M-Audio Midisport 8x8 User Manual

Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Package Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Product Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Back Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Quick Guide to Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Hardware Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Driver Software Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
MIDI Interface Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Stand-Alone Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
MIDISPORT Mode Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
USB Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
PC Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Mac Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Cable Test Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Thru Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Patchbay Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
SMPTE Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
SMPTE Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
SMPTE Reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
SMPTE "Write" Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
SMPTE "Format" Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Setting Up Your MIDI Studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Typical MIDI System Set-up: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Using the MIDISPORT in your Application Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
MIDISPORT Remote Control Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Remote Control Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Windows Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Macintosh Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Remote Control Patchbay Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Diagnostics Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Test Results for Mac or PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
SMPTE/MIDI Time Code Tutorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Before Calling Tech Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Limited Lifetime Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Midisport 8x8
™
MANUAL
version: MS8-09092000
1

M-Audio Midisport 8x8 Specifications

General

Brand	M-Audio
Model	Midisport 8x8
Category	Media Converter
Language	English

Summary

Introduction to MIDISPORT 8x8/s

MIDISPORT 8x8/s Features

Package Contents and Product Layout

Package Contents

Lists all the items included in the MIDISPORT 8x8/s package.

Product Layout: Front Panel

Details the buttons, LEDs, and jacks on the front of the MIDISPORT 8x8/s.

Product Layout: Back Panel

Back Panel

Details the ports and connectors on the back panel of the MIDISPORT 8x8/s.

Overview of MIDISPORT 8x8/s

Quick Guide to Getting Started

Hardware Installation Guide

Driver Software Installation

USB Driver Installation for Windows

Provides detailed steps for installing USB drivers on Windows.

USB Driver Installation for Windows 2000

Details the process of installing USB drivers for Windows 2000.

USB Driver Installation on the Mac

Guides Mac users through the installation of USB drivers and OMS.

Serial Driver Installation for Windows

Outlines the procedure for installing serial drivers on Windows.

Serial Driver Installation for Windows 95

Details the installation process for serial drivers on Windows 95.

Serial Driver Installation on the Mac

Guides Mac users through installing serial drivers using OMS.

MIDISPORT Interface Modes

MIDI Interface Modes

Explains the different operational modes for the MIDISPORT as a MIDI interface.

Stand-Alone Modes

Details how the MIDISPORT functions when not connected to a computer.

MIDISPORT Mode Assignments

USB Mode

Describes how to operate the MIDISPORT in USB mode as an interface or patchbay.

PC Mode

Explains how to use the MIDISPORT in PC serial mode as an interface or patchbay.

Mac Mode

Details how to operate the MIDISPORT in Mac serial mode as an interface or patchbay.

Cable Test Mode

Explains the Cable Test mode for checking MIDI cables.

Thru Mode

Describes Thru Mode for routing all MIDI inputs to all outputs.

Patchbay Operation

SMPTE Operation

SMPTE Writer

Details how to generate and write SMPTE time code from the MIDISPORT.

SMPTE Reader

Explains how the MIDISPORT reads, regenerates, and converts SMPTE to MTC.

SMPTE "Write" Button

Describes the function of the SMPTE "Write" button for controlling SMPTE writer.

SMPTE "Format" Button

Explains how to use the "Format" button to select SMPTE output formats.

Setting Up Your MIDI Studio

Using the MIDISPORT in your Application Software

MIDISPORT Remote Control Software

Remote Control Windows Installation

Provides instructions for installing the Remote Control application on Windows.

Remote Control Mac Installation

Guides Mac users on how to install the MIDISPORT Remote Control software.

Remote Control Operation

Explains the operation of the Remote Control software for SMPTE and patchbay functions.

Windows Menus for Remote Control

Macintosh Menus for Remote Control

Hardware Status and Selection Menus

Hardware | Current Status

Displays the status of MIDI drivers, hardware presence, and firmware revision.

The Select Menu

Allows users to select between Remote Control, Diagnostic, and Patchbay functions.

Select | Patchbay

Accesses the Patchbay Setup dialog for creating configurations.

Remote Control Patchbay Operation

Setting Patchbay Programs

Explains how to set up and store patchbay configurations using the Remote Control software.

Diagnostics Software and Applications

Diagnostics Software

Introduces the diagnostic software for testing MIDISPORT connections.

PC Diagnostics Application

Details the MS88DIAG.EXE program for testing PC serial connections.

Mac Diagnostic Application

Explains how to run the diagnostic test for Macintosh serial connections.

Test Results for Mac or PC

1. Internal Hardware Test

Verifies the MIDISPORT-to-host connection and reports firmware revision.

2. Internal Buffers Test

Tests the MIDISPORT-to-host connection and internal MIDI data buffers.

3. Transmit/Receive Test

Verifies the MIDISPORT's ability to transmit and receive MIDI data on its ports.

4. Receive Interrupt Test

Checks the reception of data from the MIDISPORT under interrupt control.

5. SMPTE I/O Test

Ensures the proper functioning of the MIDISPORT's SMPTE In and Out jacks.

SMPTE/MIDI Time Code Tutorial

What is SMPTE (Time Code)?

Explains the SMPTE time coding standard used in video and audio synchronization.

About Frame Rates

Discusses various SMPTE frame rates and their applications.

What Frame Rate and Settings Should You Use?

Recommends frame rates and settings for striping SMPTE with the MIDISPORT.

SMPTE and MTC User Bits

Explains how to use User Bits for stamping media with custom reference numbers.

SMPTE Offset

Details how to set the SMPTE offset time for writing or sequencing.

Flywheeling

Explains the flywheeling feature for maintaining sync during SMPTE drop-outs.

Recording a SMPTE Stripe (Writing SMPTE)

Syncing to a SMPTE Stripe

Trouble-Shooting

Interface Trouble-Shooting

Addresses common problems related to the MIDISPORT interface not being found.

Serial Port Trouble-Shooting

Troubleshoots issues related to serial port connections and diagnostic tests.

Syncing Trouble-Shooting

Provides solutions for problems encountered when syncing to SMPTE.

Before Calling Tech Support

Limited Lifetime Warranty