When connected to a computer either via USB or TCP/IP, the Qu 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 Qu, and those used to control external software or equipment.
ⓘ Please refer to the separate Qu MIDI Protocol document, available from www.allen-heath.com/resources for full details on all Qu MIDI communication.
MIDI Channel and MMC
|| UTILITIES | General | MIDI
MIDI settings and controls are found in the Utility > General > MIDI screen.
MMC Controls – Standard MIDI transport controls.
MIDI Channel – Qu mixer MIDI channel (for external control to/from the mixer core).
MIDI DAW Control Channel – Automatically set as MIDI Channel +1 (for MIDI channel strips).
NRPN Fader Law – Adjust the messaging sent to/from Qu audio channel faders.
Audio Taper – Common low resolution 7-bit fader tapering.
Linear Taper - High resolution 14-bit linear tapering.
ⓘ The channel used for DAW Control (and therefore all MIDI fader strips) is always one more than the MIDI Channel the rest of the Qu is set to. To use MIDI channel 1 for the DAW Control Channel, set the main Qu 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.
ⓘ MMC controls can also be assigned to Soft Keys.
MIDI Fader Strips
The Qu has 32 available MIDI fader strips that can be assigned anywhere across the strip layers.
These transmit standard MIDI messages over USB and TCP/IP when Mute, Sel or PAFL keys are pressed, or the Fader is adjusted. They also respond to the same messages.
- Messages can be used as-is, and ‘learnt’ by software for control.
- By default, MIDI strip 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.
| Qu 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 messaging for use with a DAW. Channel names can also be sent from the DAW and appear on the MIDI channel strip displays.
Note that Soft Keys can also be assigned to send MMC messages or Bank Up, Bank Down messages.
Visit www.allen-heath.com/resources to download the latest version of Allen & Heath MIDI Control and view instructions for installation and correct setup.
ⓘ Only the MIDI fader strips, MMC controls and specific Soft Key assignments are used for DAW control surface emulation. Other physical controls (such as EQ rotaries) always control the selected channel in the Qu.
MIDI from Soft Keys and Footswitch
Soft keys and a connected Footswitch can be used to transmit MIDI messages over USB and TCP/IP, including note on/off, MMC and program change messages.
These are assigned in the SETUP > Surface > Soft Keys and SETUP > Surface > Footswitch screens.