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APC-R Quick Start

Congratulations for getting your hands on your first APC-R, APC-R Mini or APC-R Mini Lite unit! In this section we are going to get started setting up the device for a complete remote gimbal + camera workflow.

If you are only looking to control Blackmagic Design cameras wirelessly without any gimbal, we recommend you jump directly to the dedicated section (not compatible with APC-R Mini Lite): Wireless Camera Control for Blackmagic Design cameras.

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You can also follow our complete APC-R & APC-R Mini hands on video tutorial on the Middle Things Youtube Channel.

1. Download & Install Middle Control​

The Middle Control desktop app is the central software that controls all your APC-R units, your cameras, controllers and communicates with the Blackmagic Design ATEM switcher if you have one. The software has to be running all the time.

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2. Getting your APC-R ready​

2.1 Powering the APC-R​

There are two ways to power the APC-R Mini — pick whichever fits your setup:

  • Using the APC-R Mini USB-C connection (e.g., 5 V DC from a USB power bank)
  • Using the Gimbal RSA Port connection (direct power from your DJI gimbal; USB-C power is not required)

If you want to use your APC-R Mini without a gimbal — just for wireless Blackmagic camera control — we recommend powering it via the USB-C port of your camera or a USB power bank. For this use case, see the dedicated section: Wireless Camera Control for Blackmagic Design cameras.

2.2 Connecting the APC-R to the gimbal​

Make sure your gimbal is turned off.

Mount your APC-R Mini to the RSA port of the gimbal using the two included screws.

caution

Do not overtighten the screws!

APC-R Mini

The LED next to the USB-C port of the APC-R Mini will blink yellow. This LED can help you understand the current status of the unit.

  • Blinking Yellow: The unit is powered on but not connected to a network.
  • Solid Yellow: The unit is powered on and connected to a wired or wireless network.
  • Solid Pink: The unit is connected to Middle Control over Wi-Fi.
  • Solid Green: The unit is connected to Middle Control over wired Ethernet.
  • Solid / Blinking Blue: The unit is connected to a Bluetooth camera.

3. Connect your APC-R to your network​

3.1 Network Workflow Overview​

Now that the APC-R is powered on and connected to your gimbal, let's connect it to the network. The simplest workflow is to use a router and connect your laptop(s), ATEM, and APC-R units to it via Ethernet cables. The router will automatically discover and assign IP addresses to your APC-R units thanks to its built-in DHCP server.

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A standalone switch does not provide a DHCP server. If you are using a switch without a router, you must assign static IP addresses manually to your APC-R units. For step-by-step instructions, see Using the APC-R.

Workflow Ethernet

3.2 Connect to network​

Connect your APC-R to your network router using an Ethernet RJ45 cable.

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Middle Control can only detect your APC-R if your computer is on the same network. Before continuing, ensure:

  • Your laptop is connected to the same network as your APC-R.
  • If your computer has multiple network interfaces (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB adapters…), the active one is selected in Middle Control → Preferences.

3.3 View the APC-R Connection Status in Middle Control​

Open the Middle Control software and verify that your APC-R is detected:

  1. Go to the Status page.
  2. Look for your APC-R in the device list.
  3. Click on its name to view detailed information.

macOS users: your APC-R appears in the left sidebar under Gimbals / APC-R.

Middle Control - APC-R Status Page
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  • If you are not seeing any APC-R show up in the Middle Control Status, please check the corresponding troubleshooting section.
  • On a network without Bonjour/discovery (locked-down or broadcast-filtered networks), you can add an APC-R or APC-R Mini manually by IP address instead of waiting for it to be discovered — enter the unit's IP and Middle Control connects to it directly.
  • In some cases, the CANBUS status reads "Not Connected" even when it actually is connected. If you've wired CANBUS but Middle Control reports "CANBUS not connected", check for remote gimbal control anyway — control often works despite the misleading status.

3.4 Connect Middle Control to your ATEM​

Connecting Middle Control to your ATEM is not an obligation, but it will unlock you additional features such as:

  • Showing the current ATEM camera parameters in Middle Control, Companion, or the Middle Remote
  • Controlling Blackmagic Design cameras that are connected to an ATEM, through the ATEM itself

To connect Middle Control to your ATEM, set your ATEM switcher IP address in Preferences ➜ Switcher Connection and press "Connect". Blackmagic ATEM Software Control has to be installed on your computer for this feature to work.

4. Control your Gimbal Remotely​

4.1 Using the Middle Control software buttons​

Head over to the Motion tab of Middle Control.

Select camera number 1 and click on the pan / tilt arrows. Your gimbal should start moving! You can adjust the speed using the Pan/Tilt Speed slider.

If you've connected your camera as well (see the camera control guides), you should be able to control the camera's parameters too in the Camera tab (autofocus, start rec, ISO, iris, focus…).

note

The default APC-R camera ID value is 1. This is why we need to select camera 1 in Middle Control to control the corresponding gimbal / camera. To change the Camera ID, please read this tutorial.

Middle Control - Motion Page

4.2 Using an external USB Joystick Controller​

For a more practical experience, you can also connect a USB joystick controller to your laptop. Then, you can map the axis and buttons of the joystick to gimbal & camera actions in Middle Control:

  • Press the Edit Mappings button on the Motion or Camera page.
  • Click on the the camera or gimbal action you want to assign.
  • Move or press the desired joystick axis or button.
  • When you are done press Save Mappings
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Some actions will only be available for buttons, others will only be available for axes.

Middle Control - Gimbal Mappings
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You can check the supported USB gaming controllers on the compatibility section

4.3 Using the Middle Remote​

The Middle Remote will provide you with the best possible control experience, with a highly professional look & precision control. Thanks to the 3 axis joystick, 4 RGB buttons and 8 touch sensitive infinite control knobs with dedicated OLED displays showing the current camera values, the Middle Remote is the perfect fit for Middle Control. And it can support other ecosystems such as sound (Behringer X32, Yamaha... ) or lights (DMX).

4.4 Using a Stream Deck (Bitfocus Companion)​

If you want to connect Middle Control to Bitfocus Companion, please head over to the Bitfocus Companion section.

What's next?​

Anything unclear or buggy in this tutorial? Please contact us at [email protected].

Also, feel free to share your feedback / questions in the new Middle Things user group on Facebook! 👍

Going further, you can have a look at the following sections:

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