Disaster Area Designs
DMC-‐3XL & DMC-‐4 Gen2
Quick Start Guide
Rev 1.01
May 2014
Firmware v1.08 / 1.08T
Thank you for purchasing a DMC controller! The DMC-‐3XL Gen2 and DMC-‐4 Gen2 are super-‐compact MIDI
controllers designed to help you get the most out of your existing equipment. The DMC offers a comprehensive
setup mode that enables you to control many different types of MIDI devices. Throughout this manual, we will
refer to the DMC-‐3XL Gen2 and the DMC-‐4 Gen2 interchangeably as “DMC.” The controllers are identical other
than the enclosure size and the extra button on the DMC-‐4 Gen2.
To connect your DMC to your MIDI device, you’ll need a standard 5-‐pin MIDI cable. These are available from
Disaster Area Designs and from many online and retail shops. You will also need a 9V power supply capable of
supplying 64mA.
Connect the 9V power supply to the DMC, and connect the MIDI cable from the DMCMIDI port to the MIDI input
of the device that you would like to control. The DMC may also be powered by its USB port, although you may
experience noise or other interference when using this connection in combination with the MIDI port.
The Expression Input requires a TRS expression input, Sleeve = GND, Ring = 5V, Tip = 0-‐5V signal. If used with a
footswitch, please use an SPST Momentary footswitch, normally open. The Disaster Area DFS-‐1 or Micro Tap is
an excellent choice.
The DMC USB port is a class-‐compliant MIDI device and may be used to control any USB host that can accept
MIDI signals. The USB port is CoreMIDI compliant, and may be used with the Apple Camera Connection Kit with
the iPad or iPhone models (iOS 4.2 or higher required.) The DMC may also be used with Ableton Live,
Mainstage, Logic, and other audio applications / DAWs. If the DMC is connected to a host as a MIDI device, any
commands sent to the Disaster MIDI interface from the computer or iPad will be transmitted to the MIDI output
on the DMC. This means you can send messages, sync, clock, or other data from your computer to your MIDI
devices using the DMC as a USB interface. Please visit our website for tips on updating your Strymon device
firmware with the DMC as an interface.
The DMC-‐3XL Gen2 and DMC-‐4 Gen2 are available with an optional side roller
that sends expression or other MIDI data. If a pedal or switch is plugged into
the expression jack, the roller will be disabled.
DMC-‐3XL Gen2
QUICK START
