Behringer B-Control NANO BCN44 User manual

Users manual
Version 1.0 March 2005
B-CONTROL NANO BCN44

2
B-CONTROL NANO BCN44
CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electric
shock, do not remove the top cover (or the rear
section). No user servicea le parts inside; refer
servicing to qualified personnel.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or
electric shock, do not expose this appliance to
rain and moisture. The apparatus should not e
exposed to dripping or splashing and no o jects
filled with liquids, such as vases, should e
placed on the apparatus.
This sym ol, wherever it appears,
alerts you to the presence of
uninsulated dangerous voltage
inside the enclosurevoltage that
may e sufficient to constitute a
risk of shock.
This sym ol, wherever it appears,
alerts you to important operating
and maintenance instructions in
the accompanying literature.
Please read the manual.
DETAILED SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS:
1) Read these instructions.
2) Keep these instructions.
3) Heed all warnings.
4) Follow all instructions.
5) Do not use this apparatus near water.
6) Clean onl with dr cloth.
7) Do not block an ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.
8) Do not install near an heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including
amplifiers) that produce heat.
9) Do not defeat the safet purpose of the polarized or grounding-t pe plug. A polarized plug has two blades
with one wider than the other. A grounding t pe plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide
blade or the third prong are provided for our safet . If the provided plug does not fit into our outlet, consult
an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10) Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularl at plugs, convenience receptacles,
and the point where the exit from the apparatus.
11) Onl use attachments/accessories specified b the manufacturer.
12) Use onl with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified b the manufacturer, or sold with the
apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injur
from tipping over.
13) Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
14) Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been
damaged in an wa , such as power suppl cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have
fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normall , or
has been dropped.
15) CAUTION - These service instructions are for use b qualified service personnel onl . To reduce the risk
of electric shock do not perform an servicing other than that contained in the operation instructions unless
ou are qualified to do so.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

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B-CONTROL NANO BCN44
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Before you get started ........................................................................................................ 4
1.1.1 Shipment ...................................................................................................................... 4
1.1.2 Initial operation ............................................................................................................ 4
1.1.3 Online registration .......................................................................................................4
2. CONTROL ELEMENTS AND CONNECTIONS .......................................................... 5
2.1 Additional fun tions ........................................................................................................... 9
2.1.1 Snapshot Send ............................................................................................................ 9
2.1.2 Single Preset Dump .................................................................................................... 9
2.1.3 Storing received Single Preset Dumps ....................................................................... 9
3. APPLICATION EXAMPLES ....................................................................................... 9
3.1 Software-Controller ............................................................................................................ 9
3.2 Hardware ontroller .........................................................................................................10
3.3 Multiple MIDI ontrollers .................................................................................................. 11
4. MIDI .......................................................................................................................... 11
4.1 LEARN fun tion ................................................................................................................ 13
5. SPECIFICATIONS .................................................................................................... 13
6. APPENDIX ................................................................................................................ 14
7. WARRANTY ............................................................................................................. 18

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B-CONTROL NANO BCN44
1. INTRODUCTION
1. INTRODUCTION
Thank ou for expressing our confidence in us b purchasing the B-CONTROL BCN44. The B-CONTROL
is an extremel versatile pocket-size MIDI controller. Despite its modest size, its numerous functions will
thoroughl impress ou.
Unlike with conventional MIDI controllers, our goal with the BCN44 was to offer an intuitive, flexible and
opticall appealing product that doesnt inhi it your creativity with miniature kno s and uttons. Therefore,
we have decided to go with a robust, clearl laid-out design consisting of freel programmable encoders and
buttons, extensive MIDI functions and the possibilit to work practicall an where. These are just some of the
outstanding B-CONTROL BCN44 characteristics that will be a lot of fun to use for a ver long time.
+The following users manual is esigne to help you get comfortable with this units control
elements, so that you can learn all of its functions. After carefully rea ing the users manual,
store it somewhere where you can easily fin it later, in case you nee to look something up.
1.1 Before you get started
1.1.1 Shi ment
The BCN44 was carefull packed at the factor to ensure secure transportation. Should the condition of the
cardboard box suggest that damage ma have taken place, please inspect the unit immediatel and look for
ph sical indications of damage.
+Damage units shoul NEVER be sent irectly to us. Please inform the ealer from whom
you acquire the unit imme iately as well as the transportation company from which you
took elivery of the unit. Otherwise, all claims for replacement/repair may be ren ere invali .
+To ensure optimal protection uring transportation, we recommen using a carrying case.
+Always use the original packaging to avoi amage ue to storage or shipment.
+Never let unsupervise chil ren play with your BCN44 or its packaging.
+Please ispose of all packaging materials in an environmentally frien ly manner.
1.1.2 Initial o eration
To avoid overheating, ensure adequate ventilation and never place our BCN44 on top of an amplifier or
near radiators.
The wall power unit included in the deliver supplies the power to our BCN44. It complies with all applicable
safet regulations.
1.1.3 Online registration
Please do remember to register our new BEHRINGER equipment right after our purchase b visiting
www.behringer.com (alternativel www.behringer.de) and kindl read the terms and conditions of our warrant
carefull .
BEHRINGER warrants all items purchased against defects in material or workmanship for one ear* from
date of purchase. Full terms of the warrant ma be found on our website at www.behringer.com (alternativel
www.behringer.de).
Should our BEHRINGER product malfunction, our goal is to have it repaired as quickl as possible. To
arrange for warrant service, please contact the retailer from whom the equipment was purchased. Should
our BEHRINGER dealer not be located in our vicinit , ou ma directl contact one of our subsidiaries.
Corresponding contact information is included in the original equipment packaging (Global Contact Information/
European Contact Information). Should our countr not be listed, please contact the distributor nearest ou.
A list of distributors can be found in the support area of our website (www.behringer.com).
Registering our purchase and equipment with us helps us process our repair claims quickl and efficientl .
Thank ou for our cooperation!

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B-CONTROL NANO BCN44
2. CONTROL ELEMENTS AND CONNECTIONS
2. CONTROL ELEMENTS AND CONNECTIONS
Fig. 2.1: BCN44s control elements
Use the left PRESET button to select the next preset down.
Use the right PRESET button to select the next preset up.
+To select presets more quickly, keep one of the preset buttons presse an simultaneously
turn one of the push enco ers. The new preset is active as soon as you release the preset key.
PANIC: This function restores the most important MIDI data back to their factor settings.
sPress both PRESET buttons simultaneousl . The unit resets as soon as the buttons are pressed.
sAfter the reset is complete, the unit automaticall resumes normal operation and the current preset is
shown in the displa .
When powering up the unit, the four-digit LED displa shows the current operating software version.
After that, the displa switches to displa ing the last selected preset. Each time ou change a setting
using an of the control elements, the LED shows this value change in real time. When in programming
mode, MIDI commands, program/channel numbers and parameter values are shown.
+A itional isplay functions are escribe un er .
Use the ST RE button to store presets.
sPress the STORE button. The button LED starts blinking.
sSelect the desired preset using the PRESET buttons or keep one of the PRESET buttons pressed and

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B-CONTROL NANO BCN44
2. CONTROL ELEMENTS AND CONNECTIONS
simultaneousl turn one of the push encoders. The new preset number blinks in the displa .
sPress STORE again, and STORE LED and the displa stop blinking.
sIf ou want to overwrite the current preset, press the STORE button twice (step 2 is omitted).
sYou can cancel the store b pressing the EDIT/EXIT button.
+We have eliberately refraine from having an automatic store function. This way, in the
meantime you can assign a new MIDI comman to a control element without changing the
current preset. Shoul you then wish to restore the previous preset, briefly ial up another
preset an then switch back to the ol preset. Now, all the ata has been restore , inclu ing
the control element whose function ha previously been briefly reassigne .
The EDIT/EXIT button has two functions:
1. EDIT mode: To activate the EDIT mode, keep the EDIT/EXIT button pressed and actuate the desired
control element (push encoders through or buttons through ). After that, release
the EDIT/EXIT button. The EDIT mode is now activated for the selected control element and is shown
in the displa (e.g. E(ncoder) 3 > LED is lit or b(utton)1 > LED blinks).
To exit the EDIT mode, press the EDIT/EXIT button. The unit switches back into normal operating
mode.
+All EDIT mo e functions for particular controller types are liste in tables 6.3 an 6.4.
+There are two ifferent types of assignable control elements: CONTINUOUS (knobs) an
SWITCH (buttons). The correspon ing functions an setting options are escribe in tables
6.3 an 6.4.
+Please keep in min that 2 ifferent ata types can be assigne to a push enco er (either
continuous or switch-type).
+All the settings ma e here are store only temporarily! If you wish to store them permanently,
you will have to store them in a preset.
2. GLOBAL mode: All cross-functional settings that affect not onl presets but the whole unit are
made in this mode.
sKeep the EDIT/EXIT button pressed and then press the STORE button. You are now in the global
setup and can release both buttons.
sThe possible settings are listed in table 2.1:
Table 2.1: verview of GL BAL mode parameters
Global MIDI Receive Channel:
Your B-CONTROL receives program change commands on this channel. No program change commands
are received in the Off position.

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B-CONTROL NANO BCN44
2. CONTROL ELEMENTS AND CONNECTIONS
Device ID Number:
You should onl change ID number if ou are using several NANOs and problems with recognizing the
correct unit occur during a S sEx dump.
+Please keep in min that SysEx umps can only be receive on the evice ID number to
which they were sent!
System Exclusive Dump (SysEx):
B turning the VALUE 1 push encoder , ou can select whether onl the current preset (Single Dump) or
the entire 99 preset contents (All Dump) are sent as a S sEx dump. Pressing the push encoder once triggers
the dump.
To receive a S sEx dump, no adjustments on the unit whatsoever are necessar . If ou send a single preset
to the B-CONTROL, the data is stored in temporar memor and has to be stored into a preset if ou wish to
store it permanentl (see preset store function).
+ATTENTION: If you sen an All Dump to the B-CONTROL, the entire contents of its memory
are imme iately overwritten! You will not be aske to confirm your choice, an there is no
memory safeguar function!
sTo cancel a S sEx dump, press the EXIT button.
MIDI Merge:
With this function, incoming MIDI data are mixed with the BCN44 data at MIDI Out (see fig. 2.2).
Fig. 2.2: Routing with MIDI merge
To activate MIDI merge, turn the push encoder . The 4 push encoders labeled through are
used for sending MIDI data. These push encoders have two functions (turn and press), to which different
MIDI commands can be assigned.
When in EDIT mode, use CHANNEL to change the values set in tables 6.3 and 6.4.
When in EDIT mode, use PARAMETER to change the values set in tables 6.3 and 6.4.
When in EDIT mode, use VALUE 1 to change the values set in tables 6.3 and 6.4.
When in EDIT mode, use VALUE 2 to change the values set in tables 6.3 and 6.4. Each of the 4
buttons labeled through sends the programmed MIDI command.
+Note on using the buttons while in EDIT mo e: Keep the button presse an use the push
enco er locate above it to select a value. After that, release the button.
The TYPE button selects the t pe of MIDI data sent in EDIT mode.
The M DE button selects the Controller Mode for the selected MIDI data t pe function in EDIT mode
(see table 6.3 and 6.4).

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B-CONTROL NANO BCN44
2. CONTROL ELEMENTS AND CONNECTIONS
The DISPLAY button is used for adjusting displa functions. When in normal operating mode, value changes
are displa ed in real time. You can deactivate this function in EDIT mode (see tables 6.3 and 6.4).
Use the LEARN button to activate the LEARN function in EDIT mode. Detailed information about the
LEARN function can be found in chapter 4.1.
Fig. 2.3: Rear-end connections and control elements
These are the MIDI connectors of our B-CONTROL. BCN44 parameter data are received on the MIDI
IN connector.
Data for controlling MIDI equipment can be sent via MIDI OUT. If MIDI MERGE was activated (see
), the MIDI data received, along with the control data of the BCN44, is sent to the MIDI UT
connector.
+Detaile information about MIDI an MIDI functions of your BCN44 can be foun in chapter 4.
The P WER switch turns the B-CONTROL on. The POWER switch should alwa s be in its Off
position whenever ou establish a connection to the mains.
+Please keep in min : The POWER switch oes not entirely separate the unit from the mains.
Please isconnect the power cor from the mains if you wont be using the unit for a while.
Power is provided via a two-pole connector. A matching mains adapter is included in deliver . A strain
relief for the mains cable is located next to the connector.
Alternativel , our BCN44 can also run on batteries. For battery operation ou will need to insert
three standard AA 1.5-Volt mignon batteries into the batter compartment located on the bottom side
of the unit (see ).
+When running on batteries, the BCN44 oes not show the current preset. If you nee to see
the current preset number while running on batteries, briefly press the EDIT/EXIT button.
+When you are not using your BCN44 for a long time, you efinitely nee to remove the
batteries!
The batter compartment is located at the bottom. To run our B-CONTROL on batteries, ou will need
3 AA 1.5 Volt mignon batteries.
The SERIAL NUMBER of our BCN44 is also located at the bottom.

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B-CONTROL NANO BCN44
3. CONTROL ELEMENTS AND CONNECTIONS
2.1 Additional functions
2.1.1 Sna shot Send
A Snapshot Send sends all current Controller values, so that B-CONTROL settings are transmitted to the
MIDI device connected to it.
sWhile the EDIT/EXIT button is kept pressed, press the PRESET. The B-CONTROL will now send
the current settings of the controller values.
2.1.2 Single Preset Dum
In addition to the S sEx Dump function, this button combination can also send all settings of the current
presets:
sWhile the EDIT/EXIT button is kept pressed, press PRESET .
+Snapshot Sen an Single Preset Dump iffer in the type of ata being sent. With
Snapshot Sen , only the current control values are transmitte in or er to synchronize them
with the MIDI evice connecte . With Single Preset Dump, the entire contents of the current
preset inclu ing the current control element assignment are being sent. This function lets
you easily archive specific presets or swap them with other B-CONTROL users.
2.1.3 Storing received Single Preset Dum s
This function lets ou store individual presets that were sent b an external MIDI device.
sSend a Single Preset Dump via MIDI IN to our B-CONTROL.
sPress STORE; the LED blinks.
sUse PRESET to select a storage location.
sPress STORE again; the LED no longer blinks.
3. APPLICATION EXAMPLES
Your BCN44 can be used in man different wa s, the most common of which are shown and described in this chapter.
3.1 Software-Controller
When used as a software controller, the BCN44 can control an audio/MIDI software. These include, among
others, virtual instruments and effects units, sequencer software etc. It connects to a PC via the MIDI
connectors. Using an external USB MIDI interface, the MIDI signal can also be transmitted via USB. The
graphic on the next page shows how different devices need to be wired.

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B-CONTROL NANO BCN44
3. APPLICATION EXAMPLES
Fig. 3.1: Software controller
3.2 Hardware controller
Generall speaking, the B-CONTROL can control an MIDI-capable hardware. This example shows a setup
with a MIDI ke board, a sound module and an effects unit. The effects unit is connected in series using the
MIDI THRU connector on the sound module, thus receiving the looped-through MIDI control data of the
BCN44. The ke data (note, pitch bend etc.) are mixed with the controller data of the BCN44, provided that
the MIDI Merge function (see ch. 2) is activated.
Of course, ou can also control the often hard-to-access sound parameters of a ke board in real time.
Connect MIDI OUT of the BCN44 to MIDI IN of our ke board.
Fig. 3.2: Hardware controller