M-Audio Portman 4x4 Manual
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M-Audio Portman 4x4 Manual

M-Audio Portman 4x4 Manual

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Portman 4x4
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  • Page 1: Table Of Contents

    MANUAL Portman 4x4 ™ Table of Contents FCC Class B and CE Compliance Features Package Contents Basic Theory of Operation MIDI Modes SMPTE Modes Front and Back Panel Front Panel Dip Switch Settings Back Panel Mechanical Installation About the Parallel Cable...
  • Page 2 Syncing to SMPTE Recording a SMPTE Stripe (Writing SMPTE) Syncing to a SMPTE Stripe The Remote Control Software SMPTE Setup Patchbay Setup Menus File Hardware Help Using the Patchbay Features Trouble-Shooting General Trouble-Shooting Patchbay Trouble-Shooting Interface Trouble-Shooting Syncing Trouble-Shooting Lifetime Limited Warranty...

  • Page 3: Fcc Class B And Ce Compliance

    READ THIS! ... READ THIS! ..Included with PORTMAN 4x4/S is a factory diskette con- taining diagnostic software, Windows drivers and a Window application. To install these programs, read this manual and carefully follow the installation procedures. Please thoroughly read and follow the installation instruc- tions before physically installing your PORTMAN 4x4/S.

  • Page 4: Features

    Features Thank you for purchasing the Midiman PORTMAN 4x4/S paral- lel port MIDI interface. The PORTMAN 4x4/S offers professional MIDI and SMPTE performance in an external interface that attaches to any standard, bi-directional, ECP or EPP PC parallel port. The PORTMAN 4x4/S is a third-generation product based on proven Midiman PORTMAN and Syncman interface technolo- gies.

  • Page 5: Package Contents

    The PORTMAN 4x4/S has two modes of operation: Patchbay and Interface. The current mode is indicated by the indicator LED’s on the left front of the box. The PORTMAN 4x4/S will always power up into Patchbay mode. Mode switching is accom- plished via software command (i.e.

  • Page 6: Smpte Modes

    LED will blink off for approximately 0.25 seconds for each bad frame. When the Write LED is lit, the PORTMAN 4x4/S is striping SMPTE. The Write LED will blink rapidly in sync with each out- going frame and therefore blinks slightly faster for 30/30DF then...
  • Page 7 When both Read and Write LEDs are blinking, SMPTE Regenerate mode is selected and the box is waiting to acquire incoming SMPTE. This mode is selected by setting the “Regen” dip switch ON. When the “Regen” dip switch is set ON, SMPTE Write is dis- abled.

  • Page 8: Front And Back Panel

    Format. The left most switch enables and disables SMPTE Regeneration. Please note: the SMPTE format set on the Format DIP switches may be overridden by using the PORTMAN 4x4/S Remote Control software. The SMPTE Write format, as set by the two right...

  • Page 9: Back Panel

    1/4 second. When this LED is lit in combination with the Write LED the PORTMAN is in SMPTE regeneration mode. 10. Write LED - This LED, when lit, indicates that the PORTMAN 4x4/S is currently writing SMPTE. When this LED is lit in combination with the Read LED the PORTMAN is in SMPTE regeneration mode.

  • Page 10: Mechanical Installation

    4. Connect the power supply to the PORTMAN 4x4/S and plug it into a convenient power outlet. Although it won’t hurt your PORTMAN 4x4/S to leave it plugged in, we recommend hav- ing it on a power strip so you can turn it on and off as you need it.

  • Page 11: About The Parallel Cable

    About the Parallel Cable The PORTMAN 4x4/S ships with a suitable parallel cable. However, if you need to replace this cable or want a longer one, there are certain requirements that you should be aware of. A Centronics cable that works with your printer will usually, but not always, work with a PORTMAN.
  • Page 12 Typically, if you ask your dealer for a 6-foot Centronics cable with ALL 25 wires implemented, you will get a cable that matches the above table. Note: Good quality cables with lengths up to 30 feet have been verified to work successfully with PORTMAN 4x4/S.

  • Page 13: About Your Printer Port

    About Your Printer Port The driver for the PORTMAN 4x4/S needs to be configured according to the Port Address and the Interrupt Request Number (IRQ) of the parallel printer port that you have the PORTMAN physically connected to. Basically put, this information describes where the computer should look for the device and the priority of each device connected to or installed in your computer.
  • Page 14 LPT program described above. Next, connect a single MIDI cable from In 1 to Out 1 on the front connectors of the PORTMAN 4x4/S. This cable will be used to “loop back” data and verify MIDI transmission and reception of your PORTMAN.

  • Page 15: Internal Hardware Test

    The diagnostic software user interface is quite simple. Just use the arrow keys to move from one line to the next and the <Enter> key to move through the different options for each line until they match the desired values. Move the cursor to the “Run Tests” line and press the “Enter”...

  • Page 16: Delay Value

    c.) The PORTMAN is defective. This is extremely rare as the PORTMAN units are tested rigorously at the factory before shipping. If you think this is the case, please contact MIDI- MAN Technical Support. Delay Value Due to the lack of standardization among different computer manufacturer's designs, some parallel ports are slower than oth- ers.

  • Page 17: Receive Interrupt Test

    Transmit/Receive Test: Fail Tx=0h Rx=Timeout a.) Make sure that your MIDI cable(s) are good. b.) Make sure that you have a MIDI cable connected between the PORTMAN MIDI In and the PORTMAN MIDI Out selected in the diagnostic program. Your MIDI instruments should not be connected for this test;...

  • Page 18: Drivers

    In the DOS environment, each DOS application requires its own unique (and usually proprietary) set of drivers. Consequently, the PORTMAN 4x4/S can only be used with a DOS program if a spe- cific PORTMAN 4x4/S driver is written for that program. Please contact the developer of your DOS-based application for PORT- MAN 4x4/S support.
  • Page 19 9. When the “Add Unlisted or Updated Driver” window pops up, select “Midiman PORTMAN 4x4/S” and click on “OK”. 10. The PORTMAN 4x4/S driver setup dialog box will then appear. It will allow you to set up the driver to match the Parallel port address and IRQ settings.

  • Page 20: About The "" Button

    IMPORTANT: If you encounter problems using the PORT- MAN 4x4/S with Windows, verify that Windows has loaded the PORTMAN 4x4/S driver. In Windows 3.1, this can be done by opening the *Control Panel* icon in the *Main* Group and clicking on the *Drivers* icon. For further information on set- ting up drivers under Windows, see the “Windows 3.1 and 3.11...
  • Page 21 Driver Advanced Windows 95 Wizard...

  • Page 22: Remote Control Software

    Step 10 of the “Windows 3.1 Driver Installation”. IMPORTANT: With Windows 95 make sure to click on the “Enable Driver” box. If you fail to do this the PORTMAN 4x4/S driver will not be enabled. ATTENTION: If you experience a problem with the Portman 4x4/s not initializing, there’s a setting change you’ll need to...
  • Page 23 PC Computer Tape In Tape Out Tape Deck Out4 In4 Out3 In3 Printer Out In MIDI Port SMPTE Portman 4x4/S (top view) MIDI (front panel) In1 Out1 In2 Out2 MIDI Out MIDI In MIDI In MIDI Out MIDI Out MIDI In...

  • Page 24: Remote Control Windows 95 Installation

    • The MIDI Out of your Master Keyboard is connected to MIDI In 1 on the front of the PORTMAN 4x4/S. • The MIDI Out 1 on the front of the PORTMAN 4x4/S is con- nected to the MIDI In of your Master Keyboard.

  • Page 25: Configuring Applications

    If your PORTMAN 4x4/S drivers are properly installed, you should see the PORTMAN 4x4/S MIDI and SMPTE ports listed in this dialog box. In its factory default configuration, the PORTMAN 4x4/S looks like ten independent devices, 5 of which are inputs and 5 are outputs.

  • Page 26: Smpte/Midi Time Code Tutorial

    Many newer applications (Cakewalk for Windows for example) will allow you to select and access all the PORTMAN 4x4/S ports within the same session. Other applications (for instance, as of this writing, Master Tracks Pro 6.0 can only handle two MIDI ports) will limit the number of...

  • Page 27: What Is Midi Time Code (Mtc)

    (LTC). “Longitudinal” means that the code is laid down in a con- tinuous audio stripe along the length of the tape (longitudinally). The PORTMAN 4x4/S is designed to write this longitudinal time code (LTC) as well as read and convert it to MIDI Time Code (MTC).

  • Page 28: About Frame Rates

    PORTMAN 4x4/S sends a standard MTC NAK (signal not acquired) message to the application to indicate the tape has become idle. About Frame Rates All SMPTE time code and MTC carry the same primary informa- tion, Hours:Minutes:Seconds:Frames.

  • Page 29: What Frame Rate And Settings Should You Use

    Video - Color Europe Video - B/W Europe Note: If you are in the U.S. and using a PORTMAN 4x4/S to do audio scoring or MIDI sequencing for your own video, then we sug- gest you use 30 non-drop instead of 30 drop. This is because drop- frame is harder to work with since time calculations are more com- plicated.

  • Page 30: Smpte Offset

    User Bits information, then you may read the User Bits there as well. The PORTMAN 4x4/S is capable of reading and writing SMPTE User Bit groups U1 through U8. The values of the User Bits out- put during writing may be set with the Remote Control software.

  • Page 31: Flywheeling

    This flywheeling continues until valid time code reappears on the PORTMAN 4x4/S SMPTE input or until a preset time-out occurs. The length of this time-out period is called the “Flywheel Time.”...

  • Page 32: Syncing To Smpte

    Syncing to SMPTE Recording a SMPTE Stripe (Writing SMPTE) Before the PORTMAN 4x4/S can be used to synchronize to a source audio and/or video tape, that tape must be encoded with SMPTE time code. Sometimes you will be provided with a piece of source material that already has SMPTE on it.
  • Page 33 8 of an 8-track machine). This will minimize cross-talk between the time code and the other audio tracks of the tape. 5. Put your tape deck into record/pause mode. If you have a deck with a varispeed adjustment, make sure it is zeroed. 6.

  • Page 34: Syncing To A Smpte Stripe

    Note: The PORTMAN 4x4/S always stores its current configura- tion when you exit Windows. Therefore, when you restart Windows, the PORTMAN 4x4/S recalls its last setup and you do not have to modify it unless you want to change parameters such as frame format or User Bits.

  • Page 35: The Remote Control Software

    SMPTE Setup The primary screen of the PORTMAN 4x4/s Remote Control Software gives you complete control over all the SMPTE sync functions of the interface. Insert Fig. RCMain The controls are fairly self-explanatory.

  • Page 36: Patchbay Setup

    Change these numbers to match your desired user bits settings. The <Tab> key will move you to the next field. Patchbay Setup From this screen, you can set up all of your patchbay programs to be stored inside the PORTMAN. Just choose a program number by clicking on the up/down arrows and then click in the boxes to setup the signal routing.

  • Page 37: Hardware

    Delete Config Delete a SMPTE configuration from the provided list. Confirm Exit If this is checked, you will always be asked to confirm that you actually want to quit the program (a good choice for people who are mildly paranoid about losing any of their work). On the other hand, if you are irritated by the confirmation dialog and don’t want to be re-asked each time you choose to exit the program, uncheck this selection.

  • Page 38: Using The Patchbay Features

    The patchbay functions of the PORTMAN 4x4/S are configured by the Remote Control Software and saved in the internal memo- ry of the PORTMAN 4x4/S. Once you have saved a set of patch- bay programs (or even a single one) they are permanently avail- able (at least until you choose to overwrite them) when the PORT- MAN 4x4/S is in Patchbay mode.
  • Page 39 Next, you decide to double the strings with M1 horns on the sec- ond chorus. You would create a second program like this: Insert Fig Program 2 This program adds MIDI Out 4 to the already active MIDI Outs 1 and 2.

  • Page 40: Trouble-Shooting

    Trouble-Shooting If you are having problems using your PORTMAN 4x4/S, it is probably a good idea to re-read this manual and make sure you have properly installed the interface. If you can’t find the source of your difficulty then check the following typical fixes:...
  • Page 41 Windows. Go ahead and quit Windows before running P4X4DIAG.EXE. When Windows is running, even in the back- ground, it steals the interrupt/IRQ from the PORTMAN 4x4/S (even if you run P4X4DIAG.EXE from a DOS window or the DOS Prompt). Try running the program from DOS it should now work.
  • Page 42 Control Panel / Multimedia / Advanced / MIDI Devices & Instruments / Midiman PORTMAN 4x4s / Properties / Settings. The PORTMAN 4x4/S setup dialog box has a check box for enabling the interface—make sure the check box is checked. SYMPTOM: The unit works fine with some of my programs but doesn’t work with others.

  • Page 43: Syncing Trouble-Shooting

    If you are having trouble syncing to SMPTE you should check the following: Are you using a high quality tape deck and tape? Have you tried using a higher quality Metal or Chrome Tape? Do you have the PORTMAN 4x4/S SMPTE In connected to the...
  • Page 44 Make sure your sequencer is set to receive MTC on the Windows driver which has MIDI Time Code coming over it. This driver is called “SMPTE/Status - PORTMAN 4x4/S”. If the SMPTE can be heard on neighboring tracks (i.e. there is cross-talk), then try striping the tape at a lower level.

  • Page 45: Lifetime Limited Warranty

    Lifetime Limited Warranty MIDIMAN warrants that this product is free of defects in materials and workmanship under normal use so long as the product is owned by the original purchaser and that purchaser has registered his/her ownership of the product by sending in the completed warranty card. In the event that MIDIMAN receives written notice of defects in materials or workmanship from such an original purchaser, MIDIMAN will either replace the product, repair the product, or refund the purchase price at its...

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