Chamsys Magic Q and Qlab 4 OSC Network

[Benedict Manaois]

Has anyone tried networking Chamsys Magic Q and Qlab 4 via OSC Network?
Been trying and failing at it. Enlighten me please! Thanks!

Note: Maybe a step-by-step? :)

[Benedict Manaois]

Or maybe through the native IAC Driver for a Virtual MIDI Setup

[Mike St. Jean]

I haven't had any luck with OSC to ChamSys yet- still trying to figure out the protocol to send and how to set it up in the Autom window. Haven't spent a whole lot of time with it and I think I'm trying to control something that isn't supported (Cue Levels), but of course even one wrong or missing '/' will mess up the syntax. I've just emailed them to inquire more about this as I think OSC control is a fantastic addition!

[Wayde Buttimore]

I did an install in March with Qlab trigging Magic Cue.. I remember a lot of limitations on MagicQ side... I think I could only trigger the first 10 playback faders and also did some custom osc triggers in the autom window..

Also, to start with under network settings you have to set the listen port

[Mike St. Jean]

I believe I have all the setup correct and if anything just need to play w the actual delivered messages and how that is setup in Autom in Chamsys... As well I am wondering if you can control Cue Levels like you can with DMX input? I have used DMX over artnet forever to control Cue and CueStack levels and would like to move to doing this over OSC (from Ableton / Max4Live) instead. I haven't tested any of the preset osc control messages so should probably start with that!

[Wayde Buttimore]

Found the files from the install, hope this helps..

the "/future2/on" osc message was setup within the autom window and would trigger a playback fader which then triggered macros to activate cues or cue stacks  ..

I also remember having to send a osc command to activate the playback fader, because if it was released in magicQ it would jump that the cue, but would not activate the cue stack.

also check out https://secure.chamsys.co.uk/help/documentation/magicq.pdf Chapter 39.  

If your still having problems, feel free to send me your magicQ and qlab file and ill see if i can help :-) 

Cheers

[Benedict Manaois]

How did your process go? Have you tried cuing cue 1 inside playback 1 for example? One problem I did encounter was that osc/midi won't work when you're in demo mode... A physical hardware is still needed to unlock it from demo mode. Which is quite sad.

[Wayde Buttimore]

Correct, you can only just OSC/Midi functions if in the full unlocked version, if you see demo mode in the window title it will not work, the USB dongle also will unlock it.

the message "/pb/<playback>/<cue>" is what you are after.. EG

"/pb/1/3" will jump to  cue 3 on playback 1. BUT from memory it won't activate the playback if it is currently released, it will just jump to that cue. So send "/pb/1 1" or "/pb/1 100" to set fader level on that playback to 100%...

Personally, at this stage id stick to the Midi control for MagicQ but OSC just isnt there yet.

:-) 

Wayde

[Mike St. Jean]

Can we send midi internally from Ableton for example straight to Chamsys or does chamsys need a proper midi into an interface? I'm sure I can figure it out by looking but won't have my miniwing back to unlock demo mode for another week...

I am currently converting midi /osc to a DMX universe with Max4Live and sending that universe internally to MagicQ on the same machine. Then with Autom controlling Cue levels with the values on different dmx channels.

I don't understand why OSC can't also function this way. Having to also activate a playback and adjust the intensity level that way in addition to choosing the cue in the stack seems nonsensical.

Hoping to see more development of this soon! And more available Autom lines... Currently maxes out at 120 rules.

M

[Benedict Manaois]

Thanks! Needed the assurance I was using the right command string. Will definitely give it a try.

Regarding MIDI on Chamsys, don't they require some sort of midi interface to get the MSC going (or is it just required to get us out of demo mode)? Or internal midi is possible thru the IAC Driver once out of demo?

[Wayde Buttimore]

I remember about 2 years ago I had to use the Chamsys USB timecode / midi box to use midi.. but i think as long as its not in demo mode you can use other interfaces now or IAC driver, but worth checking the manual to be sure