Zones and Layering
This tutorial explains how zones work on MAINFRAME-B and how to use them to layer different MIDI inputs into a unified visual output. Zones allow you to assign separate MIDI channels to independent visual layers, each with their own parameters, creating more complex, musically structured lighting effects.
What zones do:
- MAINFRAME-B includes three zones
- Each zone can be assigned to a unique MIDI channel
- Each zone has its own set of parameter values and modulation settings
- MAINFRAME-B mixes the visual output of all active zones in real time
How to assign and edit zones:
- Press the Zone button to switch between zones
- When a zone is selected, all parameter changes apply only to that zone
- Each zone receives input only from its assigned MIDI channel
- MIDI channel assignment is done in the preset menu and applies per zone
Practical use cases:
- Assign different tracks in your DAW (drums, bass, melody) to separate zones to reflect musical layers visually
- Use a single MIDI source (like a piano) with multiple zones to create layered visuals from the same performance
- Combine zones to simulate collaborative performance by multiple MIDI controllers
- Stack visual behavior by overlapping zones for the same channel with different parameter sets
Visual feedback:
- All active zones are displayed simultaneously
- Each zone’s output blends with the others to form a layered visual field
Zones and layering allow MAINFRAME-B to respond to music in a more nuanced, multi-dimensional way. Instead of a single stream of reactive visuals, you can now build visual compositions that mirror the structure and depth of your music.
