Message Type: The Message Types supported by SCS are MIDI Program Change (0-127), MIDI Program Change (1-128), MIDI Control Change, MIDI Note On, MIDI Note Off, MIDI Show Control (MSC), MIDI Free Format, MIDI NRPN and MIDI File.

The two MIDI Program Change Message Types are to allow for the different standards used by different manufacturers. Some devices will expect Program numbers in the range 0-127, whereas other devices expect Program numbers in the range 1-128. If you are using the Program Change Message Type then you must select the number range that is used by the device you are sending the messages to, as the mapping of the program numbers to Hex values in the MIDI message are different. This can be seen in the drop-down list for the Program #.

The remaining fields displayed are determined from the selected Message Type.

MIDI Program Change (0-127)

Channel: Select the required MIDI Channel number from the drop-down list. The list shows logical channel numbers in the range 1-16, which translate to 0-15 physically in the MIDI message.

Program #: Select the required Program (or 'Patch') number from the drop-down list. Program numbers are shown in decimal and hexadecimal, in the range 0 (00H) to 127 (7FH).

MIDI Program Change (1-128)

Channel: Select the required MIDI Channel number from the drop-down list. The list shows logical channel numbers in the range 1-16, which translate to 0-15 physically in the MIDI message.

Program #: Select the required Program (or 'Patch') number from the drop-down list. Program numbers are in the range 1 to 128. The hexadecimal equivalents actually sent in the MIDI message will be in the range 00H (for Program #1) to 7FH (for Program #128).

MIDI Control Change

Channel: As MIDI Program Change

Control #: Select the required Control number from the drop-down list. Control numbers are shown in decimal and hexadecimal, in the range 0 (00H) to 127 (7FH).

Value: Select the required Control value from the drop-down list. Control values are shown in decimal and hexadecimal, in the range 0 (00H) to 127 (7FH).

MIDI Note On 

Channel: As MIDI Program Change

Note #: Select the required Note number from the drop-down list.

Velocity: If your target device requires a velocity setting in the Note On message you can select the required velocity setting here, in the range 0 (00H) to 127 (7FH). If your target device does not require a velocity setting you must still select a Velocity as the MIDI Note On message structure requires it. I recommend you do not select a velocity of 0 (00H) as some MIDI devices interpret Note On with velocity 0 as Note Off. When adding a new Note On message SCS defaults the Velocity to 127 (7FH).

MIDI Note Off 

Channel: As MIDI Program Change.

Note #: Select the required Note number from the drop-down list.

Velocity: If your target device requires a velocity setting in the Note On message you can select the required velocity setting here, in the range 0 (00H) to 127 (7FH). If your target device does not require a velocity setting you must still select a Velocity as the MIDI Note Off message structure requires it. When adding a new Note Off message SCS defaults the Velocity to 0 (00H).

MIDI Show Control (MSC)

See Control Send - MIDI Show Control (MSC) for details of MSC fields.

MIDI NRPN

See Control Send - MIDI NRPN for details of MIDI NRPN fields.

MIDI Remote Device

See Control Send - MIDI Remote Device for details of MIDI Remote Device fields.

MIDI Free Format 

This provides a free format way of entering a MIDI message. This can be used to send MMC (MIDI Machine Control) messages, other SysEx messages, or any other message not covered by the previously listed MIDI message types.

Entry Mode: (Display only). Indicates that the MIDI message (next field) must be entered as a string of Hex characters.

MIDI Message: Enter the message required. SCS only accepts hex characters (0-9 and A-F) and spaces. Spaces are ignored when building the message so can be included for legibility.

Set MIDI Message by MIDI Capture: Instead of keying in the hex characters for a MIDI Message, you can capture or record the MIDI Message by using your external equipment to send the required MIDI message. To use this facility, the following field and button are provided:

MIDI Capture Port: Select the required MIDI Capture Port. You only need to do this once as SCS will then remember the MIDI Capture Port you have selected.

Capture Next MIDI Message: When you are ready to capture a MIDI message, click this button. SCS opens the MIDI Capture Port and waits for the first (or next) MIDI message. The message is then copied to the MIDI Message field and the port is closed.

To capture another MIDI Message for another position in the cue, go to the next position in the list and repeat the process. You can also replace an existing message the same way.

When you click the Capture Next MIDI Message button, the caption of the button changes to Cancel MIDI Capture, and reverts to Capture Next MIDI Message when a MIDI message has been received. If you want to abandon the process before a MIDI message is received, just click Cancel MIDI Capture. MIDI capture is also canceled if you click on another Control Send item.

The facility handles both short MIDI messages (eg Note On) and long MIDI messages (eg SysEx), but the message will always be saved in your cue list as a 'MIDI Free Format' message.

MIDI File 

If you have many MIDI messages to send over a period of time, such as for controlling lighting during a music track, then it is often better to prepare a separate MIDI file and play that file in sync with your audio track. If you have prepared such a MIDI file then you may include that file in you Control Send cue by selecting the MIDI file here. Please note that this is designed for sending control messages to external equipment - SCS will not play the MIDI file as an audio file. Also, no more than one MIDI File may be included in a single Control Send sub-cue.

MIDI File: Select the required MIDI file by using the Browse (...) button.

File Length: This display-only field shows the length of the file in minutes and seconds. Please note this may not be exactly correct.

Start At: If you wish to start playback part way through the file, then enter the required Start At time. Use this with care as it may result in required MIDI events being skipped. Leave blank to start at the beginning of the file.

End At: If you wish to end playback before the physical end of the file, then enter the required End At time. Leave blank to play to the end of the file.

Play Length: This display-only field shows the play length of the file in minutes and seconds, ie taking into consideration the Start At and End At times.

Warning! Due to a limitation in the Windows MCI (Media Control Interface) it is not possible to send MIDI messages and MIDI files through the same port simultaneously. If you play a MIDI file to a port that's currently configured for MIDI messages then SCS will close that port so the MIDI file can be played.