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Midi Clock Output

Be.ing edited this page Jun 6, 2017 · 1 revision

MIDI clock output

Mixxx includes a "MIDI for light" script that can send MIDI clock output for controlling lights or other MIDI synced hardware or software. The script requires no intervention as soon as you have configured it according to your needs. The DJ using Mixxx does not need to be disturbed during the event.

To use it, have the sound card with the MIDI output port plugged in or a virtual software MIDI output port created before starting Mixxx. Then select the MIDI output port in Options > Preferences > Controllers and load the "MIDI for light" script like a MIDI controller mapping.

The current deck

The current deck is detected automatically. To achieve this, several mixxx-parameter are used. These are:

  • The "crossfader"
  • All deck "volume control"
  • All deck "play/pause button"

The script must find out what mix method is used by the DJ. Use the cross fader or the volume control? For this purpose, the cross fader is observed. Is this more than 3 seconds in the middle position, it is assumed that it is mixing by using the volume controls. Otherwise (the cross fader is not in middle position): The DJ uses cross fader for mixing.
To prevent a over charging of the light software, high frequency deck changes are suppressed.
The best way to understand the automated deck change: Play a little in mixxx while a simple light sequence, synced by beat, is running.

Beat

Probably the most common and simplest signal. You just have to know one thing: When running multiple decks, only to the beat of the current deck is send.
Tip: To get a better beat signal customize the options of "Beat Detection" in the preferences. I use this combination.

BPM

The BPM (beats per minute) value is transferred every beat. The value range in midi is 0 to 127. To fit BPM value in this range: 50 will subtracted from BPM value.Example:

  • BPM = 125, then the send value is 75.
  • For BPM under 50 the send value is 0.
  • For BPM over 177 the send value is 127.

Tip: I use it for automated changing of effekt speeds. Like rotation or macro speed.

Deck change

If a deck change occur, a midi event is sent.

Tip: This can used to switch light sequences automatically or randomly. Or you can put your light in a defined status

VU (volume) meter

Here you can choose from many different signals. All refer to the master VU meter. First distinction is mono-, left- and right channel. Next, a distinction is made between actual and calculated values. You have the choice.

In practice, the absolute value of VU does not generate large visible change to the light. For more visible change use calculated values. Calculated from the last 2 seconds.

Values with the label "meter1" to "meter4" belong together. So you can, for example, form a real VU meter.

MTC, midi time code

The script sends MTC based on 25 frames per second. Only full frames be sent. No short message. By the use of full frames, a speed change (pitch) is no problem. It is also useful when creating a light show. Stop, forward, backward and jumps are transmitted correctly.

  • The transmitted time code is determined by the current deck.
  • Time code is transmitted only if the position (time) changes in the song.
  • To send time code via midi can be switched off under "personal setting" of the script.

Overview MIDI Notes

action note value
deck change C ( 48 / 0x30 ) 100 / 0x64 (+new decknumber)
beat D ( 50 / 0x32 ) 100 / 0x64
BPM E ( 52 / 0x34 ) BPM - 50
VU mono current E ( 64 / 0x40 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU mono average min F ( 65 / 0x41 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU mono average mid F# ( 66 / 0x42 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU mono average max G ( 67 / 0x43 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU mono average fit G# ( 68 / 0x44 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU mono current meter 1 A ( 69 / 0x45 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU mono current meter 2 A# ( 70 / 0x46 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU mono current meter 3 B ( 71 / 0x47 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU mono current meter 4 C ( 72 / 0x48 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU mono average meter 1 A ( 73 / 0x49 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU mono average meter 2 A# ( 74 / 0x4a ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU mono average meter 3 B ( 75 / 0x4b ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU mono average meter 4 C ( 76 / 0x4c ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU left current G# ( 80 / 0x50 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU left average min A ( 81 / 0x51 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU left average mid A# ( 82 / 0x52 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU left average max B ( 83 / 0x53 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU left average fit C ( 84 / 0x54 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU left current meter 1 C# ( 85 / 0x55 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU left current meter 2 D ( 86 / 0x56 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU left current meter 3 D# ( 87 / 0x57 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU left current meter 4 E ( 88 / 0x58 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU left average meter 1 F ( 89 / 0x59 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU left average meter 2 F# ( 90 / 0x5a ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU left average meter 3 G ( 91 / 0x5b ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU left average meter 4 G# ( 92 / 0x5c ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU right current C ( 96 / 0x60 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU right average min C# ( 97 / 0x61 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU right average mid D ( 98 / 0x62 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU right average max D# ( 99 / 0x63 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU right average fit E ( 100 / 0x64 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU right current meter 1 F ( 101 / 0x65 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU right current meter 2 F# ( 102 / 0x66 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU right current meter 3 G ( 103 / 0x67 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU right current meter 4 G# ( 104 / 0x68 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU right average meter 1 A ( 105 / 0x69 ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU right average meter 2 A# ( 106 / 0x6a ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU right average meter 3 B ( 107 / 0x6b ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f
VU right average meter 4 C ( 108 / 0x6c ) 0-127 / 0x0-0x7f

personal settings

You can define the midi-signals they should be send. In the file Midi_for_light.js is at the top a block with variables for that. Mostly you define: Send this or not. But one variable is for setup of the midi channel. Attention. This is global for all events these are send by note.

table personal settings

variable default value range of validity
midi_channel 1 1-16
enable_beat true true/false
enable_bpm true true/false
enable_mtc_timecode true true/false
enable_vu_mono_current false true/false
enable_vu_mono_average_min false true/false
enable_vu_mono_average_mid false true/false
enable_vu_mono_average_max false true/false
enable_vu_mono_average_fit true true/false
enable_vu_mono_current_meter false true/false
enable_vu_mono_average_meter true true/false
enable_vu_left_current false true/false
enable_vu_left_average_min false true/false
enable_vu_left_average_mid false true/false
enable_vu_left_average_max false true/false
enable_vu_left_average_fit true true/false
enable_vu_left_current_meter false true/false
enable_vu_left_average_meter false true/false
enable_vu_right_current false true/false
enable_vu_right_average_min false true/false
enable_vu_right_average_mid false true/false
enable_vu_right_average_max false true/false
enable_vu_right_average_fit true true/false
enable_vu_right_current_meter false true/false
enable_vu_right_average_meter false true/false
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