Using MIDI with Element

Hi All, I am trying to use a USB to MIDI device to control my ETC Element board. I really just want it to advance cues from the computer. I am trying to use the QLAB 2 software. I'm pretty sure that I have everything hooked up properly, but my board doesn't seem to be receiving any commands. As near as I can tell, the computer is sending the command, but nothing happens. Any ideas?

0 ueliriegg over 8 years ago

midi has about 20 different flavours. so you want to make sure you're using the correct one. for what you're describing the best would probably be MSC (midi show control). make sure thatßs what you're sending with qlab.
in your element in show settings, make sure that you have the receiving of MSC activated.

try that and report back if it works.

ps: an error that happens more often than most people would like to confess is that the connect the wrong MIDI connector to the console. usually they are labelled with "To In", but sometimes the correct connector would also be labelled "Out". and of course you want to use the In socket at the console
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0 MattBennett127 over 8 years ago in reply to ueliriegg

Yes, I read about that, and yes, I did have them incorrectly at first. However, even with changing them it doesn't seem to work.

1) I activated the receiving of MSC on my Element board
2) I tried the cables both ways.

Still doesn't do anything.
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0 MattBennett127 over 8 years ago in reply to MattBennett127

Here are my settings if that helps.
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0 tryggve over 8 years ago in reply to MattBennett127

- for some strange reason String MIDI TX is Enabled by default, try Disable it. It worked for me.
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0 MattBennett127 over 8 years ago in reply to tryggve

I did disable it but it didn't seem to help. :(
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0 ueliriegg over 8 years ago in reply to MattBennett127

Four things:
- your cues have the correct numbers? MSC will fire cues with the same number at the same time. So that means qlab and Element need the same Cue numbers.
- you did switch on MSC in qlab?
- switch off everything but MSC Receive in Element
- you have an old Software Version on your Element. Which one is it? You might want to update...
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0 Nick Simmons over 8 years ago in reply to ueliriegg

Check in the receive channel in the shell is set to channel 1 (I assume Element is the same as Ion/Gio/Ti and has this option in the shell).

Look in Tab 99 (Diagnostics) to see if you're seeing any Midi in.

I assume Element works with OSC if you're on 2.3.X. You can also go down the OSC route, excellent guide here;
https://community.etcconnect.com/control_consoles/f/158/t/17390
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0 MattBennett127 over 8 years ago in reply to Nick Simmons

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the input so far. Still no luck. Would appreciate some additional ideas if anyone has any.

Just to recap
1) On my MAC, I'm using QLab
2) I have a USB to MIDI adapter (Hosa Technology Tracklink MIDI to USB Interface)
3) I have MSC enabled on my Element board
4) I have the commands in QLab set to MSC
5) I updated my Firmware to the Latest
6) I couldn't do an I/O update -- but I'm running version 1.0.0.9.0.027

There just doesn't seem to be any communication between the board and the computer.
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0 MattBennett127 over 8 years ago in reply to MattBennett127

Just an update:

Making a little progress, but not quite there.

The output from the my Element board seems to be making it to my computer.
The little blue MIDI light on the adapter flashes when I press "GO" and the MIDI monitor on my computer registers that a command was sent.

However, nothing happens in QLAB.

I want to either trigger the audio cue by syncing the GO on the light board to the audio in QLAB
or vice versa, that I could trigger the light GO by the cue in QLAB.

I'm close, but still no luck.
Any ideas?
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0 tryggve over 8 years ago in reply to MattBennett127

You can delete all the Q-numbers i Qlab, and just put in the ones you want to be trigged from the Element, It doesn't even have to be in sequence.

Be sure that the Q-numbers in both Qlab and Element is identical. If you use decimals in Element [Q1.5], be sure that you use [.] and not [,] in Qlab.

any luck?
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0 MattBennett127 over 8 years ago in reply to tryggve

So if I understand correctly.

I have lighting CUE # 1 on my light board
I have audio CUE # 1 in Qlab

When I hit GO on the lighting board, then the audio should start playing, right?

Nothing happens

Not sure what I am missing.
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0 tryggve over 8 years ago in reply to MattBennett127

Yes, that is how it works at my place.

For me it started working when I disabled the String MIDI TX. You might check out /try juggling with the ID- and channels-things if both Qlab and Element, Be sure that MSC is enabled i Qlab (and check if you use midi in or midi out on the back of your console...).

Keep up! - It sounds like you are close... ;)
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0 Paul Toben over 8 years ago in reply to MattBennett127

Download MIDI Monitor on your Mac and see what data is actually getting to your computer: https://www.snoize.com/MIDIMonitor/
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0 MattBennett127 over 8 years ago in reply to Paul Toben

Hi Paul,
Yes I have that. It is working and when I hit GO on the lighting board, the command shows up on my computer. So it seems like the MIDI is fine. It's just that Qlab doesn't do anything. Kinda strange.
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0 Paul Toben over 8 years ago in reply to MattBennett127

Can you post what you're seeing in MIDI Monitor when you press go? And also post a screenshot of your Qlab workspace and workspace settings for MIDI Controls?
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