M-Audio Portman 4x4 Instruction Manual

Table of ContentsFCC Class B and CE Compliance 3Features 4Package Contents 5Basic Theory of Operation 5MIDI Modes 5SMPTE Modes 6Front and Back Panel 8

10Mechanical InstallationTo mechanically attach the PORTMAN 4x4/S to your computer,do the following:1. Turn off both your computer and the PORTMAN 4x4

11About the Parallel CableThe PORTMAN 4x4/S ships with a suitable parallel cable.However, if you need to replace this cable or want a longer one,there

12Line Name DB25-S (25-pin end) Centronics-Strobe* 1 1D0 2 2D1 3 3D2 4 4D3 5 5D4 6 6D5 7 7D6 8 8D7 9 9-ACK 10 10Busy 11 11PE 12 12SLCT 13 13-AUTOFD 14

13About Your Printer PortThe driver for the PORTMAN 4x4/S needs to be configuredaccording to the Port Address and the Interrupt Request Number(IRQ) of

14gram will search for the I/O address and IRQ of your parallelport. While most PCs have the same setting (I/O address 378h,IRQ 7) for LPT1, enough co

15The diagnostic software user interface is quite simple. Just usethe arrow keys to move from one line to the next and the <Enter>key to move t

16c.) The PORTMAN is defective. This is extremely rare as thePORTMAN units are tested rigorously at the factory beforeshipping. If you think this is

17Transmit/Receive Test: Fail Tx=0h Rx=Timeouta.) Make sure that your MIDI cable(s) are good.b.) Make sure that you have a MIDI cable connected betwee

18have looped from SMPTE In to SMPTE Out is good.DriversMIDI application software communicates with the PORTMAN4x4/S via software “drivers.” Basically

198. You will be prompted for a disk drive from which to read thedriver. Insert the PORTMAN 4x4/S drivers and diagnosticsdisk into your floppy disk dr

Syncing to SMPTE 32Recording a SMPTE Stripe (Writing SMPTE) 32Syncing to a SMPTE Stripe 34The Remote Control Software 35SMPTE Setup 35Patchbay Setup 3

20worked printer. For something as timing dependent as MIDI,this can be disastrous. Using the SYSEDIT.EXE program (youcan find it in the SYSTEM subdir

21Driver AdvancedWindows 95 Wizard

226. Select the Midiman PORTMAN 4x4/S driver from the list boxand click on “OK”.7. Click on “Finish”. The rest of the installation is the same asfrom

23PC ComputerTape DeckTape InTape OutMIDI Sound Module 2MIDI OutMIDI InMaster Keyboard 2Master KeyboardMIDI OutMIDI InOut4 In4 Out3 In3 MIDIPrinter

24A:SETUP.EXE if your diskette is in drive A, or type B:SETUP.EXEif your diskette is in drive B. Now, select the OK button. TheSETUP program will auto

25• The Tape Recorder Tape Out (or Sync Out) is connected to thePORTMAN 4x4/S SMPTE jack labeled “IN”. • The Tape Recorder Tape In (or Sync In) is con

26OUT4 - PORTMAN 4x4/SControl - PORTMAN 4x4/SInputs 1 through 4 correspond to the physical MIDI In connectors1 through 4, and the SMPTE/Status corresp

27and can be read from audio tracks for synchronization purposes.The SMPTE Time Code consists simply of:Hours : Minutes : Seconds : Frames.Therefore a

28no longer readable and the PORTMAN 4x4/S sends a standardMTC NAK (signal not acquired) message to the application toindicate the tape has become idl

29What Frame Rate and Settings Should You Use?The following table summarizes the frame rates that we recom-mend you use when striping SMPTE: Applicati

3READ THIS! ... READ THIS! ...Included with PORTMAN 4x4/S is a factory diskette con-taining diagnostic software, Windows drivers and aWindow app

30the MIDI application you are using. If your sequencer is capableof displaying User Bits information, then you may read the UserBits there as well.Th

31is 5 seconds later. This is also known as a 5-second “pre-roll.”Some sequencers will actually allow you to directly set the “pre-roll” time to a sp

32Syncing to SMPTE Recording a SMPTE Stripe (Writing SMPTE)Before the PORTMAN 4x4/S can be used to synchronize to asource audio and/or video tape, tha

338 of an 8-track machine). This will minimize cross-talkbetween the time code and the other audio tracks of the tape.5. Put your tape deck into recor

34Syncing to a SMPTE StripeWith a SMPTE stripe recorded on one track of your tape deck, youare now ready to sync to tape. Set your sequencer toSMPTE/M

35The Remote Control SoftwareIf you haven’t worked with SMPTE/MTC sync before, we suggestyou read the section “SMPTE/MIDI Time Code Tutorial” beforere

36Change these numbers to match your desired user bits settings.The <Tab> key will move you to the next field.Patchbay SetupFrom this screen, yo

37Delete ConfigDelete a SMPTE configuration from the provided list.Confirm ExitIf this is checked, you will always be asked to confirm that youactuall

38Using the Patchbay FeaturesSuppose you’ve got a master keyboard and several MIDI tonemodules. When you’re performing, some songs use one module,some

39Next, you decide to double the strings with M1 horns on the sec-ond chorus. You would create a second program like this:Insert Fig Program 2This pro

4FeaturesThank you for purchasing the Midiman PORTMAN 4x4/S paral-lel port MIDI interface. The PORTMAN 4x4/S offers professionalMIDI and SMPTE perform

40Trouble-ShootingIf you are having problems using your PORTMAN 4x4/S, it isprobably a good idea to re-read this manual and make sure youhave properly

41SYMPTOM: The diagnostic program’s Transmit/Receive Testfails.SOLUTION: Either you forgot to install the MIDI loopbackcable, or the ports you’ve phys

42SYMPTOM: The PORTMAN transmits MIDI garbage to myinstruments, such as random note errors and streams of programchanges.SOLUTION: What is most likely

43SYMPTOM: My keyboard shows “MIDI Data Error,” or “MIDIBuffer Full”. SOLUTION: Check your MIDI cables and MIDI connections. Besure the cables are plu

44proper Tape Out/Sync Out port of your deck? Are your SMPTE audio cables good? Have you discovered the best Input and Output level settings onyour t

Lifetime Limited WarrantyMIDIMAN warrants that this product is free of defects in materials andworkmanship under normal use so long as the product is

5Package ContentsIncluded in the PORTMAN 4x4/S package should be:• The PORTMAN 4x4/S interface unit.• DB-25 to Centronics parallel cable.• DC 9v 500 m

6When the PORTMAN 4x4/S powers up, it enters Patchbay modeand configures itself to Program 00. It may be switched to otherprograms via MIDI Program Ch

7When both Read and Write LEDs are blinking, SMPTE Regeneratemode is selected and the box is waiting to acquire incomingSMPTE. This mode is selected

8Front and Back PanelFront Panel(insert Front Panel fig 1. here)1. Interface indicator LED - This LED, when lit, indicates that thePORTMAN 4x4/S is op

98. Write switch - Starts and stops the SMPTE writer. When pressed andimmediately released, the SMPTE time code starts writing at the pre-set start of