Feedback

LED feedback provides visual confirmation of your controller’s state, showing you parameter values, button states, and more through illuminated LEDs. This section covers the core concepts and configuration options for feedback across all component types.

What is LED Feedback?

LED feedback is the visual response your controller provides when you interact with it or when it receives MIDI messages from your software. This creates a two-way communication loop:

You turn a knob - The controller sends a MIDI message to your DAW
Your DAW processes the change - The parameter value updates
Your DAW sends feedback - A MIDI message returns to the controller
The LED updates - Visual confirmation of the current state

This feedback loop is essential for:

Knowing the current value of a parameter at a glance
Confirming that your DAW received and processed your input
Maintaining sync between your controller and software when parameters change from other sources (automation, mouse, other controllers)

Feedback Source Options

The Source setting determines where the controller listens for incoming MIDI messages to update its LEDs.

Source Port

Source	Description
Local	LED responds only to the component’s own actions. The LED reflects what you’re doing locally without waiting for external confirmation.
USB	LED responds to MIDI messages received via the USB connection
MIDI	LED responds to MIDI messages received via the DIN5 MIDI port
USB + MIDI	LED responds to messages from either port (default)

You can combine sources. For example, Local + USB will update the LED both when you interact with the control and when feedback arrives via USB.

When to Use Each Source

Scenario	Recommended Source
Standard DAW control via USB	USB or USB + MIDI
Hardware synth control via DIN MIDI	MIDI
Standalone use without software	Local
Maximum compatibility	USB + MIDI (default)

Feedback Mode Options

The feedback Mode determines how the LED interprets incoming MIDI values and translates them into visual output.

Gated Mode

In Gated mode, the LED has two states: ON and OFF.

Values at or below the MIN threshold turn the LED OFF (or dim)
Values above the MIN threshold turn the LED ON

This is the simplest feedback mode and works well for:

Toggle buttons
On/off states
Binary parameters

Range Mode

In Range mode, the LED responds only to values within a specified range.

Values below MIN keep the LED OFF
Values between MIN and MAX illuminate the LED proportionally
Values above MAX keep the LED at full brightness

Range mode is useful when:

You want feedback only for a specific portion of a parameter’s range
Multiple controls share the same CC but respond to different value ranges
Creating zone-based feedback systems

Value Mode

In Value mode, the LED brightness or color corresponds directly to the incoming MIDI value.

Value 0 = LED OFF (or minimum brightness)
Value 127 = LED at full brightness
Intermediate values = proportional brightness

This mode provides the most detailed visual feedback and is ideal for:

Continuous parameters (volume, pan, filter cutoff)
VU meters and level indicators
Any parameter where you want to see the exact value

Color Configuration

Configure how LED colors are displayed for feedback.

Fixed Color Mode

In Fixed Color mode, the LED displays a single, constant color that you select.

Configuration options:

Use the color picker to select any color
Enter a HEX value in #RRGGBB format for precise color matching

OFF State Behavior:

When the feedback value is at minimum, you can choose how the LED appears:

Option	Behavior
LED OFF	The LED turns completely off when MIN value is received
LOW INTENSITY	The LED dims to low brightness, maintaining visibility of the control

Value to Color Mode

In Value to Color mode, the incoming MIDI value determines the LED color from a palette of 128 colors.

Each MIDI value (0-127) maps to a specific color
Color changes automatically as values change
Useful for multi-state parameters or creative visual feedback

Common uses for Value to Color:

Ableton Live clip status (playing, stopped, recording)
Multi-state switches
Track arm/solo/mute states with different colors
Creative visual feedback for performance

Blink Settings

Configure LEDs to blink for enhanced visual feedback.

Blink Mode

When enabled, the LED alternates between ON and OFF states at a configurable rate.

Setting	Description
OFF	LED displays solid (no blinking)
ON	LED blinks when active

Blink Speed

Control how fast the LED blinks:

Speed	Use Case
Slow	Subtle indication, less distracting
Medium	Balanced visibility
Fast	Urgent or attention-grabbing feedback

Common uses for blinking:

Recording status indication
Unsaved changes warning
Parameter automation active
MIDI learn mode
Alert states

Feedback by Component Type

Different component types have specific feedback capabilities and configurations.

Encoder Feedback

Encoders typically have two feedback elements:

LED Ring - Displays the rotary value
Switch LED - Displays the switch state (if equipped)

The LED ring supports multiple display modes:

Fill - LEDs light from minimum to current value
Spot - Single LED indicates current position
Mirror - LEDs fill symmetrically from center
Pivot - LEDs extend from center based on value

See Encoders for complete encoder feedback configuration.

Digital Feedback

Buttons and switches use single LED feedback with two primary states:

ON - Button is pressed or toggled on
OFF - Button is released or toggled off

Digital feedback supports:

Fixed color with LED OFF or LOW INTENSITY off-state
Value to Color for multi-state indication
Value to Intensity for brightness control

See Digital for complete digital feedback configuration.

Analog Feedback

Analog inputs (faders, pots) can have associated LEDs for value indication. Configuration options include:

LED arrays showing current position
Single LEDs indicating active/inactive state
Color changes based on value ranges

Configuration Tips

Matching Output and Feedback

For reliable two-way communication, ensure your feedback configuration matches your output:

Output Setting	Feedback Setting
MIDI Channel	Same MIDI Channel
CC Number	Same CC Number
Message Type	Same Message Type
MIDI Port	Same Source Port

Testing Feedback

Configure your output settings first
Set feedback source to match your output port
Configure feedback message type and channel to match output
Move the control and verify the LED responds
Change the parameter in your DAW and verify the LED updates

Troubleshooting

Issue	Possible Cause	Solution
LED doesn’t respond	Wrong source port	Match source to your connection type
LED doesn’t match DAW	Channel mismatch	Verify MIDI channel matches
LED updates locally but not from DAW	Source set to Local only	Add USB or MIDI to source
Colors don’t match expected	Wrong color mode	Check Fixed vs Value to Color

Quick Reference

Feedback Configuration Summary

Parameter	Options	Description
Source Port	Local, USB, MIDI, USB+MIDI	Where feedback listens
Message Type	Note, CC, PC, NRPN, RPN, PB	MIDI message type
MIDI Channel	1-16	Channel to respond to
Parameter	0-127 or 0-16383	MIDI parameter
Mode	Gated, Range, Value	How values are interpreted
Color Mode	Fixed, Value to Color	How color is determined
Blink	OFF, ON	Enable/disable blinking

Digital - Configure buttons and switches with LED feedback
Encoders - Configure rotary encoders with LED ring feedback
Controller Options - Configure global feedback channels