John
01-06-2011, 10:23 PM
J. writes:
I was looking at the MSA-T´s manual and now I´ve got some new questions, sorry if they sound obvious but I´m just an iniciating hobbist and I guess most of your clients are. Do I need to buy the 3 MIDI connectors? and why are there 3? Normally, I only see MIDI IN and OUT connectors.
Good question! Here's the function of each MIDI port:
MIDI In: This is where the MIDI signal from your keyboard, sequencer, or computer goes into the MSA. MIDI events like notes, CC commands, or program change commands (and more) can be used to control the MSA outputs.
The MIDI In port is also where you send a configuration SysEx message to the MSA, if you are not using one of the "learn" configuration methods. Configuration methods are described in detail in the MSA firmware user manual. Don't forget about Sqwerl (http://forum.highlyliquid.com/showthread.php?t=453), the MSA configuration utility for PC or Mac!
MIDI Out: This is where the MSA reports information about its configuration via MIDI SysEx messages. It is only necessary to connect to the MSA MIDI Out port if you are using Sqwerl (http://forum.highlyliquid.com/showthread.php?t=453) or if you are doing some configuration troubleshooting. During normal operation, the MIDI Out port has no function.
MIDI Thru: This port generates an exact replica of the signal being received at the MIDI In port. The MSA itself does not generate any MIDI commands on this port.
The MIDI Thru is useful if you need to control several MSA units with a single MIDI signal. You can "chain" together several units. For example, for three MSA boards named A, B, and C:
[MIDI Out from keyboard, sequencer, or computer] -> [MSA "A" MIDI In]
[MSA "A" MIDI Thru] -> [MSA "B" MIDI In]
[MSA "B" MIDI Thru] -> [MSA "C" MIDI In]
With the above connections, all three units can be controlled via one keyboard/sequencer/computer.
If you are chaining units, you can wire directly from one unit to the next in the chain--proper MIDI connectors are not required for the link between two MSA units.
And how exactaly do I install these connectors on the board? Do I need the announced hook-up wires or any wire will do it?
See the "MIDI Wiring" section in the hardware user manual. The manuals are linked at the top of each product page. The hardware manual includes a detailed wiring diagram.
No special wire is required--whatever you have on hand should do. For MIDI wiring, I like to use bulk CAT5 ethernet cable because it is cheap and readily available.
How is it´s output? I mean, I just solder something to "In + G" and "OUT X A- B"?
See the "Outputs" section of the hardware manual. For the MSA-R and MSA-P, the outputs are wired in the same way as any SPST switch (just like a toggle or pushbutton switch).
The MSA-T is a bit different, but there is a detailed wiring diagram in the "Outputs" section of its user manual.
I was looking at the MSA-T´s manual and now I´ve got some new questions, sorry if they sound obvious but I´m just an iniciating hobbist and I guess most of your clients are. Do I need to buy the 3 MIDI connectors? and why are there 3? Normally, I only see MIDI IN and OUT connectors.
Good question! Here's the function of each MIDI port:
MIDI In: This is where the MIDI signal from your keyboard, sequencer, or computer goes into the MSA. MIDI events like notes, CC commands, or program change commands (and more) can be used to control the MSA outputs.
The MIDI In port is also where you send a configuration SysEx message to the MSA, if you are not using one of the "learn" configuration methods. Configuration methods are described in detail in the MSA firmware user manual. Don't forget about Sqwerl (http://forum.highlyliquid.com/showthread.php?t=453), the MSA configuration utility for PC or Mac!
MIDI Out: This is where the MSA reports information about its configuration via MIDI SysEx messages. It is only necessary to connect to the MSA MIDI Out port if you are using Sqwerl (http://forum.highlyliquid.com/showthread.php?t=453) or if you are doing some configuration troubleshooting. During normal operation, the MIDI Out port has no function.
MIDI Thru: This port generates an exact replica of the signal being received at the MIDI In port. The MSA itself does not generate any MIDI commands on this port.
The MIDI Thru is useful if you need to control several MSA units with a single MIDI signal. You can "chain" together several units. For example, for three MSA boards named A, B, and C:
[MIDI Out from keyboard, sequencer, or computer] -> [MSA "A" MIDI In]
[MSA "A" MIDI Thru] -> [MSA "B" MIDI In]
[MSA "B" MIDI Thru] -> [MSA "C" MIDI In]
With the above connections, all three units can be controlled via one keyboard/sequencer/computer.
If you are chaining units, you can wire directly from one unit to the next in the chain--proper MIDI connectors are not required for the link between two MSA units.
And how exactaly do I install these connectors on the board? Do I need the announced hook-up wires or any wire will do it?
See the "MIDI Wiring" section in the hardware user manual. The manuals are linked at the top of each product page. The hardware manual includes a detailed wiring diagram.
No special wire is required--whatever you have on hand should do. For MIDI wiring, I like to use bulk CAT5 ethernet cable because it is cheap and readily available.
How is it´s output? I mean, I just solder something to "In + G" and "OUT X A- B"?
See the "Outputs" section of the hardware manual. For the MSA-R and MSA-P, the outputs are wired in the same way as any SPST switch (just like a toggle or pushbutton switch).
The MSA-T is a bit different, but there is a detailed wiring diagram in the "Outputs" section of its user manual.