Tips on Using MSC to Connect Qlab to ETC Ion

MIDI Show Control (MSC)

The MIDI Show Control protocol is an industry standard ratified by the MIDI Manufacturers Association in 1991 which allows all types of entertainment control devices to talk with each other and with computers to perform show control functions in live and canned entertainment applications. Just like musical MIDI, MSC does not transmit the actual show media - it simply transmits digital information about a multimedia performance.

MSC is a significant Real Time System Exclusive extension of the international Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) standard. MSC enables all types of entertainment equipment to easily communicate with each other through the process of show control.

Equipment required

-          1) QLab (On Mac OS X)

-          2)  ETC Ion with cue list loaded

-          3)  MIDI to USB Adapter (i.e. M-Audio MidiSport Uno)

Setting up the ion

Follow the instructions below to set up the Ion to receive MSC:

   - Ensure USB to MIDI cable is connected (with the MIDI in and out sockets correctly connected)

   - Open show file

   - Double click Setup

   - Click on Show Settings

   - Click on Show Control (left side of the panel)

   - MSC Receive – set to enabled

   - MSC Receive Channel – Choose a number between 0 and 15.  This number is important as it’s how QLab recognizes the device.

   - Next, ensure that you have a cue list loaded into the Ion. You cannot program lighting cues from QLab – you’re only triggering the pre-set cues from the list.

Setting up QLab

            - Click on Setting tab as shown in Figure 1

            - On the left hand side of the screen, choose MIDI, then under “Default Type” select MSC, then choose the device you’ve connected to the Ion as shown in figure 2

        - Click “Done” to close that tab