Chapter 88. Version 1.8.3.1

MIDI output is now supported via 3rd party devices on Windows and Mac. A redesigned dialog box in Tools → Virtual (USB) MIDI Setup… allows selection of separate devices for timecode input, notes input, timecode output and notes output.

A MagicQ wing or interface is required to send and receive MIDI timecode.

A MagicQ rack mount dongle or MagicQ MIDI interface is required to send and receive MIDI notes, CC, and show control.

To use MIDI timecode output, select an output device in Tools → Virtual (USB) MIDI Setup…, set Timecode generation to Virtual (USB) MIDI in the SETUP window, and use the W and Q cue stack macros.

If timecode input is also set to Virtual (USB) MIDI in SETUP then the timecode generator will internally loopback to the input, overriding MIDI timecode input.

To send and receive MIDI notes, CC and show control, ensure MIDI in type and MIDI out type are set in SETUP.

Support for MIDI controller (CC) messages has been added to the AUTOM window. Currently this is only supported with virtual MIDI devices on MagicQ PC.

MagicQ now supports a MIDI learn mode in the EXEC and AUTOM windows to enable MagicQ functions to be quickly assigned to incoming MIDI note triggers.

In the EXEC and AUTOM windows press soft button X to toggle on and off MIDI learn mode. While this mode is active, an incoming MIDI note or CC message will be assigned to trigger the currently selected execute item or AUTOM row. In the case of an execute item, this will add or edit a trigger in the AUTOM window.

Configuration of ArtNet nodes has been improved to enable the status of individual ArtNet ports on a node to be viewed and configured. The ArtNet address of ports on a node can be set individually from MagicQ. From Setup, select Net Manager, View ArtNet. The port configuration is in the right hand columns in the window. The ports show "O" or "I" depending on whether they are set to Output DMX from ArtNet received or to Input DMX to ArtNet. The ports show "E" is enabled for DMX output or receiving DMX input.

It is now possible to force MagicQ to output ArtNet v4 unicast using the ArtNet type setting in Setup, View Settings, Network. When set to "V4 unicast" MagicQ will unicast ArtNet packets individually to all detected ArtNet nodes.

The unicasting to detected ArtNet nodes is in addition to any nodes specifically set in the Unicast and Unicast 2 IP addresses. These can be used to manually force unicast to nodes that do not correctly respond to ArtPoll replies and are therefore not detected by MagicQ.

Note that every second MagicQ broadcasts ArtNet to all universes so that all other consoles are aware that the universes are being controlled. It is possible to block this broadcast completely by setting to "V4 unicast only" - this option is not recommended if you are using multiple consoles in the network.

Support for fade times in G,K,L and M cue stack macro commands.

The parameters for the commands are:

L <level> / <fade time>
M <level> / <fade time>
K <level> / <fade time>
G <playback number> / <cue id> / <preload flag> / <fade time>

MagicVis can now use 3D models exported from other 3rd party software. In the Patch Window select Vis→Attach Objects and click on the Insert button. Select Model then go to the texture column and press Set. Click on Import Model… to import a new model file.

MagicVis can import 3D models in most common 3D formats including .3ds and .obj. Currently it only imports the shape, not textures or colours.