Midi Usage; Further Considerations; Ground Loops; Audio Connections - Ecler Nuo5 Manuel Utilisateur

8. MIDI USAGE

The DIN 5 (180º) MIDI OUT connector allows you to control external devices using MIDI protocol.
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a standard protocol for communication between electronic musical
instruments and computers. MIDI devices can work as Slave (controlled) or Master (controls) units. The NUO5
works as a Master MIDI unit which means it can control other electronic musical instruments (Synthetisers,
Sequencers, Drum Machines etc ... even Light Controllers).
The MIDI functions of the NUO5 are "System Messages" with no specific MIDI channel assigned.
Via its MIDI OUT, the NUO5 sends a continuous synchronization code called MIDI Clock which can synchronize
the external(s) MIDI device(s). The NUO5 MIDI Clock signal follows the BPM value (Beat Per Minute) calculated by
the internal BPM Processor. To control the external(s) MIDI device(s), remember to set it first as a "Slave" unit
(External Clock set-up).
The NUO5 can also send MIDI START and MIDI STOP orders to external(s) MIDI device(s) which allows you to
"launch" and "stop" sequences of external(s) MIDI device(s). The MIDI START and MIDI STOP orders are
controlled by the EFFECT Knob (Push): each time you push the EFFECT Knob, the MIDI OUT sends a MIDI
START ("Activate SELECT") or "MIDI STOP" ("Deactivate SELECT").
The MIDI Functions are disabled when the NUO5 gets under "PC MODE".

9. FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS

9.1. Ground loops

Ensure at all times that no signal sources reaching the mixing desk and no devices connected to its output have
their earths interconnected; that is, earth should never reach them via two or more different paths, as this could
lead to humming which could even interfere with sound reproduction quality. In order to avoid earth loops, ensure
that the shielding of cables, if connected to the chassis, are never connected with each other.

9.2. Audio connections

As a general rule of thumb, make the signal connections as short as possible and use the best connectors and
cable available. Cables and connectors are frequently held cheap, forgetting that a bad connection can result in a
poor sound quality.

9.3. Background noise

The use of active circuitry can yield, depending on the configuration, to a significant noise level. The NUO5 has
been designed for the minimum possible noise. Anyway, the noise level will always depend on the correct use and
installation of the mixer. It is not the same setting up the FADER at "2" and the MASTER at "10" that the other way
round; FADER at "10" and MASTER at "2". In the first case you get a poor signal to noise ratio that will be fully
amplified by the master while on the second we have a good signal to noise ratio only amplified by "2". As a result,
the background noise is greater in the first case than in the second one.
9.4. Cleaning
The front panel should not be cleaned with dissolvent or abrasive substances because silk-printing could be
damaged. To clean it, use a soft cloth slightly wet with water and neutral liquid soap; dry it with a clean cloth. Be
careful that water never gets into the unit through the holes of the front panel.
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