KENTON GPMX-16 16 MIDI to GPOs and 16 GPIs to MIDI Compatible Converter Instruction Manual

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

Product Information

Specifications

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

Product Usage Instructions

Connections

• DC IN 9V: Plug the power adapter into here. Make sure the output of the adapter is 9V. Do not share the adapter with any other device to avoid damage.
• MIDI In: Use this input to control the GPO outputs using MIDI. You can also connect multiple units. Data received at this input is merged with data from GPI inputs and sent to the MIDI outputs.
• MIDI out 1 & MIDI out 2: These outputs carry identical MIDI information. The second output can be used for backup purposes.

Display

• The display shows three horizontal bars in normal mode. When a GPI input is received, it displays a number between 1 and 16 indicating the activated GPI input. After a few seconds, it reverts to the three-dashes display. The dots above the display indicate MIDI activity.
• The display is also used for editing functions, refer to the Edit Mode section in the manual.

Using the GPMX-16
Welcome to the GPMX-16 GPI to MIDI and MIDI to GPO unit. Please read through the manual to avoid operational difficulties. The unit is easy to use.

FAQ

• What should I do with the product at the end of its life?
  To prevent harm to the environment, do not dispose of it with household waste. Separate it for recycling. Contact your local authorities for proper disposal methods.

• Can I connect multiple GPMX-16 units?
  Yes, there is no limit to how many units you can daisy chain together as the data is re-generated rather than copied.

Overview

FCC STATEMENT FOR GPMX-16

NOTE:
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, according 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 under 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 the receiver.
• Connect the equipment to 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 waste and recycle it responsibly to promote the sustainable reuse 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 wastes for disposal.

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 and MIDI to GPO 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 a center 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 that was activated. Note that if two inputs are received in quick succession, it will show the latter 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, see Edit Mode section later in this manual.

Using the GPMX-16

• GP Inputs are on pins numbered 1 to 8 of the 9-pin D socket connectors (the lower row) – 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 row) – 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 Edit Mode section later in this manual.
• The GPMX-16 also contains a MIDI analyzer – see the MIDI analyzer 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.

GP Input And Output Parameters

GP Input Parameters

• P10 GP In MIDI transmit channel (default: 1)

  • Range: 1 to 16
  • Sets the MIDI transmit channel for all GP Inputs.

• P11 GP In message type (default: notes)

  • [not] Notes
  • [con] Controllers
  • [prg] Program Changes
    Sets the output MIDI message type for all GP Inputs.

• P12 GP In 1 note number (default: 36)

  • Range: 0 to 120
  • Sets the note, controller, or program number for GP Input number 1 (2 to 8 follow consecutively).

• P13 GP In 1-8 off send (default: Yes)

  • Range: Yes or No
  • Sets whether MIDI note off or controller value=0 messages are sent for GP Inputs 1 to 8. Not applicable when using program changes.

• P14 GP In 9 note number (default: 44)

  • Range: 0 to 120
  • Sets the note, controller, or program number for GP Input number 9 (10 to 16 follow consecutively).

• P15 GP In 9-16 off send (default: Yes)

  • Range: Yes or No
  • Sets whether MIDI note off or controller value=0 messages are sent for GP Inputs 9 to 16. Not applicable when using program changes.

• P16 GP In debounce time (default: 20)

  • Range: 1 to 995 in 5ms steps
  • Sets the debounce value in milliseconds for all GP Inputs.

• P17 GP In On velocity (default: 127)

  • Range: 1 to 127
  • Sets the On velocity value used for all GP Inputs when MIDI notes are being sent.

GP Output Parameters

• P20 GP Out Midi receive channel (default: 2)
  • Range: 1 to 16
  • Sets the MIDI transmit channel for all GP Outputs.
• P21 GP Out message type (default: Notes)
  • [not] Notes
  • [con] Controllers
  • [prg] Program Changes
  • Sets the output MIDI message type for all GP Outputs.
• P22 GP Out 1 note number (default: 36)
  • Range: 0 to 120
  • Sets the note, controller, or program number for GP Output number 1 (2 to 8 follow consecutively).
• P23 GP Out 1-8 pulse length (default: 100)
  • Range: [off], 1 to 250
  • Sets the pulse length in milliseconds for GP Outputs 1 to 8. If set to [off] then the outputs will remain on until an OFF message is received. Not applicable when using program changes.
• P24 GP Out 9 note number (default: 44)
  • Range: 0 to 120
  • Sets the note, controller, or program number for GP Output number 9 (10 to 16 follow consecutively).
• P25 GP Out 9-16 pulse length (default: 100)
  • Range: [off], 1 to 250
  • Sets the pulse length in milliseconds for GP Outputs 9 to 16. If set to [off] then the outputs will remain on until an OFF message is received. Not applicable when using program changes.
• P26 GP Out CC data threshold (default: 64)
  • Range: 1 to 127
  • Sets the data value at which GP outputs turn on when the MIDI source is set to controllers.

Common Parameters

• P30 soft thru (default: On)
  • Range: On or Off
  • Sets whether messages received at the MIDI Input are echoed to the MIDI outs.

Input 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.

Output Connections

• 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 analyzer 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 analyzer mode, power on the GPMX-16 whilst holding the MODE button. [AnL] will be displayed while you hold the button down to indicate MIDI Analyser Mode. Upon release of the button, the display will show [rc] for the 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 MODE buttons, different types of MIDI messages received may be displayed:

• MODE
  • Short press [rc] Receive channel & status
  • Long press [Pc] Program change
• DEC
  • Short press [nt] Note the number
  • Long press [nv] Velocity
• INC
  • Short press [cn] Controller number
  • Long press [cv] Controller value

For whichever of the above is 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 pitch bend message is received, and [af] will be displayed if an after-touch message is received. If Controller value [cv] mode is selected, and pitch bend or after-touch messages are received, their values will be displayed. When the 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 the following types of messages are received: Note on, Note off, SysEx, Timing clock (MIDI clock), Start, Stop, and Continue.

The top left dot (any MIDI message) operates in all modes

To exit MIDI analyzer mode, the power switch of the GPMX-16 must be turned off and 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 its default settings.
• [Fd] (factory defaults) will momentarily be displayed when this has been done.

Displaying the Firmware Version
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

• Power Input 9V DC – switch mode mains adaptor supplied
• Power consumption 200mA max, 2.1mm plug (center positive)
• MIDI In, Out1 & Out2 (out1 & out2 give the same data out)
• Inputs 16 GPI – 8 on each of 2 x 9 pin D connectors – pin 9 common ground
• Outputs 16 GPO – 8 on each of 2 x 9 pin D connectors – pin 9 common ground
• Display 3 x 7 segment display
• Weight 1Kg including PSU
• Dimensions 190 x 110 x 45 mm
• Non-volatile memory EEPROM (no backup battery required)

Warranty

The GPMX-16 comes with a 12-month (from the purchase date) back-to-base warranty, (i.e. customer must arrange and pay for carriage to and from Kenton Electronics Ltd). In the unlikely event of a problem, contact us by email through our website or by telephone.

KENTON

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

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