Other DAWS (General Guide)
This guide covers setting up any DAW or MIDI application to trigger video and lighting clips on the MVP. If your DAW isn't covered by our specific guides (Ableton, Pro Tools, Logic Pro), follow these general steps.
Prerequisites
MVP connected via USB-C (HOST port) to your computer
Video and/or lighting clips assigned in the MVP's configuration pages
Know your configured MIDI channels (defaults: Channel 1 for video, Channel 3 for lighting)
General Setup Steps
1. Connect the MVP
Plug the MVP into your computer using the included USB-C cable (HOST port on the MVP). The MVP appears as a class-compliant USB MIDI device -- no drivers needed.
2. Find the MVP in Your DAW
Open your DAW's MIDI settings or preferences. Look for:
MIDI Output Devices
MIDI Ports
External Instruments
The MVP should appear as "MVP" in the list of available MIDI outputs. Enable it.
3. Create a MIDI Track
Create a new MIDI or Instrument track in your DAW. Route its MIDI output to MVP.
4. Set the MIDI Channel
Set the track's output MIDI channel:
Video channel: Default is Channel 1 (check your MVP Video Configuration page)
Lighting channel: Default is Channel 3 (check your MVP Lighting Configuration page)
For both video and lighting control, create separate tracks -- one per channel.
5. Program Triggers
Draw MIDI notes on the track:
Note 1-99: Trigger the clip assigned to that number
Note 0: Blackout (video goes black / DMX all channels to 0)
Note duration doesn't matter -- only the Note On message triggers the clip
6. Test
Play the track and watch the MVP Dashboard's Input Monitor to verify:
The correct MIDI note numbers are being received
Clips are triggering as expected
Important Notes
Note On is the trigger
The MVP triggers a clip the instant it receives a Note On message. The note's duration (how long you hold it or how long the MIDI note is drawn) is irrelevant. A 1-tick note and a 4-bar note both trigger the same clip at the same moment.
Stopping playback
Pressing Stop in your DAW does not stop the MVP. The last triggered clip continues playing (or looping). To explicitly stop output, send Note 0 (blackout).
MIDI input routing
Set the MVP track's MIDI Input to None or Off (if your DAW supports this). This prevents MIDI feedback if the MVP sends any messages back.
DAW-Specific Notes
Reaper
Enable in Preferences > MIDI Devices
Cubase / Nuendo
Enable in Studio > Studio Setup > MIDI Port Setup
FL Studio
Enable in Options > MIDI Settings > Output
Bitwig Studio
Appears in Settings > Controllers
Reason
Enable in Preferences > MIDI > Advanced
GarageBand
Automatically available as an External MIDI destination
QLab
Add as a MIDI output in Workspace Settings
Companion
Add MVP as a MIDI output in the settings
MainStage
Available as an External Instrument destination
Tips
Use the MVP Dashboard as your debugging tool: The Input Monitor shows every MIDI event with the exact note number, channel, and device name.
MIDI note numbering varies between DAWs: "C3" might be note 48 in one DAW and note 60 in another. Always check the Dashboard for the actual note number.
Related Pages
Triggering Overview -- All trigger methods
Ableton Live Setup -- Ableton-specific guide
Pro Tools Configuration -- Pro Tools-specific guide
Logic Pro Configuration -- Logic Pro-specific guide
Network MIDI (RTP-MIDI) Setup -- Wireless MIDI to the MVP
MIDI Reference -- Complete note and CC reference
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