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JLCooper Electronics FaderMaster Professional User Manual

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FaderMaster Professional
MIDI Automation Controller
User's Manual Fifth Edition
©1998-2002 JLCooper Electronics
142 Arena Street • El Segundo, CA 90245 U.S.A

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  • Page 1 FaderMaster Professional MIDI Automation Controller User's Manual Fifth Edition ©1998-2002 JLCooper Electronics 142 Arena Street • El Segundo, CA 90245 U.S.A...
  • Page 2 FaderMaster Professional, FaderMaster Pro, MAGI, M24, MAGI Pro, Sync•Link, MSB Plus, Nexus Plus, MacNexus, Synapse, PPS-2, PPS-100, and FaderMaster are the property of JLCooper Electronics. All other brand names are the property of their respective holders. Fadermaster Pro User's Manual Fifth Edition Part Number for this manual is 932054 ©1998-2002 JLCooper Electronics •...
  • Page 3 Greetings Thank you for purchasing JLCooper’s FaderMaster Professional, the MIDI Automation Controller. Continuing in the tradition of JLCooper’s original FaderMaster, FaderMaster Pro adds the feel and control of high quality, 100 mm long throw faders. FaderMaster Pro also goes beyond the original FaderMaster with the addition of programmable buttons, which can be used for automated muting, program change, sample firing, and more.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Features ................5 Front Panel Controls ............6 Hookup ................13 Bank Selection ..............16 User Programmable Banks P1 through P20 ....18 Programming ............19 Faders ..............20 Grouping ............23 Merge Modes............27 Buttons ............... 31 Foot Pedal ............

  • Page 5: Features

    FaderMaster Professional Features 8 Programmable Long Throw Faders 8 Programmable Buttons Programmable Foot Switch Input Programmable Foot Pedal Input 20 User-Programmable Banks 8 Automation Banks 59 Factory Preset Banks Programmable Parameters Include: MIDI Command Parameter (Notes, Controllers, etc.) MIDI Command Number (Controller #7, Note #36, etc.) MIDI Channel (1 through 16) Fader Minimum Value Fader Maximum Value...

  • Page 6: Front Panel Controls

    Front Panel Controls UNIT# CHAN PROTECT TOUCH GROUP SNAP PARM CHAN PARM# SPEED/BM GROUP MERGE ENABLE MUTE WRITING SHIFT MODE PROG DOWN NULL NULL FaderMaster MIDI Automation Controller From left to right we have: PROG Program button. Selects one of the Program Modes, to change the settings of FaderMaster Pro.
  • Page 7 DOWN Steps back down through memory banks. For example, if the display says Press DOWN, display then says Hold DOWN while moving any fader to quickly access any bank. NULL (SHIFT) Holding NULL while moving a fader allows you to move the fader without any MIDI data being sent.
  • Page 8 Buttons Above the Faders When one of the P Banks has been selected on FaderMaster Pro, pressing a button sends any kind of MIDI command. When one of the A Banks has been selected on FaderMaster Pro, pressing these buttons send MIDI Controller commands with a zero value to act as audio Mutes.
  • Page 9 In Program mode, hold MIN while moving a fader to select the minimum value that a control will send. In Program mode, hold MAX while moving a fader to select the maximum value that a control will send. SPEED/BM For Faders or Foot Pedal, In Program mode, hold SPEED/BM while moving a fader to select the speed of the MIDI data sent out.
  • Page 10 TOUCH (that is, SHIFT and SPEED/BM) In the Automation Banks, turns on FaderMaster Pro’s unique Touch-Sensitive Automatic Punch In. Press SHIFT TOUCH to toggle between Touch On (t[K) and Touch Off (0FF). TOUCH is used to effect seamless edits to sequencer tracks consisting of controller commands.
  • Page 11 MERGE In the P Banks, in Program Mode, hold Merge while moving a fader to select the Merge mode for that fader. Each fader within a bank may have a different Merge mode. Merge On: MIDI commands pass through FaderMaster Pro. Merge Off: MIDI coming into FaderMaster Pro is checked to see if any fader is programmed to send out the same commands.
  • Page 12 UNIT# (SHIFT and PARM) Sets System Exclusive Unit ID Number. This is only used in conjunction with the optional FaderMaster Pro Remote Software. Allows software to independently communicate with more than one FaderMaster Pro. Hold SHIFT UNIT# while moving any fader to select a number from 0 to 15.

  • Page 13: Hookup

    Hookup For Total Studio Control: Connect the MIDI Input and Output of the FaderMaster Pro to a MIDI patch bay, such as JLCooper’s Synapse or a computer IN PORT NOTE CTRL BEND RTIME SYSEX SCOM CHAN FILTER CHAN BUMP VELOCITY MINIMUM VELOCITY MAXIMUM MERGE LOW NOTE...
  • Page 14 For Sequencer Automation: Connect the MIDI out of FaderMaster Pro to the MIDI In of the Sequencer or Computer interface. Connect the MIDI out of the sequencer or computer interface to the MIDI in of FaderMaster Pro. Computer Interface Warning! Turn the sequencer's "Thru feature"...
  • Page 15 Hooking Up Several FaderMaster Pros Multiple FaderMaster Pros may be chained together to form a larger console. Simply connect the MIDI Out of the first FaderMaster Pro to the MIDI In of the next FaderMaster Pro.

  • Page 16: Bank Selection

    Bank Selection FaderMaster Pro’s memory is organized into three sets or “Banks” of programs. (In developing FaderMaster Pro, we decided to organize the memory into “Banks” as opposed to “Savings and Loans”. Otherwise you might come back the next day and find them missing or renamed.) P 1 through P 20 User Programmable Banks A 1 through A...
  • Page 17 For Example Say that P 1 has been programmed to send MIDI controllers to alter the parameters on a signal processor, such as the Alesis QuadraVerb 2. Say that P 2 has been programmed to send MIDI controllers (on a different MIDI channel) to a adjust a MIDI Graphic Equalizer, such as the DOD MEQ28.

  • Page 18: User Programmable Banks P1 Through P20

    User Programmable Banks P 1 - P 20 The twenty User Programmable are indicated in the display as P 1 through P20. Each of the eight faders and eight buttons may send a different kind of MIDI message. This is the most flexible bank, when your application calls for complex sets of different kinds of MIDI commands.

  • Page 19: Programming

    Programming FaderMaster Pro Programming is done one of the programming modes, accessed by simply pressing the PROG button. First, before attempting to make any changes to the way FaderMaster Pro is programmed, Make sure that the PROTECT feature is OFF. (The PROTECT feature works like the safety tab on a cassette or diskette, to prevent you from accidentally changing the memory of FaderMaster Pro.)

  • Page 20: Faders

    Programming Faders (In General) First select a Programmable User Bank number, P1 through P20. Use the UP or DOWN buttons to step to the desired program number, or, hold UP or DOWN while moving any fader and stop moving the fader when the desired number is reached. Enter Fader Program mode.
  • Page 21 Programming the Faders (In Detail) Here are the specifics parameters and attributes that may be selected for each fader. (Remember that these settings may only be reviewed and edited in Fader Program mode.) PARM Hold the PARM button while moving a fader to select whether the fader will send Notes (No), Controllers ([o), Program Change (P[), After Touch (At) or Pitch Bend (Pb).
  • Page 22 MIN and MAX Application Example A fader that sends MIDI Volume commands may have a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 127. To perform a crossfade, set another fader with a minimum of 127 and a maximum of 0. When you bring up the two faders, one will effect a fade in while the other effects a fade out.

  • Page 23: Grouping

    Grouping In the P Banks, faders may be grouped. To group a fader means that you assign some number of faders to be controlled by another fader called a "group master fader". When you move a group master fader, FaderMaster Pro sends out MIDI commands just as if you simultaneously moved all of the faders assigned to the group master fader.
  • Page 24 To Assign Groups Enter Fader Program Mode by pressing PROG until the FADER LED is lit. Hold the GROUP button while moving a fader to select the master for that fader. For the example just given, hold GROUP and move fader 1 until a "4" is displayed, move fader 2 until a "4"...
  • Page 25 Group Modes Demonstrated For the examples given below, the pictures represent the sort of images you would be likely to observe on sequencer software with on-screen moving faders. While any fader can be a group master, for sake of these examples say that faders 1 through 7 are assigned to group master 8.
  • Page 26 Offset Grouping The faders assigned to the master are offset by the position of the master. Faders assigned to the master are offset positively as the master is raised above the mid-point. Faders assigned to the master are offset negatively as the master is lowered below the mid-point.

  • Page 27: Merge Modes

    MERGE Modes In the P Banks, each fader may be individually assigned to one of three Merge modes: Merge Off Merge On Merge Conditional Before describing what the differences are between these modes, and how to assign the faders to these modes, a general definition would be helpful here: Merging means the ability of FaderMaster Pro to pass MIDI data from its MIDI In to its MIDI Out.
  • Page 28 Here’s how it works: After you have recorded controller data on your sequencer, you may want to edit that data. FaderMaster Pro’s special MERGE modes are designed to simplify the editing of Continuous Controller data. The procedure will be to play the previously recorded data from the sequencer into FaderMaster Pro, while re-recording the corrected data coming out of FaderMaster Pro onto a new sequencer track.
  • Page 29 Merge On Normally, MIDI data received by FaderMaster Pro is “unconditionally merged” with fader commands. That is, any data that comes into FaderMaster Pro goes right back out the MIDI output, merged with the data produced by moving a fader. Conditional Merge This mode is used for replacing sections of a track of Controller data.
  • Page 30 Assigning Merge Modes To view or change the merge assignment for a given fader, first make sure you are in PROG Mode, and the Fader LED is on steadily (not flashing.) Press MERGE. The display will show one of the following: 0n = Merge On.

  • Page 31: Buttons

    Programming the Buttons To program the buttons, press the PROG button until the BUTTON LED is lit. Programming a button is easy. But it is not immediately obvious. (One might be inclined to ask the question, "how do you program the buttons, since the buttons themselves are used for selecting the parameters and attributes of the buttons?") Here is the answer: The buttons are programmed exactly like the faders are programmed.
  • Page 32 Here is how to set the various parameters and attributes of the buttons, in the P banks and in Button programming mode: PARM Hold the PARM button while moving a fader to select whether the button will send Notes (No), Controllers ([o), Program Change (PG), Pitch Bend (PB).

  • Page 33: Foot Pedal

    Programming the Foot Pedal The foot pedal input accommodates a user-supplied foot pedal. (Most pedals with tip-ring-sleeve plugs will work.) A Foot Pedal is programmed just like the faders. It is programmed in Foot Pedal Program mode, which is selected by pressing the PROG button until the FADER LED flashes.
  • Page 34 Like the buttons, use the SPEED/BM (Button Mode) button to choose how the foot switch will behave. Hold the SPEED/BM button while moving a fader to select whether the foot switch action is - - - Momentary Foot Switch sends MIN value when pressed and MAX value when released.

  • Page 35: Snapshot

    Snapshot Function (In the P Banks) FaderMaster Pro can send out a burst of MIDI commands called a Snapshot. The MIDI commands represent the position of each fader in the currently selected P Bank. For example, suppose each fader is programmed to send pitch bend commands on different MIDI channels.

  • Page 36: Null

    Null Button (In the P Banks) There may be situations where you wish to move a fader to a certain position, without sending any MIDI commands. Using the Snapshot feature (described on the previous page), you may want FaderMaster Pro to send out specific values of MIDI commands, without having to move the faders and send out all sorts of intermediate values.

  • Page 37: Automation Banks

    Automation Banks A1 through A8 Introduction FaderMaster Pro’s Automation Banks allow you to control up to 65 channels of automation. Applications include control of sequencers or hard disk based digital audio workstations with moving fader graphics, MIDI-controlled audio mixers (such as JLCooper’s MixMaster), MIDI controlled lighting systems, and more.
  • Page 38 This Touch feature allows any MIDI sequencer to behave like a six-figure automated mixer with touch-sensitive faders. There is no guessing, and no button that needs to be pressed at an exact moment. You have the feel of an automated mixer, that lets you grab any fader at any time and begin editing a track of controller commands.

  • Page 39: Bank Limit

    Bank Limit Suppose you are using FaderMaster Pro to control 24 channels of automation, such as 24 channels of MIDI controlled VCAs, or 24 on-screen faders on a sequencer or HD recorder. That means that most of the time you will be only using FaderMaster Pro’s Automation Banks A 1, A 2 and A 3.

  • Page 40: Setting Bank Limit

    Setting Bank Limit To set the Bank Limit in the Automation Banks, press UP or DOWN until the desired highest Automation Bank is displayed, and keep the button pressed. While holding the button , press the other bank select button. For example, to set the Bank Limit to A 3, Display says A 1 Select A 1...

  • Page 41: Hookup Considerations

    Automation Hookup Considerations The minimal hookup is, of course, a single MIDI cable from the MIDI Output of FaderMaster Pro into the MIDI Input of whatever you are controlling, typically a MIDI interface to a computer. To take advantage of FaderMaster Pro’s mix editing features (Null, Touch), FaderMaster Pro must be able to receive MIDI from the output of a MIDI sequencer.
  • Page 42 Solutions To Looping Problems First, turn off the sequencer’s “thru” feature. The “thru” feature of the sequencer may not needed anyway, if the studio is equipped with a sophisticated MIDI patch bay processor, such as JLCooper’s Synapse. These allow you to leave “thru” turned off on your sequencer, and still have the ability to hear a keyboard control a module during both record and playback.

  • Page 43: Programming Automation Bank

    How the Automation Bank is Programmed The Automation Bank is designed to be very simple to program. In the Automation Bank, FaderMaster Pro sends MIDI Controllers only. You need only program a single fader, the rest of the faders and mutes are programmed automatically. You choose a MIDI channel, and the first controller number.
  • Page 44 To Program the Automation Bank, Select Automation Bank number A 1. Use the UP or DOWN buttons to step to the desired program number, or, hold UP or DOWN while moving any fader and stop moving the fader when the desired number is reached. Press the PROG button once so that the FADER LED is lit.
  • Page 45 When Bank A 2 is selected, the faders send the following MIDI commands: Fader 1 Controller 18, channel 5. Fader 2 Controller 19, channel 5. Fader 3 Controller 20, channel 5. Fader 4 Controller 21, channel 5. Fader 5 Controller 22, channel 5. Fader 6 Controller 23, channel 5.

  • Page 46: Operation

    Automation Bank Operation The Two Functions of the Buttons: Enables and Mutes In the Automation Bank, the buttons above the faders have two different functions, they act as Fader “Write Enables” and as Mutes. When the buttons are acting as Fader Write Enables, pressing the button turns on the LED, and turns on the fader.

  • Page 47: Fader Enable Vs. Mute

    Selecting Whether the Buttons are Enables or Mutes Pressing MODE (that is, SHIFT and UP) selects whether buttons are Enables or Mutes. The buttons are Enables when the display shows a dash next to the word “ENABLE”. ENABLE MUTE WRITING SHIFT MODE NULL...

  • Page 48: Writing Fader Moves

    Writing Fader Moves Using automation terminology, recording MIDI controller data from FaderMaster Pro onto a sequencer is called "Writing Fader Moves". First select the desired bank using the UP or DOWN buttons. Then, make sure that the buttons are in ENABLE mode, as indicated by a dash next to the word ENABLE.

  • Page 49: Writing Mutes

    Writing Mutes Using automation terminology, recording MIDI controller data as a result of pressing Mute buttons is called "Writing Mutes". First select the desired bank using the UP or DOWN buttons. Then, make sure that the buttons are in MUTE mode, as indicated by a dash next to the word MUTE.

  • Page 50: Editing Fader Moves

    Editing Fader Moves After you have written (that is, recorded) fader moves into a sequencer or digital audio workstation, you have one or more tracks of MIDI controller data that represent the an audio mix. You may want to edit the fader moves to change the mix. The procedure will vary depending on your sequencer, so you may have to adapt the techniques presented here.
  • Page 51 What you are trying to achieve: You are trying to pass the previously recorded track of MIDI controllers into FaderMaster Pro. Then, use the faders to edit (modify) the previously recorded track of controllers, usually by punching into and correcting the fader moves.

  • Page 52: Fader Null

    Fader Null An important concept in automation is the idea of “Nulling” a fader. It is easiest to explain by an illustration. Say that FaderMaster Pro is connected to a sequencer and controlling MIDI controlled VCAs. You start recording on the sequencer, and then you enable a fader on FaderMaster Pro by pressing the button above the fader.

  • Page 53: The Null Leds

    The NULL LEDS The NULL LEDs work by monitoring the MIDI data coming into FaderMaster Pro. When you play back a previously recorded sequence, the MIDI data coming into FaderMaster Pro represents the previously recorded fader levels. FaderMaster Pro compares the previously recorded fader levels with the position of the fader that you are moving.

  • Page 54: Touch Sensitive Auto Enable

    Touch Sensitive Auto Enable FaderMaster Pro’s Touch Sensitive Auto Enabling feature makes FaderMaster Pro behave like an automated mixer with touch sensitive faders. To toggle the TOUCH feature on and off, press SHIFT and TOUCH. TOUCH is on as indicated by t[k. TOUCH is off as indicated by 0FF.

  • Page 55: Snapshot

    Snapshot Another important concept relating to automation is called “Snapshot”. FaderMaster Pro can send out a burst of MIDI commands called a Snapshot. The MIDI commands represent the current level of all of the channels in the Automation Bank. The Snapshot represents the value of the last MIDI data sent out by the fader.
  • Page 56 Snapshot Example Say that you have programmed the first fader in the Automation Bank to MIDI Controller number 0 on MIDI Channel 1. In Bank A 1 you move all the faders up, the values are all 127. Then say you change to Bank A 2 and move all the faders down.

  • Page 57: Big Example

    Big Example Here is an overview of a typical Automated Mixing Session. All of the FaderMaster Pro’s Automation Bank features will be used here, so you can get an idea of the flow of automated mixing from start to finish. First Set Up FaderMaster Pro Select the first Automation Bank, A 1, by using UP or DOWN.
  • Page 58 Program the First Fader Remember that in the Automation Bank you need only assign the first fader a MIDI controller number and MIDI channel. Check that Protect is OFF. (SHIFT PROTECT) Enter Program Mode by pressing PROG and noting that the FADER LED is lit.
  • Page 59 Verify Audio and Communication This would be a good point to stop and make sure that everything is connected correctly. Verify that you have control over either your on-screen moving faders or your outboard MIDI controlled mixer. Remember that in the Automation Banks, the buttons above the faders have two functions, fader enables or channel mutes.
  • Page 60 Turn TOUCH On Press SHIFT TOUCH to toggle touch on and off. Again, make sure that you have a MIDI cable from the out of the sequencer to the in of FaderMaster Pro. TOUCH relies on finding a NULL point, and a NULL point can only be determined when there is MIDI data coming into FaderMaster Pro, so it can be compared with the position of the fader that you are moving.

  • Page 61: Factory Banks

    Factory Preset Banks F1 through F59 There are 59 Factory Preset Banks. These have been pre- programmed to allow FaderMaster Pro to function as a remote controller for specific instruments. These presets are designed to facilitate both programming and real-time control. We have also included a Preset Card listing what each bank does, for quick reference.
  • Page 62 Factory Bank Presets FaderMaster Pro’s 59 Factory Bank Presets are designed to ease real-time control of several popular instruments. The following table shows the fader number and the command sent. An “*” indicates that the user may select a System Exclusive Device Number by pressing CHAN and moving a fader.
  • Page 63 Bank F1 - Midi Volume Chan 1-8 Bank F6 - Oberheim Matrix 6/1000 Bank F11 - Yamaha DX/TX OP1 1— Midi Vol Chan 1 1— Env 1 Attack 1— Rate 1 2— Midi Vol Chan 2 2— Env 1 Decay 2—...
  • Page 64 Bank F16 - Yamaha DX/TX OP6 Bank F21 - Korg M1, M1R Single Bank F26 - Emu Proteus, Proteus II 1— Rate 1 1— Osc 1 Multisound 1— Primary Alternate Attack 2— Rate 2 2— VDF 1 Cutoff 2— Primary Alternate Decay 3—...
  • Page 65 Bank F31 - Lexicon LXP-1 Bank 36 - Yamaha SY-77, TG-77 Bank 41 - Yamaha TX-81Z Operator 2 1 - Bass 1. Reverb Effect 2 Type 1. Attack Rate 2 - Pre Delay 2. Reverb Effect 2 Output Level 2. Decay Rate 1 3 - Pre Delay FB 3.
  • Page 66 Bank 46 - Roland U-20, U-220 Bank 51 - Kawai K-4 Bank 56 - Korg T-1, T-2, T-3 - Combi 1. Reverb Type 1. Wave Select 1 1. Level 1 2. Reverb Level 2. Wave Select 2 2. Level 2 3.
  • Page 67 General Instructions for Using Preset Banks Almost all instruments must first be set up to receive MIDI System Exclusive information. The procedure for this varies from product to product, it is recommended that you consult your owners manuals for specifics. Generally speaking, for most LCD (menu-driven) synthesizers and effects, you must select a MIDI Master Page, and turn Sysex = On.
  • Page 68 S-1000 When using the FaderMaster Pro as a volume controller for the S-1000, be aware that a volume value equal to 0 results in the voices shutting off. Set your Minimum Value equal to 1 to avoid this situation. Korg M-3R This one bank controls 30 different parameters.

  • Page 69: Additional Technical Information

    Additional Technical Information Sysex Implementation All commands are in hex, as indicated by the "$". Commands are of the form: $F0 $15 $18 id cc <data> $F7 $15 is the JLCooper ID, $18 is FaderMaster Pro ID, id is Unit ID# cc = 0 for dump request.
  • Page 70 This block of 42 bytes is sent for each fader and switch in the following order: block 0 => Fader 1 block 1 => Fader 2 — — block 7 => Fader 8 block 8 => Switch 1 — — block 15 =>...
  • Page 71 MIDI data structure: MIDI data is always sent as 34 nibbles to form 17 full bytes. Within this data are special characters that are used as placeholders: Value Any occurance of this byte will be replaced with a number between Min and Max values, depending on the state of the control.
  • Page 72 <Automation Bank Data> Request $F0 $15 $18 id $07 $F7 Dump $F0 $15 $18 id $08 PC MC CN NB $F7 PC = Program Change MIDI Channel MC = Automation Bank MIDI Channel CN = Controller Number NB = Number of Automation Banks (called “Bank Limit”)

  • Page 73: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting If you experience operational difficulties, take some time to do some troubleshooting, starting with the following information. First, disconnect both MIDI cables from FaderMaster Pro. If the problem goes away, then it is likely that you have a MIDI loop.
  • Page 74 Initialization To initialize (clear) FaderMaster Pro, hold DOWN, NULL, and UP while turning on power. Warning This operation clears out all the P and A banks. After initialization, every fader sends Controller #0 on MIDI channel 1. If FaderMaster Pro has received a power surge, its memory may become scrambled.

  • Page 75: Registered Controller Numbers

    Registered Controller Numbers The following list shows the standard Continuous Controller Functions, as defined in the MIDI 1.0 Detailed Specification. You can use FaderMaster Pro to send any of these MIDI commands. The fader would first be set using PARM to send Continuous Controller commands by selecting Co.

  • Page 76: Fadermaster Pro Software

    FaderMaster Pro Remote Software The optional FaderMaster Pro Software allows you to program, edit, and store your Programmable User Banks and Automation Banks. The FaderMaster Pro Remote Software also adds the power of System Exclusive MIDI commands to FaderMaster Pro. Any or all of the P Banks may be programmed to send Sysex commands.
  • Page 77 Double-click on a fader or button to open a window that lets you to edit all the faders at once, or all the buttons at once. The software also the ability to "learn" MIDI data coming from another controller. You can "Upload" FaderMaster Pro's memory into the software, and save it to disk.

  • Page 78: Warranty

    JLCooper Electronics Limited Factory Warranty JLCooper Electronics (“JLCooper”) warrants this product to be free of defects in materials or workmanship for a period of 12 months from the date of purchase. This warranty is non-transferable and the benefits apply to the original owner. Proof of purchase in the form of an itemized sales receipt is required for warranty coverage.

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