User guide

MC Pro User Guide2
MC Features
With a myriad of customized controls (keyboard, trackballs, Touchscreen, Soft Keys, faders and knobs), the MC Pro speeds oper-
ation, enhances creativity, and integrates the tasks of mixing and recording. The system also includes Studio Monitor Express
(SME), a sophisticated monitoring application. SME provides surround monitoring with multiple speaker controls and is selected
from the MC Touchscreen.
The MC and workstation are connected via Ethernet, sending mouse, keyboard, and EUCON™ commands to the workstation
computer (Mac or Windows). The MC integrates the control surface with the workstation and allows open connectivity, integra-
tion with third-party plug-ins, virtual instruments, video solutions, and I/O hardware. The MC is modular, expandable, flexible,
and cost-effective.
Multiple Levels of Control
The MC uses five levels of control:
• Keyboard and trackball
• Programmable key commands via the Soft Keys
• HUI command protocol to control Pro Tools 8.x and lower
• Mackie Control Universal protocol for DAWs/media software that support it (such as RME HDSP Mixer and Sony Vegas)
• EUCON control of EUCON-aware applications (such as Pro Tools® 9 and higher, Nuendo, Logic Pro, and Pyramix)
Level 1: Keyboard and Trackball
The MC accesses your applications using its full-sized keyboard and two trackballs. Each trackball has a control ring and four
user-programmable switches, allowing both left- and right-handed operation. One or both trackballs can be swapped out for a
jog/shuttle wheel, and the MC can be set to interpret the physical left and right edit controllers as left or right, depending on your
needs. For example, in large dual-operator System 5 MC setups with two MCs, the left-side operator can use the right-side MC’s
left trackball as the right trackball or jog wheel. The trackball rings can also be used for Wheel Edit Mode functions, like zooming,
trimming, nudging and moving clips.
Level 2: Soft Keys
The MC uses Soft Keys with integrated LCDs to display switch functions and icons. The Soft Keys can be programmed to send
complex macros and simple keystroke commands and are named so their function is obvious. Any function can be assigned to
each Soft Key to suit your working style.
Soft Key mappings are saved to Application Sets (also referred to as AppSets), which automatically change as each application is
activated. Default Application Sets are supplied for a number of programs but these can be modified and saved. Soft Keys can be
locked to a specific application, which maintains control even when it is not the workstation’s current application (the term in
focus is used for the current or front application). The Soft Key displays can show any character set.
Level 3: HUI
MC supports the HUI (Human User Interface) command protocol for control of Pro Tools version 8 and lower. HUI mappings are
saved with Application Sets for instant recall when each application becomes active.
Level 4: Mackie Control Universal
MC supports the Mackie Control Universal protocol to control DAWs and other software that supports this protocol. Mackie Con-
trol mappings are saved with Application Sets for instant recall when each application becomes active.
Level 5: EUCON High-Speed Control Protocol
EUCON is a control protocol originally developed to communicate between the System 5 control surface and its software appli-
cations. Applications such as Pro Tools 9 and higher that are specifically designed to work with the MC and the EUCON Appli-
cation Programmer Interface are called EUCON-aware applications; all others are called generic. EUCON-aware applications allow
a higher level of integration than generic applications.