User manual RME BS3X

[. . . ] User Manual V1. 2 Special Message Section This product utilizes batteries or an external power supply (adapter). Do NOT connect this product to any power supply or adapter other than one described in the manual, on the product, or specifically recommended by CME. WARNING: Do not place this product in a position where anyone could walk on, trip over, or roll anything over power or connecting cords of any kind. If you must use an extension cord, make sure that the cord has the ability to handle maximum current needed by this product. [. . . ] Note 2 : Control values position 1 & 2 can be programmed through the Bitstream 3X configuration software. Split control value The above control values are defined as 7bits data, ranging from 0 to 127 according to the MIDI specification. Control split Standard User It may arrive some synths require this value to be splitted in 2 nibbles, (the evolver synth for instance), in this case, the user must activate the "split control value" option from the configuration software. The Bitstream 3X will generate a splitted control value, and insert these nibbles on control value positions 1 and 2. For example, the ribbon controller value is 45h in hexadecimal, the splitted values will be 04h and 05h, respectively inserted at control value position 1 and 2. Note : If the synth requires the splitted values MSB first, simply ensure control value position 1 is lower than control value position 2, or vice versa. V 1. 2 - Page 34 USER MANUAL The Transport Bar The transport bar on the Bitstream 3X allows the machine to play the role of digital sequencer, capable of controlling any instrument or MIDI software that responds to real time synchronization events. Also, the Bitstream 3X is capable of being the instrument master of a MIDI system, the user uses this bar to play the other MIDI instruments at the same time, without losing synchronization. Configuration The transport bar has 5 buttons: Backward (to move a position marker backward for example) Forward (to move a position marker forward, for example) Stop (to stop a musical sequence, for example) Play (to play a music sequence for example) Record (to record a music sequence for example) The usage of these five buttons differs from the usage of the other assignable buttons. The principle differences are listed in the table below: Assigning of event MIDI Number of available groups MIDI events in standard mode MIDI events by default in user mode Usage of the SHIFT key Digital behaviour LCD assignable chain in user mode Other functions Transport buttons 1 CC/Notes + Real-time MMC + Real-time Become standard assignable buttons Push Trig automation functions Assignables buttons 21 CC/Notes CC Become standard assignable buttons Push/Toggle - Like all the other digital controls, the transport bar function under the two operating modes of the Bitstream 3X: Standard and User. In Standard mode, the transport functions generate the CC/Note 0 to 4, whereas in User mode, the assigned MIDI events are the messages of MMC (Midi Machine Control). It is understood that the possibility to modify the assignments to adapt the buttons to a specific MIDI environment, exists. According to the preceding table, when the SHIFT key is active, the 5 buttons becomes assignable buttons operating on all 21 groups of the Bitstream 3X Synchronization of the Bitstream 3X The transport buttons generate the MIDI events in the same manor as the other digital controls, with several differences described in the preceding paragraph, but these transport buttons generate as well, MIDI events in real-time, when the internal synchronization of the Bitstream 3X is turned on. The real-time MIDI events generated by these buttons are as follows: Real-time Clock (message MIDI 0xF8) ­ permanent START Signal (message MIDI 0xFA) ­ when play is pressed STOP Signal (message MIDI 0xFC) ­ when stop is pressed Also, the Bitstream 3X is capable of generating real-time MIDI events in order to synchronize the sequencers and other synchronisables instruments, and also, the internal automation functions of the V 1. 2 - Page 35 USER MANUAL Bitstream 3X. The different functions of the Bitstream 3X requiring MIDI synchronization include the automation functions (LFO, Arppeggiator, Motion sampler). Each of these 3 functions have, independently, their own method of synchronization (internal or external), accessible via the menus of the Bitstream 3X. For instance, the user has the possibility to synchronize the LFO by the real-time messages received from the MIDI input, the arppeggiator by the real-time messages received from the USB input, and the Motion Sampler from the internal clock of the Bitstream 3X. The different methods of synchronization offered are not exclusive; all the possibilities are authorized and usable at the same time, which makes the Bitstream 3X very powerful in terms of synchronization. Note 1: If one of the three automation functions should be internally synchronized, the Internal Synchronization should be turned on, so that the Bitstream 3X generates the synchronization signals. Note 2: The range of the internal tempo can vary from 30 to 250 BPM (Beats per Min), accessible from the menus of the Bitstream 3X. Menus associated to the synchronization of the Bitstream 3X Midi config Realtime config External src MIDI In USB In Internal state Internal tempo On/Off 30 - 250 Choice of MIDI input for the synchronisables functions from an external clock STOP/GO for internal synchro Tempo (BPM) for internal synchro Screen dedicated to the Transport bar Transport function state Usage of standard buttons The five transport buttons can be equally used as standard assignable buttons, in the same way as the other eight. To use these five buttons as assignable buttons, press the SHIFT key at the same time as one of the five. When the shift key is active, these five buttons become completely independent of their Play/Stop mode, and are now available for the 21 groups of the Bitstream 3X, completely assignable in User mode. Screen dedicated to the transport buttons used as standard buttons V 1. 2 - Page 36 USER MANUAL Transport bar used as standard buttons Scene Memories Goal This function allows the saving/restoring of the current value of each slider and button. The Bitstream 3X has 100 scene memories, the values of all the controls are saved/restored in one of these 100 scene memories according to the number selected. All the parameters are saved in a non volatile memory that permits it to be retrieved after having turned off the Bitstream 3X. Restitution of scenes A quick tap of the « Save/Send » button allows the scene to be sent to MIDI Out 1 and USB Out 1, the position of all the buttons and sliders being saved previously. [. . . ] Real-time messages may be interspersed in the MIDI data stream, even within a multibyte message, without affecting the current status. Real-time messages are usually intercepted or generated at the MIDI driver level and used for timing information (when clocking externally, for instance); generally, you will not have to deal with these directly. V 1. 2 - Page 76 USER MANUAL System Exclusive System exclusive (or sysex) messages are used to transfer information that may be specific to a given MIDI device. Generally, the actual data that is used describe a sound (usually called a program or patch) is not usable by another device, even from the same manufacturer. This is because the sound generating architecture varies dramatically between devices. [. . . ]