Yamaha STAGEMIX M7CL User Manual

M7CL StageMix V1.5 User Guide

Welcome:

Thank you for downloading the “M7CL StageMix” iPad app for the Yamaha M7CL V3
digital mixing console. Via a wireless access point, StageMix can control any variant
of M7CL console so long as it is running V3 or higher firmware.
The latest firmware version for M7CL can be downloaded from
www.yamahaproaudio.com

StageMix provides remote control of M7CL functions via a simple, intuitive
graphical interface from anywhere within wireless range. The software has
been specifically designed to allow engineers to adjust monitor mixes from
the performers’ positions on stage, directly controlling mix parameters via the
iPad rather than having to rely on verbal directions to a second engineer.
The result is better mixes in less time: a huge advantage during high-pressure
pre-show setup. StageMix does not provide remote control of all M7CL
parameters, but is focused on the requirements for adjusting monitor mixes on
stage.

Yamaha Commercial Audio M7CL StageMix User Guide V1.5

CONTENTS

Page

1.0 System Requirements 3

2.0 WiFi Settings 3

3.0 Getting Started 4

3.1 M7CL Network Setup 4

3.2 iPad Settings 4

3.3 StageMix Setup 5

3.3.1 Offline Demo Mode 6

3.3.2 Configure StageMix to Work with an M7CL 6

3.3.3 Select a Mixer and Begin Working 7

4.0 StageMix Operation 8

4.1 Mixer Window 8

4.1.1 Channel Names 8

4.1.2 Faders 9

4.1.3 Channel ON 9

4.1.4 CUE 9

4.2 SETUP 10

4.2.1 Fader Delay 10

4.2.2 Filled EQ Graph 10

4.2.3 Set EQ band to 0dB with Double-Tap 10

4.3 Long Faders 11

4.4 SENDS ON FADERS 12

4.4.1 Mix Sends ON 13

4.5 EQ Editing 13

4.6 Parametric EQ Editing Screen 14

4.6.1 HPF 16

4.6.2 EQ Bands 1 & 4 16

4.6.3 EQ ON 16

4.6.4 EQ FLAT, EQ DEFAULT 16

4.7 Graphic EQ Editing Screen 17

4.7.1 Navigation in the GEQ Overview Section 17

4.7.2 Rack Position 17

4.7.3 GEQ Type 18

4.7.4 Editing GEQ Bands 18

4.7.5 Navigation in the GEQ Editing Section 18

4.7.6 GEQ ON 18

4.7.7 GEQ FLAT 18

4.7.8 Copy/Paste 18

5.0 Troubleshooting 19

5.1 No WiFi Available 19

5.2 Connection Failed to M7CL 19

5.3 Connection Lost 20

5.4 Graphic EQ Doesn’t Affect the Sound 20

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Yamaha Commercial Audio M7CL StageMix User Guide V1.5

1.0 System Requirements

• Apple iPad (any model)

• Yamaha M7CL digital mixing console with V3 or higher firmware (any model,

including M7CL-48, M7CL-32, M7CL-48ES)

• WiFi access point (preferably with 802.11n, 5GHz capability, though 2.4GHz
and 802.11g will also work)

• CAT5 cable (to connect M7CL to WiFi access point)

2.0 WiFi Settings

Configure the WiFi access point, following the manufacturer’s instructions. No
special settings are needed, but using security such as WPA is highly recommended,
to prevent unwanted devices from joining the network. Here are some suggested
settings to assist less experienced WiFi users:

1. Give the wireless network a name (this is the “SSID”).

2. Choose a security mode (such as WPA) and password.

3. Select the wireless mode (802.11g or n).

4. In the case of “n”, select the wireless band (2.4 or 5GHz).

5. If available, enable “Auto Channel Selection” so the wireless channel with the
least interference will be selected.

802.11n networks at 5GHz are preferred because they allow faster communication
between the iPad and the WiFi access point. Practically, this could result in more
accurate level metering with the StageMix app. Also, with 802.11n being a new
standard, it is less prone to interference from other wireless networks. Using a WiFi
access point with 2 or more external aerials is recommended to increase potential
signal range. Booster aerials could be connected for a further increase in
performance.

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Yamaha Commercial Audio M7CL StageMix User Guide V1.5

3.0 Getting Started

3.1 M7CL Network Setup

I. Connect the WiFi access point to the M7CL’s network port via a CAT5 cable.

Note that a cross-over cable will be needed with older access points that don’t
have the “auto MDIX” function. Most recent devices will support “auto MDIX”,
in which case a straight CAT5 cable can be used.

II. Note the IP address and MAC address of the M7CL - they will need to be

entered into the iPad later. They can be found in the console as follows:
a. Press SETUP on the M7CL touchscreen

b. Press [NETWORK] on the M7CL touchscreen

3.2 iPad WiFi Settings

The iPad needs to be given a static IP address in the same range as the
M7CL’s IP Address.

a. Open the iPad “Settings” menu
b. Select “WiFi”, and choose the correct network (with the SSID and

password given in step 2 above).

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Yamaha Commercial Audio M7CL StageMix User Guide V1.5

c. Press the blue circle with the white arrow to the right of the selected

network to edit the IP address.

d. Select [Static].

e. Write an IP Address similar to the one for the M7CL, but with just the

last number different. (For example, if M7CL is 192.168.0.128, give an

address to the iPad such as 192.168.0.127).
f. Enter “255.255.255.0” for the Subnet Mask.
g. Press the iPad’s Home button to exit the Settings menu.

3.3 StageMix Setup

Launch the “M7CL StageMix” App

The “Select Mixer” screen will appear. From this screen, you can do any of
the following things:

• Access the OFFLINE DEMO mode to explore the features and user
interface of M7CL StageMix.

• Configure StageMix to work with an M7CL console.

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Yamaha Commercial Audio M7CL StageMix User Guide V1.5

• Select an M7CL console that has already been configured to work with
your iPad and begin using StageMix.

3.3.1 Offline Demo

If [Offline Demo] is pressed in the “Select Mixer” screen, all the functions of
“StageMix” will operate independently of any mixing console. It is a useful way
to demonstrate and learn how to use the app without the need for a mixer.
Level meters will not work in this mode.

3.3.2 Configure StageMix to Work with an M7CL

i. Press [ADD MIXER] to open the following screen:

ii. Tap on the blank Name field and enter a name for your M7CL using the

iPad’s onscreen keyboard.

iii. Enter the M7CL IP address noted in 3.1. The default IP Address may

not need to be changed but confirm this in the Network Setup screen of
the M7CL console (refer to 3.1). If you need to modify the IP Address
in StageMix, make sure you include the dots between the sets of
numbers (as shown above).

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Yamaha Commercial Audio M7CL StageMix User Guide V1.5

iv. Enter the M7CL MAC address noted in 3.1. When entering the MAC

Address, the colons between sets of characters will be automatically
added by StageMix.

v. Press the [ADD MIXER] button at the bottom of the screen

3.3.3 Select a Mixer and Begin Working

If your iPad has been configured to work with an M7CL console, select the
mixer from the list and press [CONNECT].

The message “Syncing With M7CL…” will appear while StageMix is obtaining
parameters from the console. This process will normally take about 5 to 10
seconds. After this process is complete, the Mixer window will appear and
StageMix is ready to be used.

If StageMix cannot connect with your M7CL, refer to the Troubleshooting section
(5.0) at the end of this document for possible solutions.

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Yamaha Commercial Audio M7CL StageMix User Guide V1.5

4.0 StageMix Operation

4.1 Mixer Window

The main page of the StageMix is called the “Mixer” window. It shows the EQ
curve, CUE and ON buttons, fader and level meters, and channel names for
eight adjacent channels.

Across the top of the screen, all Input, Mix and Matrix level meters and faders
are displayed in blocks of eight. This is the “Navigation/Meter Bridge”. Press
any of these blocks to select which channels are viewed in the fader strips
below.

4.1.1 Channel Names

The channel names are
obtained from the M7CL mixer.
They cannot be edited with
“StageMix”. The names are
dimmed if the channel is
switched off.

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Yamaha Commercial Audio M7CL StageMix User Guide V1.5

4.1.2 Faders

Each fader has its channel number displayed on its cap. The fader cap
must be touched to allow the level to be adjusted. The fader will not
“jump” or “ramp” to a new position on the slider. When a fader cap is
touched, its background will lighten and its current dB value will be
displayed. Using the iPad’s multi-touch facility, up to eight faders can
be moved simultaneously.

4.1.3 Channel ON

Press [ON] to change the on/off status of the channel. The button is
green when the channel is on. When a channel is off, its name and
level meter will go dim, and its fader position shown in the
Navigation/Meter Bridge will also go dim.

4.1.4 CUE

The [CUE] buttons for each channel control the mixer’s cue functions.
Their operation mode corresponds to the status of [LAST CUE] button
on the left side of the Mixer Overview.

When the [LAST CUE] button is highlighted yellow, only one channel
can be cued at a time. When this button is grey, multiple channels can
be cued simultaneously. This is equivalent to Mix Cue mode in the
M7CL console.

The [CUE CLEAR] button will cancel any cues that have been activated.
This is useful when there are multiple cues to cancel, and when some
are hidden in other layers.

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Yamaha Commercial Audio M7CL StageMix User Guide V1.5

4.2 SETUP

Press the [SETUP] button below the StageMix logo to open a new window
which allows user preferences to be selected.

iPad Status Bar
The iPad’s Status Bar is visible in this screen, allowing the WiFi signal
strength and the battery charge status to be viewed.

Press [Done] in the top-right corner to return to the Mixer window.

4.2.1 Fader Delay

This is a safety function to avoid accidental fader movements. The
value set here is the time needed to wait between touching a fader and
being able to move it.

4.2.2 Filled EQ Graph

When this option is on, the EQ graph will be filled in, as it is on the
M7CL touchscreen. When it is off, just the outline of the graph will be
shown.

4.2.3 Set EQ band to 0dB with Double-Tap

When this option is on, Parametric and Graphic EQ Gains can be set to

0dB by double-tapping on the EQ band.

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Yamaha Commercial Audio M7CL StageMix User Guide V1.5

4.3 Long Faders

Press the [LONG FADERS] button at the bottom-left corner of the Mixer
window to allow more accurate adjustment of the currently selected fader
block. In this view, EQ curves and the Navigation/Meter Bridge are not visible.

Press the [LONG FADERS] button in the bottom-left corner again to return to
the Mixer Overview.

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Yamaha Commercial Audio M7CL StageMix User Guide V1.5

4.4 SENDS ON FADERS

Press the [SENDS ON FADERS] button in the left column of the Mixer
Overview to access sends to Mix and Matrix busses.

A large button will appear to show the currently selected Mix or Matrix, and its
name. The colour of this button matches those used on the M7CL console.
[CUE] and [ON] buttons appear below, allowing the currently active Mix or
Matrix bus to be Cued and turned On/Off.

Press the coloured [MIX ON FADERS] button to select a new target Mix Bus:

Choose from Mix 1-16 and Matrix 1-8.

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The currently selected Mix will appear as a white button with a check mark.
Stereo pairs appear as single large buttons.

4.4.1 Mix Sends ON

In SENDS ON FADERS mode, the [ON] button in each channel strip is
used to turn On/Off the Mix Send from each channel to the currently
selected target Mix/Matrix bus.

When a Mix or Matrix block is selected in the Navigation/Meter Bridge, the
SENDS ON FADERS button is not available.

To exit SENDS ON FADERS mode, press the [SENDS ON FADERS] button in
the left column.

4.5 EQ Editing

Every channel in the M7CL has a dedicated Parametric EQ (PEQ). The M7CL
also has Graphic EQs (GEQs) which can be assigned (inserted) on input or
output channels.
Note: assignment of GEQs to channels must be done on the console and
cannot be done in StageMix.

EQ Curve in Mixer Screen
The EQ curve section on the Mixer Screen will show the user whether a GEQ
is available on any channel. If GEQ is available on a channel in addition to
PEQ, the user will be able to view the curve for either of these EQs and
access the editing screen for either type of EQ.

Green and blue dots below each EQ curve indicate the types of EQ available
on that channel, and the type of EQ (PEQ or GEQ) that is currently displayed
for that channel. A green dot indicates PEQ and a blue dot indicates GEQ.
When only PEQ is currently available on a channel, no dots will appear below
the curve. (In Demo mode, GEQs appear on Mix busses 1, 7 and 8).

In the example above:

• Mix Bus 1 has both PEQ and GEQ available, and GEQ is currently being
displayed (the blue dot is solid and the curve is blue).

• Mix Bus 2 has both PEQ and GEQ available, and PEQ is currently being
displayed (the green dot is solid and the curve is green).

• Mix Busses 3-8 have only PEQ available so no dots are displayed below
their EQ curves.

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Yamaha Commercial Audio M7CL StageMix User Guide V1.5

Changing the EQ Curve Display between PEQ and GEQ
On any channel displaying both a green and blue dot below the EQ curve, the
user can select either of those EQ types to be displayed by using a swipe
gesture in the EQ curve area.

If a PEQ curve is currently displayed, swiping from right to left will cause the
GEQ curve to be displayed.

If a GEQ curve is currently displayed, swiping from left to right will cause the
PEQ curve to be displayed.

Accessing the EQ Editing Screens
To access the PEQ or GEQ Editing Screens, tap on the EQ curve to open the
appropriate EQ Editing screen.

• If a PEQ curve is displayed, the PEQ Editing Screen will be accessed.

• If a GEQ curve is displayed, the GEQ Editing Screen will be accessed.

Note: the EQ editing screen will be accessed when the finger is removed from
the curve. Swipe gestures will not cause the Editing screen to be accessed.

4.6 Parametric EQ Editing Screen

The current channel’s Name, Fader, Level Meters, [ON] and [CUE] buttons
are shown in the left column. At the bottom-left, there are “previous” and
“next” arrow buttons for navigating to different channels.

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Note: the In/Out meters display the levels going In and Out of the EQ section.
One band of Parametric EQ can be adjusted at a time. Press one of the green

circles to select the band, and it will be highlighted yellow. EQ bands in
StageMix are labelled as follows:

HP = HPF (input channels only)
1 = Low Band
2 = Low-Mid Band
3 = High-Mid Band
4 = High Band

The current values for Freq, Gain and Q will be displayed for the currently
selected EQ band.

Gain and Frequency can be adjusted by dragging the circle around the graph.
Q is adjusted by using the iPad’s “pinch” gesture: hold one finger (or thumb)
on the screen while moving another finger closer to or further away from the
first.

TIP___________________________________________________________
The most comfortable and accurate way of adjusting Q is to use a vertical
pinch movement with the thumb and forefinger.
______________________________________________________________

While an EQ band is being moved, the
parameter value will turn yellow to
indicate that it has changed. The little
yellow arrows show which direction the
band should be moved to return to its
previous position.

In some cases, it may be necessary to adjust the gain without altering the
frequency. Or to adjust the frequency without changing the gain. In this case,
the “Gain Lock” or “Frequency Lock” functions can be used. These buttons
are located at the top of the EQ graph.

The “Lock” buttons affect all 4 bands (but not the HPF). When a band is
adjusted, the locked parameter value becomes red.

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4.6.1 HPF

When the HPF is selected, an extra [HPF] button appears at the top of
the EQ graph. Press this button to switch the HPF on/off. When the
button is green, the HPF is On. HPF has no Gain or Q parameter: only
frequency.

4.6.2 EQ Bands 1 & 4

EQ bands 1 & 4 have additional choices of band-type. Both these
bands can be a shelf or a bell, and band 4 can also be a Low Pass
Filter. Band 1 can also be a HPF for Mix/Matrix channels. When one
of these bands is selected, the relevant additional buttons are shown
above the EQ graph.

4.6.3 EQ ON

The channel EQ can be switched on/off with the [EQ ON] button
towards the top-right of the EQ graph. It is green when the EQ is on.
When the EQ is switched off, the EQ curve will be grey.

4.6.4 EQ FLAT, EQ DEFAULT

These two buttons, above the EQ curve perform the same function as
those on the M7CL console. [FLAT] will set the Gain of bands 1-4 to
0dB, but will not change the Q and Frequency values. [DEFAULT] will
reset all EQ parameters for the selected channel back to their default
values, including HPF.
After pressing one of these buttons, an “Are You Sure?” pop-up will be
displayed before the action is carried out (or cancelled).

To exit from the EQ window and return to the Mixer window, press the
[MIXER] button at the top-right of the display.

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4.7 Graphic EQ Editing Screen
GEQ Overview

In the upper portion of the GEQ Editing Screen, the complete GEQ curve is
displayed along with the gain positions for all 31 bands. White dots represent
the position for each of the 31 bands. (These dots change to yellow and
become larger when they are being touched in the Editing section below.)

The current channel’s Name, Fader, Level Meters, [ON] and [CUE] buttons
are shown in the left column. At the bottom-left, there are “previous” and
“next” arrow buttons for navigating to different channels. Pressing these
buttons will only access other channels that have GEQs assigned to them.

Note: the In/Out meters display the levels going In and Out of the EQ section.

4.7.1 Navigation in the GEQ Overview Section

Tapping anywhere in the GEQ Overview will cause the GEQ sliders in
the Editing section to jump to that range of the GEQ (represented by a
light grey area in the overview). Touching the selected range in the
Overview and dragging it left / right will scroll the range of GEQ sliders.

4.7.2 Rack Position

In the upper-left area of the GEQ screen, the Rack position of the
channel’s GEQ will be displayed. In the screenshot above, this GEQ is
located in rack position 5B.

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4.7.3 GEQ Type

Next to the Rack position, the type of GEQ is identified as either “31
Band” or “Flex 15”. In the case of a Flex 15 GEQ, a larger number
indicates the remaining number of available bands for that GEQ. As
each band is adjusted away from 0dB, the number of available bands
will decrease. This number will turn red when no further bands are
available to be edited.

4.7.4 Editing GEQ Bands

Sliders in the lower portion of the GEQ screen allow each band of EQ
to be edited. Multiple bands can be edited simultaneously with up to 10
bands appearing at any one time. Touch the silver sliders for one or
more bands and move them vertically to adjust the gain for each band.
The gain parameter value will appear in a floating display above any
GEQ slider while it is being touched.

Note: sliders will become transparent and cannot be operated
when there are no remaining bands available for a Flex 15 GEQ.

4.7.5 Navigation in the GEQ Editing Section

In addition to navigation in the upper GEQ Overview section, swipe
gestures can be used to navigate through the GEQ bands in the lower
editing section.

4.7.6 GEQ ON

The GEQ ON button in the upper-right part of this screen turns the
GEQ On or Off. The button appears blue when GEQ is On and turns
grey when GEQ is Off. When Off, the GEQ display curve will also turn
light grey.

4.7.7 GEQ FLAT

The FLAT button will reset all GEQ bands to 0dB. A confirmation dialog
will appear before this function is executed.

4.7.8 Copy/Paste

GEQ parameter settings can be copied and pasted from one GEQ to
another. Press the COPY button to capture the parameter settings of
the current GEQ. Navigate to another channel which has a GEQ
assigned and press PASTE.

Note: the PASTE button will only be available when a suitable
GEQ has been selected. Only 31 Band GEQs that use up to 15
bands can be copied to a Flex 15 GEQ. Settings copied in the M7CL
console cannot be pasted in StageMix.

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Yamaha Commercial Audio M7CL StageMix User Guide V1.5

5.0 Troubleshooting

5.1 No WiFi Available

If this message appears after launching StageMix, this indicates that the iPad
is not connected to a WiFi access point or that WiFi may be switched off in the
iPad. Refer to sections 2.0 and 3.2 for details about WiFi hardware
configuration and iPad WiFi settings.

5.2 Connection Failed to M7CL

If this message appears after selecting a mixer and pressing [CONNECT],
this indicates that StageMix cannot connect to the M7CL console. This may be
due to incorrect IP Address or MAC Address settings in either the M7CL or
StageMix. Verify that the settings in the M7CL match the settings in StageMix.
Refer to 3.1 and 3.3.2 for details about these settings. This problem will also
occur if the M7CL console is not turned on.

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5.3 Connection Lost

If StageMix loses its connection to the M7CL, the following message will
appear. Operation of StageMix is not possible while this message box is
onscreen. StageMix will automatically attempt to reconnect to the M7CL. If
this is successful, StageMix will re-synchronize with the console data and
operation will become available again.

5.4 Graphic EQ Doesn’t Affect the Sound

If a Graphic EQ is assigned to an input channel or Mix/Matrix bus but it doesn’t
seem to be affecting the sound on that channel, it could be that the Insert for
that channel has been switched Off. Check the state of the Insert ON switch
in the M7CL console.

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