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    larzdj323
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Unique MIDI Question

I am a Sound Engineer for a band, that is attempting to learn how to really tap into the features of the Smartfade ML.  Since I am a Nube . . . can you tell me if something is possible, and how I might go about setting this up?

What I want to do is link our Digital Performer setup with the Smartfade ML..  Our band uses backing tracks and a click when we perform, and I would like the Smartfade ML board to slave off of the Digital Performer unit.  I would like to create unique lighting stacks for each song, and have them load and start playing when the DP controller presses play . . . 

First off . . . is this possible?

If so, what sort of Hardware setup would I need?  Currently, our DP laptop is feeding a USB MOTU Midi distribution card with 4 outputs,

(1) is feeding a Triton Synth Rack,

(2) is feeding a Roland JV 880 synth,

(3) is feeding a TC Elec. M-One Effects and

(4) is feeding another TC M-One XL Effects unit. 

Can I route Midi thru the Smartfade board and then to one of the Effects Units?

Not very familiar with Midi in relation to machine control . . .

Thanks for any insight into this!

Parents

  • Just took out the rig over the weekend, and I discovered that the console is not the Smartfade ML . . . it is the Smartfade 1248 . . . does the same Midi configuration work with this console?

    Also, can this board control DMX Scanners? 

    Thanks!

  • in reply to larzdj323

    Yes, the MIDI configuration should be the same, but some commands may be different.  I've only used MIDI on a 1248, actually.

    Sure, you can control DMX Scanners -- it's just not as easy as with the SFML.  You'll just use one channel for pan, one for tilt, etc.  Programming can be a bit confusing due to the HTP nature of the console, but as long as you understand that, it's not too hard to get by.

  • in reply to mgarrison

    Are there any tutorials or videos on how to configure & program shows for Midi control on the Smartfade?

    Also since I am a Nube, when controling a pair of scanners and say . . . 6 LED Par Washes, would each fader on the board control a specific parameter of each light . . . effectively leaving me with only 48 channels of DMX to use?  For instance Scanner (1) would take up fader channels 1-5, #2 would take up fader channels 6-10, then the rest of the LED fixtures would take up fader channels 11 & 12 (Intensity & color), 13 & 14, 15 & 16, 16 & 17, 18 & 19, 20 & 21?  This would technically leave 27 open DMX channels available for other fixtures since there are (technically) 48 channels to use on the board?

    If I am walking down the wrong path, please let me know!

     

  • in reply to larzdj323

    larzdj323 said:
    Are there any tutorials or videos on how to configure & program shows for Midi control on the Smartfade?

    I'm afraid not, as MIDI control is highly dependant on exactly which device you're going to use to send the MIDI commands - they're all different, and most people have one or two MIDI devices they really love.

    However, SmartFade outputs the same MIDI it listens to, so the easiest way to do it is to run it 'backwards' to start with:

    • Set the SmartFade to output the kind of MIDI you want (MSC, General MIDI or both)
    • Connect the SmartFade MIIDI Out to the controller's MIDI In.
    • Set the controller to 'record' the MIDI input to a track/snippet or whatever.
    • Manually run the section of the show on the SmartFade
    • Stop recording.

    Repeat for each 'section' of the show you want a MIDI track for.

    Then turn swap the cables and settings so that the controller is outputting MIDI and the SmartFade is receiving, and play back the snippets you recorded.

    You may want to tweak each snippet to get the timings exactly right, but the commands you need to adjust should be pretty clear by that stage.

    larzdj323 said:
    Also since I am a Nube, when controling a pair of scanners and say . . . 6 LED Par Washes, would each fader on the board control a specific parameter of each light . . . effectively leaving me with only 48 channels of DMX to use?

    Yes, that's exactly right.

Reply
  • in reply to larzdj323

    larzdj323 said:
    Are there any tutorials or videos on how to configure & program shows for Midi control on the Smartfade?

    I'm afraid not, as MIDI control is highly dependant on exactly which device you're going to use to send the MIDI commands - they're all different, and most people have one or two MIDI devices they really love.

    However, SmartFade outputs the same MIDI it listens to, so the easiest way to do it is to run it 'backwards' to start with:

    • Set the SmartFade to output the kind of MIDI you want (MSC, General MIDI or both)
    • Connect the SmartFade MIIDI Out to the controller's MIDI In.
    • Set the controller to 'record' the MIDI input to a track/snippet or whatever.
    • Manually run the section of the show on the SmartFade
    • Stop recording.

    Repeat for each 'section' of the show you want a MIDI track for.

    Then turn swap the cables and settings so that the controller is outputting MIDI and the SmartFade is receiving, and play back the snippets you recorded.

    You may want to tweak each snippet to get the timings exactly right, but the commands you need to adjust should be pretty clear by that stage.

    larzdj323 said:
    Also since I am a Nube, when controling a pair of scanners and say . . . 6 LED Par Washes, would each fader on the board control a specific parameter of each light . . . effectively leaving me with only 48 channels of DMX to use?

    Yes, that's exactly right.

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