Waldorf MIDI BAT User manual

MIDI BAY
MIDI BAY
Manual
This manual is a quite accurate copy of the original manual. A guy
from Waldorf was so kind to send it to me efore Waldorf left the
market. I scanned, OCR´d and worked it over. I tried to reproduce
everything as original as possi le. I only corrected some minor
mistakes in writing, left out the lank pages and so on.
I did it without any financial interest. If you´re happy that you´ve found
it please think a out if there is something that you can do for the rest of
the world. ;-)
Regards,
Lars
[e-mail]
12/13/04

Table Of Contents
Table Of Contents
1. Warranty 01-0
2. Scope of Supply 01-1
3. Technical Remarks 01-1
. Preface 0 -1
5. How It Works 05-1
6. Controls 06-1
7. Installation 07-1
8. Operation Modes 08-1
9. Creating and Editing Programs 09-1
1.
1. The Merge Function 09-4
2. The Merge Filter 09-8
10.Selecting Programs 10-1
11.The Panic-Key 11-1
12.Copying Programs 1 2-1
13.The Dump Function 13-1
Changing the Unit-ID 13-2
1 . Assignment List 1 -1
15. MIDI Implementation 15-1
16.Specifications 16-1
MIDI BAY Manual

1. General
1. General
Warranty
Waldorf Electronics warrants the MIDI BAY for a period
of 6 months. This applies solely to flaws in material.
Any claims can e made within this period only.
Damages, consequential damages and cost directly or
indirectly resulting from use of this product or product
failure are not covered y the warranty.
Scope of Supply
Prior to initial operation of the unit, please check the
contents of this package for completeness and perfect
condition.
MIDI BAY Owner's
Manual
Technical Remarks
Only high-grade and tested components have een
used for the construction of the MIDI BAY. When
putting the unit into operation, the general guidelines
for operating electrical or electronical devices must
always e o served. In order to avoid lengthy and
expensive repairs you should give the MIDI BAY the
same care and attention you give the remaining
components of your MIDI system.
In particular, you should ensure that...
•the MIDI BAY is never exposed to strong vi rations,
dust or extreme humidity.
•the correct mains voltage is selected and that nothing
ut the power cords and MIDI ca les intended for
this application are used.
MIDI BAY Manual

. Preface
. Preface
Dear Customer,
thank you for purchasing the MIDI BAY. This product
from Waldorf Electronics is an extremely powerful and
easy-to-use MIDI processor which will facilitate the use
of your MIDI system and will considera ly enhance the
system's efficiency.
Perhaps you are already familiar with patch ay
concepts from audio systems. Here, mechanical
patch ays and - recently - also larger. MIDIfied units
make life easier for sound engineers and musicians.
Pro a ly, you have never worked with a patch ay
efore. If so, we recommend you to read the entire
manual thoroughly - since the MIDI BAY offers a
greater scope of possi ilities than a conventional audio
patch ay.
Specific information in this manual is always presented
in the same way.
whenever we refer to the MIDI BAY's controls or
connectors, the corresponding designations are
given in square rackets:
Connector [Source 1], [Mode] key
designations on the front of the MIDI BAY and
display messages are given in "arrow" rackets:
<MIDI AUX>, <Ed>
the MIDI BAY's display is represented as follows:
MIDI BAY Manual

. Preface
. Preface
"step- y-step" instructions appear as follows:
●take the owner's manual.
●read one word after the other.
additional remarks or remarks of special importance
are marked y an arrow.
➔"may e you should turn the unit on efore using it!"
Please enjoy working with the MIDI BAY.
MIDI BAY Manual

5. How It Works
5. How It Works
How It Works
If you own several MIDI devices - pro a ly some of
them sending and receiving data on several MIDI
channels - you're pro a ly vexed regularly ecause the
connection ca les have to e rearranged all the time:
when controlling several sound expanders from one
key oard, you would like to control the same expanders
y the sequencer and play along on a second
key oard. May e you would like to trigger your sampler
from a MIDI drum kit and su sequently load sample
data into your computer...
All of these jo s require different ca ling - this needs a
lot of time and stresses the mechanically unsafe 5-pin
DIN connectors excessively. And it is even more
frustrating to leave the MIDI ca ling as it is. thus
possi ly restricting oth performance and potential of
the instruments.
Today, with even small homerecording studios
integrating several key oards, possi ly MIDI drum pads
and various sound generators, these pro lems multiply
-the system ecomes adly arranged and unrelia le.
In such a situation, the MIDI BAY is the optimum
solution. It ena les you to quickly set up even a
complex MIDI system and to get it relia ly under
control. Flexi ility is not restricted anymore: 15 freely
programma le inputs and outputs each allow for
individual solutions. Furthermore, a merge function
provides mixing of two MIDI data packages, thus
multiplying the system's capa ilities oth live on stage
as well as if operated with a sequencer.
Let's take a closer look at how the MIDI BAY works:
MIDI BAY Manual

5. How It Works
5. How It Works
The MIDI specification determines that one MIDI
OUT is assigned to each MIDI IN. However, if you
want to transmit one MIDI signal to several
instruments, there are exactly two ways to do so:
either you connect these instruments to each
other via their MIDI THRU connectors (already
with three units this might lead to signal delay and
deformation), or you use a device that is a le to
split up a MIDI signal and send it to several MIDI
OUT connectors at the same time.
Now, if you want to have one MIDI device
controlled y two instruments simultaneously, you
need a device that is a le to mix two MIDI signal
packages. A simple two-way adapter, as is often
used for audio connections, cannot e used here
ecause MIDI signals are digital signals and for
merging them a special processor is required.
MIDI BAY Manual

5. How It Works
5. How It Works
The MIDI BAY integrates oth functions - copying and
merging MIDI signals - and additionally offers the
possi ility of programming any "set" of inputs and
outputs, and of selecting them at the touch of a key or
with a MIDI instruction, at any time.
MIDI BAY Manual

6. Controls
6. Controls
Controls
The MIDI BAY features the following controls and
female connectors:
The upper portion of the front panel is reserved for the
assignment list. The two notches on the plexiglass
frame serve for pulling out the assignment list. Entering
the connected units in that list will facilitate setting up of
MIDI BAY programs.
Below the frame there is the [Mode] key which selects
one of the seven operation modes the MIDI BAY
provides. These operation modes will e dealt with in
the next chapter.
Close to the Mode key you will find a dou le-digit
display which indicates current data and information.
Since the MIDI BAY features such a clearly arranged
design and concept, and since you will mostly call up
patch programs, a dou le-digit display will provide
enough information and allow for convenient working
with the unit.
The two LEDs close to the display tell you whether the
MIDI BAY is in Play Mode or Edit Mode.
The [Up] and [Down] keys increase or decrease the
value currently indicated y the display. This will e
either the program num er, the MIDI channel or the
Unit-ID.
In case of hanging notes or seriously "detuned"
instruments, the [Panic] key - as the name implies
-serves for muting the connected units and setting them
to a defined starting point. Any ody who has een
tormented y hanging notes in a critical situation will
appreciate this function.
➔normally, you will communicate with the MIDI BAY
via the controls descri ed a ove. However, the unit
may also e programmed using an editor program
for the ATARI ST computer or the remote control
availa le as a seperate accessory.
MIDI BAY Manual

6. Controls
6. Controls
The front panel of the MIDI BAY also accomodates four
connectors:
<MIDI Aux.> offers two M D connectors that are
identical to the connectors [Source 15] and [Destination
15] on the rear. The MIDI IN connector on the front has
priority: as soon as you hook up a MIDI instrument
here, the corresponding MIDI IN connector on the rear
is switched off. Thus, you may "loop in" additional units
(for instance, your friend's remote key oard and/or a
new sound expander) into your system without having
to use the connectors on the rear of the MIDI BAY.
The [Remote] jack is for connecting of the optional
remote control MBR-1 With this unit all functions of the
MIDI BAY can e performed even over greater
distances - an advantage not to e underestimated,
especially in the studio or on stage. Although this is a 5-
pos. connector, this is not a MIDI connector and you
should never try to insert a MIDI ca le here!
Connect a conventional foot switch via the [footswitch]
jack. With this switch you can switch over etween
MIDI BAY programs which will also facilitate your work
-especially in live situations where two different setups
must e rapidly accessi le!
Before we forget... of course an [On/Offj switch can e
found as well!
➔While we're at it, we would like to mention that you
have to switch on the MIDI BAY efore you turn on
the receiving units connected.
On the rear of the MIDI BAY you will find a fairly high
num er of inputs and outputs: on the whole, 75
[Source] and 15 [Destination] connectors are waiting for
you to hook up your instruments, computer(s) and
controllers.
Furthermore, the fuse holder can e found on the rear.
➔ if the fuse has lown, only replace it y a fuse of the
same type and rating! Otherwise, you run the risk of
damaging your MIDI BAY adly ... additionally, this will
void the warranty!
MIDI BAY Manual

7. Installation
7. Installation
Installation
●set up the MIDI BAY at a place where it is not
exposed to strong vi rations, dust or extreme
humidity. Connect the unit to the mains.
➔the MIDI BAY may also e installed within a 19"
rack. The required olts are not enclosed.
●now connect the MIDI OUT jacks of all units
transmitting MIDI signals (master key oards, MIDI
drum pads and guitar control lers, synthesizers,
samplers, etc.) to the [Source] connectors of the
MIDI BAY.
Please o serve the following:
If you use the merge function, the signals from [Source
1] and from an additional, freely selecta le [Source]
connector will e mixed. Furthermore, you can send
program change instructions to the MIDI BAY via
[Source 1]. Therefore, your master instrument, or your
computer respectively, the data of which you want to
merge with the data coming from other MIDI units, must
e connected to [Source 1].
●now connect the [Destination] jack of the MIDI BAY
to the MIDI IN connectors of all units/instruments you
want to control. For reasons of clearness, we
recommend you to connect all units that
communicate in oth directions with the MIDI BAY to
connectors with identical num ers.
Now you may start "patching", i.e. start programming
the MIDI connections.
MIDI BAY Manual

8. Operation Modes
8. Operation Modes
Operation Modes
The MIDI BAY places seven different operation modes,
or function levels, at your disposal. Switch over etween
the individual modes using the [Mode] key. At each key
press the unit changes to the level "next in rank".
●the selected operation modes after each key press
will e temporarily indicated y two letters appearing
in the display.
In Play Mode you can call up the stored MIDI BAY
programs.
In Edit Mode you can modify one of the 99 programs.
The Copy Mode allows for copying programs from one
memory location to another.
The Merge Filter Mode serves for programming the 5
data filter which may e placed in front of the inputs
when using the merge function.
MIDI BAY Manual

8. Operation Modes
8. Operation Modes
In Channel Mode, the MIDI channel on which the MIDI
BAY receives program change instructions can e
adjusted.
Activate the DUMP Mode to send the MIDI BAY's entire
memory contents (the 99 programs) via MIDI - at the
simple touch of a utton.
Finally, in Unit Mode, you can determine the MIDI
BAY's unit num er in order to ensure correct sending
and receiving of program data.
(In the following, we will not keep to the order a ove,
ut present you the individual functions and function
levels just as you are most likely to need them).
MIDI BAY Manual

9. Creating Programs
9. Creating Programs
Creating and Editing Programs
●switch on the MIDI BAY.
Now the unit is in PLAY Mode: the display indicates the
num er of the selected program memory location, the
green "Play Mode" LED is lit.
●using the [Up] and [Down] keys, select the program
memory location on which you want to store your
new program.
The program memory locations are num ered 1
through 99.
●having selected the desired memory location, change
to the EDIT mode y depressing the MODE key
once. The display temporarily indicates the message
<Ed> to inform you a out the operation mode
change, now the red "EDIT Mode" LED is lit instead
of the green one.
Creating MIDI BAY programs is really easy: you just
have to assign a [Source] connector to each
[Destination] connector. This procedure has the
advantage that any [Source] connector (i.e., a signal)
can e assigned to several outputs without any
difficulties. By assigning two or more outputs each to
the same input, you can thus set up the MIDI BAY in
such a way that it acts like several "distri utors",
independently of each other.
MIDI BAY Manual

9. Creating Programs
9. Creating Programs
However, it will e most useful to program a simple
standard configuration efore.
●select memory location #1 - as descri ed a ove -
and activate the EDIT Mode.
The display changes from
to
When using this kind of representation, the right display
half shows the selected [Destination] connector and the
left display half the assigned [Source] connector.
●now, first of all, use the [Up] key to select the desired
[Destination] connector. A small dot in the right upper
corner of the display indicates the tens, i.e., MIDI
connectors #1 to #9 are represented as usual,
connector #10 is displayed as <.O>, connector #11
as <.1>, etc. You will soon get familiar with this kind
of representation.
●using the [Down] key, select the [Source] connector
you want to assign to this output.
●then change to the next (used) [Destination]
connector and repeat the procedure.
Apart from the messages for connectors 1 through 15,
there is the message "M" which serves for programming
the merge function. We will deal with this function in
chapter 9.1.
MIDI BAY Manual

9. Creating Programs
9. Creating Programs
➔all changes are accepted immediately. So you can
check - while running the sequencer or playing on
your master key oard - whether the desired
connection has actually een esta lished. Of course,
you should also o serve that oth sending and
receiving units are set to the same MIDI channel.
●having finished a program, riefly hit the [Mode] key
once. The new program will e stored automatically
and the MIDI BAY will return to the PLAY Mode.
Please note that the MIDI BAY does not feature a
seperate STORE function. As soon as you leave the
EDIT Mode (via the [Mode] key), the modifications
made will e stored, the original program will e
overwritten, i.e. deleted. If you do not want to store the
changes you made, i.e., retain the original program,
leave the EDIT mode y depressing the [Panic] key
once.
MIDI BAY Manual

9.1 The Merge Function
9.1 The Merge Function
The Merge Function
As you have already noticed, you may not only send
one MIDI data package to several connectors
simultaneously, ut you may also com ine two data
packages and su sequently send them to one or
several outputs. This is called merging, the function is
called merge function or merger.
Generally, the MIDI BAY's merger always com ines the
data from the unit connected to [Source 1] and the data
from another unit. Therefore, when programming the
merge function, you just have to determine the second
<Source> connector.
Supposed you want to merge the data from [Source 1]
and [Source 5], and output them via [Destination 3] and
[Destination 4].
●depress the [Up] key until the second digit of the
display reads an <M> (which stands for "Merge").
MIDI BAY Manual

9.1 The Merge Function
9.1 The Merge Function
●using the [Down] key. select connector [Source 5].
Thus, [Source 5] is defined as second merger input.
Now, you just have to determine to which [Destination]
connector(s) the data shall e routed. Proceed as
follows:
●using the [Up] key, select connector [Destination 3].
●depress the [Down] key until the first display digit
reads <M>.
●repeat this procedure for connector [Destination 4].
As you can see, this function opens up enormous
possi ilities: for instance, MIDI information can e
recorded simultaneously y a computer and can e
sent to the desired expanders without having to use the
"Soft Thru" function of the sequencer.
Additional flexi ility can e achieved y assigning the
original data of the two merger inputs to seperate
[Destination] connectors. For instance - to continue the
example mentioned a ove - two key oard players could
control one expander rack, ut only the infomation
coming from one key oard would e recorded y the
sequencer.
➔if you own a lot of different controllers, you might
wish to freely select oth merger inputs With a little
trick, this can e accomplished as follows:
Connect the [Destination] jack you currently do not
need to [Source 1].
Now the signal routed to this [Destination] connector is
led to the merger's input #1. To merge the signals
MIDI BAY Manual

9.1 The Merge Function
9.1 The Merge Function
coming from any two [Sources], simply change this
connector's assignment.
The only disadvantage of this procedure is that now you
only have 14 inputs and outputs at your disposal.
Another example to clarify the facts:
●connect [Destination 15] to [Source 1] via a short
MIDI ca le.
Supposed you want to merge [Source 6] and [Source 7]
and route them to [Destination 2].
●change to EDIT mode y depressing the [Mode] key.
●using the [Up] key, select [Destination 15]. Assign
input [Source 7] to this output.
●depress the [Up] key once again, the second display
digit reads <M>. Depress the [Down] key until the
first display digit reads <6>.
What the M D BAY doesn't see, the processor won't
grieve over... y connecting [Destination 15] to [Source
1], the data will e rerouted from [Source 7] to [Source
1]. From there, it can e merged with the data coming
from [Source 6] without any pro lems.
●depress the [Up] key until the second display digit
reads <2>. Select <M> with the [Down] key, thus,
you have defined [Destination 2] as output for the
merged data. That's it...
The following illustration will clarify this
fairly sophisticated configuration.
MIDI BAY Manual

9.1 The Merge Function
9.1 The Merge Function
MIDI BAY Manual