GamePort

This topic includes:

▪	Introduction

▪

Overview

▪	Step-By-Step Configuration

▪	Monitoring Incoming DMX Data

▪

Example 1

▪

Example 2

Introduction

MADRIX supports the GamePort.
The GamePort is a device port to connect 3rd-party controllers [such as Joysticks or GamePads] to computers. It used to be a physical, serial connector [often found on sound cards]. Nowadays, it is mainly implemented in Microsoft Windows as software interface to connect such game controllers simply via USB.

Overview

▪	The GamePort supports up to 32 individual buttons and up to 6 axes.

▪	A maximum of 16 GamePorts can be used at the same time as per DirectX.

▪	Using buttons directly translates to DMX data in MADRIX [button off = DMX value 0; button on = DMX value 255].

▪	Using an axis directly translates to DMX data in MADRIX [axis center = DMX value 127; axis one direction = DMX value 0; axis opposite direction = DMX value 255].

Step-By-Step Configuration

1] Connect your controller.

2] Enable drivers in MADRIX.

3] Enable your device.

4] Set up DMX Input.

5] Choose how to use incoming data.

1] Connect Your Controller

▪	Connect your controller to the serial GamePort of your computer or to a free USB port.

▪	Make sure that Windows recognizes the device and install drivers if necessary.

▪	Calibrate your controller. This will ensure that all buttons and axes work properly. It is important to have calibrated and centered axes.

2] Enable Drivers In MADRIX

▪	Go to Preferences >Options... > Devices USB

▪	Enable GamePort

▪	Click Apply and OK

Devices (USB/PCI)

3] Enable Your Device

▪	Go to Preferences > Device Manager... > DMX Devices

▪	Click if your device is not shown in the list.

▪	Select your device in the list [usually shown as Microsoft PC-Joystick driver] and select Enable in the section Settings

▪	Click Apply

▪	Now, in the list the State will switch to On [indicated by green light].

4] Set Up DMX Input

▪	Go Preferences > Device Manager... > DMX Input

▪	Select one entry in the list [e.g., Universe 1] and go to the section Device. Choose your device [e.g., Microsoft PC-Joystick driver] under DMX-IN Device

▪	MADRIX will now receive DMX data via your controller.

5] Choose How To Use Incoming Data

Now you have several options to choose from:

A] You can activate Remote and choose a protocol in the section Remote Control. This will allow you to control MADRIX remotely using your controller. Learn more »DMX-IN / Art-Net Remote / sACN Input

B] You can use incoming data in a Script or Macro. Learn more »Macros And Scripts

C] You can activate Mapping and route incoming DMX signals through MADRIX to your output [DMX-Thru]. Learn more »DMX-IN / Art-Net Remote / sACN Input

D] You can monitor incoming DMX data in the DMX Watcher. Select your device in the list and click Watch Universe... Learn more below.

Close the Device Manager with OK

Monitoring Incoming DMX Data

To effectively work with incoming DMX data from your controller, you can use the DMX Watcher to monitor incoming signals. Learn how to read the data in the tables below.

▪	Open the DMX Watcher as explained above or go to Tools > DMX Watcher...

▪	Select Input

▪	Set up the correct Universe - This is the same number as you have chosen in the list under Preferences > Device Manager... > DMX Input [e.g., Universe 1].

▪	Channels 1 to 32 will display incoming DMX data for up to 32 buttons of your controller [DMX value 0 = Off or 255 = On].

▪

Channels 33 to 44 will display incoming data for up to 6 axes.
Each axis is divided into two directions on two DMX channels. This shows the deviation of the axis towards the center position [e.g., channel 33: left to center and channel 34: center to right].
A DMX value of 0 shows that the axis is located at the center. A DMX value of 255 shows that the axis is fully moved in the one direction.

▪

Channels 49 to 60 will display incoming data for up to 6 axes.
Incoming DMX data is separated into two DMX channels, the main value and a decimal place. Because of this, both channels can be seen as one value.
A value of 127.0 [e.g., Channel 49 and Channel 50] shows that the axis is located at the center. A DMX value of 0.0 shows that the axis is fully moved in one direction [e.g., left], while a DMX value of 255.255 shows that the axis is fully moved to the opposite direction [e.g., right].

The following chart shows which function is assigned to which DMX channel, starting with DMX channel 1.

CH 1 - 16

Button
1

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
2

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
3

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
4

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
5

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
6

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
7

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
8

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
9

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
10

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
11

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
12

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
13

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
14

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
15

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
16

Valid values are 0 or 255.

CH 17 -32

Button
17

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
18

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
19

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
20

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
21

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
22

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
23

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
24

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
25

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
26

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
27

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
28

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
29

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
30

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
31

Valid values are 0 or 255.

Button
32

Valid values are 0 or 255.

CH 33 - 48

Axis
1

Direction 1

Shows the deviation of this direction towards the center position. The further away from the center, the higher will be the DMX value.