X.200 Digital Production Console
FAQ
4
Q. How do I connect the Digital X Bus to my computer to use the Control Surface functionality?
A. There are two main ways of interfacing the Digital X Bus with a Mac or PC for the purpose of controlling worksta-
tion software:
1. USB MIDI Interface(s)
Because the Digital X Bus runs the Embedded XP operating system, it is compatible with a variety of third party
USB MIDI interfaces that are currently available on the open market. You can install drivers for any USB MIDI
interface that is listed in the “Supported Third Party Devices” section of the Digital X Bus web page.
Once the drivers are installed, you can assign your MIDI ports accordingly from the MIDI Tab of the Setup Window
(under the Windows Menu) on the Digital X Bus. You then connect three MIDI input and output cables between
the USB MIDI interface connected to the Digital X Bus and the MIDI interface of your computer.
2. FireWire I/O Card
The FireWire I/O Option Card for the Digital X Bus offers MIDI communication lines through FireWire. This cre-
ates a very convenient, single-cable audio streaming and control logic highway between the mixer and your com-
puter.
Using this method, you need to have at least one FireWire I/O Option Card installed in your Digital X Bus, and that
FireWire port needs to be connected to your FireWire-equipped Mac or PC. You can then assign your MIDI path-
ways from the MIDI Tab of the Setup Window (under the Windows Menu).
It is important to mention here that the Digital X Bus does have built-in MIDI input and output ports that can be
used in tandem with any additional MIDI ports you have installed.
Q. What other programs/applications can I control with the Digital X Bus?
A. Because the Digital X Bus emulates the operation of the Mackie Control Universal™ (MCU), it can control all the
same great audio software programs as the MCU. This includes, but is not limited to, the following applications:
• Digidesign Pro Tools v4.1 or higher (users of v6.x and higher will require the installation of the “Legacy MIDI
Controllers” patch from the Digidesign web site)
• Emagic Logic Audio
• Steinberg Nuendo (v1.52 or higher)
• Steinberg Cubase SX/SL
• Cakewalk SONAR v2.0 or higher
• MOTU Digital Performer v4.1 or higher
• Sony Vegas v5.0 or higher
• Adobe Audition v2.0 or higher
•
Magix
Samplitude/Sequoia
• RML Labs SAWStudio
Other applications may be available by the time you read this, so simply check the MCU Support page on the
Mackie web site for a complete, up-to-date list of all currently supported software systems with the MIDI Layer of
the Digital X Bus.
