MIDI interface

Selection of different MIDI channels is done with the rotary switch "Ch/Mode":
--- In general, the MIDI / DMX512 Generator is controlled by MIDI channel messages. When different MIDI channels are used, multiple devices can be controlled with a single MIDI sequencer.
--- As an alternative, the MIDI / DMX512 Generator can be controlled by a simple ASCII text based syntax, which is embedded into SysEx frames. These commands are independent of the selected MIDI channel

A green LED signals the presence of data traffic and sufficient supply voltage.

The most essential features of control:

• Any DMX channel 1 to 512 can be set to any level with resolution of 8 bit by sending a single CONTROL CHANGE or NOTE ON message. Up to 4 MIDI channels have to be reserved. By use of a pair of 2 MIDI messages, it takes only one MIDI channel to control any DMX channel with 8 bit resolution.

• For any DMX channel a fade ramp can be executed automatically, duration programmable up to 31.9 seconds. This diminuishes the expense of control considerably. Any number of fade processes can be active simultaneously on all DMX channels. When a new preset (=lighting scene) is loaded, a soft fade may be performed from the actual scene into the new one.

• The cycle of DMX data packets can be set by command between 24 and 512 byte slots. If a DMX channel out of the active DMX cycle is adressed, the cycle length is readjusted automatically.

• By means of the flexibly configurable chaser feature sequences of presets (=permanently stored lighting scenes) are sent to DMX OUT in a cyclic manner. Soft transitions between sceenes are possible.

• The present lighting scene of the MIDI / DMX512 Generator can be saved permanently as a preset (including transmit buffer and mode of operation). Up to 384 presets can be stored.
  At power-on always preset no.0 is loaded. During operation, every preset can be loaded and activated with a POLY KEY PRESSURE, CONTROL CHANGE, a NOTE ON message or with a System-Exclusive command.

Electromechanical Features:

DMX-OUT: 5 pin female XLR connector DMX standard conformant. (Optionally available with 3 pin XLR)

The DMX output is earth grounded. Optionally available with optoisolated DMX OUT (extra charge).

Power supply:

Similar products made by Cinetix:

• To control a DMX bus by a standard PC serial port, we offer the RS-232 / DMX512 Generator and the USB / DMX512 Generator with a similar set of ASCII commands.
• If an external DMX bus shall be read out via MIDI, we recommend the MIDI / DMX512 Control Box. This appliance is equiped with a merge feature, too: data received at DMX IN can be merged for retransmission together with data uploaded from the control PC. The merge method or priority can be set individually for every DMX channel.
  This model has an additional DMX to MIDI translation feature to generate MIDI messages by DMX IN.
• If a standard serial RS-232 port is preferred to control DMX transmission and merge it with incoming DMX data, we supply the RS-232 / DMX512 Control Box.

Manual of the MIDI / DMX512 Generator  (PDF file)