dlive-midi-tools

Description

Python and MIDI/TCP-based tool to prepare channel lists for Allen & Heath dLive & Avantis consoles. Based on a spreadsheet the following parameters can be preconfigured and in very few steps be written to real dLive/Avantis systems or to dLive/Avantis Director via MIDI/TCP or CSV import. Additionally, from the same spreadsheet or the current console settings a DAW recording session for Reaper or Tracks Live can be generated.

• Name & Color for:
  • Channel
  • DCA
  • Aux
  • Group
  • Matrices
  • FX Sends
  • FX Returns
• Channel Mute
• Fader Level
• Main Mix Assignments
• DCA Assignments
• 48V Phantom Power (Local, DX1 & DX3, SLink)
• PAD (Local, DX1 & DX3, SLink)
• Gain (Local, DX1 & DX3, SLink)
• Mute Group Assignments (dLive only)
• HPF On (dLive only)
• HPF Value (dLive only)
• Source & Socket Patching (via dLive Director CSV Import)

More information about future releases can be found in the wiki

Use Cases

• Single source (spreadsheet) for channel lists in single or multi-console situations
• Better overview of all channels during preparation phase
• Sync channel names and colors between consoles and DAW for virtual soundchecks
• Supports dLive & dLive Director (offline and online)
• Supports Avantis & Avantis Director (offline and online)
• Generate DAW session(s) from current console settings
• Generate CSV File incl. channel patching for Director CSV Import

Software Liability Warning

This software is provided "as is," without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to the warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. In no event shall the authors or copyright holders be liable for any claim, damages, or other liability, whether in an action of contract, tort, or otherwise, arising from, out of, or in connection with the software or the use or other dealings in the software.

Furthermore, this software may be subject to known or unknown bugs, errors, and vulnerabilities, which may result in unexpected behavior or security breaches. The authors or copyright holders shall not be liable for any damages or losses resulting from such bugs, errors, or vulnerabilities.

By using this software, you acknowledge and agree that you do so at your own risk and that you will be solely responsible for any damages or losses that may arise from such use.

Used Python Libraries

• mido - Midi Library
• pandas - spreadsheet reader/writer
• reathon - Reaper Session Creator
• xlrd - supports xls format
• odfpy - supports odf format
• openpyxl - supports xlsx format
• numpy - array computing
• pyinstaller - Binary creator

see 3rd Party Licenses

Overview

Download

Version	Date	OS	Download	Release Notes	MD5 Checksum
v2.8.0	16.07.2024	macOS (x86_64 - Intel)	Link	Link	c5b3bc6c563a125e973e75e879002331
		macOS (arm64 - Apple-Silicon)	Link		d746a860cb0814acb042a02d5ebe7614
		Windows (x86_64)	Link		c5b3bc6c563a125e973e75e879002331
v2.7.0	24.01.2024	macOS (x86_64 - Intel/Apple-Silicon*)	Link	Link	0067242c999b6b44570076fbaed86aa7
		Windows (x86_64)	Link		ba57e67e20ee83c249a773cd762ead98
v2.6.0	15.12.2023	macOS (x86_64 - Intel/Apple-Silicon*)	Link	Link	420ae04d475091c15cf5094f2c9c5d3a
		Windows (x86_64)	Link		6e3d3adf822604d49708a434274c438f

(*) Hints for Apple-Silicon: In combination with Rosetta 2 also compatible for Apple-Silicon (M1/M2). Newer versions of macOS should have it installed by default. Keep in mind that the first start can take a while.

Older versions see archive

Input file / The Spreadsheet Template

Example spreadsheet files for dLive: dLiveChannelList.xlsx and Avantis: AvantisChannelList.xlsx can be found in the root folder. By default, channels 1-128 (dLive) and 1-64 (Avantis) are available in the sheets. If you need less, just delete the channels you don't want to process.

You can also write in blocks. e.g.

• CH1-16
• CH25-32
• CH97-128

in this case, the channels not mentioned are not affected, this works as well for the Groups.

Empty lines in between are not supported.

Microsoft Excel and LibreOffice Calc Spreadsheet can be used to write/save the sheets. Please make sure that you save your changes in the (*.xlsx or *.ods) format.

NOTE: You can add additional columns, like 'Mic Stand', 'Mic/DI', 'Sub-core Patching' etc., but please make sure that the first line keeps the existing fields including their names, otherwise the data can´t be parsed properly. If you want, you can also reorder the columns to your needs.

Channel Overview

More details about the Channels columns can be found here

Sockets Overview

More details about the Sockets columns can be found here

Groups Overview

More details about the Groups columns can be found here

Mixer Config

This is a report of used busses. It does not change the "Mixer Config".
Please have a look at the yellow box.
It can help you to set the "Mixer Config" properly.

Example Generated Reaper Recording Session

If you select the "Generate Reaper Recording Session" checkbox, the columns Name, Color, Recording, and Record Arm are considered for the template generation process.

Example Generated Tracks Live Template ´

If you select the "Generate Tracks Live Template" checkbox, the columns Name, Color, Recording, and Record Arm are considered for the template generation process.

The tool generates a track live template (*.template), which can be used to create a recording session in Tracks Live

Click on Open Template and select the generated file.

Settings on the console

The Midi Channel setting on dLive under Utils/Shows -> Control -> Midi should be set to: 12 to 16, which is default.

If you want to change the preconfigured Midi port, you can change it in the Graphical User Interface according to your dLive settings.

Default IP-Address

The default dLive Mixrack IP-Address is: 192.168.1.70. This IP-Address is preconfigured in the scripts. If you want to change it, you can edit the field ip in the file: dliveConstants.py or during runtime within the Graphical User Interface.

Please make sure that your Ethernet or Wi-Fi interface has an IP-Address in the same subnet. e.g. IP: 192.168.1.10 / Subnet: 255.255.255.0

Usage

Prerequisites:

• Windows >= 10 / macOS >= BigSur
• dLive Firmware: 1.9x / 2.x
• dLive Director: 1.9x / 2.x (Optional)
• Avantis Firmware: 1.30
• Microsoft Excel or LibreOffice Calc Spreadsheet
• Reaper (Optional)
• Tracks Live v1.3 (Optional)
• Python 3.11 (Optional, if you want to build the software yourself)

To run the tool, you have two options:

A: Use an available download (see above), unzip it, start the dmt tool and continue with Step 4
If the tool does not start automatically: Try it with "Open with -> Terminal" or run it from terminal.

B: Build it your own from scratch, using the following steps.

B1. Before you run the script, please run the following command to download the required Python modules using pip. Please make sure pip is installed.

pip install -r dependencies.txt

B2. Run the script with the following command:

cd src
python3 Main.py

B3. (Optional) If you want to make a binary out of it, please do the following:

B3.1 Installation of pyinstaller

`pip install pyinstaller`

B3.2 Create a onefile binary (works for Windows and macOS)

`pyinstaller -y --onefile -w ./src/Main.py`

4. Afterwards, the following window appears. This can take a couple of seconds.

Recommendation: Please back up your current show file, just to be on the safe side if something goes wrong.

1. Select the console: dLive or Avantis

2. Check the (Mixrack-) IP and Midi Port.

3. Save Persists the current settings (console, IP, midi-port) for the next start of the tool.

4. Director, sets the IP to 127.0.0.1, to use Director locally on the same machine. Director has to be started before. You can also write to a Director instance running on a different machine, in this case, please use the external IP-Address of this machine where Director is already started and running. (In case of connection issues, please check the firewall rules or disable it temporarily)

5. Default Sets the IP back to default: 192.168.1.70.

6. Test Connection Tries to establish a test connection to the console. In both cases (successful/failed) you will be informed by a pop-up.

The tool has currently two modes:

• Spreadsheet to Console / DAW (Continue with next Step)
• Console to DAW (Continue with Step 10)

Choose which mode you want to use:

7. Select the spreadsheet columns you want to write and then select Write to Audio Console or Director.

   Select All selects all checkboxes. Clear removes all ticks.

8. If you also want to create a DAW Session template (Reaper or Tracks Live), set the corresponding tick. The session files <input-spreadsheet-file>-reaper-recording-template.rpp / <input-spreadsheet-file>-trackslive-recording.template will be generated into the directory from where the spreadsheet has been chosen. In the Channels tab, you can configure which channel shall be recorded and "record armed". The patching is 1:1 (derived from the channel number)
   
   

   The following DAW-based options are available:
   

   • Disable Track Numbering
     
   • Disable Track Coloring
     
   • An additional custom track prefix can also be added.
     
   • Add two additional mono busses to record your mixing sum.

NOTE: You can also use the tool to create only the DAW session file (Reaper or Tracks Live), in case you use a different audio console. In this case, disable the checkbox "Write to Audio Console or Director", choose your DAW and continue with Step 10.

9. Generate Director CSV (Columns: Name, Color, Source, Socket, Gain, Pad, Phantom) Generates a CSV file for Director incl. Name, Color, Patching, Gain, Pad, Phantom, using the Director CSV Import function, you can use this as a baseline for the MIDI based parameters.

NOTE: This feature uses the columns Name, Color, Source, Socket, Gain, Pad, Phantom from the Channels Tab.

10. Click the button Open spreadsheet and start writing process to select the spreadsheet. Afterwards, the selected action(s) start automatically.

Recommendation: Please test it first with the delivered spreadsheet to make sure everything works properly.

11. Console to DAW - Generates a DAW session from the current console settings. This can be triggered even later, when an existing show is available on the console. This process doesn´t need a spreadsheet.

Options:

• Choose Start and End channel to be used for DAW generation.
• Disable Track Numbering
  
• Disable Track Coloring
  
• An additional custom track prefix can also be added.
  
• Add two additional mono busses to record your mixing sum.

Click Generate DAW session(s) from current console settings

12. If something goes wrong, please check the Python console or the main.log

If you find any issues, please let me know. New ideas are welcome.

Have fun!

Feedback

If you want to give feedback, report an issue or contribute (new ideas, coding, testing, documentation) please use the following mail address:
[email protected] or the following Link

Troubleshooting

Problem	Possible Solution
Console to DAW Feature seems to hang	Please make sure, the MIDI Channel on the Audio console fits to the settings in the tool. You can find the MIDI Settings under "Utils/Shows -> Control -> Midi"

Release Notes

v2.8.0

Feature & Maintenance Release

New Features

• dLive Director CSV Support for V2.00

Improvements

• Code refactoring

Technical Limitations

• DX2 (Pad/Phantom/Gain) for Avantis via SLink is currently not possible due to technical limitations on API.
• HPF on, HPF value, and Mute Groups for Avantis are currently not possible due to technical limitations on API.

Issues fixed

Known issues

v2.7.0

Feature & Maintenance Release

New Features

• Console to DAW Recording Session

Improvements

• Switched to tab based GUI
• Handling of invalid IP-Addresses
• Repository reorganized

Technical Limitations

• DX2 (Pad/Phantom/Gain) for Avantis via SLink is currently not possible due to technical limitations on API.
• HPF on, HPF value, and Mute Groups for Avantis are currently not possible due to technical limitations on API.

Issues fixed

Known issues

v2.6.0

Feature & Maintenance Release

New Features

• Tracks Live Support (Template Generation)
• Possibility to disable track coloring
• Channel to Main Mix Assignments
• Bypass feature for DCAs and Mute Groups added

Improvements

• Support for spaces in track names for Reaper

Technical Limitations

• DX2 (Pad/Phantom/Gain) for Avantis via SLink is currently not possible due to technical limitations on API.
• HPF on, HPF value, and Mute Groups for Avantis are currently not possible due to technical limitations on API.

Issues fixed

Known issues

v2.5.0

Feature & Maintenance Release

New Features

• Bypass feature on channels, sockets, and groups sheet added
• Possibility to disable track numbering
• Possibility to add two additional master tracks
• Possibility to add a custom track prefix

Improvements

• Gain value mapping improved - gain values are now more accurate.

Technical Limitations

• DX2 (Pad/Phantom/Gain) for Avantis via SLink is currently due to technical limitation not possible.
• HPF on, HPF value and Mute Groups for Avantis due to technical limitation currently not possible.

Issues fixed

Known issues

v2.4.1

Maintenance Release

Issues fixed

• spreadsheet template formula fixed at cell AT2

Technical Limitations

• DX2 (Pad/Phantom/Gain) for Avantis via SLink is currently due to technical limitation not possible.
• HPF on, HPF value and Mute Groups for Avantis due to technical limitation currently not possible.

v2.4.0

Feature & Maintenance Release

New Features

• DCA Name & Color
• Aux Name & Color
• Group Name & Color
• Matrices Name & Color
• FX Sends Name & Color
• FX Returns Name & Color
• Current Processing Action now shown in UI
• Test Connection Button added
• Select All Button added
• Clear Button added

Improvements

• HPF Value Formula improved
• Channels > 64 skipped for Avantis
• UI Error Handling improved
• Repository reorganized
• Spreadsheet improved (Mixer Config report, DCA names)

Technical Limitations

• DX2 (Pad/Phantom/Gain) for Avantis via SLink is currently due to technical limitation not possible.
• HPF on, HPF value and Mute Groups for Avantis due to technical limitation currently not possible.

Issues fixed

Known issues

v2.3.0

Feature Release

New Features

• Fader Level Support
• Gain Support
• DCA Support
• Mute Group Support (dLive only)
• HPF On Support (dLive only)
• HPF Value Support (dLive only)

Improvements

• Progress Bar improved
• Infobox for missing Avantis features added
• Checkbox Groups introduced
• Checkbox Group "Select All" added
• IP-Address Label is now dynamic
• Processing accelerated

Technical Limitations

• DX2 (Pad/Phantom/Gain) for Avantis via SLink is currently due to technical limitation not possible.
• HPF on, HPF value and Mute Groups for Avantis due to technical limitation currently not possible.

Issues fixed

Known issues

v2.2.0

Feature Release

New Features

• Avantis support
• Director button introduced
• Save button added, to persist data
• Default button added, to set back the ip to default
• Recordable & Record Arm feature added
• Reaper template is now generated right next to the chosen spreadsheet with the same name as prefix

Technical Limitations

• DX2 (Pad/Phantom) for Avantis via SLink is currently due to technical limitation not possible.

Issues fixed

• Temporary GUI freeze fixed

Improvements

• Robustness improved

Known issues