companion/HELP.md

# DiGiCo S-Series (S21 / S31): control and iPad relay

This connection does two things:

1. **Controls the console over OSC.** On connect it asks the console what it has (inputs, busses,
   matrix outputs, control groups, graphic EQs, snapshots) and builds its dropdowns, variables and
   presets from the live names. Faders, mutes, solos, pans, aux sends, group assigns, matrix sends,
   control groups, graphic EQs, per-channel switches (phantom, EQ in, filters, inserts ...) and
   snapshots are covered, with feedbacks, variables, rotary-encoder presets and input meters.
2. **Relays the DiGiCo iPad app.** An S-Series console talks to exactly one iPad at a time. Companion
   takes that slot and the iPad apps connect to this computer instead; everything an app sends is
   forwarded to the console unchanged, and everything the console sends is copied to every app, so
   several iPads can be used together with Companion.

## Console setup (once, at the surface)

Main Menu, **Extensions > iPad**:

| Console field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| iPad IP address | the computer running Companion |
| Send port *(console to this computer)* | this connection's **Local receive port** (default `9000`) |
| Receive port *(this computer to the console)* | this connection's **Console receive port** (default `8000`) |
| iPad connection | enabled |

The console sends every reply and every change to that one IP address and Send port, never to the
port a query came from. That is why the connection binds a fixed local port.

## iPad app setup

In the DiGiCo S app, for every iPad:

| iPad field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Console IP | the computer running Companion, **not** the console |
| Send port | this connection's **Relay port** (default `8000`) |
| Receive port | this connection's **iPad receive port** (default `9000`) |

An iPad that stays quiet for *Forget an iPad after* seconds (0 = never) is dropped from the fan-out list, and at most
16 are kept. `$(label:relay_clients)` shows how many are live. Changing only the idle timeout, the iPad receive port or
Debug logging does not interrupt the relay or the console link; changing the relay port reopens the relay and keeps the
list of iPads. If the relay port is already in use the connection shows the warning "iPad relay: port N in use" and tries
again every 10 seconds (a console-link port that cannot be bound shows a connection failure and is retried the same way). Other controllers share the console through the relay,
and anything they change reaches this module too, so feedbacks follow moves made on the surface or on an iPad.

## Settings

| Setting | Default | Meaning |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Console IP | | The console's address |
| Console receive port | 8000 | UDP port the module sends to |
| Local receive port | 9000 | UDP port the module listens on (the console's Send port) |
| Enable iPad relay | on | Turns the relay on |
| Relay port | 8000 | Where iPad apps send |
| iPad receive port | 9000 | Where relayed console traffic goes (0 = the app's own source port) |
| Forget an iPad after | 3600 s | Idle time before an iPad is dropped (0 = never; an iPad that only watches sends nothing). At most 16 iPads are kept; the least recently seen is dropped first |
| Debug logging | off | Logs every new address pattern once and all traffic at debug level |

## What it discovers

On every connect (and on the **Reload** action, and automatically after the console was silent for
20 seconds and comes back) the module asks for the console name, the matrix, control group and graphic EQ
counts, the buss types and modes, every name, the session name, the snapshot list, and the fader, mute,
solo and pan of everything that answered. The console does not answer the input and buss counts, so an
entity exists when its **name** answered; entities that never answer are hidden from dropdowns, variables
and presets. Dropdown entries read `1 · KICK In`, `24 · Monitors (group)`, `3 · Message · cue 4`.
When a name, a buss mode or the snapshot list changes, the definitions are rebuilt a moment later.
Sends, group assigns, matrix sends, graphic EQ gains and the per-channel switches are **not** bulk-loaded:
each is read the first time a button or action needs it.

The 25 busses are each an **aux** or a **group**, according to `/Console/Aux_Outputs/types` (1 = aux,
0 = group). Aux busses take sends (level, on, pan); group busses take input assigns. A buss's
fader, mute and solo are on the Aux_Outputs or Group_Outputs side that matches its mode.

## Actions

Level actions take dB (`-inf` at the bottom of the number field). Every level has a **set** and a
relative **adjust** version for rotary encoders. A relative step cannot start from -inf: from −∞ the first
step up jumps to −60 dB. A matrix send has its floor at **-90 dB** (the console reports off matrix sends as -90, and
the module never writes lower); faders and aux sends go down to -150 dB. Toggles read the current state first when it
is not known yet.

| Group | Actions |
| --- | --- |
| Inputs | mute, solo (several inputs at once), fader set/adjust, pan set/adjust, set name |
| Aux sends | on/off, level set/adjust, pan set/adjust |
| Groups | assign input on/off |
| Busses | mute, solo (several), fader set/adjust |
| Matrix | output mute, fader set/adjust; matrix send on/off, level set/adjust |
| Control groups | mute, solo, fader set/adjust |
| Graphic EQ | in/out, band gain set/adjust (bands 1-32) |
| Channel strip | per input and per buss: phantom, phase, pad, EQ in, compressor in, gate in, high-pass in, low-pass in, delay in, insert A/B in (on/off); trim (-40 to +40 dB), analog gain (0 to 60 dB), filter frequencies (20 to 20000 Hz) (set/adjust; trim also on matrix outputs) |
| Snapshots | fire (pick from the list or type an index), next, previous |
| Console | reload, raw OSC, relay: forget all iPads |

The channel-strip values are what the console reports (trim and gain in dB, filters in Hz). In the console's
own naming `lo_filter` is the high-pass filter and `hi_filter` the low-pass filter; the actions are named for
what they do. Delay times and the send pre/post fader switch are not offered: their units and meaning were
never verified.

**Encoders and writes.** Every write updates the module's state at once, so a fast encoder turn accumulates. For
0.4 seconds after the last write to a value, a different value arriving for it is treated as a late echo of an
earlier step and ignored; then one query confirms what the console has. The snapshot *Fire* action sends the
snapshot's list position (0 = the first); verify it once on your console before using it live.

**Macros:** the console never answered a macro query, so there is no macro action. If your console supports it, the
*Send raw OSC* action can send `/Macros/Buttons/press` with an integer argument (0-255).

## Feedbacks

Every action that changes something the console reports has a feedback for it: a boolean for every switch, a value
(text for a button's local variable) and a numeric value for a gauge for every level. The state a feedback needs (sends, matrix sends,
graphic EQ bands, channel-strip values) is loaded the first time one is shown, and each button re-checks only when its
own value changes.

* Boolean (button colour): input muted / solo; aux send on; group assigned; buss muted / solo; matrix output muted /
  solo; control group muted / solo; **matrix send on**; **graphic EQ in**; snapshot is current; fader level above/below
  a threshold; aux send level above/below; console link alive; relay has an iPad; every channel-strip switch
  (phantom, phase, pad, EQ in, compressor in, gate in, high-pass in, low-pass in, delay in, insert A/B in); and the meter
  feedbacks below.
* Value (put live numbers in button text with a preset's local variable): input fader and pan; aux send level, On/Off
  and pan; buss / matrix / control group fader; **matrix send level**; **graphic EQ band gain**; trim, analog gain and
  filter frequency per input and buss (trim also per matrix output); current snapshot name; input meter value. Levels
  read `-inf` at or below -90 dB.
* Numeric, for gauges (see **Gauges** below): the `*_pos` position feedbacks, `input_pan_num` / `send_pan_num` and
  `geq_band_db`.
* Advanced image bars (**legacy image**, deprecated by Companion 5.1, kept so existing buttons keep working): input
  fader, aux send level, buss / matrix output / control group fader, matrix send level (-60 to +10 dB) and graphic EQ
  band gain (-12 to +12 dB) draw a horizontal bar along the bottom of the button; the input meter draws a vertical bar at
  the right edge. Use a gauge on new buttons.

Not covered by a feedback: free-form *Send raw OSC*, and *Set name* (the name is the variable `input_N_name`). There is
no matrix-output solo action, only its feedback.

## Gauges

Companion 5.x has a native **Gauge** element, and every knob and meter preset uses one. Each position feedback is a
number you feed to a gauge through a button local variable:

| Feedback | Range | Meaning |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `input_fader_pos`, `buss_fader_pos`, `matrix_fader_pos`, `cg_fader_pos`, `send_level_pos`, `matrix_send_level_pos` | 0-100 | fader / send position on a fader taper; unknown reads 0 |
| `input_pan_num`, `send_pan_num` | 0-1 | the console's pan, 0.5 = centre (unknown reads 0.5) |
| `geq_band_db` | -12 to +12 | graphic EQ band gain in dB (unknown reads 0) |
| `input_meter_pos` | 0-100 | input meter (0-127 scaled); has the *Meter* option level / gate / compressor reduction |

The fader taper maps +10 dB = 100, +5 = 87.5, 0 = 75, -5 = 65, -10 = 55, -20 = 40, -30 = 28, -40 = 18, -50 = 11 and
-60 = 6 (straight lines in between), falls to about 1 just above -90 dB, and reads 0 at or below -90 dB (off).

To add a gauge to your own button in Companion 5.1:

1. **Local Variables** tab: add a feedback variable, name it `pos`, and pick the position feedback (for example
   `input_fader_pos` with its input).
2. **Style** tab: **+**, then **Gauge**. Set *Value* to the expression `$(local:pos)`, *Min* 0, *Max* 100
   (fader and meter positions).
3. For pan use `input_pan_num` / `send_pan_num` with *Min* 0, *Max* 1, **Symmetric** on and *Origin* 0.5. For a graphic EQ
   band use `geq_band_db` with *Min* -12, *Max* 12, symmetric, *Origin* 0.

## Variables

`input_N_name|fader|mute|pan`, `buss_N_name|mode|stereo|fader|mute`, `matrix_N_name|fader|mute`,
`cg_N_name|fader|mute` (only for entities that exist), `snapshot_index|name|cue|count`, `console_name`,
`session_name`, `connected`, `relay_clients`, `relay_client_ips` and `last_change`. Use them as
`$(label:input_1_name)` with the connection's label. There are no per-send variables: use the value feedbacks.

## Presets

Presets are named with the live entity names and rebuilt when names load. The knob and meter presets are *layered*
(black background, name, dB text, gauge) and a muted / on state tints their background; the plain toggles are simple
buttons.

| Preset group | What the buttons do |
| --- | --- |
| Inputs: Mute | One button per input; red when muted |
| Inputs: Fader (knob) | Rotary: turn = fader -/+1 dB, press = mute; shows name and dB with a gauge along the bottom |
| Inputs: Solo | One button per input |
| Busses | Master mute, and master fader knob (turn = fader, press = mute) per named buss |
| Sends to *aux name* | One section per named aux buss: per input an **On/off** button (green when on, shows the level) and a **Level (knob)** (turn = send level, press = on/off, with a gauge) |
| Group *group name* | One section per named group buss: per input an **Assign** toggle, green when assigned |
| Matrix, Control groups | Mute and fader knob (with a gauge) per output / group |
| Matrix sends to *output name* | One section per matrix output: per matrix input an **On/off** button (green when on; shows `Matrix In N` and the level) and a **Level (knob)** (turn = send level, press = on/off, with a gauge) |
| Graphic EQs | One **In/out** toggle per graphic EQ, green when in |
| Snapshots | **Fire** per snapshot (green when current), next, previous, current (display) |
| Input meters | Level, gate gain reduction and compressor gain reduction buttons per input, each with a vertical gauge at the right edge (green below 70, amber 70-90, red above 90) |
| Console | Reload, connection status, relay status |

Busses and control groups with no name are unused slots and get no presets. If the preset list would exceed
3000 entries or 4 MB, the per-input gate / compressor reduction meter presets are left out first, then the
per-input aux send level knobs, and a warning is logged.

## Meters

Input meters are subscribed on the console the first time a meter feedback renders (ids start at 5000 so
they never collide with an iPad's). The console then streams values 0-127 several times a second; the
module re-checks the meter feedbacks at most 10 times a second. Level is the post-fader input meter; gate and
compressor gain reduction are the two reduction meters. There is no known buss meter address, so busses
have no meters. The console keeps one subscription table: an iPad connecting clears it (`/Meters/clear`),
and the module re-subscribes half a second after it sees that pass through the relay. Two iPads watching
different banks both receive the mixed stream. The module never sends `/Meters/clear` itself.

## Troubleshooting

* **No reply from the console.** The console only answers to the iPad IP address and Send port set on the
  console. Check them, and that nothing else on this computer owns the local receive port.
* **Dropdowns show generic names.** The load has not finished or the console did not answer the names;
  press **Reload**. The log shows `load complete` with the counts when it is done.
* **Something changed on the console is not shown.** Press Reload after a session change; sends and
  per-channel values are only read when first needed.
* **Debug logging** lists every new address pattern once (Connections log), so touching a control on the
  surface shows its address; `$(label:last_change)` shows the last change reported.

## Protocol (condensed)

A query is the address plus `/?` with no argument; the reply is the same address without `/?`. All 0/1
switches are **reported and written as floats** (0.0 / 1.0), verified on an S31 on 2026-10-15: integer and
OSC `T`/`F` writes to a switch are silently ignored (no echo, no change), unlike the 2014 DiGiCo list.
Levels, sends and pans are floats too. Numbers are 1-based, snapshot indexes 0-based.

| Address | Reply | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `/Console/Name` | s | also the keepalive (every 5 s) |
| `/Console/{Matrix_Outputs,Matrix_Inputs,Control_Groups,Graphic_EQ}` | i | counts that answer |
| `/Console/{Input_Channels,Aux_Outputs,Group_Outputs}` | i | pushed once after first contact, never answered |
| `/Console/Aux_Outputs/types` | 25 x i | 1 = aux, 0 = group |
| `/Console/{Aux_Outputs,Group_Outputs,Input_Channels}/modes` | i per buss / input | 2 = stereo, 1 = mono |
| `/Console/Session/Filename` | s | |
| `/Input_Channels/N/Channel_Input/name`, `/Aux_Outputs/N/Buss_Trim/name`, `/Group_Outputs/N/Buss_Trim/name`, `/Matrix_Outputs/N/Buss_Trim/name`, `/Control_Groups/N/name`, `/Graphic_EQ/N/name` | s | matrix inputs have no name address |
| `/{Input_Channels,Aux_Outputs,Group_Outputs,Matrix_Outputs,Control_Groups}/N/{fader,mute,solo}` | f | fader in dB, -150 = -inf |
| `/Input_Channels/N/Panner/pan` | f | 0..1, 0.5 = centre |
| `/Input_Channels/N/Aux_Send/M/{send_level,send_on,send_pan}` | f | |
| `/Input_Channels/N/Group_Send/M/group` | f | |
| `/Matrix_Inputs/N/Matrix_Send/M/{send_level,send_on}` | f | |
| `/Graphic_EQ/N/{geq_in,geq_gain_1..32}` | f | |
| `/Input_Channels/N/{Channel_Input,Filters,Channel_Delay,EQ,Dynamics,Insert}/...` and the buss equivalents | f | the channel-strip switches and values above |
| `/Snapshots/Current_Snapshot`, `/Snapshots/count` | i | |
| `/Snapshots/names` | one `/Snapshots/name` `iiis` per snapshot: index, cue x 100, ?, name | |
| `/Snapshots/Fire_Snapshot_number`, `/Snapshots/Fire_Next_Snapshot`, `/Snapshots/Fire_Prev_Snapshot` | none | write-only int |
| `/Input_Channels/N/Channel_Input/post_meter`, `/Input_Channels/N/Dynamics/GR_meter` | none | send `,ii [id, kind]` (kind 1 level and gate, 4 compressor) to subscribe |
| `/Meters/values` | `ii...` | pushed pairs `[id, value]`, value 0..127 |
| `/Meters/clear` | none | clears every subscription on the console; sent by iPad apps, never by this module |