User's Manual

5 U-CONTROL UMX610/UMX490 User Manual
1.4 System requirements
For USB operation, a current WINDOWS PC or MAC with a USB connection is
sucient. Both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 aresupported.
◊ The UMX supports the USB MIDI compatibility of WINDOWS XP, Vista and
MAC OS X operating systems.
◊ The UMX can also be operated as a stand-alone MIDI controller with no
PC connected. Software control via MIDI is also possible, provided your
computer has a MIDI interface.
2. Introduction to MIDI
2.1 MIDI control for beginners
Application possibilities for the UMX models are truly wide-ranging. We’ll start
with a couple of general explanations and examples that should quickly let you
get a good understanding of MIDI basics.
The denition of the MIDI standard began in 1982 with the cooperation of various
international companies (MIDI: Musical Instrument Digital Interface). At that
time, musicians were looking for a possibility of managing the communication of
electronic musical instruments of dierent makes with one another.
What exactly does the UMX do?
Simply put, this is a remote control for all kinds of MIDI equipment. Using the
faders, rotary knobs and buttons, the foot pedal and the keyboard, an entire
array of control instructions can be generated, which in turn can control the most
diverse functions of external devices.
What kinds of equipment can I control with the UMX?
You can basically control any device supporting the MIDI format. Both hardware
and software MIDI devices are controlled in exactly the same way. The only
dierence is in the wiring. Here are a couple of suggestions on how you can use
your UMX:
• Editing sound parameters of (virtual) synthesizers, sound samplers,
GM/GS/XG sound generators
• Controlling parameters on eects equipment/software plug-ins such as
eects processors, reverbs, compressors, equalizers
• Remotely controlling software mixers (volume, panorama, mute functions,
etc.) Remotely controlling transport functions (playback, forward, stop, etc.)
on sequencers, hard disk recorders, drum computers, etc. Live control of
volume and sound parameters on expanders
• Remotely controlling groove boxes, step sequencers, MIDI generators and
other “live” software
• Program changes and volume control on sound generators (just like on a
master keyboard)
• Can be used by band keyboardists, solo entertainers, organists,
electronicmusic performers, DJs, sound engineers, home/project studio
owners, theater technicians, etc.
And how does it work?
Remote control is realized by assigning the individual control elements of the
UMX to individual MIDI parameters. Whenever one of these control elements is
operated, the UMX generates the control data assigned to this control element,
which are then transferred to external devices over a data link. Thus, for example,
the VOLUME/DATA fader is factory-set to send data controlling the volume level
of achannel.
The data connection is usually a standard MIDI cable with a 5-pin DIN plug on
each end. Such cables should not exceed a length of 15 meters. With the UMX
there is one more data connection available: the USB cable to the host computer.
Here, the cable should not exceed a length of 5 meters.
The data transmission takes place over 16 channels.
The control data generated by the individual control elements are also called
MIDI messages, which can be divided into 3 major groups:
• Channel Messages: Here, channel-specic control information is
transmitted. An example of a channel message is the note-on instruction.
As soon as a key is played on the keyboard of the UMX, the device generates
an instruction which contains the pitch, channel number and velocity.
Thereceiving sound generator “knows” which tone has to be played.
• System Messages: These messages are not channel-specic but relate to
the entire system to which they are sent. They are divided into 3 groups:
System Exclusive Messages (for operating system backup, updates,
management of memory contents); System Real-Time Messages (e.g. for
remote control of other devices); System Common Messages (e.g. for the
synchronization of several devices).
• Control Messages: Also known as Control Changes or Controllers,
abbreviated as “CC… (Control Change)”. Thereare 128 controllers in total,
which are numbered from0to127.
◊ Please refer to Table 6.1 to find out which type of controller you are
currently working with.
◊ MIDI data are only control data and contain no audible audio
information! The data transmission takes place over 16 channels.
What settings do I have to make? Where? How?
Basically, which control element generates which controller must be set on the
UMX, and how incoming controller commands should be interpreted must be
set on the receiving device. Regarding controller assignment, there are two
possibleprinciples:
• You use the preset controller conguration set in the factory (see Fig. 3.1).
Inthis case, you only need to make the assignments on the receiving device.
• You use your own controller conguration set up in ASSIGN mode. How to
assign controllers to the UMX is described in Chapter 4 “Operation”.