Middle Things APC-R Mini Gimbal Controller

Turn your DJI gimbal into a PTZ camera head with the APC-R Mini Gimbal Controller from Middle Things. This compact device mounts onto your compatible DJI gimbal's RSA port using two screws, and it provides Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity to control your camera and gimbal as if it is a PTZ camera. It offers wide compatibility with DJI gimbals and Blackmagic cameras and features a built-in tally light.

Mounting the APC-R Mini onto your gimbal facilitates multiple control options over your local network:

• USB gaming joysticks
• Middle Remote
• BitFocus Companion
• TCP Access with the SDK/API

The APC-R Mini connects to and draws power directly from the RSA accessory port of your DJI RS 2, RS 2 Pro, RS 3 Pro, RS 4, or RS 4 Pro gimbal. You can then connect it to your network using LAN Ethernet (recommended) or Wi-Fi.

Using the Middle Control software, you can control up to eight DJI gimbals remotely from a single laptop using the Middle Remote or a USB gaming controller as if it were a PTZ camera. Visit the APC-R Mini compatibility page to check if your gimbal is supported.

If you use supported Blackmagic Design cameras, you can also remotely control the shutter, iris, white balance, gain, and focus in addition to the PTZ/roll/speed of the gimbal motor.

If you also have an ATEM switcher, you can connect our Middle Control desktop software to the ATEM to control more advanced camera settings such as luma, gamma, lift, contrast, saturation, and sharpening.

With the built-in USB-C connection, you can:

• Adjust network settings, set custom IP addresses, and configure the Wi-Fi SSID and password when using it as a wireless controller.
• Update your APC-R Mini with the latest firmware.
• Power your APC-R Mini when using it as a wireless camera controller without a gimbal.

If you are utilizing DJI's RavenEye system, your camera can track a subject automatically on autopilot mode.

Toggle DJI Active Track on and off by mapping any joystick button or by using Bitfocus Companion through the APC-R Mini over the network.

The APC-R Mini retains the same internal electronics and features as the APC-R but boasts a completely new design. This design combines the APC-R, the APC-R Gimbal Adapter, and the Middle Tally into a single compact product that connects directly to your DJI Gimbal.

When connected to a Blackmagic ATEM Switcher over Wi-Fi or Ethernet, the APC-R Mini can use all the ATEM Software Control camera controls and forward them to the Blackmagic camera using Bluetooth.

This can be paired with a video transmission system for a fully wireless remote-controlled camera setup for mobile camera operators.

Gimbal Compatibility

The APC-R Mini can control the following gimbals:

• DJI RS2
• DJI RS3 Pro
• DJI RS4
• DJI RS4 Pro

NOTE: The DJI RSC2, RS3 Mini, and RS3 can never be supported, since they have no RSA connection port.

Remote Gimbal Control Functions

The DJI RS 2, RS 3 Pro, RS 4, and RS 4 Pro are the only gimbals that support the following features:

• Save and Recall position presets
• DJI Focus Motor Control
• DJI Active Track with DJI RavenEye system

The other gimbals can still be controlled using the S-BUS port on the APC-R using the same cable, but you will not have access to these two features, which are only supported through CanBUS.

Bitfocus Companion/Streamdeck Support

The APC-R Mini can be controlled using a Streamdeck through BitFocus companion. With a Streamdeck, you can not only control, adjust, and monitor camera and gimbal settings, butyou can also save and recall presets, rename presets, create custom pages, and use data from the gimbal and camera as variables for other Companion integrations.

Blackmagic ATEM Compatibility

An ATEM Switcher is not required to use the APC-R Mini, but it is recommended.

The APC-R Mini is compatible with the majority of Blackmagic Design ATEM switchers, including:

• ATEM Mini / Mini Pro / Extreme (and ISO)
• ATEM SDI / Pro ISO / Extreme ISO
• ATEM Television Studio HD
• ATEM Television Studio HD8 / 4K8
• ATEM Television Studio Pro HD
• ATEM Television Studio Pro 4K
• ATEM Production Studio 4K
• ATEM 1M/E & 2M/E Production Studio 4K
• ATEM 4M/E Broadcast Studio 4K
• ATEM Constellation HD / 4K / 8K

Supported ATEM Switcher/Camera Settings

When used with compatible ATEM Switchers and Cameras, the APC-R Mini can adjust the following settings remotely through Bluetooth:

• iris
• rec start/stop
• shutter
• gain (ISO)
• white balance
• zoom (with compatible lenses)
• focus (with compatible lenses)
• pan/tilt (with compatible gimbals)
• contrast
• saturation
• hue
• lift
• gamma
• gain
• detail sharpening
• false colors
• status overlay
• autofocus

Joystick Compatibility

The recommended joystick for your APC-R Mini is the Middle Remote because it has been optimized for the Middle Control software and offers the best possible control out of the box, but you can also use a standard USB gamepad controller.

Middle Control software should work with any USB gamepad controller, but the following USB joysticks have been tested and confirmed compatibility:

• Turtle Beach Velocity One
• Thrustmaster TCA Sidestick Airbus Edition
• Thrustmaster TCA Quadrant Airbus Edition
• Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas X
• Thrustmaster USB Joystick
• Microsoft Xbox One Wireless Controller V2
• Logitech Extreme 3D Pro
• Logitech Gamepad F310S
• THE G-LAB K-PAD THORIUM

You can also utilize ATEM Advanced Panel 1M/E, 2M/E, or 4M/E.
You can connect up to four simultaneous joysticks to the panel if you need to expand your axis/button options. But you can only control one camera at a given time (the one with its number selected in Middle Control).

OS Compatibility

Middle Control/Setup software is compatible with the following operating systems:

• iOS: Middle Setup software for iOS is required to pair APC-R Mini with your Blackmagic camera
• macOS: Middle Control
• Windows 10/11: Middle Control software is available for download, but it is no longer supported

Middle Things MID-APC-R MINI Specs

Compatibility

DJI Ronin Series Gimbals

USB I/O	1 x USB-C (Power Only) Female Input
Other I/O	1 x RJ45 Ethernet

Wireless	Wi-Fi *Built-In Bluetooth *Built-In
Mobile App Compatible	Yes: iOS Only App Name: Middle Setup Functionality: Setup

Power Source	USB
DC Input Power	5 VDC
Power Consumption	1 W

Mounting	1x DJI RSA Connector 2x Captive Screws
Color	Black
Dimensions	3.7 x 1.3 x 0.9" / 9.5 x 3.2 x 2.4 cm
Weight	1.9 oz / 54 g

Package Weight	0.135 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)	4.5 x 1.75 x 1.65"