KENTON GPMX-16 16 MIDI to GPOs and 16 GPIs to MIDI User Manual

KENTON GPMX-16 16 MIDI to GPOs and 16 GPIs to MIDI

Specifications

• Model: GPMX-16
• Features: 16 MIDI to GPOs and 16 GPIs to MIDI
• Power Input: DC IN 9V
• Compatibility: MIDI devices

Product Usage Instructions

Connections

• DC IN 9V: Plug the power adapter into this port. Ensure the power adapter has an output of 9V.
• MIDI In: Use this input to control the GPO outputs using MIDI. You can also connect multiple units together.
• MIDI out 1 & MIDI out 2: These outputs carry identical MIDI information. Use the second output for backup purposes.

Display

When powered on, the display will show “KENTON GPMX” followed by three horizontal bars indicating no recent GPI input.

Using the GPMX-16

To enter edit mode, press the recessed edit button with a screwdriver or pen. Use the inc & dec buttons to adjust parameters. Press the mode button to confirm changes. Press edit button again to exit edit mode.

Edit Parameters

• P10: GP In Midi transmit channel – select MIDI Vtransmit channel for all GP Inputs
• P11: GP In message type – set output MIDI message type for all GP Inputs
• P12: GP In 1 note number – set note number for GP Input number 1
• P13: GP In 1-8 off send – set whether MIDI off messages are sent for GP Inputs 1 to 8
• P14: GP In 9 note number – set note number for GP Input number 9

Operating manual

FCC Statement for GPMX-16

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.

Information on Disposal for Users of WEEE

This symbol on the product and / or accompanying documents means that used electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) should not be mixed with general household waste. For proper treatment, recovery and recycling, please take this product(s) to designated collection points where it will be accepted free of charge.
Alternatively, in some countries, you may be able to return your products to your local retailer upon purchase of an equivalent new product.
Disposing of this product correctly will help save valuable resources and prevent any potential negative effects on human health and the environment, which could otherwise arise from inappropriate waste handling.
Please contact your local authority for further details of your nearest designated collection point.
Penalties may be applicable for incorrect disposal of this waste, in accordance with your national legislation.
For disposal in countries outside of the European Union
This symbol is only valid in the European Union (EU). If you wish to discard this product, please contact your local authorities or dealer and ask for the correct method of disposal.

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the GPMX-16 – GPI to MIDI unit. The GPMX-16 is very easy to use, but please take a few moments to read through the manual to avoid any operational difficulties.

CONNECTIONS

DC IN 9V
Plug the power adapter into here. The unit will take an adapter with an output of 9V either regulated or unregulated. The socket is a 2.1mm type with centre positive and is compatible with locking type plugs. Do not use a power supply with an output voltage higher than 9V, and the GPMX-16 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 GPMX-16 and/or the power supply.

MIDI In
This input allows you to control the GPO outputs using MIDI. It also allows you to ‘daisy chain’ several boxes together. Any data received at the MIDI In socket is merged with any new data generated from the GPI inputs and everything is then sent to the MIDI outs 1 & 2. There is no limit to the number of GPMX-16 units that can be daisy chained together as the data is re- generated rather than being merely copied.

MIDI out 1 & MIDI out 2
MIDI out 1 and MIDI out 2 carry identical MIDI information. The second output is provided so that data can be set to a backup computer system at the same time as supplying the primary computer.

DISPLAY

The display has several functions; In normal operating mode, the display will show three horizontal bars until a GPI input is received, it will then show a number between 1 and 16 to indicate the GPI input which was activated. Note that if two inputs are received in quick succession, it will show the later one. After a couple of seconds, the display will revert to the three dashes display. In this mode, the dots above the display will indicate MIDI In and MIDI out activity.
The display is also used for editing, which will be dealt with later.

USING THE GPMX-16

GP Inputs are on pins numbered 1 to 8 of the 9 pin D socket connectors (the lower ones) – pin 9 is the common ground connection.

GP Outputs are on pins numbered 1 to 8 of the 9 pin D plug connectors (the upper ones) – pin 9 is the common connection.

When power is applied to the GPMX-16, the words KENTON GPMX will scroll across the display, then three horizontal bars will show, indicating that no GPI input has recently been received.

Various parameters can be edited and stored – see the section on editing for more information.

The GPMX-16 also contains a MIDI analyser – see the MIDI analyser section for more information.

EDIT MODE

To put the GPMX-16 into edit mode, use a screwdriver or pen to press the recessed edit button. The edit dot will light to show that it is in edit mode. The para dot will also light to show that the required parameter can be changed by using the inc & dec buttons. When the required parameter has been selected, press the mode button. The para dot will go out and the val dot will light to indicate that the value can now be changed by using the inc and dec buttons.

When the required value has been set, either press the mode button again to select another parameter, or press the edit button again. This will return you to normal operating mode again. Whenever you return to Parameter mode the settings you have changed will be saved. Settings are stored in non-volatile EEPROM memory.

Note also that the GPMX-16 will continue to function normally during the edit process, except that the display will not indicate an activated input. The parameter names below also scroll across the display.

Edit parameters:

• P10 ‘GP In Midi transmit channel’ – select the MIDI transmit channel for all GP Inputs available values – 1 to 16 – default =1
• P11 ‘GP In message type’ – set the output MIDI message type for all GP Inputs available values – ‘not’ (notes) , ‘con’ (controllers) or ‘prg (program changes) – default =notes
• P12 ‘GP In 1 note number’ – set the note (or cont or prog) number for GP Input number 1 (2 to 8 follow consecutively) – available values 0 to 120 – default =36
• P13 ‘GP In 1-8 off send’ – set whether MIDI off messages are sent for GP Inputs 1 to 8 available values – yes or no – default =yes (note: program changes do not send off messages)
• P14 ‘GP In 9 note number’ – set the note (or cont or prog) number for GP Input number 9 (10 to 16 follow consecutively) – available values 0 to 120 – default =44
• P15 ‘GP In 9-16 off send’ – set whether MIDI off messages are sent for GP Inputs 9 to 16 available values – yes or no – default =yes (note: program changes do not send off messages)
• P16 ‘GP In debounce time’ – sets the debounce value for all GP Inputs  available values – 1 to 995 in 5mS steps – default =20 (value shown in milliseconds approx)
• P17 ‘GP In On vel’ – set the On velocity value used for all GP Inputs when MIDI notes are being sent – available values – 1 to 127– default =127
• P20 ‘GP Out Midi rec channel’ – select the MIDI receive channel for all GP Outputs available values – 1 to 16 – default =2
• P21 ‘GP Out message type’ – set the output MIDI message type for all GP Outputs  available values – ‘not’ (notes) , ‘con’ (controllers) or ‘prg (program changes) – default =notes
• P22 ‘GP Out 1 note number’ – set the note (or cont or prog) number for GP Output number 1 (2 to 8 follow consecutively) – available values 0 to 120 – default =36
• P23 ‘GP Out 1-8 pulse length’ – set pulse length for GP Outputs 1 to 8 – available values oFF & 1 to 250 – default =100 (values in milliseconds approx – see full description on next page)
• P24 ‘GP Out 9 note number’ – set the note (or cont or prog) number for GP Output number 9 (10 to 16 follow consecutively) – available values 0 to 120 – default =44
• P25 ‘GP Out 9-16 pulse length’ – set pulse length for GP Outputs 9 to 16 – available values oFF & 1 to 250 – default =100 (values in milliseconds approx – see full description on next page)
• P26 ‘GP Out CC data threshold’ – set the data value at which GP outputs turn on when the MIDI source is CCs – available values 1 to 127 – default 64
• P30 ‘soft thru’ – set whether messages received at the MIDI Input are echoed to the MIDI outs -available values – on or off – default on

PULSE LENGTHS

When the pulse length parameters show a data value from 1 to 250 then only a MIDI ON message is required as the output will turn itself off again after the specified time. If they show ‘oFF’ then the outputs will remain on until an OFF message is received. The time shown is approximate in milliseconds.

INPUT & OUTPUT CONNECTIONS

Connections for the GP Inputs are on the lower pair of 9 pin D connectors. Below is the view looking at the back of the unit and is the same view as looking at the solder connections of the corresponding plug.
Pins 1 – 8 are the input pins and pin 9 is the common ground connection. The input pins are internally pulled up by 4K7 ohm pullups to +3.3 volts. Shorting an input to ground (pin 9) activates that input.

Connections for the GP Outputs are on the upper pair of 9 pin D connectors. Below is the view looking at the back of the unit and is the same view as looking at the solder connections of the corresponding socket.
Pins 1 – 8 are the output pins and pin 9 is the common connection. Pin 9 can be + or – relative to pins 1 to 8. The GPOs can switch up to 50 Volts at 100mA of resistive load. If you are switching inductive loads (such as conventional relays) ensure you use a snubber circuit or you will damage the solid state relays inside the GPMX-16.

MIDI analyser mode:

The GPMX-16 has a built-in MIDI analyser function. This feature allows you to see what types of MIDI messages are being transmitted by your master keyboard/sequencer making the GPMX-16 a useful diagnostic tool.
To enter analyser mode, you must power on the GPMX-16 whilst holding the SELECT button. The display will then show ‘rC’ for receive channel & status mode. This means the display will show the MIDI receive channel of any messages it receives in the right hand two digits, and will show status in the left digit – this is explained further down the page.
Using the INC, DEC, and SELECT buttons, different types of MIDI messages received may be displayed:

For whichever of the above selected, the GPMX-16 will display the value it receives for the type of message currently selected.
Although pitchbend and after-touch are not strictly controllers, when Controller number [Cn] mode is selected, ‘pb’ will be displayed if a pitchbend message is received, and ‘af’ will be displayed if an after-touch message is received.
If Controller value [Cv] mode is selected, and pitchbend or after-touch messages are received, their values will be displayed.
When Receive channel & status [rC] mode is selected, the right hand 2 digits show the received MIDI channel (if applicable) and the left hand digit operates as a received MIDI message indicator. LED segments will flash when then following types of messages are received: Note on, Note off, Sysex, Timing clock (MIDI clock), Start, Stop, Continue.

The top left dot (any MIDI message) operates in all modes, not just for Receive Channel & Status mode.
To exit MIDI analyser mode, the power switch of the GPMX-16 must be turned off then on again.

FACTORY DEFAULTS

If you wish to reset your GPMX-16 to factory defaults, you can do so by turning the power on whilst holding down all three push buttons (mode, dec & inc). This will return the GPMX-16 to it’s default settings.
‘Fd’ (factory defaults) will momentarily be displayed when this has been done.

DISPLAYING THE FIRMWARE VERSION NUMBER

Power the unit on while holding the ‘INC’ button pressed. While the INC button is held, the firmware revision number [1xxx] will be displayed in pairs – two dashes then digits 1 & 2 then digits 3 & 4 repeated. Releasing the INC button will revert to the normal operational mode.

SPECIFICATIONS

WARRANTY

The GPMX-16 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).

Unit 3, Epsom Downs Metro Centre, Waterfield, Tadworth, KT20 5LR, UK +44 (0)20 8544 9200 www.kenton.co.uk tech@kenton.co.uk

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use a power supply with an output voltage higher than 9V?

A: No, using a power supply with an output voltage higher than 9V will invalidate the warranty and may damage the device.

Q: How many GPMX-16 units can be daisy-chained together?

A: There is no limit to the number of GPMX-16 units that can be daisy-chained together.

References

• Kenton Electronics - Welcome

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