QLab & Behringer X32/Midas M32

[Gareth Fry]

Hi all,

I'm seriously considering purchasing an M32 or X32 for an upcoming project. I currently use QLab with Yamaha desks and do a lot of MIDI control change automation of desk parameters (channel volume, etc). Whilst the X32 doesn't support this, it does seem to have a reasonably good OSC implementation. OSC is, however, not a bath I've dipped my toe into yet! So my question is, has anyone tried and had success controlling desk parameters from QLab via OSC?

X32 OSC implementation is here: http://www.behringer.com/assets/X32_OSC_Remote_Protocol.pdf

FWIW, I will be sticking with Dante for audio interfacing rather than mucking around with USB/FW.

Cheers,

g

Gareth Fry

Sound Designer

gare...@hotmail.com

07973 352669

http://www.garethfry.com

http://www.associationofsounddesigners.com

[Rusty Wandall]

What kinds of things are you interested in controlling via OSC? My church has an x32 and id be happy to test out things via qlab for you if you have specific questions of specific parameters. I will say ive been much more impressed with the networking side of things (iphone/ipad/computer) connection than Yamha's stuff that im most familiar with. Let me know if i can be of any assistance.

Rusty

[Nigel Hogg]

Hi Gareth,

I notice at NAMM that Behringer have released v2 software for the X32 that includes midi control similar to that we enjoy on our Yamaha desks. They also announced an optional 32 channel dante card to replace the USB one. Details are on their website.
I too am now considering getting one!

Nigel

[Rob Ram]

I do all my Mic Cues on M7CL and/or 01v96 via Qlab2 Midi CC as well.. 

i bought an x32 and missed this function so i ended up using an 01v sidecar for vocals and the x32 for the vox submix and band/effects. 

the new v2.0 firmware should fix this.. i will  install as soon as at least x32-edit works with the new firmware.. the ipad app is apparently months away from working with firmware v2 .. x32 edit for mac/pc/linux is supposed to be upgraded in about a week or 2.. 

i can tell you that with qlab v3 .. the OSC commands are very straight forward to control most command like volume fader or panning.. it also lets you control all parameters practically. one great thing is that with out any special settings on the x32 board you can not only access volume/pan on all 32 input channels but also DCAs /subs/etc..

i figured it out in about 10 mins.. and all you need is the OSC chart to know what command to send via the OSC cue in qlab. 

i ended up not using qlab3 for that show as it was still a bit buggy at v3.01. but the next show i do with qlab3 whatever current version is like 3.16, i will be using OSC commands mostly because it can automate practically every parameter.

for shows at a theatre with qlab 2 i will use the new MIDI implementation in the x32. either way.. the digital stage boxes.. all the features etc.. the x32 is definitely worth it.. perhaps the m32 is too.. looks great. more expensive practically identical feature set and software.. but the preamps and hardware faders may justify the price bump. 

i'll let you know how it goes in a few weeks.

robb

[Simon Eves]

Gareth Fry wrote:

I'm seriously considering purchasing an M32 or X32 for an upcoming project. I currently use QLab with Yamaha desks and do a lot of MIDI control change automation of desk parameters (channel volume, etc). Whilst the X32 doesn't support this, it does seem to have a reasonably good OSC implementation. OSC is, however, not a bath I've dipped my toe into yet! So my question is, has anyone tried and had success controlling desk parameters from QLab via OSC?

Yes, it works just fine. You just set the IP and port (10023) in the Workspace OSC preferences, switch the OSC cue type to (can't remember the name) so you can type in an arbitrary command, and type one in, e.g. "/ch/03/mix ON" to un-mute channel 3.

I automated the mutes on 28 wireless mics for a production of Les Mis last summer this way, although I made it even easier for the operator by writing a Python script which sat in between, taking higher-level commands of my own invention from QLab (e.g. "/mute Javert") and mapping them to the low-level commands to pass on to the mixer.