Allen & Heath MIDI Control V2.01

Introduction

Allen & Heath MIDI Control, formerly known as the 'DAW Control Driver', creates virtual MIDI ports in Mac OS or Windows. It facilitates MIDI connections between these ports and Allen & Heath mixers, enabling control of DAW software through emulation of popular HUI or Mackie Control protocols. This software allows for sending and receiving MIDI control messages directly to and from a digital mixer's core, facilitating remote control of mixing parameters, scene changes, and other functions.

Compatible mixers send and respond to MIDI messages as detailed in the MIDI Protocol specification documents available at www.allen-heath.com. The 'CC Translator' options simplify control of common mixer parameters using MIDI CC messages from a computer.

Diagram 1: Basic MIDI Connection

A mixer connects to a computer running DAW/Application software. MIDI Control on the mixer facilitates communication, allowing original MIDI messages to be translated.

Diagram 2: MIDI Thru Connection

A mixer's MIDI Control (MIDI Thru) connects to a computer's DAW/Application, passing original MIDI messages without translation.

Diagram 3: CC Translator Connection

A mixer's MIDI Control (CC Translator) connects to a computer's DAW/Application, translating MIDI CC messages into translated MIDI.

About this version (V2.01)

• MIDI Channel Selection added for CC Translator Protocol.

Supported operating systems

• Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10.
• macOS 10.12 Sierra, 10.13 High Sierra, 10.14 Mojave, 10.15 Catalina, 11 Big Sur

Creation of virtual MIDI ports

Virtual MIDI ports are created upon startup of Allen & Heath MIDI Control or when the protocol setting is changed. For correct recognition by your DAW or application, it is recommended to set up your mixer and MIDI Control before starting your DAW or application.

Use alongside direct USB connection

Qu and SQ mixers have a built-in USB-B audio/MIDI interface. While the MIDI side can connect to Allen & Heath MIDI Control, this may lead to both the direct USB MIDI port and virtual ports being accessible by the DAW/application simultaneously. To avoid issues, it is advised to disable the direct USB MIDI connection in your software settings where possible, ensuring only translated messages from the virtual ports are received.

Configure Allen & Heath MIDI Control

Download and install Allen & Heath MIDI Control from www.allen-heath.com. Launch the software; it runs as a background task. Access preferences by right-clicking the icon in the system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac) and selecting 'Show Preferences'.

MIDI Control Preferences Window:

The window displays mixer selection, MIDI channel, and protocol settings. The two squares at the bottom right indicate MIDI I/O activity. A flashing left indicator suggests connection to the mixer when a MIDI fader is moved; a flashing right indicator shows messages being sent from the computer.

Configuration Options:

• Mixer: Select the mixer type/range you are connecting to.
• MIDI Channel: Match the mixer's MIDI channel or the DAW Control MIDI channel (e.g., Qu default is MIDI Ch. 1, DAW Control MIDI Ch. 2).
• Protocol: Choose the translation method:
  • HUI/Mackie Control: Translates mixer MIDI messages to emulate a control surface.
  • Mackie Control (Standard/Alt Display): For SQ mixers, allows channel naming on LCD displays.
  • MIDI Thru: Passes all messages without translation for direct mixer control or receiving MIDI output.
  • CC Translator: Translates simple MIDI Control Change (CC) messages and Note On/Off messages from the computer to NRPN messages for mixer fader and mute control.
• Connection: Select connection type:
  • MIDI Ports: For USB connection (Qu, SQ) via a MIDI interface or direct USB.
  • TCP/IP or Secure TCP/IP: For network connections. Select the mixer from the dropdown or enter a custom IP address. Ensure compatible IP addresses within the same subnet for network connections.

Configure your mixer for use as a DAW control surface

Qu (firmware V1.2 or higher)

The Custom Layer can be populated with MIDI strips assigned for control messaging.

1. In Setup / Control / Custom Layer, set fader strips to MIDI.
2. Use the Fn '+1' key to auto-assign the next fader sequentially.
3. Set the MIDI Channel in Setup / Control / MIDI. Qu defaults to MIDI Ch. 2 for DAW control.
4. Optionally, set SoftKeys to MMC transport controls or DAW Bank Up/Down in Setup / Control / SoftKeys.

dLive (firmware V1.5 or higher), Avantis (firmware V1.1 or higher), SQ (firmware V1.2 or higher), GLD (firmware V1.4 or higher)

Up to 32 MIDI strips can be assigned to channel strips.

1. Drag and drop MIDI strips to the desired Banks and Layers in Surface / Control / Strip Assign (dLive/Avantis), Setup / Surface / Strip Assign (SQ), or Setup / Control / Strip Assign (GLD). For logical operation, assign MIDI strips in blocks of 8.
2. Set the MIDI Channel in Utility / Control / MIDI (dLive/Avantis), Utility / General / MIDI (SQ), or Setup / Control / MIDI (GLD).
3. On dLive and GLD, MIDI messages per strip can be customized. Default values are suitable for DAW Control. The 'Reset MIDI' Scene in any Template Show can restore factory defaults. Avantis uses the 'Reset Settings' scene with recall filters. Refer to mixer Reference Guides for further details.

Number of ports and ‘virtual control surfaces’

When using a control surface protocol, Allen & Heath MIDI Control creates 4 virtual input and 4 virtual output ports labeled 'DAW Control MIDI 1-4'. Since control surfaces emulate 8-channel faders, only 8 physical faders can be used per virtual control surface. To utilize up to 32 physical faders (e.g., on a Qu-32), up to 4 separate virtual control surfaces must be set up in the DAW or application, each using a separate port.

Configure your DAW/software for use with a control surface

Connect your mixer and configure MIDI Control preferences before opening your DAW. Follow the specific DAW instructions to assign faders, PAFL, Sel/Mix, and Mute keys from mixer MIDI strips to DAW controls. MMC transport controls and fader bank navigation via SoftKeys can also be assigned.

DAWs or applications with MCU or HUI support not listed here should also function by following their standard control surface setup instructions and connecting up to 4 control surface instances using the virtual ports.

Avid Pro Tools

1. Select the HUI protocol in MIDI Control preferences and launch Pro Tools.
2. Go to Setup / MIDI / Input Devices and enable all DAW Control MIDI ports.
3. Open Setup / Peripherals and navigate to the MIDI Controllers tab.
4. Create a HUI device for each block of 8 MIDI strips, assigning the corresponding MIDI ports. For 16 MIDI strips:
   • Row #1: Type = HUI, Receive From = DAW Control MIDI 1, Send To = DAW Control MIDI 1.
   • Row #2: Type = HUI, Receive From = DAW Control MIDI 2, Send To = DAW Control MIDI 2.
5. Click OK.

Steinberg Cubase

1. Select the Mackie Control protocol in MIDI Control preferences and launch Cubase. For SQ, use 'Mackie Control (Alt. Display)' for track names.
2. Open Studio / Studio Setup.
3. Create a Mackie Control device for each block of 8 MIDI strips, initially assigning to 'not connected'.
   • Click 'Add Device' (+), select Mackie Control, set input/output ports to 'not connected'.
   • Click Apply.
   • Repeat for up to 4 devices (32 MIDI strips).
   • Assign input/output MIDI ports to DAW Control MIDI ports as follows:

     8 MIDI Strips		16 MIDI Strips		24 MIDI Strips		32 MIDI Strips
     Mackie Control	DAW Control MIDI	Mackie Control	DAW Control MIDI	Mackie Control	DAW Control MIDI	Mackie Control	DAW Control MIDI
     1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
     		2	2	2	2	2	2
     				3	3	3	3
     						4	4

Cockos Reaper

1. Select the Mackie Control protocol in MIDI Control preferences and launch Reaper.
2. Open Options / Preferences, click MIDI Devices. Disable all DAW Control MIDI Input and Output ports to avoid conflicts.
3. Select Control Surfaces, create a Mackie Control device for each block of 8 MIDI strips, assigning to the corresponding MIDI ports. For 16 MIDI strips:
   • Add button: Select Mackie Control Universal, set Surface Offset to 0, size tweak to 8. Input/Output: DAW Control MIDI 1.
   • Add button again: Select Mackie Control Extender, set Surface Offset to 8, size tweak to 8. Input/Output: DAW Control MIDI 2.

   Note: Size tweak is always 8 with offsets: Surface#1=0, Surface#2=8, Surface#3=16, Surface#4=24.

4. Click OK.

Ableton Live

1. Select the Mackie Control protocol in MIDI Control preferences and launch Live.
2. Open Live / Preferences, navigate to MIDI / Sync tab.
3. Select 'MackieControl' in the Control Surface #1 dropdown and set Input/Output to DAW Control MIDI 1.
4. For subsequent blocks of 8 MIDI strips, create a Mackie Control Extender device for each corresponding MIDI port. For 16 MIDI strips:
   • Select 'MackieControlXT' in the Control Surface #2 dropdown and set Input/Output to DAW Control MIDI 2.
5. Close the window.

Apple Logic

1. Select the Mackie Control protocol in MIDI Control preferences and launch Logic.
2. Open Logic Pro / Preferences / Control Surfaces / Setup window.
3. Create a Mackie Control device and assign it to the first virtual MIDI port:
   • Click New / Install, scroll down, select 'Mackie Designs – Mackie Control – Logic Control', click Add.
   • Close the window and click the Mackie Control picture.
   • Select DAW Control MIDI 1 as the Output and Input Port.
4. For each following block of 8 MIDI strips:
   • Click New / Install again, select 'Mackie Designs – Mackie Control Extender – Logic Control', click OK.
   • Click the Mackie Control Extender picture (e.g., Mackie Control Extender #2).
   • Select DAW Control MIDI 2, DAW Control MIDI 3, or DAW Control MIDI 4 respectively as the Output and Input Port (up to 4 devices).
   • Adjust the Fader Bank Offset for each extender: first extender offset by 8, second by 16, third by 24.

Close the Setup window and save your project.

CC Translator protocols

'CC Translator' protocol allows standard Control Change (CC) messages for mixer fader control and Note On/Off messages for mixer mute control via virtual MIDI ports. This enables easy automation of mixer audio channels from a DAW or show control application.

This feature is available for dLive (firmware V1.7+), Avantis (V1.1+), SQ (V1.4+), and Qu (V1.9+).

Fader Control

Send Control Change messages to control levels of Inputs, Mix masters, FX sends, FX returns, and DCAs.

[Control Change Message Format]

N = MIDI Channel

CH = Mixer/Audio channel

VA = Level value

Mute Control

Send Note On/Off messages to mute Inputs, Mix masters, FX sends, FX returns, DCA's, and Mute Groups.

[Note On Message Format for Mute On]

[Note On Message Format for Mute Off]

N = MIDI Channel

CH = Mixer/Audio channel

VA = Velocity value

Note: dLive/Avantis CC translators use only Note On messages for mute control.

dLive

The dLive CC translator uses separate Faders and Mutes virtual MIDI ports. MIDI channel assignment on the desk controls all channels per the dLive MIDI protocol. Fader control uses the 'CC Translator Faders' port, and mute control uses the 'CC Translator Mutes' port.

N = Base MIDI Channel (lowest channel of the range).

Mute On velocity: ≥ 40; Mute Off velocity: ≤ 3F.

dLive Channel Assignments (Fader & Mute):

These assignments are detailed in the dLive MIDI Protocol document, available at www.allen-heath.com.

Avantis

The Avantis CC translator uses separate Faders and Mutes virtual MIDI ports. MIDI channel assignment on the desk controls all channels per the Avantis MIDI protocol. Fader control uses the 'CC Translator Faders' port, and mute control uses the 'CC Translator Mutes' port.

N = Base MIDI Channel (lowest channel of the range).

Mute On velocity: ≥ 40; Mute Off velocity: ≤ 3F.

Avantis Channel Assignments (Fader & Mute):

These assignments are detailed in the Avantis MIDI Protocol document, available at www.allen-heath.com.

SQ

The SQ CC translator creates Input and Output virtual MIDI ports. Fader control for input channels (CH1-48, Group & FX return) uses the 'CC Translator Inputs' port. Output channels (LR, Aux, FX Send, MTX & DCA group) use the 'CC Translator Outputs' port. Mute control for all channels is available via both Input and Output ports.

N = MIDI Channel of the SQ (not the MIDI DAW Control channel).

Mute On uses Note On with velocity 01; Mute Off uses Note Off with velocity 00.

SQ Channel Assignments (Fader & Mute):

These assignments are detailed in the SQ MIDI Protocol, available at www.allen-heath.com.

*Note: DCA and Mute Group assignments with CC translator differ from the SQ MIDI protocol.

Qu

The Qu CC translator uses separate Inputs and Outputs virtual MIDI ports. Control of input channels (CH1-32, ST & FX Return) uses the 'CC Translator Inputs' port, and output channels (FX Send, Mix, LR, Group, MTX, DCA & Mute Group) use the 'CC Translator Outputs' port.

N = MIDI Channel of the Qu (not the MIDI DAW Control channel).

Mute On uses Note On with velocity ≥ 40; Mute Off uses Note On with velocity ≤ 3F.

Qu Channel Assignments (Fader & Mute):

CC Translator message examples