Knowledge Base

Published February 26, 2020

 

MIDI Mode integrated switching

FaderPort 8 and 16 now offer a way to switch to MIDI Mode “on-the-fly” from any of the DAW
control modes. This allows a user to switch between a DAW control mode and MIDI control
mode at any point without having to power cycle the FaderPort 8 / 16.

Universal Control 3.2.0.56558 released Feb 25, 2020

• FaderPort 8 - Firmware 3.42
• FaderPort 16 - Firmware 3.42 

Update process:
Updating is done through Universal Control as always. Universal Control 3.2.0.56558 (and newer versions) have the necessary firmware 3.42 for this new feature. Please install Universal Control 3.2.0.56558, connect, and power on the FaderPort 8 or 16. You will be prompted to update the firmware.

1. Updating the FaderPort 8:
   FaderPort 8 updating is straight forward. Once prompted to update the firmware in UC 3.2, click
   the “green” update button to start the firmware process.
2. Follow the on screen instructions.
3. Make sure to not power off or disconnect the device during the update or you will have to start over.
4. At the end of this process your FaderPort 8 will be on firmware 3.42 
5. For OS X users, in your DAW you'll notice another set of MIDI Ports called MIDI Mode. 
   1. PreSonus FP8 Port 1
   2. PreSonus FP8 MIDI Mode
6. For Windows users, in your DAW you'll notice another set of MIDI Ports* are just numbered:
   1. PreSonus FP8 Port 1
   2. PreSonus PF8 Port 2
      
      1. Port 2 is the MIDI Mode function. 
   1. You'll need to create a second device in your DAW and select PreSonus FP8 Mode (Mac) / PreSonus FP8 Port 3 (Windows) as it's MIDI Input and MIDI Output. 
      1. Set your DAW to receive input from this new device. 

* Apple Mac OS X has the ability to have custom MIDI Port names. Microsoft Windows does not have this feature and only numbers the MIDI Ports sequentially. 

Updating the FaderPort 16:
The FaderPort 16 update requires a two step update process.

1. Once prompted to update the firmware in UC 3.2, click the “green” update button to start the firmware process, you will be notified that you must first do a preliminary firmware update.
2. Allow the first update to occur. This update prepares the device for the next update that enables this new ability.
3. Once the first update is completed, you will be prompted to restart your FaderPort 16. Go ahead and restart the device by turn off the power, wait a few seconds and then turn it back on.
4. After restarting, Universal Control 3.2.0.56558 will indicate that an update for the FaderPort 16 is available.
5. Click the “green” update button to initiate the next firmware update to version 3.42.
6. Follow the onscreen instructions again to complete the update, power cycling the unit when the update is finished. 
7. Once you restart after this second update, your FaderPort 16 will be on firmware 3.42 with the
   new “on-the-fly” MIDI control switch.
8. For OS X users, in your DAW you'll notice another set of MIDI Ports called MIDI Mode. 
   1. PreSonus FP16 Port 1
   2. PreSonus FP16 Port 2
   3. PreSonus FP16 MIDI Mode
9. For Windows users, in your DAW you'll notice another set of MIDI Ports* are just numbered:
   1. PreSonus FP16 Port 1
   2. PreSonus PF16 Port 2
   3. PreSonus FP16 Port 3
      1. Port 3 is the MIDI Mode function. 
10. You'll need to create a second device in your DAW and select PreSonus FP16 Mode (Mac) / PreSonus FP16 Port 3 (Windows) as it's MIDI Input and MIDI Output. 
    1. Set your DAW to receive input from this new device. 

* Apple Mac OS X has the ability to have custom MIDI Port names. Microsoft Windows does not have this feature and only numbers the MIDI Ports sequentially. 

MIDI Mode In Use
The MIDI Mode of the FaderPort 8 / 16 was intended to allow users a set of controls (faders,
buttons, encoders) that are pre-assigned to common MIDI CC messages that many composers
and producers utilize. In addition, most DAW’s, or instrument softwares can also utilize the MIDI CC controllers for MIDI learn functionality in that software.

To enter MIDI operation mode in the FaderPort 8 or 16:
1. While in any Standard Operation mode (Studio One Native, Logic MCU, ProTools HUI, etc.) press both Shift buttons simultaneously
2. The screens across FaderPort 8 / 16 will display "MIDI Mode"
3. The previous standard operation mode (Studio One Native, Logic MCU, ProTools HUI, etc.) ceases and the unit will only send out the defined MIDI values below

To exit MIDI operation mode in the FaderPort 8 or 16:
1. Press both Shift buttons simultaneously.
2. The FaderPort 8 / 16 will return to the last used standard operation mode
3. The FaderPort 8 / 16 will update to it’s last state before “MIDI Mode”

MIDI Mode is one-way communication from the controller to the software. FaderPort 8 / 16 does not receive feedback from the software for Fader placement or LED button sync.

 

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Please contact PreSonus Technical Support by creating a Support Ticket at My.PreSonus.com for further assistance.

>How to create a support ticket<