User Manual
78
User's Guide Fireface UC © RME
Examples for sending MIDI strings*:
- Set input 1 to 0 dB: B0 66 40
- Set input 17 to maximum attenuation: B1 66 0
- Set playback 1 to maximum: B4 66 7F
- Set Output 16 to 0 dB: B8 75 40
*Note
: Sending MIDI strings might require the use of programmer's logic for the MIDI channel,
starting with 0 for channel 1 and ending with 15 for channel 16.
32.6 Loopback Detection
The Mackie Control protocol requires feedback of the received commands, back to the hard-
ware controller. So usually TotalMix will be set up with both a MIDI input and MIDI output. Un-
fortunately any small error in wiring and setup will cause a MIDI feedback loop here, which then
completely blocks the computer (the CPU).
To prevent the computer from freezing, TotalMix sends a special MIDI note every 0.5 seconds
to its MIDI output. As soon as it detects this special note at the input, the MIDI functionality is
disabled. After fixing the loopback, check Enable MIDI Control under Options to reactivate the
TotalMix MIDI.
32.7 Stand-Alone MIDI Control
When not connected to a computer, the Fireface UC can be controlled directly via MIDI. To
unlock the special stand-alone MIDI control mode first activate MIDI control in TotalMix (En-
able MIDI control). Turning this mode off is done with MIDI control deactivated.
Note
: When not needed the stand-alone MIDI operation should not be active, as the unit will
react on MIDI notes after power-on, and will also send MIDI notes.
Control is performed via the Mackie Control protocol. In stand-alone mode not all functions
known from TotalMix are available, because some of them aren't hardware, but software rou-
tines. Functions like Talkback, DIM, Mono, Solo, relative ganging of the faders, Monitor Main
and Monitor Phones are realized by complex software code, therefore not available in stand-
alone MIDI control operation.
Still many functions, and especially the most important functions to control the Fireface UC, are
implemented in hardware, thus available also in stand-alone mode:
• All faders and pans of the first and third row
• Mute of the input signal per channel
• Ganging via 'Select'
• Choice of the routing destination, i.e. the current submix
• Sending of LED and display data to the MIDI controller
The second row (software playback) is skipped in stand-alone operation. The Fireface UC
sends display data as brief information, enabling an easy navigation through lines and rows.
Other data like PAN and miscellaneous status LEDs are supported as well.
In stand-alone mode the unit always operates in View Submix mode. Only this way the routing
destination can be changed, and several mixdowns/submixes can be set up quickly and easily.
Note
: After power-on the Fireface UC does not update the connected MIDI controller. Therefore
the controller’s faders will not be set to the values stored within the unit.