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APC-R Usage

In this section, we will go through some features of the APC-R / APC-R Mini / APC-R Mini Lite and how you can use them.

Changing the APC-R Camera ID​

If you have multiple gimbals, you will need to assign a unique Camera ID number to each APC-R unit. There are three ways to set the APC-R camera ID:

  • Through the network: in the APC-R Devices section of Middle Control, click your APC-R's details and edit the Camera ID (macOS only).
  • Through USB. Connect your APC-R to your laptop with a Micro-USB data cable (or USB-C for the APC-R Mini). Make sure the cable supports data transfer, not just power. Then you can set the camera ID in the Middle Control USB setup page.
  • Using the iOS Middle Setup app. Activate Bluetooth on your iPhone / iPad / M1 Mac and select your APC-R. You can then edit the Camera ID number.
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The APC-R Camera ID / Middle Control Camera ID and ATEM Camera ID are all the same. So you should set the APC-R Camera ID to the same number as your ATEM camera number.

Middle Control - APC-R Status Page

Changing the APC-R Name​

You can set a custom name for each of your APC-R and APC-R Mini units. You can change the name exactly where you change camera IDs, you can check the section above for instructions.

Understanding LED Status​

The LED next to the USB-C port of the APC-R Mini (and micro USB port of the APC-R) can help you understand the current status of the unit. This is only available in APC-R firmware 1.5.20 or above.

  • 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.
info

If all of that fails, please contact support at [email protected]

Using the Tally​

The Blackmagic Bluetooth Camera Control protocol does not allow us to show the tally preview / program info on the camera LCD / monitor. Nor do we have this option for other manufacturers. In order to address this, we have designed our own external tally light.

The APC-R can receive tally information by connecting the Middle Tally to its AUX port.

Note that the Middle Tally only works with the APC-R. The APC-R Mini does not need it, since the Mini has a tally light built into the unit itself. More information on the Middle Tally product page.
Tally 1

Just connect the Middle Tally to the APC-R AUX port using the included 50 cm cable. Or any USB 3.2 / Thunderbolt cable (simple USB-C power cables won't work).

Tally 2

Next, make sure the Middle Control software is running and connected to both your ATEM and APC-R Mini. Your tally will automatically power up. Four states are possible:

  • Red: the Camera ID is on Air (Program).
  • Green: the Camera ID is on Preview.
  • Yellow: no tally data is being received (Middle Control not connected to the ATEM, or APC-R not connected to Middle Control).
  • Off: the tally is working normally, and the Camera ID is neither on Program nor on Preview.
note

The Middle Tally is not a standalone Tally. It can only be used with the APC-R. It is not compatible with the APC-R Mini.

Adjusting Tally Brightness​

There are several ways you can adjust the tally brightness.

  • General Tally Brightness for all APC-R / APC-R Mini units that are connected to Middle Control.
    Go the Middle Control Preferences ➜ Advanced Settings ➜ Master Tally Brightness . This will override any device specific dimming.

  • Device-specific dimming You can dim specific APC-R / APC-R Mini tallies over the network by going into your APC-R / APC-R Mini details in Middle Control and adjust the Tally brightness here. It will be saved upon device reboot.

Middle Control - APC-R Status Page

Configuring APC-R to fixed IP​

By default, the APC-R fetches its IP address automatically from the router via DHCP. You can assign a fixed IP address to each APC-R using the macOS / Windows Middle Control desktop app. Connect your APC-R to your laptop with a Micro-USB data cable (or USB-C for the APC-R Mini). Make sure the cable supports data transfer, not just power.

⚠️ Firmware issue — APC-R Mini serials 9200–9400 (reported Feb 16, 2026)

We've identified a firmware issue affecting APC-R Mini units with serial numbers 9200–9400. In certain cases, changing the Ethernet setting to Fixed IP may cause the unit to become unresponsive and potentially brick the device.

For now, please keep Ethernet set to DHCP and do not use Fixed IP.

A firmware update to address this is currently being finalized. If your unit is already unreachable, please contact [email protected] for assistance.

Thank you for your patience while we complete the update.

Connect your APC-R — it will show up on the left sidebar. Select it to access the network settings. Click Save when you're done.
Disconnect and reconnect the APC-R to confirm the settings have been saved successfully.

Middle Control - APC-R USB Settings
Warning

The Ethernet and Wi-Fi IP addresses HAVE to be different!

Configuring APC-R for direct connection (no router)​

Using a router to link all your devices (ATEM, APC-R, Computers, Companion) is the recommend method.

However, if you want to control the APC-R without any router using direct ethernet cabling (or using a network switch) to your computer, here how you should proceed.

  • Make sure your APC-R is not connected to the ethernet cable at this stage.

  • Go to your Network Adapter Settings on your laptop and select the Ethernet network card connected to the APC-R (this could be a USB-Ethernet dongle, for instance). In the Properties, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and configure a custom IP address as follows. You can use any IP address — this is just an example:

    • IP address: 192.168.10.35
    • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 (or 24 if you get an error when validating — this can happen on Windows 11)
    • Default Gateway: 192.168.10.1

  • Launch Middle Control. In the Status page, the displayed IP address should match the one set on your network adapter (192.168.10.35 in this example).

  • Connect your APC-R to Middle Control using a micro-USB cable (or USB-C for the APC-R Mini), go to the Setup page, and untick DHCP in the Ethernet settings. Set a custom IP address for your APC-R:

    • IP address: 192.168.10.37 (must differ from your computer's IP but use the same subnet, e.g., 192.168.10.XX)

    • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

    • Default Gateway: 192.168.10.1

  • Save and reboot your APC-R by disconnecting / reconnecting its micro USB cable

  • Now connect the APC-R ethernet cable to your computer or your dongle

  • In Middle Control, the APC-R should show up in the Status page.

tip
  • If you also want to connect your ATEM to Middle Control, you can set the ATEM with a fixed IP that matches the subnet of the other IPs and connect it to the ethernet switch. Put this IP in the switcher tab of Middle Control. For instance, in the case above, you can set your switcher to 192.168.10.240 .
  • If you want to keep your ATEM in DHCP mode, connect another network adapter (like a USB to ethernet adapter) to your computer, leave its network settings configured to "Get IP address automatically". Then, open ATEM Setup software and in the properties of the ATEM, look for the IP address of the ATEM. Copy and paste this IP in the switcher tab of Middle Control.
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