've been through 3 updates with GC, and it's just wonderful to have a developer who actually uses the product and knows what problems we're solving for. Updates are a breeze and I couldn't be happier. I didn't really need the Wrapper products, but I bought them anyway because I wanted to make sure Nándi was supported properly; and I'm glad I did. Having a wee Valhalla Shimmer in my device stack is awesome :).

T
Tom R.
A HUGE Time Saver! Awesome Device - Awesome Developer

I produce in Ableton full time, swapping windows to make adjustments to my inputs or inserts on my Apollo Console was one of my bigger frustrations, to the point of buying a second monitor just for the console app to sit on. Even with that, moving my focus from the DAW to an external app was frustrating as it slowed down the creative process. Ground Control has fixed all of that. I have it on my default track set, and creating new tracks and pulling up my presets is instant. Hot swapping between channels for different mics or editing my inserts on the fly to get the right sound going into the DAW is fantastic. This Max4Live device is probably my favorite time saver purchase for the studio last year.

--- check out the User manual for GroundControl ---

Feature Highlight:

Channel Control

With GroundControl, you can control every aspect of your Apollo’s input channels, including preamp settings, monitoring, inserts, and sends. All from Ableton Live.

Insert the GroundControl Channel device into an audio track, select your Apollo interface, and choose a Channel. You’ll have complete control over that input, just like in the Console.

Feature Highlight:

Monitoring Control

The same goes for the Monitor/Master section. 


Just insert the GroundControl Master device into your Master/Main track, and You'll have full control over your Monitoring section.

Feature Highlight:

Channel Versions

you can create multiple configurations for the same input channel across tracks.
For instance, you can use the same microphone for guitar and vocals, with different plugins/settings on the Channel.

When you select the track GroundControll will recall everything.

Feature Highlight:

Automate & Push

You can Automate all Channel parameters, and it's plugin parameters.

You can also access them directly from Push

Feature Highlight:

Quick Control

Assign any plugin parameter to 8 Quick control slots, to access them Directly from the device, Automate them, or control them from Push

Feature Highlight:

Plugin Browser

Browse, load, and manage plugins, presets or complete Channel chains directly within the GroundControl device.

You can:
Add or replace plugins on any channel. Then Open/close, delete, bypass, or rearrange them.

Feature Highlight:

Session Preservation

GroundControl makes it easy to preserve recording sessions for later use. 

When you reopen a Live Set, GroundControl will recall all the Channel settings for each track, so you’ll know exactly how they were configured for every recorded part of your song.

Feature Highlight:

Channel presets

Make your Apollo feel more native by saving presets directly into Live's browser and load different Channel configurations with the HotSwap button.

Feature Highlight:

MIDI Map

You can Key or MIDI map almost everything.

Feature Highlight:

Notes & Pictures

Add notes/images to document your setup for future sessions.
You’ll know how you approached the recording even years later!
You can also open this panel in a floating window with a keyboard shortcut, or with automation.

...And there's a lot more things like:

Auto input assignment

GroundControl automatically assigns the selected Channel’s corresponding Input source as the tracks input.

You just select your Apollo, and it's Channel from GroundControl, and everything is ready to go.

Input monitor Linking

When you turn the Monitor Volume fader up in a Channel device, It'll set the track’s monitoring to Off to prevent double monitoring.

And if you turn down the Volume fader, it'll turn the track's monitoring back to Auto.

Tempo Follow

GroundControl can sync Live's tempo with the Console app.

It ensures that the UA Console will be always in sync with your Live set.

(Including automated tempo changes.)

Link Ch Mute with Record arm

You can enable Mute/Record arm link.

It'll mute the Channel if the track’s record arm is disabled in Live.

And un-mute it once the record arm is turned back on.

Included in the pack:

Notes&Pictures

The separate device Notes&Pictures is included with GroundControl.

Check it out
  • Place the devices in your Ableton Live User Library.
  • Default User Library locations:
    • Windows: \USERS\[USERNAME]\DOCUMENTS\ABLETON\USER LIBRARY
    • Mac: MACINTOSH HD/USERS/[USERNAME]/MUSIC/ABLETON/USER LIBRARY
  • Live needs to analyze your User Library after adding devices. This process may take some time. In the meantime, you can drag and drop the devices from your User Library onto your tracks.
  • After Live found them you'll be able to access them from Live's Browser.

 

  • Ensure that all Apollo interfaces you plan to use are connected and powered on before launching Ableton Live.

  • In Live’s Audio Preferences, make sure the selected audio interface is your Apollo. This step is essential to ensure that GroundControl’s auto input switch feature functions correctly.If using aggregate devices on Mac, make sure Apollo inputs are at the top.

  • If you’re using an aggregate device on a Mac, make sure that your Apollo interface’s inputs are listed at the top of the aggregate device’s input configuration. This will prevent conflicts and ensure the correct inputs are available for GroundControl.

  • In Live’s Input Config Preferences, enable the inputs from your Apollo interface that you intend to use. You can disable unused inputs to declutter your workflow. Feel free to rename the inputs in Ableton for clarity, as this won’t affect GroundControl’s functionality.

     

  • Insert the GroundControl Master device onto your Master Track in Live.

  • Add GroundControl Channel devices to any audio tracks where you want to control Apollo inputs.

Note:

I recommend integrating the Master and Channel devices into your default Ableton Live template. This will save you setup time, as the devices will automatically be ready when you start new projects.

Always ensure that the Master Device is present in your Live Set; otherwise, the Channel Devices will not function properly.

Avoid placing multiple Channel Devices on the same track, as this can cause issues with Undo History in Ableton.

GroundControl 1.3 - 2025.01.01.

  • New: If there's an update available, you'll see a small message (Update available: *version* ) on top of the ElisabethHomeland logo. If you click on it'll open my website where you can download the latest release. 

  • New: The GroundControl Master device now have dedicated Sonarworks correction panels. 
    If you have an Apollo x, xGen2 interface you'll see controls for both for your speaker, and headphone correction profiles. 
    You can Enable/Disable, Bypass the individual corrections, or you can Enable/Disable the safe headroom feature. 

    These controls are key/MIDI mappable, and they're also accessible from Push. 

  • Fixed: The Quick Control parameters are once again recalled correctly when you re-open a Live set.

GroundControl 1.2 - 2024.11.12.

New features: 

The notes/Pictures section got a complete redesign: 

  • You can now have options to change the Font, Text size, Text color, and Background, for the notes section.

  • You have a mappable button that opens the note in a floating window. You can put it anywhere, you can resize it, and you can automate the opening/closing of this floating window. 

  • The pictures section is also available from this floating window: 

  • Also this Notes Pictures section is now available as a separate device (Included in the pack of course) :

  • It is now possible to Switch between Channels with the IO matrix list, and Pick up the new Channel's preamp/monitor/sends parameter values. 

The master section also got an overhaul:

  • Now you have controls over the Main Output/Monitoring section:

- Main monitor Volume 

- Monitor Mono toggle

- Monitor Mute toggle

- DIM toggle

- Dim amount value

- Monitor source selector

- Talkback toggle 

- Also now it can display the current DSP, PRG and MEM values. 

  • You can now Control certain Console options from the Master device:

-Sample rate

-Clip hold

-Peak Hold

-Meter mode

-Delay compensation

-Headroom

Other improvements:

-The Channel selection list now only includes the Channels that are enabled in the IO matrix in Console

-You have the option to hide hidden channels from the IO selection menu

-You can set the Channel device into "Parameter pickup" mode.
This option combined with the "Plugin pickup" mode allows you to import Channel configurations into the device from
a console session.

Bugfixes: 

  • Fixed a bug with the IO selection list. For Stereo Linked tracks previously the device only showed the Left channels mono name, instead of the correct Stereo linked name of the two channels. 

  • Also when you rename the selected channel in the console, now the change is instantly reflected on the device, even if it's a stereo linked channel pair. 

  • Fixed a bug that broke the undo history if the undo point reached a "Stereo Link" button change. (previously it created a new undo history step.) 

  • Fixed a bug that disabled the Channel device in certain cases when you switched from a Stereo linked channel to a Mono channel. 

  • Fixed a bug that caused the Console's IO matrix to report random Channel names through the API like "ANALOG 16" 

  • Fixed a bug that caused some Channels to show up with a Preamp section even if it didn't have one (Like Virtual Channels) 

  • And that caused Some Channels to show up Without a Preamp section (Like simple Line inputs)

  • In some cases the Channel device was unable to pick up the Channels plugins on initiation (Mainly with setups where the IO matrix were modified) 

  • Fixed a bug that made some channels hidden in console while unlinking them.

  • And a lot more internal fixes, cleanups, modifications...

GroundControl 1.1 - 2024.09.24.

  • New Features:

    • Input and Send Meters: I added meter sections to provide visual feedback on input levels and send levels.

  • Record Arm & Mute Linking: You can now link the track’s record arm button to the channel’s mute. If you disarm the track, it mutes the channel, and enabling record arm unmutes it.

    • Monitor Mode Switching: If you’re using the monitor mode switching feature from the master device, you now have the option to select either “In” or “Auto” mode.

    • Plugin Copying Control: When switching channels, you can decide if you want to copy plugins from the previous channel or stick to those already on the newly selected one.

  • Improvements:

    • Faster Track Switching: Track switching is much quicker if the device doesn’t need to load or remove plugins from the channel, and even if it does, it’s still faster than before.

    • Plugin Window Stability: No more blinking! The plugin windows won’t close and reopen while switching channels.

    • Smooth Audio Switching: The Audio won’t cut out when switching between channels and the device doesn’t have to load, or remove plugins. (if it has to there's no way around it... the Console mutes everything while it loads/removes a plugin).

Bug Fixes:

  • Correct Monitoring Mode Switching: Fixed an issue where switching or moving tracks could unintentionally change some unrelated track’s monitoring mode to “Off”.

    • Swappable Plugin Order: You can now swap plugin orders on all channels, not just the first one.

    • Channel Setting Bleeding: Resolved an issue where settings from one channel device would “bleed” into others if you quickly selected tracks one after another.

GroundControl 1.0 - 2024.09.24.

  • Initial Release

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