When connected to a computer either via USB or TCP/IP, the SQ sends and receives MIDI control messages.
These can be broken down into two sets of bi-directional messages. Those that are used to control the SQ, and those used to control external software or equipment.
ⓘ Please refer to the separate SQ MIDI Protocol document, available from www.allen-heath.com for full details on all SQ MIDI communication.
MIDI Channel and MMC
Press the ‘Utility’ screen key, then touch the ‘General’ tab followed by the ‘MIDI’ tab to view and adjust the MIDI channel setting. This screen also displays MMC (MIDI Machine Control) buttons for control of computer sequencers and DAW’s.
• Touch the ‘MIDI Channel’ value and use the touchscreen rotary to adjust.
• Touch the ‘NRPN Fader Law’ value to select the fader law used for control to and from SQ channel levels.
Linear Taper = High resolution linear control for automation
Audio Taper = External MIDI faders match SQ faders
• Touch the ‘Apply’ or ‘Cancel’ buttons to apply or disregard changes.
ⓘ The channel used for DAW Control (and therefore all MIDI fader strips) is always one more than the MIDI Channel the rest of the SQ is set to. To use MIDI channel 1 for the DAW Control Channel, set the main SQ MIDI channel to 16.
• Touching any of the MMC Controls sends standard MMC transport messages to all channels. These are also translated by the DAW control driver to specific transport messages for the control surface emulation being used.
MIDI Fader Strips
The SQ has 32 available MIDI fader strips that can be assigned anywhere in the fader strip layers.
These transmit standard MIDI messages over USB and TCP/IP when ‘Mute’, ‘Sel’ or ‘PAFL’ keys are pressed, or when the fader strip fader is adjusted. They also respond to the same messages.
• Messages can be used as-is, and ‘learnt’ by software for control.
• By default, these messages are transmitted on MIDI Channel 2.
• Pressing a key will send a note on followed by a note off, moving a fader sends a continuous change message.
| SQ MIDI Fader Strip Control | MIDI message |
|---|---|
| Mute keys 1 to 32 | Note On/Off 0 (C-1) to 31 (G1) |
| Sel keys 1 to 32 | Note On/Off 32 (G#1) to 63 (Eb4) |
| PAFL keys 1 to 32 | Note On/Off 64 (E4) to 95 (B6) |
| Faders 1 to 32 | CC 00 to CC 31 |
DAW Control
MIDI fader strips can be used with the Allen & Heath MIDI Control application.
This translates the messages from the MIDI strip and emulates standard control surface messages for use with a DAW. Channel names are also sent from the DAW and applied to the MIDI channel strips.
Visit www.allen-heath.com to download the latest version of Allen & Heath MIDI Control and view instructions for installation and correct setup.
It is worth noting that SoftKeys can also be assigned to send MMC messages or ‘Bank Up’, ‘Bank Down’ messages, and using these will also update MIDI channel strip naming.
ⓘ Only the MIDI fader strips, MMC controls and specific SoftKey assignments are used for DAW control surface emulation. Other physical controls (such as EQ rotaries) continue to control the selected channel in the SQ.
MIDI from Soft Controls
Soft Rotaries and Soft Rotary keys can be used to transmit MIDI messages over USB and TCP/IP, including note on/off, CC absolute, CC relative, MMC and program change messages.
This allows them to be used for control external equipment or software.
ⓘ See the SoftKeys/SoftRotaries section for details.