HUI MIDI mapping protocol
Encyclopedia
The HUI MIDI mapping protocol is an open communications protocol
for interfacing between a hardware audio control surface and digital audio workstation
(DAW) software. The protocol allows a DAW and a connected hardware control surface to exchange Midi signals that synchronize the states of their (virtual) sliders, buttons, wheels, and displays. The user can write console automation
which can then be seen in the DAW.
This protocol was created Jointly by Mackie
and Digidesign
in 1997 Mackie for their HUI product the first hardware control surface for protools. It was also the protocol used in the Baby HUI product mackie released much later Human User Interface (HUI(tm)) product.
It is now used very widely. Many hardware controllers (Tascam FW-1082, Mackie Control Universal, Yamaha 01X, Alesis MasterControl, SSL AWS900, etc.) implement this protocol. Similarly many types of DAW software implement the HUI(tm) protocol, making them cross-compatible with the HUI(tm)-compatible hardware controllers. While HUI is still supported on the hardware side non Digi software has moved on to more open MCU and other midi control protocols as Digidesign (now Avid) has made extensive controllers with proprietary protocols that have much more rich capabilities but are part of a closed system.
Communications protocol
A communications protocol is a system of digital message formats and rules for exchanging those messages in or between computing systems and in telecommunications...
for interfacing between a hardware audio control surface and digital audio workstation
Digital audio workstation
A digital audio workstation is an electronic system designed solely or primarily for recording, editing and playing back digital audio. DAWs were originally tape-less, microprocessor-based systems such as the Synclavier and Fairlight CMI...
(DAW) software. The protocol allows a DAW and a connected hardware control surface to exchange Midi signals that synchronize the states of their (virtual) sliders, buttons, wheels, and displays. The user can write console automation
Console automation
Modern digital audio consoles or mixers use automation. Automation allows the console to remember the audio engineer's adjustment of faders during the post-production editing process. A timecode is necessary for synchronization of automation.- Types of Automation :...
which can then be seen in the DAW.
This protocol was created Jointly by Mackie
Mackie
Mackie is a brand of the United States-based company LOUD Technologies. The Mackie brand is used on professional music and recording equipment, such as mixing consoles, loudspeakers, and DAW control surfaces....
and Digidesign
Digidesign
Avid Audio is an American digital audio technology company. It was founded in 1984 by Peter Gotcher and Evan Brooks. The company began as a project to raise money for the founders' band, selling EPROM chips for drum machines. It is a subsidiary of Avid Technology, and during 2010 the Digidesign...
in 1997 Mackie for their HUI product the first hardware control surface for protools. It was also the protocol used in the Baby HUI product mackie released much later Human User Interface (HUI(tm)) product.
It is now used very widely. Many hardware controllers (Tascam FW-1082, Mackie Control Universal, Yamaha 01X, Alesis MasterControl, SSL AWS900, etc.) implement this protocol. Similarly many types of DAW software implement the HUI(tm) protocol, making them cross-compatible with the HUI(tm)-compatible hardware controllers. While HUI is still supported on the hardware side non Digi software has moved on to more open MCU and other midi control protocols as Digidesign (now Avid) has made extensive controllers with proprietary protocols that have much more rich capabilities but are part of a closed system.