Pyramix JL Cooper 3x series, JL Cooper MCS-3800, JL Cooper MCS-3000, JL Cooper MCS-Bridge, JL Cooper MCS-3000x Setup Manual

Set-up Guide

JL Cooper 3x Series

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Contents

3

Contents

Contents 3
Introduction 5

Overview 5

Setup 5

Requirements: 5

Communication 5

Connections 5

Adding an MCS Controller 5
MCS-3800 Control Mapping 7

MCS-3800 Configuration 8

The Control Tree View 13

Mapping MCS Controls to Pyramix Controls 15

MCS-3800 Assignment 15

MCS-Bridge Assignment 16

Index 17

MCS 3x series controller set-up User Guide :

MCS 3x series controller set-up User Guide :

Page 4

MCS 3x series controller set-up

User Guide

JL Cooper

Document: Pyramix™ JL Cooper Guide 02

Date: 21st July-2009

MCS 3x series controller set-up User Guide : Introduction

Page 5

Introduction

Overview

This document details the physical and logical connections required to enable JL Cooper MCS 3x series hardware
control surfaces to control Pyramix Virtual Studio using the optional Remote Control MIDI protocol.

Scope

The JL Cooper Controllers are supported by the Optional Pyramix MIDI Remote Control Protocol feature.

In Pyramix the following MCS series devices are supported:

MCS-3800

MCS-3000

MCS-Bridge

MCS-3000x

For more information on installing and using the MCS family controllers, please consult the MCS-3000 Series User
Reference Manuals.

Setup

Requirements:

Components required for operating a JL Cooper MCS Controller with Pyramix:

• A supported JL Cooper MCS series controller.

• Pyramix 5.0 or higher with the Remote Control MIDI Protocol option authorized.

• The PC Workstation running Pyramix must be equipped with a functioning MIDI interface.

Communication

Pyramix and the DM-2000 communicate via MIDI.

Connections

MIDI

Connecting the controller requires that a hardware device with MIDI port functionality be installed in the com­puter. An external USB to MIDI interface will also work fine, or a soundcard with MIDI I/O, e.g. a SoundBlaster.

All subsequent set-up information assumes that the MCS controller is properly powered and connected to a func­tioning MIDI interface.

Adding an MCS Controller

Before the MCS control surface can be used or the controls mapped it must be “added” in Pyramix and the correct
driver selected.

MCS 3x series controller set-up User Guide : Adding an MCS Controller

Page 6

To add a new controller go to the Settings > All Settings > Remote Control : Controller page.

If no controllers are installed, or more need to be added, click on the Add button. This opens the Controller Prop-
erties dialog window:

Name

Type a suitable, friendly name in the Name field.

Driver

Select MCS 3000 from the Driver combo-box drop down list. For an MCS-3800 controller select the MCS3000
driver.

Properties

Once the MCS3000 driver has been selected, clicking on the Properties button opens the MIDI Configuration
dialog:

Choose the appropriate MIDI Input and MIDI Output device drivers corresponding to the ports your MCS con­troller is physically connected to. Clicking on OK accepts the changes and Cancel ignores the changes.

Controller page

Driver Selection combo-box list

MIDI Input and Output selection dialog

MCS 3x series controller set-up User Guide : MCS-3800 Control Mapping

Page 7

If no MIDI driver is installed, the MIDI Input and MIDI Output combo-box dropdown menus will be empty and
the A device ID has been used that is out of range for your system error message will be displayed when either
the Apply Changes to Controller button is clicked or the OK button is clicked to close the Pyramix Settings dia­log:

Enable

Each installed hardware controller can be enabled or disabled with the Enable checkbox in the Controller prop­erties dialog.

Make sure the Enable checkbox is ticked before clicking on OK to close the dialog.

Removing an Installed Controller

Highlight the controller you wish to remove in the The following controllers are installed: list by clicking on it
then click on the Remove button:

MCS-3800 Control Mapping

MCS-3800 mapping allows for user defined custom configurations. A wide range of Pyramix controls and audio
effect parameters can be mapped to the MCS-3800 hardware surface controls. To configure the mapping, go to

MIDI Warning Info

Controller Properties dialog

All Settings > Remote Control > Controllers

MCS 3x series controller set-up User Guide : MCS-3800 Control Mapping

Page 8

the Settings > All Settings > Project : Controller Mapping page and select the target controller in the The fol­lowing controllers are installed: list:

Note: This page can also be accessed by right-clicking on the track arming button in a
Track Header to open the Pyramix Settings dialog and then clicking on Controller Map­ping.

MCS-3800 Configuration

Click on the Properties button to open the MCS3000 Configuration dialog:

This window contains the components that will enable you to map Pyramix control functions onto MCS-3800
physical controls. These components are grouped by area and function as follows.

MCS3800 Controls

MCS 3x series controller set-up User Guide : MCS-3800 Control Mapping

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The Mixer Section

The Mixer section contains controls used in the mixing process that can be mapped to Pyramix controls. The map­pable controls are the motorized, touch sensitive faders, push buttons above the faders, and the five rotary encod­ers.

Bank, Select and Page Buttons

The Page, Bank and Select switches are “hard wired” I.e. they cannot be user mapped. These buttons enable
switching between different layers of controller assignments. The four Bank buttons each select one of four fader
layers. This gives easy access for controlling up to 32 Pyramix mixer strips. Since the faders are motorized, they will
always reflect the position of the control they are actually mapped to.

The Page buttons, in conjunction with the Select buttons, are used to switch the rotary encoders between pages
of controllable parameters. This gives the encoders access to up to 40 control parameters per fader. To access the
assignments, first hit the Select button above any fader and then use one of the 8 Page buttons to select one of
the 8 pages of assignments for the rotary encoders.

For more information on Pages and or Banks, please consult the MCS-3000 Series User Reference Manual.

MCS3800 Mixer Section

MCS3800 Bank, Select and Page Buttons

MCS 3x series controller set-up User Guide : MCS-3800 Control Mapping

Page 10

The Machine Buttons

This section contains five buttons labeled M1 through M5. These buttons are automatically mapped to the Pyra­mix Transport Internal Machine (M1) and M2 to M5 to any installed and enabled External Machines.

MCS3800 Machine Buttons

MCS 3x series controller set-up User Guide : MCS-3800 Control Mapping

Page 11

The Jog Wheel Buttons

This section contains seven function buttons labeled as W1 through W7.

They are part of the Transport Control section and have the following functions:

Note: these buttons have different actions if M1 (Pyramix Internal Machine) or M2..M5
(possible External Machines connected to Pyramix) are selected.

M1 M1 + Shift M2...M5 M2...M5 + Shift

W1

Set In Goto In Set In Goto In

W2

Move Slide

W3

Fade In Trim In Nudge + 1 Frame

W4

Jog Shuttle Jog Shuttle

W5

Fade Out Trim Out Nudge - 1 Frame

W6

Chase Freeze

W7

Set Out Goto Out Set Out Goto Out

MCS3800 Jog Wheel Buttons

MCS 3x series controller set-up User Guide : MCS-3800 Control Mapping

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Contextual Control Menu

The Controls in the MCS-3800 mapping configuration page also have a right-click contextual menu:

Clone this knob This action takes the current mapped function of the item under the cursor when

right-clicked and attempts to apply the same control function to all other buttons
in the same position related to the subsequent Pyramix mixer strips. It makes more
sense when you actually map a mixer.

Clone this strip Performs the same action as Clone this knob, but on an entire strip including the

rotaries.

Note: When mapping a mixer from scratch we suggest starting by mapping the first
strip then using this action.

Delete Mapping Selecting this option deletes the currently assigned control mapping. This option

is not available if no current control mapping exists for the control.

Toggle Mode This option is only available for buttons. This option changes the button mode

between latching push on - push off and momentary modes. This option is not
available if no current control mapping exists for the control.

Control Tool Tips

As the mouse cursor hovers over an MCS control, the control becomes highlighted.

MCS Controls Context Menu

Highlighted Control

MCS 3x series controller set-up User Guide : MCS-3800 Control Mapping

Page 13

If the control is mappable and is currently mapped, the status bar will display the corresponding Pyramix mapped
control E.g.:

Load mapping... This feature is not yet implemented and intended for future use.

Clear All... Pressing this button deletes all currently assigned control mapping.

Default Mapping

Load and Save This section enables the current mapping state to be saved from or loaded to the

current MCS device configuration.

Note: Once used, the defined Default mapping will be loaded every time a new con­troller configuration is created.

The Control Tree View

The collapsible tree view in the right-hand pane contains all available Pyramix controls. The controls are classified
by category and are contained in specific folders.

MCS3000 Configuration dialog window Status Bar

MCS3000 Configuration dialog window

Project Information & Settings Controllers page

MCS 3x series controller set-up User Guide : MCS-3800 Control Mapping

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Navigating in the Tree View

Clicking on a "plus" icon opens a folder to reveal the sub-folders and controls it contains.

Clicking on a "minus" icon closes a folder.

Pyramix Controls Tree

MCS 3x series controller set-up User Guide : Mapping MCS Controls to Pyramix Controls

Page 15

Mapping MCS Controls to Pyramix Controls

MCS-3800 Assignment

To assign a Pyramix control to an MCS-3800 surface control, simply select a control in the Control Tree View sec­tion by clicking on it then drag and drop it onto the target MCS-3800 surface control.

MCS3000 Configuration dialog

MCS 3x series controller set-up User Guide : Mapping MCS Controls to Pyramix Controls

Page 16

MCS-Bridge Assignment

Another example with an MCS-Bridge device.

MCS3000 Configuration dialog MCS-Bridge page

: Index

Page 17

A

Adding an MCS Controller 5

B

Bank, Select and Page Buttons 9

C

Clone this knob 12
Clone this strip 12
Communication 5
Connections 5
Contextual Control Menu 12
Control Tool Tips 12
Control Tree View 13
Controller Name 6

D

Default Mapping 13
Delete Mapping 12
Driver 5, 6

E

Enable 7

I

Introduction 5

J

Jog Wheel Buttons 11

M

Machine Buttons 10
MCS-3800 Assignment 15
MCS-Bridge 16
MIDI 5
Mixer Section 9

N

Navigating in the Tree View 14

O

Overview 5

P

Properties 6

R

Removing an Installed Controller 7
Requirements 5

S

Scope 5
Setup 5

T

Toggle Mode 12

Index