External triggers allow studio equipment, automation systems, control surfaces or a small microcontroller to start and stop BroadcastLogger without an operator selecting Record.
Configure one trigger method at a time, confirm the correct device or port, then perform a short supervised test before relying on it for unattended recording.
| Trigger method | Best suited to |
|---|---|
| Serial text command | Automation systems and Arduino-style controllers that can send defined start and stop text over a COM port. |
| MIDI note or control change | MIDI-capable studio consoles, button panels and class-compliant USB MIDI controllers. |
| Serial contact closure | A relay, opto-isolated interface or supported serial adapter that presents a hardware sense-line state such as CTS. |
| Run-on | Keeps recording active for the selected period after the stop condition is received, preventing the end of audio from being clipped. |
TEST FIRST: External triggers can start recording unexpectedly if the wrong COM port, MIDI channel, note number or sense line is selected. Test with a temporary output folder and watch the event log while commissioning the trigger.
Commissioning an external trigger
- Select the trigger method, port or MIDI device and matching settings.
- Choose a temporary output folder and confirm that normal manual recording works.
- Activate the external trigger and verify that REC appears and the elapsed timer advances.
- Release or stop the trigger. Confirm that recording continues for the configured run-on period and then closes cleanly.
- Open Archive, play the test file and confirm that both the beginning and end of the required audio are present.
- Restart BroadcastLogger and the external device, then repeat the test to confirm reliable reconnection.
Quick trigger troubleshooting
| Symptom | Checks |
|---|---|
| COM port is missing | Reconnect the interface, check Windows Device Manager, then reopen Settings. The COM number may change when a device is moved to another USB socket. |
| Serial commands are ignored | Match the baud rate and command text exactly. Close serial monitors or other programs that may already be using the port. |
| MIDI device is not listed | Connect and power the MIDI device before starting BroadcastLogger. Confirm that Windows recognises it and try channel any while testing. |
| Trigger starts but does not stop | Check the stop command, Note Off or zero-value message, or the contact sense state. Reduce Run-on during testing and try Invert for contact closure. |