RME OCTAMIC XTC [26/62] Remote control

User’s Guide OctaMic XTC © RME

11. Remote Control

11.1 MIDI

The OctaMic XTC can be completely remote controlled via MIDI. It reacts on special SysEx

commands. Furthermore, upon request it will report the complete device status. Each OctaMic

XTC can be programmed with its own ID (menu Options - General Settings), providing a sepa-

rated remote control of multiple devices via a single MIDI channel. A description of the MIDI

implementation is found in chapter 24.

The menu Options – MIDI Sources is used to define from which port the XTC receives MIDI

remote control commands: USB1, USB2, MADI In or DIN In. The option OFF is a safety setting

to prevent unexpected changes by MIDI signals.

In the same menu the output for the unit’s response to external remote commands is chosen.

All MIDI ports of the XTC, USB 1/2, DIN and MADI, are available as Control output, even at the

same time.

In the menu General Settings it is even possible to activate a through-mode of the complete

MIDI signal from the Control input to the Control output port. This option is especially useful with

serial MADI cabling, as remote commands would otherwise get stuck already at the first unit

within the MADI chain.

11.2 MIDI over MADI

MADI allows for a transmission of 64 audio channels over long distances with a single line –

perfect. But what about MIDI? Be it remote control commands or sequencer data, in practice

only a single MADI line will not suffice. Therefore RME developed the MIDI over MADI techno-

logy. The data at the MIDI input are being included into the MADI signal invisibly, and can be

collected at the MIDI output of another OctaMic XTC or other RME MADI device at the other

end of the MADI line.

Technically every single MADI channel includes several additional bits, containing various in-

formation (Channel Status). RME use the usually unused User bit of channel 56 (channel 28 in

96k frame mode), to transmit MIDI data invisibly within MADI, ensuring full compatibility.

To remote control more than one OctaMic XTC every unit can have its own ID (menu Options -

General Settings), providing a separated remote control of multiple devices via a single MIDI

channel.

11.3 Control via TotalMix FX

Every RME audio interface equipped with TotalMix FX (> v0.99) includes an option to control

the OctaMic XTC’s most important parameters (gain, 48V, phase, mute, AutoSet) from the To-

talMix FX input channels. This special remote control uses MIDI (DIN, USB, MIDI over MADI).

In TotalMix FX go to Options – Settings - Aux Devices. Select the OctaMic XTC, the audio path

(ADAT or MADI) and the Device ID (default: 0). In the channel settings panel new elements

appear (for example a Gain knob in an ADAT channel).

At the OctaMic XTC Control has to be selected in the menu SETUP – Options – MIDI Sources

to the currently used MIDI input and output. Set Control (Inp.) to DIN In, MIDI DIN Out to

Control.

MADI interfaces do not need additional MIDI cabling. They can use the virtual MIDI port (MIDI

over MADI) instead.