Allen&Heath ML4000 SERVICE MANUAL - Manual (Page 18)

18 ML4000 Service Manual
Archiving the Console Settings
The console settings can be saved to an external
device such as a MIDI sequencer or data archiver
using the dump out facility. Saved settings can be
loaded back into the console using dump in. This is
ideal when you want to archive the settings to use
at a later date, for example a re-run of a previous
performance. You can also use the dump facility to
program additional ML4000 consoles, for example
when setting up duplicate shows or swapping
consoles around. Simply link MIDI OUT from one to
MIDI IN of the other and action the dump out facility.
Settings which are archived :
9 Current mute settings
9 Current Mute group assignments
9 Current VCA group assignments
9 Automation safes
9 All snapshot memories
Settings which are not archived :
8 Current console operating mode
8 Current PAFL selection and settings
MIDI Dump Out
Connect the console to a suitable MIDI archiving
device. Set the same MIDI channel number on
both. Check the rear switch is set to MIDI. Press
the DUMP key. The console dumps the current
settings and memory contents using a SysEx
message string. During this time the DUMP and
MIDI LEDs light to show that data is being sent via
the MIDI port. Note that this operation can take up
to 10 seconds during which time the console mutes,
assignment and P/AFL operations are interrupted.
MIDI Dump In
Connect the console to the MIDI archiving device.
Set the same MIDI channel number on both. Check
the rear switch is set to MIDI. Start the process
using the MIDI archiver. The console current
settings and memory contents are overwritten.
During this time the DUMP and MIDI LEDs light to
show that data is being received by the console.
Note that this operation can take a while during
which time the console mute, assignment and PAFL
operations are interrupted.
If you are using a MIDI sequencer to record the
dump out data string then make sure you play it
back at the same speed you recorded it. If you
dump it back into the console faster than it was
recorded some data may not load correctly.
MIDI Dump Message Format
The format for dump out and in is identical. The
dump data string is made up of multiple System
Exclusive messages (known as packets) which
contain the console information.
Transmit and Receive. The format for a single
packet is as follows:
F0 <SysEx header> <packet type> <packet
number> <data> <checksum> F7
<SysEx header> = 00 00 1A 50 07 VV vv nn
Where VV = software version number – unit
vv = software version number – decimal
nn = console MIDI channel number
<packet no.> = packet number from 0 to 127
<data> = block of console data (7-bit format)
<checksum> = checksum to allow error detection
MIDI Dump Errors
If the console or connected equipment fails to
respond to a MIDI dump then check:
The MIDI cable is good and correctly plugged
The same MIDI channel number is selected
The rear panel switch is set to MIDI
Try again
Allen & Heath ML4 Archiver
The ML4Archiver Windows™ utility for the PC can
be downloaded from the Allen & Heath Internet site.
This can be used to archive data to and from the
PC via MIDI or RS232.
The program also includes the useful Snapshot
Manager which lets you store and recall the console
mute settings and VCA group assignments from the
128 internal snapshot memories. The snapshots
cannot be accessed from the console control panel
itself. The archiver provides this extra feature.
Check the Allen & Heath Web site for further details
and loading instructions.