KENTON LD-2 mkII Level Display Unit User Manual

FCC STATEMENT FOR LD-2 MkI

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

WEEE DIRECTIVE

(applies to the European Union & other European countries with separate collection systems)

The crossed-out wheelie bin symbol affixed to this product indicates that it should not be disposed of with other household wastes at the end of its working life. To prevent possible harm to the environment or to human health from uncontrolled waste disposal, please separate this from other types of wastes and recycle it responsibly to promote the sustainable re-use of material resources.

Household users should contact either the retailer where they purchased the product, or their local government office for details of where and how they can take this item for environmentally safe recycling. Business users should contact their supplier and check the terms and conditions of the purchase contract. This product should not be mixed with other commercial wastesfor disposal.

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase. Mainly intended as a MIDI volume level indicator where high visibility is needed, the LD2 displays the level both numerically 0-127 or 0-20, and on a 20 segment bargraph. The LD-2 mkII can easily be re-configured to display the data value sent by any controller on any MIDI channel, or to display program changes.

Connections

MIDI In
Plug your MIDI pedal, controller or sequencer’s MIDI Out into here. The LD-2 mkII has no MIDI thru, so it will need to be at the end of your MIDI chain, or fed from a thru box. Note that if you are using several MIDI devices “daisy chained” together, data may get corrupted to the devices at the end of the line. Best practise is to use a “Thru Box” if there are more than 3 devices chained together.

DC IN 9-12V
Plug the supplied power adapter into here. The unit will take an adapter with an output in the range of 9-12V either regulated or unregulated. The socket is a 2.1mm type with centre positive. Do not use an adaptor with an output voltage higher than 12V, also the LD-2 mkII must not share an adaptor with any other device. Failure to observe this will invalidate your warranty, and will probably damage the other device, the LD-2 mkII and/or the power supply.

Display

The display has two types of readout. Firstly, values are displayed in numeric format. This can be either 0-127 as used by MIDI or alternatively 0-20. Secondly, there is a 20- segment bar readout where a value of zero will show no bars, and a value of 127 will show all bars, with intermediate values showing a proportionate number of bars. See Changing the Display Mode on page 6 for instructions on configuring the display.

Using the LD-2

First connect the supplied power supply to the DC input socket on the left side of the unit, then connect your MIDI signal cable to the MIDI In socket.

When power is applied to the LD-2 mkII the words KENTON LD-2 will scroll across the display, then three horizontal bars will show, indicating that no valid message has been received yet.

The factory default is to display the value of any message sent by controller

7 on MIDI channel #1.

Changing the Controller & MIDI Channel

To change the MIDI message being displayed, use a small screwdriver or matchstick (or similar) to press (then release) the learn button. The display will then show the letters “L r n” for learn. The learn button is deliberately recessed to prevent accidental reassignment.

The next valid MIDI message received on any MIDI channel will be stored, so that any subsequent message received from that controller / program / note number / aftertouch value / pitchbend value on that MIDI channel will be displayed both on the 7 segment display, and on the bargraph.

The learned message and channel information is saved in non-volatile memory, so the unit will “remember” its assignments for the next time it is used.

LEARNING PROGRAM CHANGES
MIDI program changes can be displayed as either 0 to 127 or 1 to 128 on your keyboard. In order to ensure that the LD-2 mkII displays the correct program number, press the recessed button to put the unit into learn mode, then press the program change button on your synth with the number “2” on it. This will either be the 2nd or 3rd button depending which scheme your keyboard uses. The LD-2 mkII will now match your keyboard.

Notes: LD-2s with firmware earlier than #1126 cannot display program changes. LD-2s with firmware up to #2004 will not learn program changes if your keyboard sends Bank Select messages. From firmware #3009, Bank Select messages are ignored in learn mode, so cannot be displayed by the LD-2.

List of Controller numbers

Changing the Numeric Display Mode

To change the display mode to 0-20 or back to 0-127, hold the learn button in for a few seconds. At first it will display L r n (learn), but after several seconds it will show 20 for 0- 20 mode or 127 for 0-127 mode. If you continue to hold the button in, it will continue to toggle between the two modes. When the mode you want to use is displayed, release the button and the unit will be ready to use again. This setting is also stored in the nonvolatile memory. If you learn program change, then display mode will be reset to 0-127.

SysEx Messages

You can control every segment of both the numeric and bargraph displays using SysEx messages if required using the format: F0 00 20 13 07 HB L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 F7. For HB (high bits) bit 7 of L1 data goes in b0 of HB, bit 7 of L2 data goes in b1 of HB, etc. Bits 5,6,7 of HB must always be zero. L1 to L5 are the displays from left to right, e.g. L1 is the leftmost digit and L5 is the rightmost bargraph. Example to light all segments of the bargraphs you would send F0 00 20 13 07 18 00 00 00 7F 7F F7. Example to put 888 in all 3 digits & blank bargraph you would send F0 00 20 13 07 00 7F 7F 7F 00 00 F7.

Factory defaults

If you want to reset your LD-2 mkII to its factory default settings, you can do so by applying power to the unit whilst holding the learn button pressed. Fd (factory defaults) will momentarily be displayed when this has been done.

The factory default settings are: MIDI channel #1 Controller #7 (MIDI volume) Numeric display in 0-127 mode.

Check Firmware Version

To see what version of the firmware your LD-2 mkII is running, turn on the power whilst holding down the learn button (and keep it held). The four-digit firmware number is displayed as two pairs of digits. Note that this will reset the LD2 mkII to factory default.

Firmware Upgrade

If a new version of the firmware is made available, this can be sent to the LD2 mkII via MIDI from a computer as a SysEx message. Full instructions will be included in the firmware update zip file.

Note: You need to start transmission of the SysEx file within 20 seconds of “- – -” appearing on the display at power-on (i.e. as soon as the start-up message has finished scrolling across the display), or else it will be ignored.

The following numbers will show on the display, with the following meanings:

1. Data being received
2. All received
3. CRC check OK, writing firmware
4. Successful upgrade

WARNING:
It is essential that power is maintained during the firmware upgrade process. Failure of power during stage 4 will leave the LD2 mkII unusable and will require the return of the unit to Kenton.

Once 5 is showing on the display, indicating a successful upgrade, wait 10 seconds and turn off the power. After another 10 seconds, turn the power back on.

If the unit hangs during stage 2, not enough bytes have been received. If 8 shows on the display, the data is corrupt. A possible cause for these is a non-compliant MIDI interface (we have found that some do not transmit SysEx messages properly). Cycle power to recover.

Specifications

Power Input| 9-12V DC – mains adaptor supplied (or phantom power from LD-3 or 4)
---|---
Power| 110mA, 2.1mm plug (centre positive)
MIDI| In only. 5 pin 180 deg DIN socket. Valid learned messages are: Controllers (CCs), Program changes, Note numbers, Aftertouch & Pitchbend.
Display| 3 x 7 segment display and 2 x 10 segment bargraph
Weight| 285g
Dimensions| 119 x 54 x 40 mm
Non-volatile memory| EEPROM (no back-up battery required)

Warranty

The LD-2 mkII comes with a 12 month (from purchase date) back to base warranty, (i.e. customer must arrange and pay for carriage to and from Kenton Electronics).

© Kenton Electronics Limited
Unit 13, First Quarter, Blenheim Road, Epsom, Surrey KT19 9QN, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 8544 9200
Fax: +44 (0)20 8544 9300
Firmware version #3009 e. & o. e. 29th March 2023

References

• Kenton Electronics - Welcome

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