of
24
28
18. MIDI System Exclusive Data Transfer
The DPC-5 is equipped with a simple MIDI System Exclusive (SysEx) data transfer function, designed to allow the user to back up and
restore the state of the Gen3 controller.
We recommend the use of SendSX (PC) or SysEx Librarian (Mac) for recording and restoring SysEx transfers.
WARNING! Sending data FROM the Gen3 TO a computer is 100% safe. Sending data FROM a computer TO the Gen3 WILL
overwrite its presets and configuration, and may result in data loss or setup corruption. Proceed with caution!
Please note that the SysEx data format has changed with the introduction of v1.01b. Dumps made prior to this version may
not restore correctly to controllers running v1.01b and above.
Instructions for backing up data to a computer: (SysEx Dump)
1. Power the DPC on and enter Setup by holding the lower left and lower right buttons shortly after boot.
2. Navigate to the DUMP menu in setup, and enter it by pressing the mode button.
3. Use the left or right buttons to select the type of data transfer you would like to perform. DO NOT start the transfer at this time.
ALL - transfer all presets including BYPASS and FAVE, transfer full configuration
CFG - transfer full configuration
PRST - transfer presets including BYPASS and FAVE, from preset 1 through the highest preset used in setup.
4. Once you have selected the type of transfer, connect the Gen3 to your computer running the appropriate SysEx software. Set USB
= MIDI in the Setup menu for the fastest transfer.
5. Start the SysEx software on your computer and select the correct MIDI interface in its preferences or setup menu. You should see
a new MIDI interface labeled “DISASTER G3 MIDI” or “DISASTER G3.”
6. Prepare the SysEx software to receive a SysEx transfer, consult with the user guide for your software for more details.
7. Press the mode button on the Gen3 to start the transfer. The display will update to alert you to the transfer status.
8. This should result in a data transfer being sent to your computer, which will record the data in a file.
9. When the transfer is complete, you can use the right and left buttons to select other transfer types. Pressing the mode button with a
transfer type selected will perform additional transfers. To exit the DUMP menu, press the left or right buttons until the display is
blank, then press the mode button to exit.
Instructions for restoring configuration and presets from a computer: (SysEx Load)
1. Power on and connect the Gen3 to your computer running the appropriate SysEx software.
2. Start the SysEx software on your computer and select the correct MIDI interface in its preferences or setup menu. If you have set
USB = MIDI in Setup, it should show up here as “DISASTER G3 MIDI” or “DISASTER G3.”
3. If you are using the 5-pin MIDI port to update, set up your SysEx software to allow 500 milliseconds (0.5 seconds) between SysEx
messages. This will ensure that the DPC-5 can process and respond to the messages correctly. If you are using the USB port /
USBMIDI to update, this is not necessary but will not hurt.
4. Prepare the SysEx software to send a SysEx transfer, consult with the user guide for your software for more details.
5. Ensure that no other MIDI devices are connected to the Gen3, to avoid possible data corruption.
6. Initiate the data transfer from your computer. The Gen3 will show “Xabc” on its display, where “abc” is replaced by the number of
the preset it is receiving. The display names and LEDs may also change while this process occurs. If the DPC-5 receives a SysEx
message with Config data, the display will indicate this as well, and will prompt you to restart the controller once it is finished. Note:
Failure to restart the controller after receiving a SysEx Config message may result in the controller operating incorrectly.
Disaster Area Designs
DPC-5 Gen3
