MOTU micro express User Manual
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MOTU micro express User Manual

MOTU micro express User Manual

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User Guide

MIDI Express XT
MIDI Express 128
micro express
micro lite
Mark of the Unicorn, Inc.
1280 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
Business voice: (617) 576-2760
Business fax: (617) 576-3609
Tech support fax: (617) 354-3068
Tech support email: techsupport@motu.com
Web site: http://www.motu.com

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  • Page 1: User Guide

    MIDI Express XT MIDI Express 128 micro express micro lite Mark of the Unicorn, Inc. 1280 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138 Business voice: (617) 576-2760 Business fax: (617) 576-3609 Tech support fax: (617) 354-3068 Tech support email: techsupport@motu.com Web site: http://www.motu.com...
  • Page 2 Line Voltage: 100 - 120 volts AC, RMS (US and Japan) or 220 - 250 volts AC, RMS (Europe). Frequency: 47 - 63 Hz single phase. If the outlet you are planning to use for the MOTU USB MIDI interface is of the two prong type, DO NOT REMOVE OR ALTER THE Power: 7 watts maximum.

  • Page 3: Limited Warranty

    GOODWILL, DAMAGE OR REPLACEMENT OF EQUIPMENT AND PROPERTY AND COST OF RECOVERING REPRO- MOTU warrants to the original licensee that the disk(s) on which the program is recorded be free from defects in materials and GRAMMING, OR REPRODUCING ANY PROGRAM OR DATA STORED IN OR USED WITH MOTU/S&S PRODUCTS.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Contents Part I: For All Users Packing List and Computer Requirements Installing Your MOTU Interface Installing the MOTU USB MIDI Software Using MIDI Software Part II: For XT & micro Users ClockWorks For Mac OS X ClockWorks for Mac OS 9...

  • Page 5: Part I: For All Users

    Part I For All Users...

  • Page 7: Packing List And Computer Requirements

    MIDI interface, you need MIDI cables, purchased registration card! separately. Talk to your music dealer to decide how many you need. Thank you for taking the time to register your new MOTU product! COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS Your MOTU MIDI interface will run with any USB- PACKING LIST equipped Macintosh running Mac OS 8.6, Mac OS 9, or...
  • Page 8 MIDI SOFTWARE COMPATIBILITY VISIT MOTU.COM FOR SOFTWARE UPDATES Your MOTU USB MIDI Interface will work with the Driver updates are posted on our web site as soon as they following kinds of MIDI software: become available, so check our web site for the latest drivers: www.motu.com...

  • Page 9: Connecting The Power Cord

    USB computer keyboard, a USB hub, or any other USB device connected to the computer that has an available Type A USB jack. The USB cable allows the Figure 2-2: The square Type B plug goes into your MOTU interface.

  • Page 10: Installing Your Motu Interface

    MIDI cable from the MIDI THRU of a device already connected to the interface to the MIDI IN on the Figure 2-3: Connecting a MIDI device to your MOTU MIDI interface. If you are additional device as shown below in Figure 2-4. The two connecting a sound module or other device that does not need to transmit MIDI data, you only need to make connection A shown above.

  • Page 11: Midi Connections Worksheet

    MIDI channels, so try to do this with devices that receive Here’s a suggestion. If you have more than a few pieces of gear connected to your MOTU MIDI interface, jot down on only one MIDI channel (such as effects modules) so their receive channels don’t conflict with one another.

  • Page 12: Smpte Time Code Sync Connections

    Connecting a SMPTE time code source Connect any SMPTE time code source, such as the SMPTE Your MOTU MIDI interface is both a SMPTE time code timecode track on an analog multitrack tape deck, to the converter and generator. As a converter, it locks (slaves) to...
  • Page 13 Connecting a SMPTE time code destination Connect the SMPTE OUT port of your MOTU MIDI MOTU MIDI Interface interface to the SMPTE time code input of any destination SMPTE OUT device that accepts SMPTE time code as shown in Figure 2-6. For example, time code can be recorded on an...

  • Page 14: Connecting A Foot Switch

    CONNECTING A FOOT SWITCH CONNECTING AN AUDIO CLICK SOURCE If you would like to use a foot switch with your MOTU If you would like to convert an audio click to MIDI, MIDI interface, connect it as shown below in Figure 2-7.

  • Page 15: Connecting Multiple Usb Interfaces

    Figure 2-9: An inexpensive, standard USB hub allows you to connect multiple dealer). A USB Hub has multiple Type A ports on it, MOTU USB MIDI interfaces. You can even mix and match different models of usually between 4 and 7 ports, to which you connect MOTU interfaces, using the combination that best suites your needs for synchronization, number of MIDI ports, etc.
  • Page 16 Connect them to the hub in the standard fashion, as if you were connecting them directly to the computer. If needed, you can connect multiple hubs to each other to get enough USB ports for your multiple MOTU USB interfaces. WHAT NEXT? You’re ready to install software. Turn to chapter 3, “Installing the MOTU USB MIDI Software”...

  • Page 17: Overview

    Install all of this software as follows: for use with all CoreMIDI compatible applications. Audio MIDI Setup provides: 1 Insert the MOTU USB MIDI installer disc and launch the installer. A “virtual” studio on your Mac that graphically ■...

  • Page 18: Installing The Motu Usb Midi Software

    If the interfaces does not appear, or if it is grayed out, check your cable connections and click Rescan MIDI. Figure 3-1: In this example, a MOTU MIDI Express XT interface as it appears in Figure 3-2: Adding a MIDI device.
  • Page 19 2 Drag on its input and output arrows to draw connections to the MIDI interface that match its physical connection. Figure 3-4: Device settings. 4 Repeat the above steps for each MIDI device connected to the interface. Figure 3-3: Connecting the device to the interface. 3 Double-click the device to make settings, such as input 5 When you are finished, quit Audio MIDI Setup.
  • Page 20 Your configuration is automatically saved as the default 2 Insert the MOTU USB MIDI CD-ROM and run the configuration, and it is shared with all CoreMIDI- installer. The installer is the icon called “Double-click to compatible software. You can use the Configuration menu install”.
  • Page 21 Check the installer itself under Extensions for Mac OS 9. They allow MIDI software to the Custom install option for further information. talk to your MOTU interface and the devices connected to MOTU USB it. They also provide unified MIDI system configuration.
  • Page 22 Audio MIDI Setup. Refer to the documentation for the device for details on this last step. THRU MOTU USB MIDI interface cable THRU THRU Figure 3-5: See “Daisy-chaining MIDI devices” on page 21 for special instruc- tions on setting up your MIDI gear for daisy-chaining in this manner.

  • Page 23: Chapter 6 Clockworks For Mac Os

    If you want to program your interface with ClockWorks... Your MOTU interface console software is the “front end” for the features in your MOTU interface. It allows you to configure and program the powerful MIDI routing and processing features in the interface. You can graphically...
  • Page 24 I N S T A L L I N G T H E M O T U U S B M I D I S O F T W A R E...

  • Page 25: Using Midi Software

    Using MIDI Software CHAPTER 4 MIDI INPUTS AND OUTPUTS Once you’ve completed the installation for your MOTU MIDI interface/synchronizer as described in the previous chapter, the devices you’ve specified in Audio MIDI Setup (or FreeMIDI/OMS Setup under Mac OS 9) will appear in the MIDI input and output menus of your MIDI software.
  • Page 26 Computer Figure 4-2: The path that MIDI data takes through a MOTU Express XT or micro express. Other MOTU interfaces do not provide MIDI processing. U S I N G M I D I S O F T W A R E...

  • Page 27: Part Ii: For Xt & Micro Users

    Part II For XT & micro Users...

  • Page 29: Clockworks For Mac Os X

    Sync tab settings ..........44 would like to make changes to the settings in your MOTU The Pedal tab.
  • Page 30 ClockWorks window Device list Sync and MIDI Machine Control section Tabs Figure 5-1: Click the tabs to access the settings in ClockWorks for Mac OS X. C L O C K W O R K S F O R M A C O S X...

  • Page 31: The File Menu

    The Device List menu item opens the Device List window. If your MOTU interface doesn’t appear See “the Device list” on page 32 for details. If your MOTU interface doesn’t show up in the Device List, check the following things: Load Configuration The Load Configuration menu item opens a previously...

  • Page 32: The Device List

    ClockWorks for Windows appears as a single window for How ClockWorks interacts with the hardware each MOTU interface, as shown in Figure 5-1 on page 30. Changes you make in ClockWorks are immediately Click each tab to view the settings within the tab.

  • Page 33: The Routings Tab

    MIDI data from any device connected to your in ClockWorks, routings to and from the computer are not MOTU interface to any other device connected to it. This shown in the Routings tab. Use the Routings tab to make window provides you with complete control over the flow...
  • Page 34 Routing MTC to your MOTU interface To break a connection, select the connection by clicking its If you would like to slave your MOTU interface to MIDI cable icon, and press the delete key. Time Code generated by another device, make a...
  • Page 35 Routing MMC from the computer to the interface The MMC In port in the Routings tab represents MIDI by (or redistributed by) your MOTU interface itself to Machine Control input to your MOTU interface itself. In another device, create a connection from the MMC Out other words, the interface “listens”...

  • Page 36: The Presets Tab

    MMC device’s destination MIDI port on the right. Connecting an MMC controller If you would like to control your MOTU interface from a MMC controller connected to one of its MIDI inputs, connect the device’s input cable to the MMC In port.

  • Page 37: The Mutings Tab

    A simple way to think of data muting is this: imagine that The Mutings tab is a sophisticated MIDI data filter that each MIDI IN or MIDI OUT cable on your MOTU controls what types of data will be sent and received by interface has a filter just inside the socket.
  • Page 38 1 If you have more than one MOTU interface, select the Muting a data type on all channels To mute a data type on all 16 channels for a device, drag box you want to mute in the Device List window.
  • Page 39 (1-16) to channel 16. If you did this on a MIDI IN port, channels 1-8 would get MOTU interface data bus muted, and the data on channels 9-16 would get mapped to channel 16. If you did this on a MIDI OUT port, all data Channel mapping filter...

  • Page 40: The Mappings Tab

    MIDI IN or MIDI OUT port connected to your on all MIDI IN and MIDI OUT cables. With complete MOTU interface has a filter just inside the socket. MIDI flexibility, this window can switch data from its current data enters the filter on one channel and as it passes...

  • Page 41: Synchronization And Midi Machine Control

    Transport controls The transport controls are just like standard tape deck transports. These buttons control the time code generated by your MOTU interface when it is in Internal mode. SMPTE Readout The SMPTE Readout provides a running update of the time code being generated or converted by your MOTU interface.
  • Page 42 Internal SMPTE Readout to cue your MOTU interface to a specific The Express interface operates under its own clock and frame location. Use the tab key to move from field to field ignores incoming time code.
  • Page 43 Consult the The SMPTE Frame rate menu lets you choose the overall manual for your MMC device for details. time base and SMPTE frame rate for your MOTU Record interface. For a complete explanation of SMPTE frame This mode allows recording on the currently record- rates, see “Frame rates”...

  • Page 44: Sync Tab Settings

    Framelocked This status indicator means that your MOTU interface is what state your MOTU interface is in as a synchronizer. successfully locked to an external time base and that it is The following sections provide a brief explanation of each also successfully generating or converting SMPTE time term.
  • Page 45 first locked. If the Frame lock option is turned on (checked), and your MOTU interface detects more than five frames in a row Turn on Frame lock when you want your MOTU that are not continuous with respect to previous frames interface’s frame times to match incoming frame times,...
  • Page 46 The most LTC Output common case is when your MOTU interface is locked to This slider allows you to adjust the overall gain of the SMPTE time code being generated from a VITC converter...
  • Page 47 ID of another device connected to it. Freewheel _ frames This option lets you set the number of frames your MOTU interface will freewheel over when it encounters a time code drop-out. For a complete explanation of freewheeling, see “Freewheeling to avoid time code...

  • Page 48: The Pedal Tab

    Convert an audio tempo source such as an audio click ■ The Pedal tab lets you program the pedal input(s) on your into MIDI data in order to slave MIDI hardware or MOTU interface. software to the audio tempo source Pedal type menu You have three choices: None ■...
  • Page 49 Triggering drum samples ■ type in the controller number or choose it by name from This feature can be used in conjunction with MOTU’s the menu. If you choose system exclusive, see “Sending Digital Performer software to slave a sequence to sysex data with a pedal”...
  • Page 50 will miss beats. The decay also determines the duration of the MIDI note generated by the Express interface. A low decay produces a long duration; a high decay produces a short duration. You may need to experiment to adjust these values. MIDI message and channel These are set in the same manner as previously described in “MIDI message”...

  • Page 51: Future Updates

    3 Set the output assignment as described in “Channel” on page 49. FUTURE UPDATES Visit www.motu.com for information about future updates for ClockWorks. C L O C K W O R K S F O R M A C O S X...
  • Page 52 C L O C K W O R K S F O R M A C O S X...

  • Page 53: Clockworks For Mac Os 9

    After setting up FreeMIDI or OMS as described in If your MOTU interface doesn’t appear ..... . . 54 Appendix D, “FreeMIDI and OMS” page (151), follow the The Device List window .

  • Page 54: If Your Motu Interface Doesn't Appear

    Windows, and Utilities menus. If this is the first time A MOTU interface is not connected to the Mac, or it is ■ you’ve opened ClockWorks, you should also see the connected improperly. Make sure your cable Device List window, as shown below in Figure 6-1. If not, connection(s) to the interface match Figure 2-1 and you can open it by choosing it from the Windows menu.

  • Page 55: The Device List Window

    Figure 6-2: The Device List lets you control which device you are working with in ClockWorks when you have several pieces of MOTU gear. Click the name of Working with several MOTU devices device to select it. The settings of the currently selected device appear in all of ClockWorks serves as the control center for all MOTU ClockWork’s windows.
  • Page 56 Overall look and feel Mini-menus The ClockWorks “look and feel” is modeled after MOTU’s Most of the ClockWorks windows have mini-menus, award-winning Performer sequencing program. Several which are located in the title bar of the window at the left- aspects of this interface, including mini-menus, are hand side next to the close triangle.
  • Page 57 Radio buttons Although ClockWorks radio buttons look unique, they behave just like standard Macintosh radio buttons. Radio buttons work such that you can only select one of the given choices; if you click a new button, the previously chosen Check box grid one will deselect.
  • Page 58 find extremely useful when using the grids. To select several adjacent boxes, click and drag. To select When you have two or more MOTU interfaces connected an entire column, click the column number. Similarly, to to your Mac, you need to choose which one you are select an entire row, click the row name.

  • Page 59: Obtaining The Rom Version

    MIDI, these sysex messages get ClockWorks always reflects the current state of your recorded as well. MOTU Express interface. At least, it should. If, at any time, you suspect that the windows in the software don’t OBTAINING THE ROM VERSION accurately reflect what’s going on in the hardware for some...

  • Page 60: Working With Files

    ClockWorks, it loads the entire contents of the WORKING WITH FILES MOTU interface memory into the computer. It is stored in ClockWorks lets you save the entire contents of your RAM until you save it as a file, which is explained in the MOTU interface’s memory, including base setups,...
  • Page 61 2 If you are saving the file for the first time, a dialog box Reverting to a previously saved version If you’ve made unwanted changes to a file, you can undo will appear prompting you for a name. Type in the name of the changes you’ve made by returning to the last saved your file and click Save.
  • Page 62 Opening an existing file 4 Click on the Open button. To open an existing file: The file you selected will be opened. Double-clicking on 1 Double-click on the file icon. the name of the file will also open the file. You can also click once on the file and choose Open from Checking to see what file is currently open the File menu.

  • Page 63: Device Settings & Routing

    The Device Settings & Routing Window in ClockWorks desktop. provides an easy and powerful way for you to route MIDI data from any device connected to your MOTU interface Choose Quit from the File menu. ■ to any other device connected to it. This window provides you with complete control over the flow of MIDI data...
  • Page 64 Figure 6-8: The Device Settings & Routing window provides graphic access to menu to open FreeMIDI Setup or OMS Setup and create device names. If you all of your MOTU interface’s MIDI routing, merging and splitting capabilities. have multiple devices connected to a MIDI port, the console displays the term ‘multiple devices’...
  • Page 65 Use FreeMIDI Setup or OMS Setup to add, remove, or change device names. To launch FreeMIDI Setup or OMS Setup from within ClockWorks, choose Edit FreeMIDI Configuration from the Utilities menu in ClockWorks. Then refer to the information below. To do this Do this Add a device FreeMIDI...
  • Page 66 The “all” box means that all channels on the QS8 are the left over to the first output, and then drag directly to currently routed to all channels on the JV-2080. If you each additional output on the right. As you “touch” each want to connect specific MIDI channels, see “Specifying output, it highlights and a connection is made.
  • Page 67 2 Press the delete key, or choose Clear from the Edit menu. Breaking one of several connections Often, a device will be connected to several other devices, Figure 6-14: Selecting a connection. like this: Deselecting all connections To deselect all connections, click anywhere in the middle of the window between the two columns of cables.
  • Page 68 2 Click the text box on the connection. Specifying channels in a connection Your MOTU interface lets you specify channels when you make a connection from one piece of gear to another. C L O C K W O R K S F O R M A C O S 9...
  • Page 69 3 on the Emulator E4xt, as well as a few other synths. In each connection, channel 1 is being mapped to channel 1, channel 2 is being mapped to channel 2, etc. If you want all channels to be connected, type “a” for “all” (connect all channels).
  • Page 70 MTC Out port (on the left) to the use the computer icon on the right. To route MIDI data from the computer, use desired devices on the right as shown here. In this example, the MOTU interface the computer icon on the left.
  • Page 71 Device Settings & Routing Window’s MIDI ports and computer icon as needed. Figure 6-20: From the factory, your MOTU interface is programmed to send MIDI Time Code to the computer as shown here by the selected connection. This connection is necessary for slaving software to MTC generated by the interface.
  • Page 72 MIDI ports and computer connections. Figure 6-22: The selected connection shown above is required when you want to control your MOTU interface — and any devices slaving to it — from your Routing MMC from the Mac to the interface sequencer or other MMC software on the computer.
  • Page 73 MMC device(s) If you would like to bypass the interface and control a Figure 6-23: To control your MOTU interface from a MMC controller such as MMC device directly from your computer software JLCooper’s CuePoint, connect it to the MMC In port.

  • Page 74: Channel Map

    MIDI IN or MIDI OUT port connected to your MIDI data on all MIDI IN and MIDI OUT cables. With MOTU interface has a filter just inside the socket. MIDI complete flexibility, this window can switch data from its data enters the filter on one channel and as it passes...

  • Page 75: Muting

    1 If you have more than one MOTU interface, select the box you want to mute in the Device List window in Muting basics ClockWorks.
  • Page 76 2 From the Windows menu, open the Event Muting Now you are ready to click check boxes in the grid to mute window. data. Muting data on a single channel To mute data on a single MIDI channel for a device, click the appropriate check box in the grid.
  • Page 77 To unmute data on all channels and cables, click Clear. Muting MIDI beat clocks Muting filter When MIDI beat clocks are transmitted to your MOTU interface (via a MIDI device or the Macintosh) they are Channel mapping filter echoed to all cables. If you do not want MIDI beat clocks sent to all your MIDI devices, mute Real-time data on the output cables for those devices.

  • Page 78: Sync And Midi Machine Control

    The Sync/MMC window in ClockWorks gives you control Here’s another example: Let’s say you are mapping all over your MOTU interface’s sync and MMC transport control features. The following sections provide a brief channels to channel 1, and you are muting channels 1-8.
  • Page 79 SMPTE Readout to cue your MOTU interface to a specific generated by your MOTU interface when it is in Internal frame location. mode. When your MOTU interface is set to slave to an external time code source, you can click the offset button as shown Rewind Stop Play Pause...
  • Page 80 SMPTE frame rate for current frame displayed in ClockWorks’ main your MOTU interface. SMPTE readout. Figure 6-31: The Set Locate controls. Click the lower arrow to load the SMPTE frame currently displayed in the SMPTE Readout. You can even do so on the fly.
  • Page 81 The recording settings let you control exactly when ignores incoming time code. recording will occur in MMC devices being controlled by your MOTU interface. Allows your Express interface to sync to MIDI Time Code from another device. For complete details, see “MTC Mode”...
  • Page 82 This feature is only available in the and Any application. When ClockWorks only is chosen, MOTU Digital Timepiece synchronizer. It is grayed out recording will only occur when ClockWorks is the active when you are using a MOTU MIDI interface.
  • Page 83 Performer, you are most likely slaving them to MTC from active. your MOTU interface. In this case, be sure to turn off FreeMIDI Sync. Extra settings The Extra Settings button shown below in Figure 6-35 opens an additional pane in the Sync/MMC window.
  • Page 84 If the Frame lock option is turned off (unchecked), and The Frame lock check box is only available when your your MOTU interface detects more than five frames in a MOTU interface is locking to external SMPTE time code row that are not continuous with respect to previous (in any form —...
  • Page 85 The most different times (because of overlapping SMPTE striping, common case is when your MOTU interface is locked to edits, or whatever). By turning off Frame lock, you can VITC, and the video deck is paused. In this situation, the...

  • Page 86: Smpte Reader

    Freewheel _ frames knows that your MOTU interface’s ID is 19. This option lets you set the number of frames your MOTU interface will freewheel over when it encounters a time If you change your MOTU interface device ID for some code drop-out.
  • Page 87 MOTU interface is in as a synchronizer. The following sections provide a brief explanation of each Figure 6-37: The SMPTE Reader provides a running update of your MOTU inter- face while it is generating or converting time code.
  • Page 88 Time base status achieved lockup with the external sync source. The time base status readout tells you whether or not your MOTU interface is currently locked to a time base. The Getting Time base terms you will see here are: This status indicator is displayed briefly while your MOTU...
  • Page 89 Frame lock/freewheel status Actual Frame Rate This line in the status display tells you if your MOTU This option only applies to a MOTU MIDI Timepiece AV interface is frame-locked or if it is currently freewheeling. interface. If you have one, refer to your MIDI The terms you will see here are: Timepiece AV manual.

  • Page 90: Utilities Menu

    UTILITIES MENU Select Interface Settings If you have other MOTU hardware connected to your Use the Interface Settings command in the Utilities menu Macintosh, such as multiple MIDI interfaces or a Digital to open the Interface Settings dialog box. This dialog box...
  • Page 91 Reestablish communication Set MTP 1 Default This command makes ClockWorks perform a handshake This command is grayed out unless an original MOTU with the MOTU interface currently being controlled with MIDI Timepiece is currently on-line and selected in the ClockWorks — without polling it for all of its current Device List window.

  • Page 92: The Presets Window

    THE PRESETS WINDOW Assign a MIDI patch change number to each preset so ■ The Presets window in ClockWorks (as shown in that it can be called up from a sequencer, controller, or foot Figure 6-40) gives you an overview of information about switch all the presets.
  • Page 93 Selecting a preset Renaming user presets One of the presets is always highlighted as shown in The factory preset names (the first eight presets in the list) Figure 6-40, and the currently highlighted preset always cannot be changed since they should always match the matches the currently selected preset on the front panel of names of the front panel of your Express interface.

  • Page 94: Switching Presets Using A Patch Change

    SWITCHING PRESETS USING A PATCH CHANGE 2 When the Set Trigger Source dialog box appears, Each preset has a MIDI patch change number assigned to indicate the MIDI or serial port you would like to send the it; the patch change number is displayed in a text box to the patch changes from.
  • Page 95 Sending patch changes from the Mac The “xx” byte specifies the preset number. Use the value As you can see by the serial port options in the Set Trigger shown in the table below. For example, to select the Live Source dialog box, your Express interface can receive Keyboards preset, plug in “0B”...

  • Page 96: Modifying A Preset

    If a factory preset is selected when you make the User Preset 3 modification, the change remains in effect until you switch User Preset 4 to a different preset. Since the modification can’t be saved with the factory preset (factory presets can’t be modified), User Preset 5 ClockWorks presents you with a window asking you if you User Preset 6...

  • Page 97: Working With A Foot Pedal

    You can invoke the Save Preset dialog shown above at any Pedal window basics The pedal input is controlled by the Pedal window, which time by choosing Save Preset from the Presets menu. can be opened from the Windows menu. This window lets WORKING WITH A FOOT PEDAL you indicate the type of input you are using (click input or This chapter explains how you can use a foot pedal with...
  • Page 98 ☛ you can save these settings as part of one of the eight user There are several types of momentary foot switches. presets. Each one of the eight user presets can have its own, Some are “on” when they are pressed; others are on when unique pedal &...
  • Page 99 have it select a sound (patch change event), set the correct 5 In the Device Settings & Routing window, make volume (volume controller), and zero out pitch bend to connections from the foot pedal icon to the desired MIDI begin at the correct pitch (pitch bend event of zero). out port icons and computer icons.
  • Page 100 Setting up the foot switch output data The data sequence list lets you build a series of MIDI data If you choose “Foot Switch” from the “Pedal type” pop-up events. Here is a summary of what you can do: menu, the window displays the data for the foot switch as To do this Do this shown in Figure 6-44 on page 97.
  • Page 101 Sending “pedal off” data You can continue to add more events to the group by So far, we’ve only discussed sending “pedal on” data. That clicking the right-hand arrow of any event in the group. is, data which is sent when you press down on the foot The new event you insert will always be inserted just below switch.
  • Page 102 out the next event or group in the list. When you reach the through them and at the end of the list switch to yet last event or group, your Express interface returns to the another preset with yet another list of events to step beginning to step through the list again.
  • Page 103 Off MIDI patch change event with a patch change number ■ that matches the preset you want. Also make sure the MIDI This feature can be used with MOTU’s Digital Performer channel number matches. software to slave a sequence to prerecorded music on tape while referenced to SMPTE time code.
  • Page 104 To convert an audio click into MIDI: 4 Adjust the Threshold and Decay options as needed as you experiment with the response. 1 Be sure that the audio click source is connected to the PEDAL phone jack on your Express interface as shown in The decay and threshold settings are meant to prevent Figure 2-7 on page 14.
  • Page 105 Click input hints If your Express interface reads the audio click erratically, such as generating doubled attacks, try adjusting the decay value. If you still have trouble, try attenuating the audio signal. The pedal input is purposefully sensitive so that it can detect a low-amplitude signal.
  • Page 106 C L O C K W O R K S F O R M A C O S 9...
  • Page 107 Front Panel Presets CHAPTER 7 OVERVIEW FACTORY VERSUS USER PRESETS This chapter describes your MOTU Express interface’s Your Express interface provides eight factory presets and eight factory presets and explains how to: eight more user presets. Factory presets are “hard-wired”...

  • Page 108: Front Panel Presets

    As you repeatedly press the button, the LED cycles MIDI Express XT front panel preset controls through the eight programs. SELECTING A PRESET ON A MICRO EXPRESS To select a preset from the front panel: 1 Repeatedly press the SELECT button until the LED for the program you want lights up.
  • Page 109 Sequencer 30 fps MOTU interface. For example, if the controller is This preset is designed for MIDI software, especially connected to MIDI IN port 3, connect it to MIDI OUT sequencing software, that supports multi-cable interfaces port 3 as well. If you do so, this preset prevents such as your Express interface.
  • Page 110 correctly, and you can then focus your efforts on other For the Express XT, input 1 is routed to outputs 1-4. Input possible causes, such as bad MIDI cables, volume settings, 5 is routed to outputs 5-8. etc. MIDI Machine/for the Express XT This preset provides MIDI data, time code, and MIDI Use this troubleshooting technique if you cannot Machine Control settings for using MIDI Machine...
  • Page 111 MIDI data only to outputs 6, 7 and 8. Input 7 routes MMC MIDI inputs 3 and 4 are intended for MMC controller to the MIDI Express XT only. Input 8 does a combination devices, and they are each programmed slightly differently of inputs 6 and 7.
  • Page 112 when your Express interface’s MIDI processing features are enabled. This mode disables the processing features, which solves the problem. If you experience trouble with sysex, try this preset. ☛ ClockWorks cannot communicate with your Express interface when it is in Direct mode. To restore communi- cations, use the front panel controls to choose another preset.

  • Page 113: Synchronization

    This chapter also explains how to: ACCESSING SYNC SETTINGS You can access the sync settings in your MOTU interface Slave your Express interface and other devices to MIDI ■ via ClockWorks. See “Synchronization and MIDI Time Code Machine control”...
  • Page 114 When your Express interface locks to the time code, the green “LOCK” LED on the front panel glows steadily and the red “TACH” LED blinks regularly. In addition, the green computer OUT LED glows steadily, indicating that MIDI time code (MTC) is being sent to the computer. Figure 8-1: The connection from the MTC out port to the computer in port deliv- ers MIDI Time Code from the Express interface to software running on the computer.
  • Page 115 If the LOCK and TACH lights do not behave as described, Freewheeling to avoid time code dropouts When your Express interface encounters a drop-out —a your Express interface is not successfully locking to the series of missing or unreadable frames—in the SMPTE SMPTE time code.

  • Page 116: Slaving A Sequencer To Smpte

    Express interface freewheels at the frame rate it is SLAVING A SEQUENCER TO SMPTE reading at the time it begins freewheeling — except for To slave a sequencer to SMPTE time code via your MOTU Express interface: 29.97 drop and non-drop. If you intend on reading 29.97 SMPTE, be sure to manually set the SMPTE format to 1 Confirm that the Express Interface is successfully...
  • Page 117 Figure 8-4: In Digital Performer’s receive sync dialog, choose MTC and choose Figure 8-3: The Sync to Port menu. the SMPTE frame format that matches the setting in your MOTU MIDI interface (which should also match the time code). 3 Set the Type of Sync to MTC. Choose the SMPTE frame format that matches the format you are converting with your MOTU interface.

  • Page 118: Striping Smpte

    STRIPING SMPTE 4 If you are recording time code on a tape deck, and your Along with its other capabilities, your Express interface is tape deck has dbx noise reduction, be sure to defeat the a SMPTE time code generator. It generates an audio form noise reduction on the track you are recording time code.

  • Page 119: Ltc Mode

    10 To stop striping, click Stop. enough for reliable lockup and weak enough so that it will not bleed into adjacent tracks. -3 VU is only a rule of You can stop striping at any time. thumb, though, so don’t hesitate to use other levels if they work better for you.
  • Page 120 Because LTC mode employs a sophisticated phase-lock that exactly matches the incoming signal and sends it out synchronization engine in your Express interface, the the SMPTE OUT cable (except for drop-outs, which it amount of time it takes to establish lockup to incoming eliminates with freewheeling).
  • Page 121 2 Set the freewheel option in the Sync/MMC window to a Lengthening a SMPTE track If the time code on your SMPTE track ends too early and high enough number of frames to cover any drop outs that you need to add more code, you can use the “One time” may exist in the current time code.

  • Page 122: Mtc Mode

    If you absolutely must transmit MTC from your computer Choose this synchronization mode when you want your for some reason, See “Routing MTC to your MOTU Express interface to slave to MIDI Time Code (MTC) interface” on page 34 (or page 71 for Mac OS 9 users) for being sent from a device connected to one of its inputs.

  • Page 123: How Mmc Works

    MIDI Machine Control CHAPTER 9 OVERVIEW HOW MMC WORKS Your Express interface can serve as a MIDI Machine An MMC controller (which has transport and cueing Control (MMC) transport control “hub” for all MMC- controls) sends transport commands (play, stop, cue, etc.) compatible devices, allowing you to manipulate the to an MMC device that is serving as a time code source.

  • Page 124: Midi Machine Control

    If your video deck supports the SONY 9-PIN protocol, will probably not provide as stable a time base as your consider purchasing MOTU’s Digital Timepiece, which lets Express interface does in the recommended scenario you control your video deck from a computer (or other described in the previous section.

  • Page 125: Setting Mmc Device Id's

    SETTING MMC DEVICE ID’S this in the Routings tab (or Device Settings & Routings Each MMC device requires a unique MMC device ID, window in under Mac OS 9): connect the MMC Out port including your Express interface itself. The factory default in the left-hand column to the destinations in the right- ID of your Express interface is 19.

  • Page 126: Using Software As An Mmc Controller

    Akai DR8 for all of the devices in your studio, allowing you play, stop, Figure 9-1: Your MOTU interface (a MIDI Express XT in this example) can serve and cue them all directly from your sequencer. as a time code “hub” while you control it from your sequencer via MMC trans- port commands.
  • Page 127 Once you have successfully established MMC control of the MOTU Express interface as described in this chapter, you can route MIDI Time Code (MTC) from the MOTU M I D I M A C H I N E C O N T R O L...
  • Page 128 Control window (in the Studio menu — or in the Windows menu under Mac OS playing, stopping, and locating. For MMC record 9) when a MOTU MIDI interface/synchronizer is detected. functions, the MOTU interface serves only a means of passing on MMC record commands from your sequencer MMC control of record functions For information about setting up remote control of the and the MMC device.

  • Page 129: Using An Mmc Control Surface

    Now, just cue Digital Performer anywhere you like and From the factory, the default MMC device ID for your press play. This sends a play command to the MOTU MIDI Express interface is 20. If you need to, you can change it as interface/synchronizer, which starts the MMC slave device described in “Setting MMC device ID’s”...

  • Page 130: Using Other Devices As A Controller

    From the standpoint of achieving MMC transport control over your Express interface, the above preparations are all you need. There may, of course, be other preparations necessary in the controller itself. USING OTHER DEVICES AS A CONTROLLER We recommend trying to set up MMC as described in “A recommended setup for MMC”...

  • Page 131: Part Iii: Appendices

    Part III Appendices...

  • Page 133: Glossary

    Glossary APPENDIX A Address Track: A third audio track, used for time code, CRT: Cathode Ray Tube. The glass screen in TV’s, located on the edge of the video signal on a 3/4” VTR. computers, etc. upon which video images are projected. Because of its proximity to the video signal, the address Crosstalk: Interference on a track from the signal of an track cannot be recorded by itself;...
  • Page 134 One of the eight (or sixteen) MIDI IN jacks in FreeMIDI: A Mac OS 9 system extension developed by a MIDI Time Piece network. MOTU. FreeMIDI provides centralized, comprehensive MIDI system management under Mac OS 9. Insert Record: A mode on a VTR that records on the video tracks without recording on the audio tracks, or vice versa.
  • Page 135 Jam Sync: MTC: The process of creating fresh, error-free time MIDI Time Code. A form of time code, digitized code or extending existing time code on tape by locking a within the MIDI format, that expresses time in hours, time code generator to existing code. minutes, seconds, and frames, just like SMPTE time code (LTC and VITC).
  • Page 136 Output cable: One of the eight (or sixteen) MIDI OUT two forms: 1) an 80-bit audio signal, called Longitudinal jacks in a MIDI Time Piece network. Time Code (LTC), or 2) a video signal recorded in the vertical blanking segment of video frames, called Vertical PAL/SECAM: Phase Alternate Line.
  • Page 137 Synchronizer: Vertical Blanking: A device that reads time code from audio or The area on video tape between video video tape and is used to synchronize the timing of two or frames, which can be seen as the “black bar” above or more devices.
  • Page 138 VTR: Video Tape Recorder. A device that can record a video signal onto video tape. A P P E N D I X A : G L O S S A R Y...

  • Page 139: Smpte Synchronization Basics

    Locking a MOTU interface to SMPTE ......145 WHAT IS SMPTE? The word SMPTE is an acronym for the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers.

  • Page 140: Two Forms Of Smpte: Ltc Versus Vitc

    developed for film and video work but has proven to be WHAT IS LTC? very useful in normal audio work as well. It is an absolute Longitudinal Time Code (LTC) is the audio form of SMPTE Time Code. LTC consists of an audio signal that time code, expressing hours, minutes, seconds and divisions of a second in digital form.

  • Page 141: The Benefits Of Vitc Over Ltc

    You can actually see VITC in the vertical blanking segment The MOTU Digital Timepiece is an affordable VITC portion of a video picture by adjusting the vertical hold on synchronizer and video character generator. It is both an a video screen. The 90-bit binary VITC signal appears as a...

  • Page 142: Should I Use Ltc Or Vitc

    00 and 01 and jumps ahead to LTC. We strongly recommend, however, that you consider HH:MM:00:02. This jump does not happen at minutes 00, VITC because of the benefits noted above. Contact MOTU 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50. for more information about the Digital Timepiece.

  • Page 143: Why Does Drop Frame Exist

    WHY DOES DROP FRAME EXIST? frames shows that one hour’s worth of frames has gone by, Video was first introduced in black and white and it ran at which is 01:00:00:00 on the final frame. But this does not exactly 30 frames per second. Years later, color video was match the actual elapsed time, which is 01:00:03:18! In developed.

  • Page 144: Should I Use Drop Frame

    Your this happens very quickly, around 30 times per second, MOTU Express interface can send MIDI Time Code over which is fast enough so that the MIDI device follows the MIDI to a sequencer, which follows the MIDI Time Code.

  • Page 145: Locking A Motu Interface To Smpte

    SMPTE on the tape. To do so, you need to: 1. Stripe a tape with SMPTE 2. Connect the MOTU Express interface to the tape deck 3. Prepare the MOTU Express interface to convert SMPTE 4. Roll the tape to see if successful SMPTE lockup has been achieved These steps are discussed in chapter 8, “Synchronization”...

  • Page 147: Troubleshooting And Customer Support

    Observe the LTC LOCK light. Is it flickering quickly and ClockWorks keeps displaying a message saying that steadily? If so, the MOTU interface is locked to tape and communication with my MOTU interface has been disrupted, even though the interface is connected.
  • Page 148 ClockWorks (or the Device Settings & Routing window port in the right-hand column. under OS 9) is also a good place to hunt for a problem. My MIDI software won’t sync to tape via my MOTU TROUBLESHOOTING interface. Troubleshooting is always simplest and most effective Make sure that the interface is slaved to SMPTE first by...
  • Page 149 On-line tech support database: www.motu.com ■ REPLACING DISKS If you decide to call, please have your MOTU interface If your MOTU USB software CD becomes damaged or manual at hand, and be prepared to provide the following lost, our Customer Support Department will be glad to information to help us solve your problem as quickly as replace it.
  • Page 150 A brief explanation of the problem, including the exact improved versions of our products. We thank them; many ■ sequence of actions which cause it, and the contents of any of those ideas have been addressed in our development error messages which appear on the screen. It is often very efforts.

  • Page 151: Freemidi And Oms

    Refer to the section below that applies to you. to your MOTU interface and the devices connected to it. FreeMIDI ........... . 152 FreeMIDI is included in your MOTU USB interface OMS .

  • Page 152: Freemidi

    For existing FreeMIDI users If you’re adding a new MOTU interface to a USB-equipped 4 If this is the very first time you’ve run a FreeMIDI Mac that already has FreeMIDI installed, be sure to run the...
  • Page 153 6 Click Continue. The About Quick Setup dialog appears. Figure D-1: You should see your MOTU interface by name in the list on the right. 8 If you are in a hurry, you can just click Done and proceed to the next section, “Saving the FreeMIDI...
  • Page 154 Express XT in this example. This is the minimum setup you need to run Clock- Works and other FreeMIDI software with your MOTU interface. 9 If, however, you would like your MOTU MIDI software Figure D-3: A FreeMIDI Configuration window with MIDI devices. Click a device programs to display the names of the MIDI devices name to change it.
  • Page 155 Learning more about FreeMIDI This chapter only covered FreeMIDI bare essentials to get To save your configuration: your MOTU interface running. If you have Performer, Digital Performer, Mosaic, FreeStyle, or Unisyn, consult 1 Choose Save from the File menu. Alternately, you can their manuals to learn more about the many other great type command-S on your Mac keyboard.

  • Page 156: Oms

    MOTU USB interface is not connected to a serial port. A P P E N D I X D : F R E E M I D I A N D O M S...

  • Page 157: Freemidi And Oms Separately

    During installation, it is placed in the FreeMIDI Applications folder on the top level of your hard drive. Figure D-4: A MOTU interface in the OMS studio setup window. 3 Double-click the FreeMIDI Setup application icon to launch the program.

  • Page 158: Oms, With Freemidi Using Oms

    FreeMIDI: 5 Since this is the procedure for OMS with FreeMIDI 1 Make sure that your MOTU interface is connected and using OMS, click the OMS button. powered up. 6 Go to “OMS” on page 156 and follow the procedure for using OMS.
  • Page 159 You don’t need to know this, but just in case you’re wondering how your FreeMIDI and OMS compatible OMS” on page 159. software actually “talks” to your MOTU USB interface, the TOGGLING FREEMIDI’S USE OF OMS diagram below illustrates how. The FreeMIDI and OMS...
  • Page 160 The hardware talks to the system extension. Figure D-5: The USB drivers for your MOTU USB interface establish communica- tion between the hardware and your FreeMIDI or OMS compatible software. A P P E N D I X D : F R E E M I D I A N D O M S...

  • Page 161: Index

    Index 3rd party software compatibility hints Audio MIDI Setup threshold benefits Click input Cubase connecting cables for Customer support Actual Frame Rate Click to MIDI Address Track Click-to-MIDI option All Notes Off command Clock mode Any application option Data byte 1/2 options Internal 50, 104 Decay...
  • Page 162 before/after channel mapping 39, 77 connecting diagram data options Has Timebase indicator External time code detect explanation of Hex option output assignment overview of how to use sending data with Factory defaults Infinite freewheel using as click-to-MIDI Factory preset Input frame phase lock Frame lock option 44, 84 modifying...
  • Page 163 34, 71 Output level 47, 86 MMC ID option Output phase lock record mode 47, 86 setting ID of Digital Timepiece Macintosh MOTU routing MIDI devices to Packing list FreeMIDI Driver standard conventions Pedal OMS USB Driver 50, 104 Mappings tab...
  • Page 164 setting receive channel Save connecting switching using a controller/sequencer Save As Status option Save Configuration Still-frame sensitivity 107, 112 user presets Save MTP 1 Default command Stop button (SMPTE Controls window) Presets tab Select command Stripe button Presets window Send Data To command Sync tab Sequencer 32ch settings...
  • Page 165 using the Merge All preset Recording options Windows connecting multiple interfaces basic knowledge is required connecting USB interface Windows menu drivers explained Memory meter 17, 20 installing drivers Pedal window using a USB hub using User bits Windows™ User preset Express multimedia extensions ports modifying 107, 112...

This manual is also suitable for:

Midi express 128Micro liteMidi express xt

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