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Middle Things APC-R Mini Gimbal Controller

BH #MIAPCRMINI • MFR #MID-APC-R MINI
6 reviews
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Middle Things APC-R Mini Gimbal Controller
Key Features
  • Turn DJI Gimbal into PTZ-Type Head
  • Remotely Control Camera Gimbal
  • Mounts on Gimbal with Two Screws/RSA
  • Control from Laptop or Gaming Joystick
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.
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Middle Things APC-R Mini Gimbal Controller Overview

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.
Multiple Control Options
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
Remote Gimbal Control
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.

Remote Camera Control
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.

USB-C Connectivity
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.
DJI Active Track with RavenEye
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.

Compact Design
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.
Wireless Camera Control with Blackmagic
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.

Compatibility Overview
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 APC-R Mini Gimbal Controller Specs

General
Compatibility
DJI Ronin Series Gimbals
Inputs/Outputs
USB I/O
1 x USB-C (Power Only) Female Input
Other I/O
1 x RJ45 Ethernet
Wireless
Wireless
Wi-Fi / Bluetooth
Mobile App Compatible
Yes: iOS Only
App Name: Middle Setup
Functionality: Setup
Power
Power Source
USB
DC Input Power
5 VDC
Power Consumption
1 W
Physical
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
Packaging Info
Package Weight
0.135 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
4.5 x 1.75 x 1.65"

Middle Things APC-R Mini Gimbal Controller Reviews

A Complete Game-changer For Live Production

By Haakon
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2025-12-05

This Little Unit Attaches Directly To Several Models Of DJI Pro Gimbals And Allows You To Remotely Operate Them Either With Free Software Or An Array Of Different Hardware Controllers. You Can Then Mount Your Camera Of Choice To The Gimbal And The Result Is A “PTZ”-style Package With Far Better Image Quality, Precision Of Motion, And Value Than Just About Any Other Competing System Out There. Traditional PTZ Cameras Tend To Come In Two Flavors: Cheaply-made Units With Tiny Sensors And Clunky Stepping Motors Or Premium Options From More Established Brands With Better Components But Astronomical Price Tags. One Looks A Mess And The Other Will Require You To Sell A Kidney To Deploy. And Regardless Of Which You Choose, Neither Option Can Guarantee A Truly Seamless Match With The Rest Of Your Traditional Camera Fleet As You Move Between Different Systems For Specific Jobs. This Is Where The APC-R Mini Trumps Them All. By Integrating With DJI Gimbals - Stabilizers Known For The Quality Of Their Motion - As Well As Nearly Any Camera You Want To Pair With Them (the Only Limitation Being The Payload Capacity Of The Gimbal Itself), You Can Now Achieve A Perfectly-matched Video Source That Integrates With The Rest Of Your Production. Pans And Tilts Are Buttery Smooth And Preset Positions Can Be Recalled At A Touch Of The Button, Just Like Any Modern PTZ Platform. It Truly Is The Best Of All Worlds. In Addition To Remote Operation Of Camera Movement, Recent Updates Have Also Enabled Control Of Many Of The Best Sony Cameras (FX6, FX3, FX2, Burano) In Addition To An Impressive Range Of Blackmagic Gear. This Provides Adjustment Of Core Camera Settings Through The System (iris, White Balance, Focus, Etc.), As Well As Servo-powered Zoom Lenses Connected To Them. In Fact, You Can Even Engage Sony’s Clear Image Zoom Through The Middle Control Software, Creating A PTZ-like Experience Even When Using Manual Or Single Focal Length Lenses! The Options Are Nearly Endless. I Had Been On A Search For A Remotely-operated PTZ Camera With Cutting-edge Image Quality And Precise Control Of Movement For Over A Decade Without Success… Every Option Seemed To Have At Least One Fatal Flaw (most Had Several). It Turns Out The Solution I Was After Wasn’t A Camera At All. Thanks To The APC-R Mini, I Can Use Any Camera And Lens That I Want And Smoothly Operate Them From Nearly Any Distance. For Live Events Where It Isn’t Possible To Physically Place Human Operators In Desired Positions Or Situations Where The Budget Simply Won’t Support The Number Of Camera Sources You Need To Individually Operate, The APC-R Mini Is A True Game-changer. It’s Now A Part Of My Kit On Every Shoot.

A Sony Cinema Machine!

By Timothy
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2025-10-16

I wanted to leave a review on my experience with the product after using the APC-r Mini's for 1yr (I had the original APC-r for 3yrs). So far I've installed multiple APC-r mini's at three different locations (a multi-campus church, and another client). I was looking for a higher quality full frame camera system that's PTZ, easy to use for volunteers, and something that won't be as expensive as say, Sony's FR7. Middle things was the answer! I used all Sony mirrorless camera's, glass with RS3 Pro gimbals mounted on tripods or on the wall and the middle thing apc-r minis. The feed back from these locations after 1 yr has been positive. I can have a mutli-cam system controlled by one xbox gaming controller, and a stream deck XL for position presets. It doesn't get any simpler. Built-in tally is a nice touch and works well with the Blackmagic atem constellation 2m/e. The Middle control program (running on Mac OS), is the software piece that makes everything work. It's pretty simple to use. I can say, my one negative was at first there were a few software bugs on the minis. Running the unit solely on wifi might drop signal, but they were quick to respond on support and came out with a software update that fixed it. Yay! They actually listened to community feedback too, rolling out some feature requests such as hard stops on panning and assignable features to D-pad of the xbox controller, which was a featured request I had reached out to them about. All in all, I'm pretty happy with the purchases. The ease of use, volunteer savings, and the quality-to-dollar ratio of a system I can build with this is pretty awesome. Looking forward to more installs with these in the future!

See any errors on this page?

This says it provides Blackmagic camera control ...

This says it provides Blackmagic camera control through the same software. Is there way to support RED cameras in the future?
Asked by: Philipp
The manufacturer has not mentioned any info on future compatibility updates to the Middle Things APC-R Mini Gimbal Controller.
Answered by: John W
Date published: 2024-11-01

Is there a way to rename the presets? Rather them ...

Is there a way to rename the presets? Rather them being called 1.1,1.2 etc?
Asked by: Philipp
Yes, you can rename presets on the Middle Things APC-R Mini Gimbal Controller--all the presets can be saved, recalled and renamed using the BitFocus Companion plugin.
Answered by: Boyd H
Date published: 2025-01-28

Is there support for VISCA protocol?

Is there support for VISCA protocol?
Asked by: Philipp
As of Nov. 2025 VISCA is supported with a middle Control Pro purchase from Middlethings website.
Answered by: Timothy
Date published: 2026-01-03

Does this also offer camera control for RED ...

Does this also offer camera control for RED cameras?
Asked by: Philipp
No, the Middle Things APC-R Mini PTZ Controller is not a camera controller at all. You can control one or more DJI gimbals remotely from a single laptop, using any USB gaming joystick. With the Middle Control desktop software, you can map any of the joystick axis and buttons to gimbal actions such as Pan / Tilt / Roll / Speed or Zoom motor. This allows you to turn your existing camera setup into a high quality PTZ head
Answered by: Jonathan S
Date published: 2024-09-30

Is there a way to engage / disengage autofocus on ...

Is there a way to engage / disengage autofocus on the DJI?
Asked by: Philipp
When using the Middle Things APC-R Mini Gimbal Controller autofocus control can only be controlled with compatible Blackmagic Design ATEM Switchers and Cameras.
Answered by: John W
Date published: 2024-11-04

Is the APC-R MINI able to set the focus point ...

Is the APC-R MINI able to set the focus point when using the DJI Focus Pro Lidar with RS4 Pro?
Asked by: Philipp
Unfortunately, the Middle Things APC-R Mini PTZ Controller does not support the DJI Focus Pro Lidar.
Answered by: Chris H
Date published: 2024-10-01

Does this allow being connected to RS3 Pro while ...

Does this allow being connected to RS3 Pro while also connecting eg the Tilta remote via the nato transceiver?
Asked by: Philipp
The Middle Things APC-R Mini Gimbal Controller may be able to be used at the same time as the Tilta Wireless Control Receiver Module for RS 2/RS 3 Pro/RS 4 Pro on the DJI RS 3 Pro Gimbal Stabilizer as there are connection pins on both sides of the handle, but there may be interference between the two controllers as they would both be relaying control information.
Answered by: Tim Z
Date published: 2024-11-04

The openings/ ports at the top and bottom, are ...

The openings/ ports at the top and bottom, are those to mount other subs accessories?
Asked by: Philipp
The Middle Things APC-R Mini Gimbal Controller top and bottom ports are loop outputs of the CanBUS connection cable. At this time there are no accessories that take advantage of these ports, but Middle things has reported that they will work with future accessories.
Answered by: Paige K
Date published: 2025-05-05
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