MIDI Show Control, or MSC, is a significant Real Time System Exclusive extension of the international Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) standard. MSC enables all types of entertainment equipment to easily communicate with each other through the process of show control. Jump to: navigation, search Musical Instrument Digital Interface, or MIDI, is an industry-standard electronic communication protocol that defines each musical note in an electronic musical instrument such as a synthesizer, precisely and concisely, allowing electronic musical instruments and computers to exchange data, or talk, with each other. ... Musical Instrument Digital Interface, or MIDI, is a system designed to transmit information between electronic musical instruments. ... Entertainment is an amusement or diversion intended to hold the attention of an audience or its participants. ... Show Control is the interconnection of more than one entertainment discipline subsystem into a system of systems. ...

The MIDI Show Control protocol is an industry standard ratified by the MIDI Manufacturers Association in 1991 which allows all types of entertainment control devices to talk with each other and with computers to perform show control functions in live and canned entertainment applications. Just like musical MIDI, MSC does not transmit the actual show media - it simply transmits digital information about a multimedia performance. Show Control is the interconnection of more than one entertainment discipline subsystem into a system of systems. ...

How MSC works in a nutshell

When any cue is called by a user (typically a Stage Manager) and/or preprogrammed timeline in a show control software application, the show controller transmits one or more MSC messages from its 'MIDI Out' port. A typical MSC message sequence is: Stage management is a sub-discipline of stagecraft. ... Show Control is the interconnection of more than one entertainment discipline subsystem into a system of systems. ...

1. the user just called a cue
2. the cue is for lighting device 3
3. the cue is number 45.8
4. the cue is in cue list 7

MSC messages are serially transmitted in the same way as musical messages and are fully compatible with all conventional MIDI hardware, however many modern MSC devices now utilize ethernet communications for higher bandwidth and the flexibility afforded by networks. Other performance parameters are also transmitted such as lighting desk submaster settings using MSC SET messages.

All cues that a media control device is capable of playing are assigned MSC messages within the Show Controller's cue list and they are transmitted from its 'MIDI Out' port at the appropriate show time, depending on the actions of the user and the show controller's internally timed sequences.

All MSC compatible instruments follow the MSC specification and thus transmit identical MSC messages for identical MSC events such as the playing of a certain cue on the media controller. Since they follow a published standard, all MSC devices can communicate with and understand each other, as well as with computers which have been programmed to understand MSC messages using the MSC Command Set. All MSC compatible instruments have a built-in MIDI interface and many now follow one of the various MIDI-over-ethernet protocols.

History

To create the MSC spec, Charlie Richmond headed the USITT MIDI Forum on their Callboard Network in 1990, which included developers and designers from the theatre sound and lighting industry from around the world. This Forum created the MSC standard between January and September, 1990. This was ratified by the MIDI Manufacturers Association (MMA) in January, 1991, and the Japan MIDI Standards Committee (JMSC) later that year, becoming a part of the standard MIDI specification in August, 1991. The first show to fully utilize the MSC specification was the Magic Kingdom Parade at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in September, 1991. Jump to: navigation, search 1990 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... MMA may refer to: MacRobertson Miller Airlines, a Western Australian airline (1934-1980s). ... Jump to: navigation, search 1991 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Cinderella Castle, at the center of the Magic Kingdom, is Walt Disney World Resorts most recognizable icon Introduction Owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company, the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, USA is home to four theme parks, two water parks, several resort hotels and golf courses... Cinderella Castle is at the center of the Magic Kingdom. ...

MIDI Show Control software

Show Control is the interconnection of more than one entertainment discipline subsystem into a system of systems. ...

Also see

• musical instrument digital interface
• show control
• sound design
• theatre lighting

Jump to: navigation, search Musical Instrument Digital Interface, or MIDI, is an industry-standard electronic communication protocol that defines each musical note in an electronic musical instrument such as a synthesizer, precisely and concisely, allowing electronic musical instruments and computers to exchange data, or talk, with each other. ... Show Control is the interconnection of more than one entertainment discipline subsystem into a system of systems. ... Sound design is a technical/conceptually creative field. ... Modern stage lighting is a flexible tool in the production of theatre, dance, opera and other performance arts. ...

External links

• MIDI Manufacturers Association
• MSC 1.0 (still a valid subset, is now superceded by V1.1)
• The Show Control Mailing List subscription page.