Behringer U-CONTROL UMX61 - Manual (Page 6)

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U-CONTROL UMX49/UMX61
2. INTRODUCTION TO MIDI
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1.2 System requirements
For USB operation, a current WINDOWS ® PC or MAC ® with a
USB connection is sufficient. Both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 are
supported.
The UMX supports the USB MIDI compatibility of
WINDOWS® XP and MAC OS X® operating systems.
The UMX can also be operated as a stand-alone MIDI
controller with no PC connected. Software control
via MIDI is also possible, provided your computer
has a MIDI interface.
2. INTRODUCTION TO MIDI
2.1 MIDI control for beginners
Application possibilities for the UMX models are truly wide-
ranging. We’ll start with a couple of general explanations and
examples that should quickly let you get a good understanding of
MIDI basics.
The definition of the MIDI standard began in 1982 with the
cooperation of various international companies (MIDI: Musical
Instruments Digital Interface). At that time, musicians were looking
for a possibility of managing the communication of electronic
musical instruments of different makes with one another.
What exactly does the UMX do?
Simply put, this a remote control for all kinds of MIDI equipment.
Using the faders, encoders and buttons, the foot pedal and the
keyboard, an entire array of control instructions can be
generated, which in turn can control the most diverse functions
of external devices.
What kinds of equipment can I control with the UMX?
You can basically control any device supporting the MIDI format.
Both hardware and software MIDI devices are controlled in exactly
the same way. The only difference is in the wiring.
Here are a couple of suggestions on how you can use
your UMX:
V Editing sound parameters of (virtual) synthesizers, sound
samplers, GM/GS/XG sound generators
V Controlling parameters on effects equipment/software plug-
ins such as effects processors, reverbs, compressors,
equalizers etc.
V Remotely controlling software mixers (volume, panorama,
mute functions, etc.)
V Remotely controlling transport functions (playback, forward,
stop etc.) on sequencers, hard disk recorders, drum
computers etc.
V Live control of volume and sound parameters on expanders
V Remotely controlling groove boxes, step sequencers, MIDI
generators and other “live” software
V Program changes and volume control on sound generators
(just like on a master keyboard)
V Can be used by band keyboardists, solo entertainers,
organists, electronic music performers, DJs, sound
engineers, home/project studio owners, theater technicians
etc. alike
And how does it work?
Remote control is realized by assigning the individual control
elements of the UMX to individual MIDI parameters. Whenever
one of these control elements is operated, the UMX generates
the control data assigned to this control element, which are then
transferred to external devices over a data link. Thus, for
example, the VOLUME/DATA fader is programmed ex works to
send data controlling the volume level of a channel.
The data connection is usually a standard MIDI cable with a
5-pole DIN plug on each end. Such cables should not exceed a
length of 15 meters. With the UMX there is one more data
connection available: the USB cable to the host computer. Here,
the cable should not exceed a length of 5 meters.
The data transmission takes place over 16 channels. The
control data generated by the individual control elements are
also called MIDI messages, which can be divided into 3 major
groups:
V Channel Messages: Here, channel-specific control
information is transmitted. An example of a channel
message is the note-on instruction. As soon as a key is
played on the keyboard of the UMX, the device generates
an instruction which contains the pitch, channel number
and velocity. The receiving sound generator “knows” which
tone has to be played.
V System Messages: These messages are not channel-
specific but relate to the entire system to which they are
sent. They are divided into 3 groups: System Exclusive
Messages (for operating system backup, updates,
management of memory contents); System Real-Time
Messages (e.g. for remote control of other devices);
System Common Messages (e.g. for the synchronization
of several devices).
V Control Messages: Also known as Control Changes or
Controllers, abbreviated as “CC… (controller number)”.
There are 128 controllers in total, which are numbered
from 0 to 127.
Please refer to the table on page 16 to find out which
type of controller you are currently working with.
MIDI data are only control data and contain no audible
audio information! The data transmission takes
place over 16 channels.
What settings do I have to make? Where? How?
Basically, which control element generates which controller
must be set on the UMX, and how arriving controller commands
should be interpreted must be set on the receiving device.
Regarding controller assignment, there are two possible
principles:
V You use the preset controller configuration set in the
factory (see fig. 2.1). In this case, you only need to make
the assignments on the receiving device.
V You use your own controller configuration set up in
ASSIGN mode. How to assign controllers to the UMX is
described in chapter 4 “operation”.
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