HALE UMC32+ User Manual

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UMC32+ DIY USB-MIDI Controller

USER MANUAL

Firmware v3.1.0 / Hardware v1.1

UMC32+ DIY USB-MIDI User Manual

Product Description

The UMC32+ is an OEM/DIY product that allows Electronic Musicians, Multimedia Artists and Experimenters the ability to create custom user interfaces to control any software application that supports the MIDI protocol. The UMC32+ provides the essential core (microcontroller, power supply, USB functionality) to allow the user to easily implement their choice of control elements (example: switches, pots and or faders). The UMC32+ will also translate data from your MIDI host application into logic levels fo r driving LEDs, Relays and more.

 Easy to implement with little or no electronics experience.  32 individually configurable inputs or outputs that send or receive user defined MIDI data with any MIDI host application.  64 I/O‟s can be achieved by linking two UMC32+‟s together using the UMC-Linker board (sold separately).  Multiple units can co-exist on the USB bus.  Small printed circuit board (1.7” x 3.3”) allows creating portable end devices  True plug-and-play (USB-MIDI class compliant drivers are provided by the operating system)  Compatible with all versions of Mac OS X, Windows 7 / Vista / XP / 2000  USB bus powered. A single USB cable handles power and data.  No programming is necessary (No code to write).  Upgradeable firmware via USB using Windows XP bootloader utility (32 bit only).  Using extended MIDI commands, complex MIDI mappings can be realized including:

o Individual selection of each I/O‟s corresponding MIDI channel (1 to 16) o Individual selection of each I/O‟s corresponding MIDI message value o Individual selection of each I/O‟s corresponding MIDI message type(s):

 Note On  Poly Pressure  Controller

 Individual selection of each I/O‟s corresponding hardware type including:

o Digital Input with pull-up (active low) - For use with SPST tactile switches o Digital Input (active low) - For receiving messages from sensors with active low TTL outputs o Digital Input (active hi) - For receiving messages from sensors with active high TTL outputs o Analog Input - For connection to potentiometers, joysticks, faders etc. o Analog Input (Inverted) - Same as above, except that MIDI data is inverted. o Digital Output (Active High) – For driving LED‟s, Relays, or high power FETs etc. o LED Output with Blink –For blinking of status LED's (see manual for details).

 The new “plus” version incorporates the following enhancements over original UMC32.

o A redesigned PCB with dedicated GND and VCC planes for enhanced signal integrity. o I/O Configuration is now handled entirely by the configuration utility. o Connector for external status LED, on board status LED is now blue. o USB connector is now the standard TYPE B and is much more secure. o Mounting holes (#4 screw) close to USB connector make for a near bulletproof installation. o AUX I/O block for future expansion (TBD) o Improved Firmware Boot loader o Linkable with the original UMC32 o RoHS Compliant (lead Free), manufactured to IPC-A-610 Rev. B, Class II.

* Please note that that the new UMC32+ firmware is not compatible with the original UMC32.

Before proceeding it is strongly recommended that you read and understand the precautions section of this manual. Please pay attention to the section discussing the safe handling and how to avoid electrostatic discharge (ESD). Failure to observe the recommendations may result in damage to your UMC32+ and void your warranty.

UMC32+ DIY USB-MIDI User Manual

The indicator LED (LED1) can be found next to the USB connector. This LED provides information about the state of the UMC. When connected, your computer will recognize the UMC and load the class compliant USB-MIDI class device driver that is provided by your operating system. The LED will stay on until communication with your host application begins. At this point the LED will flicker when MIDI traffic between the host application and the UMC occurs.

The UMC32+ also provides a 2 pin header + (Anode) and – (Cathode) for connecting to an external LED. It is important to remember that in an addition to the LED itself, you will need to provide a current limiting resistor in series with your LED (Less than 20mA is recommended at 5V dc).

When the UMC is plugged into the USB port it first checks the state of the shift pin, if it is pulled low (your switch is being held) then the UMC will enter bootloader mode and prepare to accept a firmware update. Information regarding firmware updates will be made available on our website at http://www.halemicro.com

In response to customer requests there have been many revisions to the UMC firmware. It is important that you ensure that you are reviewing the correct manual that corresponds with the firmware version of your device.

During normal MIDI operation this pin can double the number of software parameters you can control. See Hardware I/O Types For more information

For connecting more than 1 UMC32+ to the same computer it is recommended that you install one of 8 available firmware binaries on your UMC32+. First download the latest firmware set from the Hale website. The zip file will contain multiple firmware revisions with “.DLD” extensions. Next download and

install the UMC32+‟s firmware update utility, follow the

directions provided by the utility and select the appropriate firmware. Each firmware binary is slightly different in that they contain a unique USB product ID as well as a unique driver name that allows the operating system to identify it on the USB bus. As a rule of thumb it is recommended that when you are configuring your device using the Configuration Utility you dedicate one MIDI channel to each device (2 MIDI channels if you are using the shift feature). As MIDI host applications and operating system do not always load and assign UMCs in the same order this method has proven to be a consistent way of identifying each UMC that is connected to your system.

Status Indicator LED (CN11)

Boot Loader / Shift Pin (CN9)

Multiple UMC’s using a USB Hub

UMC32+ DIY USB-MIDI User Manual

You have the ability to link up to 2 (two) UMC32+s together using the 5 pin aux port located at the far end of the board between Bank2 (09-16) and Bank3 (17-24). The linking is achieved by connecting the corresponding pins with jumpers or the “UMC linker” board. Master / Slave operation is auto-detected making the link hassle free. Please keep in mind that slaved units are not accessible to the Configuration utility. Therefore each UMC must be configured prior to being linked. The total current for both devices must not exceed 500mA when utilizing USB bus power. When using a UMC as a slave device the slave must have the CN10 Jumper removed or the slave will not operate.

The factory default has CN10 fitted with a jumper to provide power via the USB bus. This also provides a convenients means for measuring the current consumption of your final build. The only other cases where this jumper should be removed or off is when a UMC is connected to a linker board and is being used as a slave, or when external power is being used as a Master.

This connector will provide a means for future expansion. It is configured as a digital input with a 10mS debounce. The input Type is NOT configurable and is fixed as Note On/Off Channel 1, Note # 1 thru 8 if Master, and Notes # 9 thru 16 if a linked slave. The shift pin also works here.

If a jumper is placed across Pin1 and Pin3 of the Aux Connector

(“A” and Ground - see Pin Diagram on Page 11), the UMC will configure it‟s 32 I/O‟s as Digital Inputs. This test mode is useful

tor trouble shooting and diagnosis. It is also important to note that this test mode will not overwrite any of your configuration settings as only the configuration utility will do that.

Linking of two UMC’s for 64 IO’s (CN6)

Setup for USB Power(CN10)

Aux Connector (An extra 8 inputs!)

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HALE UMC32+ User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual