Hi All, I have something in mind and want to ask for any help to guide me in the right direction or even a full tutorial if someone is doing it already.
What I would like is the following: A MIDI signal to increase or decrease the (fader) level of a channel by a set amount of dB’s, but from the current (fader) level.
So when the (fader) level of a channel is for example set to -2 dB, I want a MIDI signal that increases the level with 5 dB from that -2dB position, so the level would become +3 dB. When I manualy set the level to -6 dB, I still want the MIDI signal to increase the level with 5 dB, so the level becomes -1dB. I also would like a MIDI signal to do the opposite, so it decreases the current level with a set amount.
Why do I want this? For example, I have a guitar channel dailed in with a manualy set (fader) level. When a guitar solo comes, I want to be able to increase the level with a certain amount and when the solo is over, I want to decrease it back. Then when I need to adjust the level of the guitar manualy for whatever reason, I still want the increase and decrease to happen with that set dB amount, but from the current level.
Is there PC software or a device that can do something like that? Maybe I need to write a MIDI script for it, but maybe someone knows already of something.
So the software should be able to “see” the current level status and increase or decrease the value according to that status.
Do I make it too complicated? I know that the dLive has a similar function with the user keys if I am not mistaken.
I did found something in Mixing Station that it is possible, but was wondering if someone already did it with MIDI, so I could use a Stream Deck or something similar.
That is called Relative Level control and is explained on pages, 12 to 14 of the SQ MIDI reference guid version 5.
It is very similar to the Absolute Level control, just the final bites are different.
If you need more detail I can answer specific questions about both hardware and software MIDI for A&H mixers, as I use it regularly, but trying to explain without knowing your actual system structure is not easy.
Thanks for the info. Seems promising. Would have loved to see that A&H would have implemented that function natively in the SQ, but I also can understand some functions would only be available in the higher level mixers.
Thanks for the reply. What would be the simplest way to achieve the following: A device/midi controller with a few buttons to boost from (and return to) a relative fader level of max 8 channels? I don’t yet know what channels specifically, since I yet have to setup the show and channel layout.
But let us take channels 1, 2, 9+10 (stereo ), 13, 15+16 (stereo), 20, 21 and 22 for example that I want to control the relative level from with a certain amount.
The best way to achieve your needs is, to use a DCA which controls the guitar channel.
Because when you change the level of the channel, an external device has to store the both values (fader and midi). The aktual faderpositon is the sum of both.
But when you’ll use a DCA then the Midi value is stored in this DCA and you can control the Fader. The summing will do the console by itself (see the block diagram).
The control of the DCA via midi is very simple. See midi instructions.
To get midi in and out of the console, you’ll need either the USB-Midi driver running on a computer connected to the SQ, or you can use a Bomebox for the translation Midi <=> SQ.
I use various physical devices, for example Behringer BCF2000 which provides fader (motorised), rotary and push button midi control signals.
Obviously faders would be most applicable for absolute level control.
Rotary can be used to send variable +/- XdB commands
Push buttons could be used to trigger specific fixed XdB up or down commands, or recall scenes in which only level changes are allowed, all other things remaining the same.
Each of these methods would require Bome Midi Translater Pro, either just the software on a computer connected to the mixer, or utilising a BomeBox which is a hardware Bome Midi Translater run time box. You still need the computer software to construct the translation and upload it to the BomeBox.
I find this system very flexible once you have learned how to use it.
Virtually any Midi compatible device can be used to control any A&H mixer using BomeBox .
I have successfully controlled CQ, QU, (old and new), SQ, Avantis an AHM.
One thing to remember, A&H mixers can only have one active MiDi connection. An added advantage of BomeBox, is that it can take multiple MIDI devices and present their signals as if from a single source.
Thanks for all the suggestions and tips, will certainly look into them.
After a bit of digging on the internet and with a bit of help from ChatGPT, I found that it might be possible to connect the SQ directly to an iPad running Mixing Station via a USB-C to USB-B cable. Then MS would see the SQ as midi device and I can send midi commands from the SQ (midi command programmed on a Soft Key) to MS. In MS I can program a button to increase the level of a fader by a set amount from its relative position. I can link that button to an incoming midi command, in that case send from the SQ.
I have not yet had the chance to test this (first chance would be in a few weeks), so maybe someone that knows more about this can tell me if it really could be possible.
