Sometimes it can be really hard to be sure if your MIDI keyboard controller or other your USB-MIDI interface is working correctly, particularly if you are using it with complicated software. My suggestion is to separate the two things! Test that the hardware is working OK first. Use your computer’s control panel then test the device with a MIDI diagnostic tool.
- Jun 01, 2020 What is MIDI-OX? MIDI-OX is a versatile utility that is great for troubleshooting faulty MIDI hardware devices. It also acts as a System Exclusive SysEx) librarian, which allows you to send (dump) and receive SysEx data. So, if your MIDI controller isn’t triggering anything in your virtual instrument or inside your DAW, you can use MIDI-OX to see if it’s even transmitting MIDI data.
- MIDI Yoke, as a part of the MIDI OX Utility, is probably the best-known Windows equivalent to Mac's IAC Bus. Note: It's 32-bit only, so it won't work with Live 10 or any 64-bit version of Live. Sending and Receiving MIDI messages to another computer or device.
Once you can see the MIDI device is working you know that you need to work on the software configuration. Tip: Make sure you install, connect and turn on your MIDI controller first, then start up the software you want to use. Some software just won’t find devices if you turn them on after starting up the software. The video below will take you through some testing basics, then read on for links and more information. If you want a bit more info, then you might find our basic guide on what is MIDI helpful.
Which Diagnostic Tool?
If you are using Windows, then download MIDI-Ox, it’s a fantastic piece of software that shows the stream of MIDI data on your screen so you can check every key, fader, pad and wheel on your MIDI keyboard and be sure they are all working OK. Download it here:
MIDI-Ox MIDI diagnostic tool.
Then if you want a step-by-step guide on how to use it, this page on the M-Audio support portal is great, with easy to follow screen shots. Although it is referring to an M-Audio device you can use this software with any MIDI keyboard or interface.
Sep 20, 2012 Hi, I have been using windows 7, midiox and a 2x2sport for updating my MFC. I have just switched over to Mac. What is your recommendation for a utility to flash the MFC?
If you are on a Mac then the SNOIZE MIDI Monitor software does a similar job and they have nice documentation on their site on how to use it.
What If The MIDI Keyboard Isn’t Working?
If you still think the keyboard is not connecting correctly, then there is a useful post here on the Numark site which will help you to troubleshoot your plug and play device. Especially in Windows the native drivers can be missing or corrupted and may need to be re-installed.
If your device is not plug and play then you will need to go to the manufacturer’s site and download the correct drivers. NEVER do a ‘google search’ for drivers – there are lots of dodgy sites out there which will try to tempt you to download all kinds of things from them. Instead, go to the official site of the manufacturer of your particular device and navigate to their support/download page directly. The best manufacturers (Alesis, M-Audio, Numark, Roland, Korg, Samson etc) have telephone support as well, so take advantage of it. But do work through the above steps first!
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We have tried all the following controllers, they work really well and if you have any problems then the manufacturer’s give fantastic support. As an added bonus, they all work on PC, Mac and iPad!
Samson Graphite 49 USB MIDI Controller A USB MIDI Controller that gives you all the performance and production control you need to get the most out of your music software. Combining an intuitive semi-weighted keyboard with a feature set that is both useful and accessible.
CME Xkey 25-Key Portable Musical Keyboard USB MIDI compliant with iPad, Android, tablet / phone, Microsoft Surface Pro, Mac and PC, perfect for mobile music creation, studio recording, and live performance
Novation Launchkey 25-Key Mini USB MIDI Controller Keyboard for iPad, Mac and PC A compact mini-key instrument/controller, Launchkey Mini features 16 velocity-sensitive, three-color illuminated launch pads, which can be used to launch loops, sounds, effects, transport controls, and more.
Korg microKEY 37-Key USB Powered Keyboard a thin, lightweight, and USB-powered keyboard with 37 velocity-sensitive mini keys, comfortable and easy-to-play Natural Touch keyboard
Already got a nice keyboard, but no MIDI connection? Then you could get one of the following MIDI interfaces and soon be hooked up to your favourite MIDI software
Roland UM-ONE MK2 USB MIDI Interface High-performance FPT processing, very compact, affordable, and easy to use. Compatible with PC, Mac and iPad.
iConnectivity mio 1-in 1-out USB to MIDI Interface Plug and play – no drivers or difficult installation needed, ultra low latency MIDI Input and Output
Creative EMU XMIDI 1X1 USB MIDI Interface Active-Sensing messages filtered, MME, DirectMusic and CoreMIDI supported
M-Audio USB Midisport Uno MIDI Interface Perfect for connecting a keyboard or controller to your computer with upward mobility – add as many USB Midisport interfaces to your computer as you have USB ports
Audio MIDI Setup User Guide
If you use MIDI devices or a MIDI interface connected to your Mac, you can use Audio MIDI Setup to describe the configuration of your MIDI devices. There’s a default configuration already created, but you can set up your own.
You can use this configuration information for apps that work with MIDI, such as sequencers, to control your MIDI devices.
Note: Make sure your MIDI devices are connected to your Mac. If you’re using an interface device, connect any other MIDI devices you’re using to the interface. Also check that any software provided by the manufacturer of the MIDI devices has been installed. For more information, see the documentation that came with your devices.
View a MIDI configuration
- In the Audio MIDI Setup app on your Mac, choose Window > Show MIDI Studio.
- In the MIDI Studio window, click the Choose MIDI Configuration pop-up menu (it may show Default), then choose the configuration you want to view.
- In the toolbar, click the following buttons to change how the configuration is shown:
- Hierarchical View : Devices in the configuration are shown as icons. If a device isn’t connected, its icon is dimmed. To view information about a device, such as channel properties and ports, and to add or remove ports, double-click the device’s icon.
- List View : Devices in the configuration are shown in a list, organized by type (such as Interface or External Device). If a device isn’t connected, it’s dimmed. To filter which devices are shown, click the Show pop-up menu, then choose an option (such as Online or Connected). To view information about a device, double-click the device. To view its ports, or to connect or disconnect devices, click the device’s disclosure triangle.
Create a MIDI configuration
- In the Audio MIDI Setup app on your Mac, choose Window > Show MIDI Studio.
- In the MIDI Studio window, click the Choose MIDI Configuration pop-up menu (it may show Default), then choose New Configuration.
- Enter a name for the new configuration, then click OK.
- To add a new external MIDI device, click the Add button in the MIDI Studio toolbar.
- To set properties and add or remove ports for the MIDI device, double-click the device, or select it, then click the Device Info button in the toolbar.
- In the Properties window, do any of the following:
- Describe the device: Enter a name for the MIDI device; the name appears in apps you use with the device. If you know the manufacturer and model, you can enter those.
- Change the device icon: Click the MIDI device’s icon to open the Icon Browser, select a different icon to represent the device, then click the new icon to close the Icon Browser.
- Change the device color: Click the color well, select a different color to use for the MIDI device, then close the Colors window.
- Set the device channels and other properties: Click Properties, then click the channels to use for transmitting and receiving audio. To deselect a channel, click it again. Also select whether to use the MIDI Beat Clock, the MIDI Time Code, or both, then select other features.
- Add or remove ports: Click Ports, click the Add button below the list of ports, then specify the MIDI In and MIDI Out connectors for the port. To delete a port, select it in the list, then click the Remove button .
- Select MIDI-CI profiles for interface devices: If an interface device supports MIDI-CI, click MIDI-CI to see the profiles available on each channel. To turn a profile on or off, select or deselect its checkbox.
- Click Apply.
- Repeat steps 4 through 7 for each MIDI device you want to include in the configuration.
- In the MIDI Studio window, specify the connection between MIDI devices:
- In Hierarchical View , drag the In or Out connectors at the top of a device icon to the corresponding connector on another device icon.
- In List View , click a device’s disclosure triangle, click the Port disclosure triangle, click the Add Connection icon, then use the pop-up menus to specify the connections.
If you have a MIDI interface connected to the USB port on your Mac, it should appear in the MIDI Studio window. If it doesn’t, see If a connected MIDI device isn’t shown.
You can’t specify a “MIDI thru” connection between two MIDI devices. To indicate a MIDI thru connection, connect the two MIDI devices to the same port of the MIDI interface device.
How To Use Midi Ox
Edit a MIDI configuration
- In the Audio MIDI Setup app on your Mac, choose Window > Show MIDI Studio.
- In the MIDI Studio window, click the Choose MIDI Configuration pop-up menu (it may show Default), then choose Edit Configurations.
- Select a configuration, then click Duplicate, Rename, or Delete.
- When you’re finished making changes, click Done.
Midi Ox Tutorial
See alsoTest your MIDI connection in Audio MIDI Setup on MacMIDI Studio window in Audio MIDI Setup on MacIf an audio device isn’t working in Audio MIDI Setup on MacIf a MIDI device is dimmed in Audio MIDI Setup on MacIf a MIDI app isn’t using the configuration in Audio MIDI Setup on Mac