MC Transport User Guide
Legal Notices This guide is copyrighted ©2011 by Avid Technology, Inc., (hereafter “Avid”), with all rights reserved. Under copyright laws, this guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the written consent of Avid.
Contents Chapter 1. Introduction: Artist Series Media Controllers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 What’s Included . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 System Requirements and Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Registration . .
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Chapter 1: Introduction: Artist Series Media Controllers The MC Control, MC Mix, and MC Transport comprise the Artist Series family of media controllers. They use a 100 Mbs Ethernet EUCON™ connection to control audio and video applications running on a workstation computer. EUCON is a high-speed communication protocol and enables control of virtually every application feature. Each Artist Series media controller can run as a standalone device.
System Requirements and Compatibility Avid can only assure compatibility and provide support for hardware and software it has tested and approved. For downloads and other Artist Series resources, visit: www.avid.com/artistsupport Registration Review the enclosed Registration Information Card and follow the instructions on it to quickly register your purchase online.
Hardware Keys on Artist Series Units The names of keys on Artist Series hardware are in bold (such as SEL). The SHIFT key on Artist Series hardware is indicated by bold text, in all-caps (SHIFT) to distinguish it from references to the Shift key on your QWERTY keyboard. SHIFT and SHIFT Lock The SHIFT key on Artist Series units is used in conjunction with other keys to access secondary functions that are labeled in blue above the primary function.
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Chapter 2: Installation and Setup Unpacking and Elevating the MC Transport Unpack MC Transport, its power supply, Installer disc, Ethernet crossover cable, and riser brackets. MC Transport can be elevated or angled using small foldout legs on the bottom of the unit, or elevated and angled by attaching the larger riser brackets. Since both methods require turning MC Transport upside down, do this before attaching any cables. Turn the unit over and place it on a soft surface.
Installing Software and Hardware EuControl software must be installed before using any Artist Series media controller. To install EuControl software for Artist Series media controllers: 1 Do one of the following: • Download the EuControl installer for your computer platform from www.avid.com/artistsupport. After downloading, make sure the installer is uncompressed (.dmg on Mac or .ZIP on Windows). – or – • Insert the Installer disc into your computer. 2 Double-click the EuControl installer application.
7 Plug one end of the Ethernet crossover cable into the Ethernet jack on the back panel of the MC Transport. Ethernet cable and rear panel jack 8 Plug the other end of the Ethernet crossover cable into an available Ethernet jack on your computer, router, or Ethernet switch. • Note that connecting directly to the computer may require removing your Internet cable. If you have a computer with two Ethernet ports, use Ethernet 1, rather than Ethernet 2.
10 Press and release the POWER switch on MC Transport. Do the following, as appropriate for your operating system: Mac Wait up to 60 seconds. A green icon in the menu bar indicates correct installation. EUCON icon on Mac Windows Wait up to 60 seconds. A green icon appears in the System tray (or, in Hidden Icons if your system is not configured to show all icons in the System tray).
4 Click Update Firmware to update their firmware. If a dialog displays a message that the firmware is up to date, no further action is necessary. Surfaces tab 5 Follow the instructions in the EuControl dialog.
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Chapter 3: MC Transport Operation MC Transport can control many different applications. Most controls can be programmed to suit your needs. Many applications already have functions assigned to MC Transport controls.
Operational Basics The most important controls on MC Transport are the Jog Wheel and Shuttle Ring. They typically jog and shuttle through a session or project timeline but can also be assigned different functions. In addition to the six dedicated, assignable Soft Keys, the Numeric Pad and Transport Controls serve as additional Soft Keys and can also be reassigned. All wheel, ring, and key assignments are stored in an Application Set for each application you use.
Soft Keys The Soft Keys are factory programmed for each application. The six Soft Keys also let you access six additional functions by holding down the SHIFT key before pressing a Soft Key. The Soft Keys can be reassigned within each application. See Chapter 4, “Soft Keys” to learn how to program them. The Soft Keys light with a yellow LED when active. Soft keys Transport Keys The Transport Keys are factory programmed for each application.
Numeric Keypad The Numeric Keypad allows numeric entry into an application. Press a key on the pad to enter that character. Holding the SHIFT key down accesses alternate functions on the keypad. The Numeric Keypad can be programmed to provide other functions but then numerical entry will be overridden. See Chapter 4, “Soft Keys” to learn how to program the keys.
In some applications, the Jog Wheel can act as an Assignable Knob. This lets you use the Jog Wheel to adjust the values of any control the cursor hovers over in Cubase or Nuendo, such as faders, pan knobs and plug-in controls. Other applications require a mouse-click on the control to allow adjustment (such as Logic Pro). The Jog Wheel can also be used to adjust control room volume for certain applications (such as Studio Monitor Express, Cubase, and Nuendo).
SHIFT Key The SHIFT key lets you access a secondary function for each key, if one has been assigned. Press and hold the SHIFT key and press another key to access the secondary function. The SHIFT key can be used in conjunction with the SHOW key to display the alternate function. Since this may require holding down three keys, it is useful to lock the SHOW key (see “Locking the SHOW Key” on page 12) or the SHIFT key (see “Locking the Shift Key” on page 16).
Transport Keys Most applications use the following default assignments for the Transport keys, but all keys can be reprogrammed.
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Chapter 4: Soft Keys In EuControl software, the Soft Keys tab controls assignments for the MC Transport Soft Keys. EuControl Settings, Soft Keys tab To edit an application’s assignments in EuControl, that application must be top-most immediately before switching to EuControl. The application listed in the upper left of the window is called in focus because it: • Is controlled by MC Transport – and – • Receives computer keystrokes and mouse events.
Restore Click Restore to restore the Application Set to its factory default settings. Section Click the Section popup menu to select the section of MC Transport to assign. MC Transport sections are Numpad, Soft Keys, and Wheel. MC Transport users should ignore the Surface and Touchscreen sections, which are for MC Control only. Shift Functions can be assigned to the SHIFT key layer. Click on the Shift checkbox to show the SHIFT key assignments.
Command Select a Soft Key (its outline highlights yellow on-screen) and click Command to view or edit the command(s) assigned to that Soft Key. Double-clicking the key is a shortcut to open the command editor. See “Command Types” on page 22 for information on each Command type and how to create a new command. Soft Keys Command editor Add Click Add to select a command type. Multiple commands can be added to the same key, to create a macro. See “Command Types” on page 22 to learn about each command type.
Command Types MC Transport uses three of five EuControl command types: Key, EUCON, and Wheel. (Page and MC are used only by MC Control and MC Pro.) Key Key commands can execute menu commands, other application-specific commands that have key equivalents, and even insert a specific text string if specified. Key Command editor Type keystrokes into the text field in the Details pane.
The following figure shows the completed Record command. Creating a command in the Soft Keys tab Wheel Commands The Jog Wheel and Shuttle Ring can be assigned to perform commands other than their typical jog and shuttle functions using additional Wheel Commands. It is important to note that there are two steps: • The desired Wheel Command must be selected and assigned to a Soft Key. • That Soft Key must be pressed to invoke the function.
2 Double-click the Jog label. The Jog Wheel Command Editor dialog opens. Jog Wheel Command editor 3 Click the + and enter arrow keys as the name for the command. Note that the lower pop-up is set to Turn Jog Right. The Jog Wheel must be programmed to turn right and left. 4 Select the Key command type from the Add pop-up menu. 5 Select Down Arrow from the Insert Special pop-up menu. If you have assigned the command for the Jog Wheel to turn right, now assign it to turn left.
To select a Soft Key to press to assign it to the Jog Wheel. 1 Select Soft Keys from the Section pop-up. The Soft Keys dialog opens. Soft Keys tab 2 Double-click the Jog Soft Key. The Soft Key Command Editor dialog opens. Soft Key Command Editor configured for Custom Wheel Command 3 Select the Wheel command type from the Add pop-up menu. 4 Select Jog from the Wheel pop-up menu. Make sure to select the MC Transport Jog (top) and not MC Control (bottom). Their icons are beside each to make this clear.
Assignable Knobs In some applications, the Jog Wheel can control knobs and sliders. Some applications require clicking on the control while others allow the cursor to hover over it. To control knobs and sliders with the Jog wheel: 1 Select Soft Keys from the Section pop-up. The Soft Keys tab opens. Soft Keys tab 2 Double-click the Jog Soft Key. The Soft Key Command Editor opens. Soft Key Command Editor configured for Assignable Knob 3 Select Jog from the Wheel pop-up menu.
Chapter 5: EuControl EuControl is launched automatically upon starting your computer and runs in the background. EuControl is responsible for finding, linking, and communicating with all Artist Series media controllers on the network. Accessing EuControl Settings To open the EuControl Settings window: Do one of the following: • On Mac, click the green icon on the taskbar and select EuControl Settings. • On Windows, click the green icon in the Task or System tray (Windows) and select EuControl Settings.
Surfaces The Surfaces tab shows all Artist media controllers on your network and those connected to your instance of EuControl. Surfaces tab The feature Control Unit banks independently is available for MC Control only. All Surfaces All Surfaces shows all Artist Series controllers on the network. A device shown in light gray is already connected either to your own or another instance of EuControl running on a different workstation. In both cases, it is not selectable.
Automatically Add The Automatically Add menu has two settings that control what happens to stored Surfaces between shutdown and startup. All Surfaces (Default) Best used when you are the only person running EuControl in your home or studio. It provides an easy plug-and-play experience by automatically adding your All Surfaces list to your My Surfaces list so you never have to manually edit the My Surfaces list. My Surfaces Only Useful in facilities where other EuControl users are on your network.
Workstations An Artist Series controller can control applications running on a second computer, referred to in this guide as a workstation. The Workstations tab establishes the list of workstations that the WORKSTATION key cycles through. Any workstation running EUCON software can be in this list, including those controlled by the System 5-MC, MC Pro, and MC Control. Workstations tab All Workstations All Workstations lists all EUCON-enabled workstations on the network.
Redirect Keyboard and Mouse Control to Attached External Workstation Your computer keyboard and mouse can control a second external workstation, if desired. Select this option to redirect keyboard and mouse control to the attached workstation. Note that the keyboard and mouse will no longer control your primary computer. You can manually toggle control back and forth between your primary workstation and the attached external workstation by pressing Control+Option+\ (Mac), or Control+Alt+\ (Windows).
Preferences Preferences tab The following features pertain to MC Mix and MC Control, not MC Transport: • Footswitch • MC Control Display See the MC Mix or MC Control User Guide to learn about these features. MC Mix and MC Transport Display Screen Dim Time Drag the slider to set the amount of inactive time before the display screens of any MC Mix(es) and MC Transport in your system dims to half intensity.
Assign This tab manages how tracks are assigned to strips on MC Control or MC Mix. By default, tracks are automatically assigned in banks of four. Assign tab The following features pertain to the MC Mix and MC Control, not the MC Transport: • Display application’s track numbers • Clear All Assignments • Monitor and Control Room See the MC Mix or MC Control User Guide to learn about these features.
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Chapter 6: Setting IP Addresses Most MC Transport users will never have to set a static Internet Protocol (IP) address but in the rare cases that require it, follow the instructions in this section. Normally MC Transport uses Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to obtain its IP address, typically from a router.
9 After setting the last IP Address field, press the ENTER key to move the cursor to the first field of the Subnet Mask screen. Subnet Mask display 10 Set the Subnet Mask using the same techniques described in the previous steps. 11 Press the two left-most Soft Keys simultaneously to save this static IP address. Power MC Transport off and on to use the new IP address.
Appendix A: Compliance Information Environmental Compliance Disposal of Waste Equipment by Users in the European Union EMC (Electromagnetic Compliance) This model MC Transport complies with the following standards regulating interference and EMC: • FCC Part 15 Class B • EN 55022 Class B • EN 55024 Class B • AS/NZS CISPR 22 Class B • CISPR 22 Class B FCC Compliance for United States Radio and Television Interference This symbol on the product or its packaging indicates that this product must not be dispos
Australian Compliance Important Safety Instructions 1) Read these instructions. 2) Keep these instructions. 3) Heed all warnings. 4) Follow all instructions. Canadian Compliance This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations. Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada. CE Compliance (EMC and Safety) 5) Do not use this equipment near water.
Avid Technical Support (USA) Product Information 2001 Junipero Serra Boulevard Daly City, CA 94014-3886 USA Visit the Online Support Center at www.avid.com/support For company and product information, visit us on the web at www.avid.
