Contents
Page
MIDI Features
Dimmer
Control Assignment
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3-4
Panel Layout
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4
MIDI Cables
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5
Dimmer Features
Typical System
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6
Learning More
About MIDI & Lighting
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9
What is a Channel? ..................................................................................................2
Basic System Hookup................................................................................................2
Playing Sequential Cues............................................................................................3
MIDI Channel Assignment........................................................................................4
Panel Layout Diagram ……………………........................................................4
Using MIDI THRU....................................................................................................5
Load Capacity......................................................:.....................................................5-6
Appendix 1
MIDI Basics ...............................................................................................................7-8
Appendix 2
Leprecon/CAE, Inc. 10087 Industrial Drive, Box 430, Hamburg, MI 48139, USA
810-231-9373 FAX 810-231-1631
Before 1211193 dial area code 313
@Copyright 1993 CAE, Inc. All rights reserved.
This document is the property of CAE, Inc. and is provided for service and instructional purposes only.
Possession does not imply or convey rights to use any information herein. This information is proprietary, and
may relate to patents or patents pending that are the property of CAE, Inc. other than the use of products
manufactured by CAE, Inc.
Page 2
MIDI FEATURES
_
What is a "Channel" anyway?
which each pack can selectively respond.
trolled simultaneously by the same console faders.
IIru
Multiple MIDI dimmers can be connected either to the three Dimmer outputs on the LM-850’s rear panel
The LM-850 console has 54 "Control Channels" in 3 banks of 18 faders.
The LM-850 Soft-Patch lets you control each of 108 "Dimmer Channels" from any control channel.
Channel level data for these 108 channels is sent to dimmers thru the console’s MIDI, DMX or Analog
outputs.
Each LD-360M Dimmer Pack has Six "Dimmer Pack Channels" which can be set to respond to any six
sequential Dimmer Channels.
There are sixteen "MIDI Channels" in a MIDI output on which the LM-85O can send data, and to
.
Basic System Hook-Up
Integrating the LM-850 into a standard lighting system is a simple process. A convenient system can
be set up using MIDI-controlled dimmers, such as Leprecon’s LD-360M and LD-360M-HP. In this
situation the three MIDI Dimmer Interface outputs are used to send data to the dimmers (see Figure 1).
Any number of dimmers can be used, and all should be set to the same MIDI channel as the console’s
MIDI dimmer output. Each dimmer must be assigned a specific “starting address" so that its channels
are assigned to the correct control channels. Dimmers having the same starting address will be con-
A typical setup using the LM-850 and numerous MIDI-controlled dimmers.
(all three work in parallel-it doesn’t matter which is used), or the dimmers can be daisy-chained. In this
situation, the console’s MIDI Out To Dimmers is connected via a normal MIDI cable, to the MIDI In of
the first dimmer. Then, a second MIDI cable is run from the MIDI Thru of that dimmer to the MIDI In of
the next dimmer, and so on. So a MIDI dimmer can be plugged into either a Dimmer MIDI Out from the
LM-850 or into the MIDI Thru of any other connected dimmer. You will need to make sure that the
console’s Dimmer Output is assigned to “MIDI" and once again that both the console and the dimmers
are all on the same MIDI channel. At this point, you should be able to plug lamps into the dimmers, and
begin operating the board.
MIDI Implementation
to full on (127).
MIDI Channel
MIDI channel 1-16 and OMNI on-off can be set by dip
switch
..see previous description. Since too much
For specific applications, it is possible to use the LM-850 to program a show where the console would
is required.
Normal Control .
The dimmer output channels can be controlled by anyone of the MIDI continuous controllers 00
through 120. The LM-850 console will control the dimmers using exclusively MIDI continuous controllers 00 through 107, allowing each channel to be set at any of 128 discrete levels from light off (0)
Stand Alone Operation
The MIDI dimmer will also respond to MIDI note ON, MIDI note OFF, and velocity messages. While
those commands are not usually generated by the console, they allow for controlling the dimmer directly
from standard MIDI controllers such as keyboard, sequencers, MIDI percussion, or drum ma chines.
When used in this fashion, a dimmer is turned on by MIDI note ON message. The note number
determines which dimmer is addressed according to the starting address switch (If the address switch is
set at 11, the 1st dimmer in the pack will respond to note 11, the 2nd dimmer will respond to note 12
etc..). The "velocity" value of the note ON sets the brightness of the fight. A dimmer remains on until
turned off by a note OFF message.
Even for a very short note ON note OFF sequence, a dimmer will turn on for at least 200 IDS. This will
allow drum machines or MIDI percussion systems to produce perceivable flashes of light. Even in this
stand alone application, the MIDI dimmer will still respond to MIDI continuous controller commands
having the same number as the dimmer identity number.
data can slow down MIDI system response time, it is advisable to run a separate MIDI circuit for the
lighting system, which will carry only lighting data. The synthesizers, etc. would be on other MIDI
circuits, so their response time would be unaffected by demands for lighting data transmission. Most
systems should therefore run in channel 1, OMNI ON.
Playing Sequenced Cues Without the LM-850
not be used at all for playback, if MIDI dimmers are being used. The dimmers can be plugged into the
MIDI Out from the sequencer just as the LM-850 normally would, and they will respond to the data as if
the console were in place. This method can be used for setups where minimal equipment is desired, but it
does have some limitations. First of all, it leaves no margin for changing the show in any way, .
without connecting in the LM-850 once again. Secondly, it leaves no way to manually being up any
lights if this becomes necessary (other than by controlling them, say, with a keyboard driving the dimmers). It also requires lots of MIDI data which may slow down complex shows.
The gist of this technique is that the show is recorded from the LM-850, and the sequencer is fed from .
the MIDI Dimmer Out rather than from the System Out. Anything that the console does-scene changes,
chases, etc.,-will be recorded by the sequencer. The console can send out this data in either CONTinous
controller or NOTE mode. Again, the former is the most efficient. Be sure that on playback, the dimmers
are set to the same MIDI channel that the sequencer data was recorded on. The sequencer then mimics
the LM-850's output, driving the dimmers directly-and the 850 is not needed unless real time intervention
Dimmer Control Assignment
The LD-360M and LD-360M-HP MIDI dimmer packs have 6 dimmer circuits built-in. Each dimmer
pack has a MIDI input and MIDI thru connector. Each pack also, has an identity number assignment
switch. This switch is used to assign a Starting Address to each dimmer pack from 00 to 99. If a 6
channel dimmer pack is assigned the starting address 10, the 1st dimmer in the pack will respond as
dimmer channel 10, the 2nd dimmer as number 11, the 3rd as number 12 etc. It's address range will be
Page 3
Using MIDI Thru connections to daisy chain LD-360M dimmers
This is the reason that any MIDI device, including our LD-36OM MIDI dimmer, will stop passing the
MIDI buffer boxes,
patchers (smart buffer boxes), and many other neat MIDI signal splitting, merging,
MIDI control cables are two
conductor plus shield with male 5 pin 180' DIN connectors on each end.
DIMMER FEATURES
Because the most generally available electrical outlet in the U.S. is the parallel blade U-ground, we have
power operation! Please do not operate at 100% load all full up for over
Power Increase
If the connector on the end of the power cord is replaced with one rated for 20 amps, and a
20 amp
-----
The MIDI specification carefully and strictly defines the MIDI line driver and receiver hardware to be
used, and the impedance’s to be maintained. In order to be real MIDI ports, MIDI inputs must load the
line fully, and MIDI THRU ports must therefore be actively buffered in any equipment which has a
THRU port.
MIDI signal from it’s IN to it's THRU port when it is not powered. This means that if a string of dimmers are daisy-chained in series, turning off any dimmer will block the MIDI control signal from
passing to the subsequent dimmers in the chain.
If this is a problem, there are several solutions. First, you can use the three MIDI OUTS on the LM-850
controller to feed three MIDI dimmers directly, without daisy chaining. If it is desired to run one MIDI
cable from the console to the general location of the dimmers and then split the signal to the dimmers,
you can buy a "MIDI THRU Box" from several manufacturers which buffers the MIDI signal and
outputs it from a number of THRU ports which can then be connected directly to the MIDI dimmers.
filtering and patching gizmos are available from lots of companies including J.L. Cooper, KMX (2x8
merge-select box from $175. list), Digital Music etc. Check a copy of Electronic Musician for manufacturer’s names and addresses, reviews, and mail order distributors or stop by your local music store
specializing in MIDI equipment.
MIDI Control Cables
Pin 1 and shell = shield, pin 5 = data (sink), pin 4 = +5v drive source. The MIDI standard specifies a
maximum of fifty foot cables, but with the use of low capacitance cable such as we supply, runs of
hundreds of feet are reliable. The LM-850 console has high current output drivers which allow even
longer cable lengths. All MIDI inputs are opto-isolated, so ground loops and associated problems are
minimized.
Load Capacity
The LM-850 MIDI and MIDI-HP dimmers are identical as far as control connection is concerned. They
differ in load capacity only. Either pack can control a maximum of 15 amps (1800 watts) of lamp load
on any one channel...but the maximum total pack load is limited to 15 amps or 2400 watts per power
cord by the noise filter current capacity and the heat dissipation capability of the chassis.
supplied the packs with this type of power plug. The maximum current rating of these connectors as
specified by the National Electrical Code is 15 amps..so the total load per cord cannot exceed this
capacity without a connector change. .
*NOTE- The 360-HP versions are designed for economy and are not designed for 100% duty cycle full
5 minutes. Allow 5 minutes
50% up or less cool down period.
circuit is supplied, the total available pack capacity will be the full 20 amps. The HP version would
require both power plugs be changed.
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
LD-360M Appendix 1
:MIDI Basics
The MIDI (Musical INSTRUMENT Digital Interface) protocol is a very well developed and versatile
which to a keyboard means "sustain pedal" and to the LM-850 means "channel 5 bump button
. ..
Many controls on MIDI devices, such as synthesizer modulation wheels or lighting channel faders,
added versatility of being able to send and receive on separate channels.
Also prevalent in the MIDI data stream are note-on and note-off messages, usually used to tell a key
board
"language" which was originally developed to allow synthesizers from different manufacturers to
communicate with each other. By means of a simple cable connection, a keyboardist could play a "slave"
keyboard remotely from a master keyboard controller. But MIDI has rapidly expanded into the realm of
effects processors, drum machines, sound consoles, personal computers, and-of-course-lighting consoles,
and now the possibilities for creating an integrated system of music, lighting, and computer
equipment are virtually endless. .
What passes through the MIDI cables is a seemingly endless string of digital commands-binary ones and
zeros-that reflect what each MIDI device in the system is doing. Each combination of these ones and
zeros is a specific command, telling a device to perform a specific function. Though many of the MIDI
commands are geared toward keyboard functions (such as note-on and note-off, pitch bend wheel, etc.),
the designers of the MIDI protocol were farsighted enough to make the "language" easily adaptable to a
wide range of products. In the case of the LM-850, many keyboard-oriented commands serve completely
different functions. For instance, if a synthesizer is connected via MIDI to the LM-850, turning the synth'
s modulation wheel forward will cause channel 2 of the console to increase in level. Stepping on the
keyboard's sustain pedal will effectively "press" the bump button of channel 5. This is because the MIDI
command isn't really saying "press the sustain pedal," it is saying "raise the value of this particular
parameter to this particular level." In this instance, that parameter -is "continuous controller number 64,"
operate over a wide range of values, allowing for smooth transitions from one setting to the next.
Because of this, they are called "continuous controllers". The MIDI Specification calls for 128
continuous controllers, with each having a range of 128 possible values (0 to 1-27). A basic switch
function, such as a sustain pedal or bump button, can be a continuous controller as well, by using a value
of fully off (0) to be an "Off' setting, and a value of fully on (127) to represent "On", values in
between these two extremes are simply not used. It is these continuous controllers that form the basis of
the LM-850's MIDI implementation. Nearly every fader and button on the console's front panel acts like a
MIDI continuous controller; moving that control will send out MIDI data, and MIDI data that is received
will mimic that control, duplicating its function remotely.
There are 16 MIDI "channels", and like a television set, a unit won't receive a particular message unless it
is set to the correct channel. To control a slave device remotely, the master controller must send out data
on the same MIDI channel that the slave is set to receive on. If the slave is set to "OMNI mode", then it
responds to messages on all MIDI channels (a device can only transmit on one channel, however). While
most devices send and receive data on the same channel, some-like the LM-850-0ffer the
.
to play a particular note at a particular velocity. (The velocity of the note, or how hard the key is struck,
usually relates to how loudly the note should be played.) There are 128 notes defined by MIDI, with a
128 step range in velocity values. The LM-850 can use either note data or continuous controller -
data to control dimmers through its MIDI Dimmer Outs; this choice is made in Console mode. In either
situation, Leprecon MIDI dimmers will respond to the data as channel fader commands. In note mode,
the MIDI note number designates which dimmer channel the data is addressed to, and the velocity data
tells the dimmer the correct brightness. For some unusual applications, this data can just as easily be sent
to a keyboard or other MIDI device that responds to note data. Since the LM-850 can only address the
108 dimmer channels, it can only send (and receive) MIDI notes 0 through 107.
Program changes are another common type of MIDI data. By sending a program change to a synthe-
Page 8
sizer, effects unit, or other device, a new program can be accessed. On a synthesizer, this would call up a
different sound from memory, making it active on the keyboard. With an effects device, a program
device receives from the MIDI In.
The LM-850 is set up to run two completely separate MIDI “networks" -one in the normal fashion (the
from one cannot "bleed over" to the other.
MIDI Dimmer Interface
The MIDI Dimmer Interface, with three MIDI Outs, is used for the sending of channel level data from
simultaneously.
change might switch from a chorus program to a reverb setting. On the LM-850, program changes are
used to select the Next Scene (anyone of the 100 scenes in memory) while in Scene mode, to step
through song steps while in Song mode, or to step through chase steps while in Chase mode. There are
128 program numbers (0 through 127) recognized by MIDI.
MIDI is a serial communications protocol, operating at 31.25 kilobaud, and connections are made
through 5-pin DIN connectors (only three of the pins are actually used). There are three types of MIDI
ports: MIDI In, MIDI Out, and MIDI Thru. Similar to an audio setup, the MIDI Out of one device feeds
the MIDI In of another. If you are sending data from a keyboard to the LM-850, then, you should plug a
MIDI cable from the MIDI Out jack of the keyboard to the MIDI In jack of the LM-850. The MIDI Thru
port allows for daisy-chaining devices together; it sends out an exact replica of the data that comes into
the In port. Note that this is different from the MIDI Out, and often leads to confusion. The MIDI Out of
a device sends only the data that that device generates. The MIDI Thru sends out only the data that the
.
System Interface), which connects the LM-850 to sequence, computers, etc, and one specifically for
operating special MIDI-controlled dimmers. The two networks are completely independent-MIDI data
the console to MIDI-controlled dimmers, such as the Leprecon LD-360M. This is provided in addition to
the DMX-512 dimmer output, which works at a higher speed, but requires an expensive decoder for use
with analog dimmers. The MIDI dimmer outputs are specially equipped so that cable lengths are not
limited to the usual fifty feet (as outlined in the MIDI Specification)-runs of several hundred feet will
work fine with quality low-capacitance cables.
The MIDI dimmer outputs are switchable to send either MIDI continuous controller data or MIDI noteon/off data. Leprecon MIDI-controlled dimmers respond to either data type. Continuous controller output
should normally be used, because it is more efficient, and doesn't require as much data transmission.
However, the note-on/off output is useful for connecting the LM-850 dimmer output to a synthe sizer or
other MIDI device that responds only to note data. In note mode, because more data must be sent, a
slight lag in dimmer response time may be apparent when controlling a large number of channels
MIDI System Interface
Even disregarding the MIDI System Interface, the LM-850 functions beautifully as a multi-scene memory console, with lots of memory for storing scenes, chases and songs. The MIDI capabilities add much
more versatility, however. In conjunction with a computer (with the necessary MIDI interface and
software), or with a sequencer, the user can store and recall scenes, chases, songs, and even console
setups, and record and edit a performance in either real time, or by typing in a group of specific commands. Such a setup allows a complete lighting show to be recorded and then played back flawlessly each
time, synced perfectly to the music. With a SMPTE-to-MIDI interface or a MIDI-tape sync unit, the LM850 can be even synchronized to tape recorded music, video, or any type of recorded program. It is
through the MIDI System Interface-the In, Out, and Thru jacks on the LM-850's rear panel-that the
console can communicate with any other MIDI device.
LD-360M Appendix 2
MIDI information sources:
MIDI is a very versatile and complicated
protocol
..it's orientation toward musical applications make it
There's nothing like sharing ideas!
Electronic Musician
(Good source for technical info and reviews on MIDI.)
Mail order MIDI suppliers with extensive catalogs: (look
Mahopac NY 10541 914-628-7949 FAX 914-628-7941
Micro Music
(Catalog of books and handy MIDI devices).
United States Institute of Theatre Technology
New York, NY 10011-4206 212-924-9088 FAX 212-924-9343
Page
9
Learning More about Lighting and MIDI
hard to understand at first for lighting people who do not have a musical background This musical
orientation is very useful for coordinating events related to musical scores, and there are lots of inexpensive and powerful hardware and software devices which are very useful for non-musical applications as
well as music related lighting. It's well worth the effort to learn more!
We suggest that you pick up some issues of these MIDI related magazines, and search your area for a
music store or a computer store which has a resident MIDI expert and an extensive MIDI department.
Search out a MIDI user's group, or computer user's group which may well have an active MIDI subgroup.
Box 3747
Escondido CA 92025-9860
(Excellent magazine with reviews and tech. articles, ads too.)
International MIDI Association
5316 W. 57th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90056 213-649-6434 FAX 213-215-3380
for others in the mag's above).
Digital ARTS and Technologies
21 Glen Ridge Road
5269-17 Buford Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30340 404-454-9646
EM Bookshelf
6400 Hollis St. #12
Emeryville, CA 94608 800-233-9604
Learning more about lighting:
Lighting Dimensions
135 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10010 212-677-5997 FAX 212-677-3857
Theatre Crafts
135 Fifth avenue, New York, NY 10010 212-677-5997
10 W. 19th St.
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