Human User Interface Protocol

The HUI(tm) 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.

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 has made extensive controllers with proprietary protocols that have much more rich capabilities but are part of a closed system.]