Panasonic Mixing Automation Expansion Software Users Guide

							REALTIMEMIDI RECORDING
MAX can record MIDI data that originates from an external MIDI Controller,
such as a keyboard or a fader controller (e.g. JLCooper FaderMaster Pro.)
To Select Real Time MIDI Recording
Check MIDI Record from the Real Time menu. While MIDI recording is on,
any MIDI information coming into the Macintosh MIDI interface (while
SMPTE is coming into the mixer) will be recorded. 
Turn off MIDI Record when not in use, to prevent the accidental recording of
undesired MIDI data, which could use up valuable memory space.
MIDI Record (Real Time Menu)
Turns MIDI Record On or Off. 
When MIDI Record is On, and time code is received, the software can record
MIDI commands received on a MIDI interface connected to one serial port of
the Macintosh. The serial port is chosen in the Port Setup dialogue box.
The MIDI Record menu item is dimmed (not available) until MIDI is checked
in the Port Setup dialogue box.
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							MIDI Input Filter 
When using the MIDI Record feature, setting the MIDI Input Filter allows
selective filtering out of specific MIDI events, by channel and kind. This helps
save memory by avoiding the recording of unwanted MIDI data.
You may choose to filter out Notes, Poly After Touch, Controllers, Program
Changes, Mono Aftertouch, Pitch Bend, Channel Mode commands, System
Exclusive, System Common, and Real Time. The MIDI message called “Active
Sensing” is always filtered.
For example, you may wish to filter out the MIDI command “After Touch”,
which is often sent out of a keyboard in large volumes. It may not be needed,
and would only consume memory if not filtered out.
Check all or none to immediately select all filters or no filter.
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							CREATINGMIDI EVENTSOFFLINE
The Create MIDI Events dialogues in the Off Line menu allows you to insert
new MIDI events into the Cue List.
This is very useful in post production, because it allows you to create
precision signal processor changes occurring at an exact points in time code.
For example, at 01:30:21:00, the scene change requires that the signal
processor / delay unit changes from a “Large Hall” audio effect to a “Small
Room” effect. (Or the sound of a cave full of Bulgarian fruit bats.)
Create MIDI Events accomplishes this by allowing a MIDI Program Change to
be inserted at a certain point in time.
The current mix name is displayed. If you have multiple mixes open, this will
help you keep track of which Cue List will receive created events.
In the Create Dialogues, when selecting a Channel or MIDI Event from a
scrolling list, the channel names and numbers will appear if names have been
previously entered in the Names and Labels dialogue box. 
Select MIDI Channel 
MIDI Channels range from 1 to 16. 
Since MIDI supports 16 different channels, up to 16 different devices may be
automated simultaneously.
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							Select Type of MIDI Event 
Program Change 
The most versatile MIDI command for automation purposes. 
At a specific Time Code, MAX sends a MIDI Program Change to an outboard
signal processor, such as a rack-mount MIDI controlled equalizer or multi-
effects processor. The reception of a Program Change causes the signal
processor to recall a new preset of parameter settings from memory. Program
Changes also range from 0 to 127. Be aware however that some MIDI devices
respond to Program Changes 0 through 127 as if they were numbered 1
through 128.
Notes
MIDI Note Commands can trigger Samplers, Synthesizers, Tone Modules, and
Drum Machines. Also certain signal processors respond to Note Commands,
changing, for example, their interval of pitch-shift. Outboard MIDI controlled
VCAs will also usually respond to Note commands.
The specific Note is selectable, as is its Velocity Value. Click on the Note to
open menu to select the desired note. The Velocity usually, but not always,
determines the loudness or brightness of the Note.
The Pitch of the note is given in terms of a name and an octave, like D2. C3 is
middle C on most keyboards. Note Velocity values range from 0 to 127.
Pitch Bend 
Pitch Bend Commands may be sent along with Note Commands to “bend” the
Note up or down.
Pitch Bend Commands may also be merged with sequencer data to cause a
MIDI sequence to play transposed by some interval. MIDI merging requires a
dedicated piece of hardware.
After Touch
After Touch commands may be sent along with Notes to modify the sound of
the note. Most tone modules are programmed such that they add some
amount of amplitude or frequency modulation upon reception of these MIDI
commands.
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							Controller Commands 
MIDI Controller Commands are recognized by nearly every make and model
of signal processors. A series of Controller Messages may be used to smoothly
sweep EQ or change any effect parameter, including Room Size, Delay Time,
Flange Speed, Etc.
A particular MIDI Controller, #7, is called MIDI Volume. This is recognized by
nearly all MIDI devices. A tone module, signal processor, or synthesizer will
change its audio output level in response to this command.
Controller Commands may also be sent out along with Notes to modify the
sound of the Note. A particular MIDI Controller, #1, is called MIDI
Modulation.
Controller values range from 0 to 127. 
Song Select
Recognized by some sequencers. Sent prior to a start command to select
which song will play.
System Real Time
Sequence Start and Stop will start and stop a MIDI sequencer or drum
machine that has been set to Internal Clock. If synchronization of a hardware
sequencer or drum machine is required for the project, use an external
synchronizer to accomplish the conversion from SMPTE time code to MIDI
Clock.
Sending the MIDI commands Start and Stop might be useful to trigger a drum
pattern for a sound track.
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							THEMIDI NAMES ANDLABELSDIALOGUE
Normally, the names of MIDI devices are automatically imported from OMS or
FreeMIDI. In that case, this menu item is not needed and is dimmed.
When OMS or FreeMIDI are not present, you can enter MIDI Names and
Labels using the MIDI Names and Labels dialogue box (Edit Menu).
(When OMS or FreeMIDI are present, the MIDI Names and Labels menu item
is not needed so it is dimmed.)
This dialogue box allows you to enter names for Program Changes, Notes,
and MIDI Channels.
Select MIDI Channel from the Name menu.
Each MIDI device under control will have a unique channel number. Click to
select a channel. Type in the brand name the connected MIDI device.
Select Notes from the Name menu.
Select a Note number and MIDI channel. Type in the name of a specific sound
or sample.
Select Program Change from the Name menu.
Type in the name of a specific effect within a signal processor.
Press either Tab or Enter to validate the entry.
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							MIDI APPLICATIONS
MIDI-compatible signal processors including equalizers delay units may have
their settings changed via Program Changes or Controller Numbers.
Use the faders on your mixer to “ride” pitch transposition, room size changes,
delay times, etc.
MIDI Events that have been recorded in Real Time can be viewed and edited
using the Cue List. New MIDI Events can also be created with the Cue List. 
What Not to Do with Real Time MIDI Recording
We should note here that the MIDI Recording feature should not be confused
with a MIDI sequencer. There is no concept of tempo, only of frame numbers.
A MIDI note can only occur on a given frame. Since SMPTE only has 24 to 30
frames per second, the resolution of SMPTE isn’t adequate for “musical”
applications. 
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							179
Chapter 14
MAX PREFERENCES(EDITMENU)
MAX remembers certain basic user settings, such as fader labels and names,
Auto Backup, Real Time menu selections, etc. These are automatically saved
in a Preference file. 
(As with other Macintosh applications, the Preference files reside within the
Preference folder which is inside the Macintosh System folder.)
The Preference file automatically opens when you launch the MAX software.
MAX permits multiple, user-selected Preference files.
That means, for example, if you use different Preferences on different kinds of
mixing projects, you can create a different Preference file for each kind of
project. 
Alternately, if more than one engineer uses the automation system, each
engineer can have their own Preference file.
Open the Preferences dialogue from the Edit Menu.
The Engineer pop up menu in the upper right allows you to select, create,
and delete Preference files.
The Preferences are arranged in a “Folder Tab” form.
Click on a tab to select the Preference you wish to edit.
Note: Prefs listed below will not be affected by changing the entry of
engineer.
General Tab: Copy comments to Finder comments, Trim until end
Time Code Tab: Frame Rate
Fader Tab: All prefs in this tab
Real Time Tab: All prefs in this tab
Back Up Tab: All prefs in this tab 
						

							GENERAL
Copy Comments to Finder Comments 
Each mix may have a comment. 
The mix comment is a small text file that is opened and edited by selecting
Comments in the Edit menu. 
If you check this preference, then the comments that you enter in MAX will
automatically transfer themselves into the comment field that you see when
you Get Info (Command I) on a file within the Finder. 
Remember, however, that Finder comments are erased if the Macintosh
Desktop file is deleted and re-built. 
Use names from “...” in new mixes
Checking this box copies the names and labels from the current mix and saves
them in the Preference file. All subsequently opened new mixes will have the
same names and labels already present.
Use View, Window Size, and Position in new mixes
Checking this box saves the currently displayed view, window size and
position in the Preference file. All subsequently opened new mixes will open
to the same view.
For example, if Custom View #5 is currently displayed, subsequently created
New mixes will also open to Custom View #5.
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							Use Custom Views in new mixes
Checking this box copies the Custom Views and saves them in the Preference
file. All subsequently opened new mixes will have available the same set of
Custom Views.
Number of mixers 
Check whether one or two mixers are connected to the Macintosh serial
ports.
Trim Until End 
In Trim mode, fader moves are offset or Trimmed. 
For example, you can make a certain vocal track “a little louder overall”,
bringing it out in the mix, without erasing the fader moves for the track.
Trimming a fader always involves setting the fader to some arbitrary position,
and then going into Trim mode. Then the track is Trimmed by moving the
fader a little bit up or down. Then, when you are finished Trimming the fader,
you generally return the fader to the position where it was at the beginning of
the Trim. This is done by lining up the fader with a small yellow arrow called
the Trim Reference Point.
“Trim Until End” determines what the MAX software will do if you do not
return the fader to its where it was at the beginning of the Trim.
Always 
Click here to have the software automatically apply the Trim to the end of the
mix.
In other words, say you have a vocal track. You want it louder. You put MAX
into Trim mode. You select the fader with the SEL Buttons. You start the
program material, then nudge the fader up a little. Then you stop the
program material. 
Because you clicked “Always”, the software makes the vocal track louder for
the whole song, even though you stopped the program material.
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MAX Preferences