Lesson Description
External Control Surface Operation
7m 31s
Learn how to connect and operate third party external control surface with the QSC TouchMix-30 Pro and cooresponding TouchMix Contol iPad App. TouchMix-30 Pro is compatible with popular USB control surfaces including the iCon Platform M+, Behringer XTouch Compact, PreSonus FaderPort 8.
Video Transcript
External Control Surface Operation
7m 31s
0:07
If you are using TouchMix-30 firmware 2.0 or higher, you have the ability to integrate with third party
0:12
control surfaces. That’s right! You can now use physical faders to control your TouchMix. When using
0:19
external control surfaces you will have direct access to many of TouchMix’s functionalities. You can
0:24
also connect a control surface to an iPad that is connected to the mixer wirelessly, giving you a fully
0:29
functional remote mixing setup anywhere in the venue. Let’s take a look at how it works and how to set it up!
0:36
Before moving on, make sure your TouchMix is using the latest software version. For instructions on
0:41
updating your mixers firmware, you can watch our firmware update video. My apologies, the
0:46
presenters in that video aren’t quite as dashing and handsome as I am. But…the info is still good.
0:51
There are a few different models of control surfaces that will work with TouchMix. A list of controllers
0:56
we have verified can be found on our website. You can find the link to that in the video description.
1:00
These controllers are primarily designed to control DAW software and the features of each controller
1:05
vary just a little bit. Because of this, some are a better match for TouchMix than other ones.
1:10
For this video we are going to be working with the Platform M+ from iCon. We’ve also connected the
1:15
optional D2 Platform display accessory. This particular controller has features that match the
1:20
TouchMix-30 Pro very well without a lot of additional functions that aren’t required for the application.
1:26
To control the mixer directly- connect the control surface to one of the USB A ports of the TouchMix-30 Pro
1:31
using a USB-A to USB-B cable. Once connected, the control surface will connect to the
1:36
TouchMix and the faders will move into position. If the D2 display is also used, the channel names
1:42
from the TouchMix will be displayed there as well.
1:44
The external control surface will operate primary channel functions – channel level via the faders and
1:50
pan using the channel rotary knob controls. The Mute button does what you would expect it to do,
1:59
and the Solo button does the same thing as the TouchMix Cue button. There’s even a record button
2:04
that arms the channel for multi-track recording.
2:08
The ninth fader will control the level for the selected mix. Note that the labels on this channel’s
2:15
buttons differ from those on the input channels, but they do the same thing.
2:19
There’s even a jog wheel that duplicates the TouchMix master encoder function.
2:26
Up above that, there are full recording transport controls available as well.
2:30
And up here, we have channel and bank navigation buttons that make it easy to quickly navigate
2:35
through the various fader banks and mixes. Or you can navigate from the mixer screen and the
2:40
control surface will follow. You might have also notice that the fader view looks a little bit different
2:47
now. More on that in a second.
2:49
Last- The select “SEL” buttons will take you into a channel to work with EQ, dynamics, sends and presets.
2:56
With an external controller connected to the mixer, it is no longer necessary to display the graphic
3:00
faders on the mixer screen. We have access to all of that right on the controller. The version 2.0
3:06
firmware update offers a companion screen mode that can be used while controlling the mixer externally.
3:12
To display the channel strip view go to “Menu” and press “External faders”. The external faders
3:18
screen mode is also activated on the first press of any of the select or navigation buttons on the
3:24
controller itself. The channel strip view replaces the faders on screen with an overview of the
3:28
channels that shows the EQ, Gate and Compressor activity, level meters and more.
3:34
As mentioned at the beginning of the video, you can also connect the external controller to an iPad
3:39
and control the TouchMix remotely. There are a few different ways to do this and you will need a
3:43
couple of cables or adapters to make it work. But don’t worry, I’ll tell you everything you need to know.
3:48
Before you start, make sure your tablet has the latest version of the TouchMix Control App installed.
3:53
The first approach is to connect your iPad to the mixer using Wi-Fi just as you have probably already
3:58
been doing. If you need more information on this, you can check out our video on “How to connect
4:02
TouchMix to a router”. Next, you’re going to connect the control surface to the iPad.
4:08
The simplest way to do this is to use a USB-B to Lightning cable – sometimes also called a Lightning to
4:13
MIDI cable – to connect the control surface to your iPad. Connect the external controller to the iPad
4:18
through the Lighting port using the USB-B to lightning cable. Now connect to your TouchMix-30 Pro
4:24
using Wi-Fi and launch the TouchMix Control app. You now have full remote control of the mixer with
4:29
the external controller.
4:31
There’s another method that will let you keep your iPad charged during the show. Connect the
4:35
external controller to the iPad using an Apple Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter.
4:41
Connect the external controller to the USB port on the camera adapter. Now connect the camera
4:47
adapter to the iPad and connect a charger to the Lightning port on the adapter. This method is ideal
4:54
for keeping power supplied to the iPad during longer events.
4:59
The third method is to make a wired connection to the router from the mixer, the iPad and the
5:05
external controller. This method is great for ensuring that you have a strong connection maintained
5:11
between the mixer, and the iPad and the external controller.
5:15
For this method, we’re going to need a slightly different adapter. Specifically, one that has an RJ45 or
5:21
Ethernet port along with the lightning and USB inputs. Begin by connecting the iPad to the same
5:27
router that the TouchMix is connected to using the adapter and an RJ45 cable. Next, connect the
5:35
control surface to the adapter using a USB-A to USB-B cable. You can also connect a charger to the
5:45
adapter to keep the iPad battery topped off.
5:49
In any of these methods, once connected, the external control surface will connect to the TouchMix
5:54
and the faders will move into position. If the D2 Display is also used, the channel names from the
5:59
TouchMix will be displayed just like connecting it to the mixer directly.
6:02
Setting up an external controller with a TouchMix-30 Pro mixer can be advantageous for multiple
6:07
scenarios. For instance - the mixer can live close to the performers as a stage box and can receive all
6:13
of the input connections. With remote access to the mixer from an iPad and a connected external
6:18
controller, the mix engineer has the ability to choose where in the venue they want to setup their
6:22
front of house position with nothing but a network connection.
6:26
The app provides an exact copy of the UI on the TouchMix and allows you to control the mixer
6:30
completely from your tablet. The only control that isn’t available from the tablet is the analog trim
6:35
knob. BUT!- TouchMix has plus and minus 15 dB of digital gain on every input that IS controllable
6:41
from the tablet. The trim knobs on the mixer can be set to a nominal value. Noon or 1 o’clock should
6:47
suffice for most input sources. The digital gain can then be adjusted to set and fine tune the gain
6:51
stage for each input. Access to this control is maintained throughout the performance from the
6:56
tablet, and with the controller connected you can easily adjust this another way, by pressing down on
7:01
the pan knob for any given input.
7:04
On top of that, the mixer is still active. The workstation is now doubled. If two engineers are
7:09
operating the event, one engineer can be on stage mixing monitors on the TouchMix itself, while the
7:14
front of house engineer can be setup remotely with an iPad and an external control surface.
7:19
Connecting an external control surface provides extended flexibility with your TouchMix. Thanks for
7:24
watching this video. We’ll see you next time.
Downloads and Links
External Control Surface Operation
7m 31s