Behringer BCF2000-WH manual Introduction to Midi, Before you get started, System requirements

B-CONTROL FADER BCF2000-WH

1. INTRODUCTION

Thank you very much for expressing your confidence in BEHRINGER products by purchasing the B-CONTROL BCF2000-WH. The B-CONTROL is an extremely flexible control surface suitable for a wide array of applications. Regardless of whether you want to intuitively control your sequencer software with mixers, plug-ins and virtual instruments, or if you wish to use its broad MIDI functions for controlling rack synthesizers, general MIDI sound generators or effect processors, the B-CONTROL offers you tremendous ease of use that leaves no wishes open.

+The following user’s manual is intended to familiarize you with the unit’s control elements, so that you can master all the functions. After having thoroughly read the user’s manual, store it at a safe place for future reference.

1.1Before you get started

1.1.1 Shipment

The B-CONTROL was carefully packed at the assembly plant to assure secure transport. Should the condition of the cardboard box suggest that damage may have taken place, please inspect the unit immediately and look for physical indications of damage.

+Damaged equipment should NEVER be sent directly to us. Please inform the dealer from whom you acquired the unit immediately as well as the transportation company from which you took delivery of the unit. Otherwise, all claims for replacement/repair may be rendered invalid.

+To assure optimal protection of your B-CONTROL during use or transport, we recommend utilizing a carrying case.

+Please always use the original packaging to avoid damage due to storage or shipping.

+Never let unsupervised children play with the B-CONTROL or with its packaging.

+Please dispose of all packaging materials in an environmentally-friendly fashion.

1.1.2 Initial operation

Please make sure the unit is provided with sufficient ventilation, and never place the B-CONTROL on top of an amplifier or in the vicinity of a heater to avoid the risk of overheating.

A power supply unit which meets the necessary safety requirements is enclosed for connecting the B-CONTROL to the mains.

IMPORTANT NOTE CONCERNING INSTALLATION

+The sound quality may diminish within the range of powerful broadcasting stations and high-frequency sources. Increase the distance between the transmitter and the device and use shielded cables for all connections.

1.1.3 Online registration

Please, do remember to register your new BEHRINGER equipment right after your purchase by visiting www.behringer.com (alternatively www.behringer.de) and kindly read the terms and conditions of our warranty carefully.

Should your BEHRINGER product malfunction, our goal is to have it repaired as quickly as possible. To arrange for warranty service, please contact the retailer from whom the equipment was purchased. Should your BEHRINGER dealer not be located in your vicinity, you may directly contact one of our subsidiaries. Corresponding contact information is included in the original equipment packaging (Global Contact Information/European Contact Information). Should your country not be listed, please

contact the distributor nearest you. A list of distributors can be found in the support area of our website (www.behringer.com).

Registering your purchase and equipment with us helps us process your repair claims quicker and more efficiently.

Thank you for your cooperation!

1.2 System requirements

for USB operation:

Up-to-date WINDOWS PC or MAC with a USB connection

+The B-CONTROL supports WINDOWS XP and MAC OS X “USB MIDI compatibility”. Soon, you will be able to download drivers for other operating systems, for multi unit support, new presets as well as a WINDOWS editor software free of charge. Just click www.behringer.com to get it for free.

+The B-CONTROL can also be operated stand-alone without a computer as a pure MIDI controller. Software control via MIDI is also possible, provided your computer has a MIDI interface.

2.INTRODUCTION TO MIDI

2.1 MIDI control for beginners

Application possibilities for the B-CONTROL are truly wide- ranging. We’ll start with a couple of general explanations and examples that should quickly let you get a good understanding of MIDI basics.

What exactly does the B-CONTROL do?

Simply put, this a remote control for all kinds of MIDI equipment. Using the faders, encoders (infinitely variable rotary controls) and keys, an entire array of control functions can be performed. Adjusting these parameters, you can control various functions of external (hardware or software) equipment in real time. For example, countless software mixers, sound generators or effects can be remotely controlled. With these software applications, you are dealing with simulations of “real” equipment in your computer, whereby they are visually represented on the computer screen, while the computer takes over the function of replicating their respective functions.

And how does it work?

You can assign particular MIDI data to each control element on the B-CONTROL; for example, you can assign the so-called “MIDI- Controller 7” (CC 07) that adjusts the volume of a MIDI device to one of the controls on your B-CONTROL. If you move / turn the corresponding control on your B-CONTROL, you can hear how the volume on the receiving MIDI device also changes (provided it is also connected to an audio output). Keep the following in mind:

+MIDI data is only control data and contains no audio information!

What settings do I have to make? Where? How?

Often, you can assign MIDI control data numbers, the so-called control change or CC numbers, to individual MIDI parameters. That’s particularly the case with music software such as software sequencers, mixers and sound generators as well as the so-called “plug-ins” (effect units or sound generators integrated into the software).

Basically, you have 2 options:

You either set the desired control numbers at the B-CONTROL and transmit them to the software you are controlling, or you can set the desired control data directly on your MIDI device and let the B-CONTROL receive the information about number assignment using the LEARN procedure.

2. INTRODUCTION TO MIDI 5