Ctrlk

Pro Tools Setup

This guide covers setting up Pro Tools to trigger video and lighting clips on the MVP via MIDI, and optionally sending MTC for timecode synchronization.

Prerequisites

  • MVP connected via USB-C (HOST port) to your computer

  • Video and/or lighting clips assigned in the MVP's Video Configuration or Lighting Configuration pages

  • Know your configured MIDI channels (check the Video and Lighting pages -- defaults are Channel 1 for video, Channel 3 for lighting)

1. Verify MIDI Connection

  1. Open Pro Tools.

  2. Go to Setup > MIDI > MIDI Input Devices.

  3. Verify that MVP appears in the list and is checked/enabled.

If MVP doesn't appear, check your USB connection and try re-plugging the cable.

2. Create a MIDI Track

  1. Go to Track > New (or press Cmd+Shift+N / Ctrl+Shift+N).

  2. Create a new MIDI Track.

3. Route MIDI Output to MVP

  1. Click on the track's MIDI Output selector (in the Mix window or I/O section of the Edit window).

  2. Select MVP as the output device.

  3. Set the MIDI channel to match your MVP configuration:

    • For video triggers: the channel configured in MVP's Video settings (default: Channel 1)

    • For lighting triggers: the channel configured in MVP's Lighting settings (default: Channel 3)

Tip: Set the MIDI Input to None on your MVP trigger tracks. This prevents MIDI feedback loops if you have the MVP connected as both input and output.

4. Program MIDI Triggers

  1. Switch to the Edit window if not already there.

  2. Select the Pencil tool (or use the mini-keyboard in the MIDI Editor).

  3. Draw MIDI notes on the piano roll:

    • Note 1-99: Triggers the clip assigned to that note number

    • Note 0 (C-2): Triggers blackout

    • Note length doesn't matter -- only the Note On event triggers the clip

MIDI Note Numbering in Pro Tools

Pro Tools uses the C3 = MIDI note 60 convention. Here's how MVP note numbers map:

MVP Note
Pro Tools Note Name

0 (Blackout)

C-1

1

C#-1 / Db-1

12

C0

24

C1

36

C2

48

C3

60

C4

Tip: The MVP Dashboard shows the actual MIDI note number received. If you're unsure about the mapping, play a note and check the Dashboard's Input Monitor to see which note number the MVP received.

5. Separate Tracks for Video and Lighting

To trigger both video and lighting clips from the same Pro Tools session:

  1. Create two MIDI tracks -- one for video, one for lighting.

  2. Route both to MVP as the output device.

  3. Set the video track to your video MIDI channel (default: Channel 1).

  4. Set the lighting track to your lighting MIDI channel (default: Channel 3).

  5. Program video cues on the video track and lighting cues on the lighting track.

6. (Optional) Send MTC for Timecode Sync

If you're using the MVP's Timeline Editor for timecode-synced shows:

  1. Go to Setup > Peripherals > Synchronization (or Setup > MIDI > MIDI Beat Clock depending on your Pro Tools version).

  2. Enable MTC output to MVP.

  3. Set the frame rate to match the rate configured in the MVP's Timeline Editor.

  4. Optionally enable MMC output (Machine Control) for transport events (Stop, Play, Locate).

For details: MTC (MIDI Timecode) Setup

7. Stopping Playback

Stopping Pro Tools does not stop the MVP. The last triggered clip continues playing.

To stop video or lighting:

  • Draw a Note 0 (C-1) at the end of your session or at any point where you want blackout

  • This sends the blackout command to the MVP

Tips

  • Disable Loop mode on your MIDI clips in Pro Tools if you don't want triggers to repeat on loop playback

  • Use markers in Pro Tools to label your visual cue points for easy reference

  • Monitor the MVP Dashboard during programming to verify each note triggers the expected clip

Related Pages

PreviousAbleton Live SetupNextLogic Pro Setup

Last updated