Blackmagic Cameras

Most Blackmagic Design cameras are supported. Check out the compatibility section to check if your camera model is supported and which settings / features can be controlled.

Connecting the camera to Middle Control

There are three ways to connect a Blackmagic camera to Middle Control: via Bluetooth (using an APC-R), via an ATEM switcher (HDMI / SDI), or directly over the network. Expand each method below for details.

Method 1: Through APC-R / APC-R Mini via Bluetooth

If you have an APC-R / APC-R Mini, you can connect your camera to the APC-R via Bluetooth. The APC-R will then relay all Middle Control commands directly to the camera. This is not possible with the APC-R Mini Lite.

First, you need to connect the APC-R to your network so that it can be discovered in Middle Control. If you have not done so, read the APC-R Getting Started Tutorial

To pair your APC-R with your camera over Bluetooth, use the iOS Middle Setup app, which also runs on Apple Silicon Macs. Once paired, you won’t need the app again — so if you are on android you can simply borrow an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Silicon Mac for pairing only.

Pairing Procedure:

1. Enable Bluetooth on your iPhone / iPad / Mac.
2. Power on your APC-R / APC-R Mini and place it near the camera.
3. Open Middle Setup iOS app and select your APC-R.
4. Ensure Bluetooth is enabled in your Blackmagic camera’s Setup page.
5. Select your camera in Middle Setup. A prompt will appear asking for a code.
6. A 6-digit code will appear on the camera’s Bluetooth screen. Enter this code into the Middle Setup prompt.

Once paired, the APC-R LED will switch from yellow to blue.

You can also adjust the APC-R’s Camera ID directly within the app.

Method 2: Through an ATEM Switcher via HDMI / SDI

If you have an ATEM, you can use it as a bridge to control your camera, with the same commands as the Bluetooth connection method. This is useful if:

• Your Blackmagic camera does not have built-in Bluetooth
• You don’t have an APC-R / APC-R Mini
• You are already controlling Blackmagic cameras through an ATEM

Middle Control sends camera control commands to your ATEM, which then forwards them to the camera via HDMI or SDI.

To use this method, simply connect your ATEM to the camera as usual (HDMI, SDI, Bidirectional Converter, etc.). Middle Control will automatically route commands to the camera through the ATEM. Refer to the ATEM Link section for details on connecting your ATEM to Middle Control.

caution

• Camera control over HDMI is less reliable due to HDMI CEC's limited bandwidth and its sensitivity to ground loops. SDI or Bluetooth (via APC-R Mini) generally provides a smoother and more stable control experience.
• Known bug on ATEM Mini: when controlling Blackmagic Cameras via HDMI on the HDMI ATEM Mini models, the following features are only available for Camera 1: Start / Stop Rec, False Colors, Status Display, Peaking, and Zebras. Unfortunately this issue is out of our hands.

Method 3: Through the Network via Ethernet

Supported Blackmagic cameras can be controlled over the network via wired LAN with Middle Control, just like Sony cameras.

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Make sure your Blackmagic camera can be controlled over the network.
2. Download and install the Blackmagic Camera Setup utility from the Blackmagic Design website.
3. Connect your camera to your computer via USB-C.
4. If prompted, update your camera to the latest firmware. Some cameras require a special beta build*.
5. Connect your camera to your network via wired LAN.
6. Make sure your computer is on the same network.
7. Open the Blackmagic Camera Setup utility menu and activate Web media manager (HTTP).

8. When found, the camera will show up on the left sidebar. Click the + button to add it to Middle Control.

caution

• If you are using multiple cameras of the same model make sure to give them a different name in the Blackmagic Camera Setup tool prior to pairing.
• Controlling cameras via ATEM SDI/HDMI AND Wired LAN at the same time is not supported.
• *Blackmagic Studio Cameras require BETA firmware 9.4 (which comes with Blackmagic Camera Utility 9.4). URSA Broadcast G2 and Pyxis cameras require BETA firmware 10.0.

note

⚠️ You should not use multiple control methods at the same time, as this may create conflicts. For instance, you shouldn't have a Blackmagic Pocket 4K controlled by an ATEM Mini Pro through HDMI AND also controlled by the APC-R with Bluetooth at the same time. It's one or the other.

Unfortunately, if you are using an ATEM Mini connected to a Blackmagic camera over HDMI, the only way to strip Camera Control info from the HDMI signal is to use an HDMI splitter or a 3G Bidirectional Converter. See the discussion on the Blackmagic Design forum

Setting your Camera ID

Assign a unique Camera ID to every camera you control. It’s important that the same Camera ID is used consistently in all locations to avoid mix-ups. Depending on your exact workflow, here are the places you may want to check:

• In the Blackmagic Camera if you see the ATEM Camera ID option in its Setup menu (not all cameras have it).
• In the APC-R Mini: how to edit the camera ID

Controlling your camera

You can now select your Camera ID in the Camera page of Middle Control and start controlling your camera remotely!

Standard Camera View

When controlling your camera via APC-R or through the ATEM you will get this view:

Enhanced Camera View

When controlling your camera via Wired LAN you will get this view:

Quick Troubleshooting

Here are a few quick troubleshooting tips:

My IRIS control does not seem to work

If the Iris doesn't change on the camera but all other settings work:

• Press the – button several times. The iris scale can start wider than your lens: with an F4.0 lens, the first steps move through F-stops below F4.0 (for example F1.8–F2.8) that your lens can't reach, so nothing changes until the value climbs into range.
• Make sure your lens is set to Auto IRIS and not Manual.

My focus control does not seem to work

If the Focus doesn't change on the camera but all other settings work:

• If your lens focus ring has a clutch system, make sure it is not set to the Manual Focusing position
• Try triggering an autofocus on the camera LCD itself to confirm the issue isn't the lens control.
• Try long pressing the focus +/- buttons.

Recording / Focus Peaking / False Colors / Zebras or Info Display do not function properly

If all other settings work but these don't:

• Make sure your camera is not set to Clean Feed on the desired output
• Info Display / Status Text toggle is not supported on the Blackmagic Micro Studio G2 camera.
• Known bug on ATEM Mini: when controlling Blackmagic cameras via HDMI on the HDMI ATEM Mini models, the following features are only available for Camera 1: Start / Stop Rec, False Colors, Status Display, Peaking, and Zebras. Unfortunately this issue is out of our hands.

More, with ATEM Link

Regardless of your connection method to the camera, linking Middle Control to your ATEM will offer an enhanced control experience.

Refer to the ATEM Link section for details on connecting your ATEM to Middle Control.