[In 11.4.0] Behringer X32 with SCS

[alauer]

Hi,
I use the new Behringer X32 Mixer Console. This console supports a DAW Remote function, with Mackie or HUI Control. Is there a possibility to use this protocol with the Software, to start / stop Cues , or other Midi functions? This would be very nice if I can control the Software with my Mixer?
I hope you can give me an answer
Many thanks

[newlifedrama]

I use the X32 for theatre productions and I control it via my laptop with SCS. I use the MIDI control functions to GO to different saved scenes. The only thing I miss is the slow fade from older Behringer mixers, so fader levels move fast, but that is the X32 not SCS lack of feature. I have not yet experimented with any MIDI commands other than program changes, but I believe I can control individual faders from SCS. The MIDI commands get sent right over the USB along with audio, so there's no need to use additional cables. In past shows I have also controlled a separate Wedge reverb box using SCS to select different programs.

Let me know if you have any detailed questions on how this works. It takes a little setup, but then it works great. SCS can basically run the show for me if everything is timed to the music tracks that SCS is playing.

[alauer]

Hi that sees very cool, when you have some time sure you can explain how you have done this. Many thanks

[Kirk]

For MIDI commands, see this:
http://www.behringer.com/assets/X32_MID ... -06-04.pdf

[Mike Daniell]

That's a useful link, Kirk, regarding MIDI control of the X32.

SCS 11.4 will also support OSC (Open Sound Control) via UDF. This has been initially designed for X32 support, and means you can control certain X32 features from SCS Control Send cues simply by connecting the X32 to your computer using an Ethernet Cat5e or Cat6 cable. What I've programmed so far is 'gocue', 'goscene' and 'gosnippet'. The respective cue, scene and snippets are selected by name, which SCS converts to numbers as required by the X32 interface.

I plan to add support for timed fader movements, and for muting/unmuting channels, DCAs/groups, etc, and mute groups.

[russhart]

I had my X32 linked via MIDI to SCS on a theatre run last August. I used a UDK on the X32 to control the cues on SCS, and in two way communication, SCS was also programmed to do some of the cue changes on the X32. All rehearsals/shows worked without a hitch. I was using the Midi In/Out on the X32, as I had a separate computer doing multitrack recordings for the shows. (If only they would get rtpMidi working on the X32). Mike, making SCS able to send/read OSC commands is going to make a lot of X32 users very happy.

[dougmiller]

Hopefully you'll forgive the naivety of this post, as we are very much on an X32 learning curve.
Fact is, we have just bought an X32, gotten our heads mostly round it and realised two things. The 'live theatre/musical' control/recall side of the X32 is 'limited' and external control of some sort is a must. Secondly, the combination of SCS and an X32 is mouthwatering to say the least. The news that SCS 11.4 is going to be able to talk OSC to the X32 via USB/Midi/Ethernet is just too good to have to wait for!

Here's the dumb Q, though ... we've also been playing with Palladium talking to the X32 - and one of the most remarkable and useful features we've ever seen is Palladium's ability to have 2-way comms with (any) digital desk via Midi - in LEARN mode. Anything you do on the desk is auto-saved into the current Palladium cue and anything you do in Palladium is mirrored on the desk and remembered next time round. Incredibly useful.

Is there any chance that this kind of 2-way 'live' talking and storing could be rolled into SCS 11.4?

I really hope that the above at least makes sense and look forward to thoughts/comments.

PS - when is SCS 11.4 schduled for release?

[Mike Daniell]

What I'd like is a list of 'must haves' for OSC control, particularly for X32 control. As I mentioned earlier, I have already programmed 'gocue', goscene' and 'gosnippet', and SCS obtains the available respective names (eg scene names) directly from the X32. If the X32 is not currently connected then SCS will accept these names as text fields so you can still enter your cues. So apart from these three functions, what else is important for X32 control? I see from an earlier posting of yours, Doug, that channel mutes would be on your list, and I guess that includes mute groups. Implementing a 'learn' feature I'll take 'on notice' for a future release.

If anyone has a different digital mixer that accepts OSC, and that you would like to control from SCS, then please let me know the details.

[dougmiller]

Coming squarely from a 'Musical Theatre' point of view ... friendly, 'pre written' channel mutes would be a boon. Even better if there could be combined mute/fader level cues. Even better with fader level change speed control. Mute groups is debatable, as the X32 only has capacity, it seems, for 6 mute groups. That's quite limiting for a musical with perhaps 20 songs, each with their mute group 'requirements'.

The 'learn' feature is, I believe, the backbone of the Palladium system, in that it all but removes the very need to manage/save/organise 'snapshots'. It just remembers your tweaks as you go. Saving Snippets on the X32 is great, but requires several button presses to achieve. Hence, 2-way comms (SCS-X32) would be a total game changer.

The Snippet feature of the X32 is a superb innovation. It is sufficiently granular to make possible minor changes to any given 'default' scene. For example, 'hat on' and hat off' EQ Snippets can be written to be recalled on any given channel at the required time ... but, to recall a Snippet on the X32 requires half a dozen button presses. So, recalling Snippets via SCS would be a great help.

BTW, the fact that these Midi/OSC commands will be/can be sent via Ethernet is good news, as the USB route is normally 'tied up' with sending audio.

PS - when is 11.4 expected????!!!!

[Mike Daniell]

Channel mutes, using channel 'names' rather than numbers, is a feature I will add for this next release. I'll also consider fades and/or timed-fades, but they may have to wait. I'll need to work through your other suggestions in detail later.

SCS 11.4.0 will have several significant new features, some of which are still being worked on so it's not yet possible to give you an expected release date. However, I may soon be able to provide you with a pre-release version that supports the X32 OSC features. I'll be using this myself for a production on 29 March, so the OSC features I've previously mentioned (gocue/goscene/gosnippet) are already coded, but I haven't yet updated the Help file.

[dougmiller]

That's great Mike, thanks. I bet you sometimes wonder if the SCS project will ever be 'complete'!

[Kirk]

I too will be using an X32 in an upcomming show, so please let me know as well when a pre-release version is available.

Kirk.

[Mike Daniell]

Some X32 commands now available in Control Send Cues in SCS 11.4.0 - see Control Send - Network in the Help for more info. The commands currently available include Go Cue, Go Scene, Go Snippet, Mute Channel and Mute 'Mute Group'. I'm planning to add more commands in the next release, including timed fades.