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External Link

Version 2.3 expands compatibility with professional audio equipment, including integration with Yamaha mixing consoles from the QL, CL and DM series. The External Link feature enables seamless integration between HOLOPHONIX and Yamaha mixing consoles, allowing for efficient control of your HOLOPHONIX session directly from your Yamaha console.

Overview​

The External Link feature creates a bidirectional connection between HOLOPHONIX and Yamaha mixing consoles, streamlining your workflow by allowing you to:

  • Control HOLOPHONIX sources from your Yamaha console
  • Synchronize labels and colors between both systems
  • Manage faders and mutes
  • Control source positioning using Pan/Surround controls
  • Save connection states within HOLOPHONIX presets
Control of an HOLOPHONIX Source by External Link and HOLOSCORE in the

same time is not yet fully supported as of version 2.3.0. It is recommended to control a source's parameter (position for example) by External Link or HOLOSCORE only.

Connection Parameters​

You can find the External Link tab in the Settings window. The first step is to establish a connection with your Yamaha console by connecting your console in your remote network and entering the IP address for Mixer Control.

Once connected, the following information will be displayed if successful:

Mixer Type​

Displays the connected console type (CL1, CL3, CL5, QL1, QL5, DM3, or DM7).

tip

Visit Yamaha's Digital Mixing Console Overview page for detailed comparisons between models.

info

Support for Yamaha PM series consoles will be available in a future update.

Mixer State​

Shows the current state of the mixer:

  • normal
  • emergency
  • booting
  • update
  • diagnostics

If the mixer is in any other state than normal, the External Link will not function. Disconnect and reconnect the console to return to normal.

Surround Mode​

For consoles with Surround mode, the Surround Mode parameter will be displayed.

The Surround Mode state of the console will determine which parameters are used for position control.

In Surround Mode = "Stereo", use Pan and CSR rotary controls:

  • Pan control maps to X position
  • CSR control maps to Y position
note

Only Pan control is available on DM3 consoles

In Surround Mode = "Surround", use LR Pan and FR Pan for position control:

  • Provides more intuitive control
  • Enables joystick control on DM7C consoles

Automatically creates relationships between existing HOLOPHONIX tracks in the current preset and Yamaha channels. Particularly useful when channels are already set up on the Yamaha console with proper names and colors.

Sync Parameters​

Choose which parameters should be synchronized between systems:

  • Label: Track names
  • Color: Visual identification
  • Fader: Level control
  • Mute: Mute state
  • Position: X/Y positioning

Special Assignments​

  • Yamaha's St 1/2: Dedicated to Master control in HOLOPHONIX
  • Yamaha's St 3/4: Dedicated to LFE control in HOLOPHONIX

Parameters​

Follow Mixing Desk Selection​

Available on CL/QL series only, this feature allows the HOLOPHONIX GUI to follow the channel selection state (SEL button) on the Yamaha console.

Scale and Offset Parameters​

Pan Scale​

Defines the range of movement for the Pan parameter.

Pan Offset​

Sets the center position for the Pan parameter.

CSR Scale​

Defines the range of movement for the CSR parameter.

CSR Offset​

Sets the center position for the CSR parameter.

LR Pan Scale​

Defines the range of movement for the LR Pan parameter.

LR Pan Offset​

Sets the center position for the LR Pan parameter.

FR Pan Scale​

Defines the range of movement for the FR Pan parameter.

FR Pan Offset​

Sets the center position for the FR Pan parameter.

Control Zone​

A green rectangle will appear on the Venue when Scale and/or Offset Parameters are changed. By default, it will disappear when the parameter is released. Activating the Control Zone option will keep the control zone visible at all times.

Typical Workflow​

  1. Set up your channels on the Yamaha console:

    • Name your channels
    • Assign colors

  2. Create the desired number of sources in HOLOPHONIX

  3. Use Auto Link to establish initial connections

  4. Activate other sync parameters as needed, like Position

  5. Move sources from Pan/CSR or Surround Pan controls

  6. Save your Yamaha scene

You can now use the Yamaha workflow to seamlessly control your HOLOPHONIX session.

tip

Using Surround mode for position control is generally recommended, especially with DM7C consoles, as it provides more intuitive control through the joystick.

Troubleshooting​

Network Access Permission​

If you experience difficulties connecting to your Yamaha console, the issue might be that HOLOPHONIX doesn't have permission to access devices on your local network. This is a common security setting on macOS that needs to be explicitly allowed.

When you first install HOLOPHONIX, you should receive a prompt asking to allow HOLOPHONIX to find and connect to devices on your local network. If you denied this permission or missed the prompt, you can manually enable it:

  1. Click on the Apple menu and select "System Settings"
  2. Navigate to "Privacy & Security"
  3. Scroll down to find "Network" or "Local Network" settings
  4. Locate HOLOPHONIX in the list of applications
  5. Enable the toggle to allow HOLOPHONIX to access your local network

After enabling this permission, try reconnecting to your Yamaha console through the External Link interface.