USB Midi Controllers

controllers
midi
usb
#1

Overview

This topic is intended to discuss USB midi controllers and their compatibility with Axoloti.

Please post here if you use a controller that works and is not listed here, and we will keep this post up to date.

if you find a controller that does NOT work, then please read this topic, and then raise a separate topic in this hardware category, so we can discuss the issue, and look for a resolution. please do not start a conversation here.

USB Midi Device vs USB Midi Host

Most hardware are either a midi device or a midi host, but Axoloti can be both, so its important to be clear on the distinction.

When using midi over USB, a piece of hardware takes on the role of either a host or a device for a single wired connection.
i.e. 

   USB Midi Host <------> USB Midi Device

Obviously a 'dumb' midi controller (e.g. keyboard) is a USB midi device, this means when you connect it it needs to connect to something that can 'host' it. This might be a computer, or it might be a synth.

A computer is (generally) a USB midi host, since you connect midi controllers to it i.e. it hosts theses controllers.

Often USB midi hosts can host many USB midi devices at the same time, but generally a USB midi device is connected to one host

Axoloti , like some synths, can be both, if you connect via the micro usb port (the one you use to connect to a computer), it acts as usb midi device. if you connect it to something (e.g. a midi keyboard) via the full size usb port, then it will host other usb midi devices.
e.g.

   Computer (host) < -----> (device) Axoloti (host) <-------> (device) usb keyboard

It should be noted, generally both hosts and devices can send and receive data.

Axoloti acting as a USB Midi Device

If you connect to the Axoloti micro usb port, Axoloti presents itself as a class compliant midi device, and should be accessible on all class compliant hosts.

Capabilities: class compliant usb device, send/receive note, pitchbend, pressure and cc data.
Current limitations: no sysex support

Current tested hosts:
- Windows
- Mac OSX
- Linux (PC/VmWare/Raspberry PI 2)
- Axoloti Core
- iOS (v8.3 (4s), v5 (iPad1), iPad 2) can be powered from iOS device

Axoloti providing USB Midi Hosting

If you connect a USB midi device into the Axoloti's full size USB port, Axoloti will act as a USB Midi host

Capabilities: host for class compliant midi devices, can send and receive note, pitchbend, pressure and cc data.

Current limitations: No support for connecting via hubs, no sysex input support, sysex output only via api call.

Bus power: must not exceed 500mA
(if you have issues with a device when using bus power, if the device permits, try using external power)

Disclaimer: Following is only indicative, not implying any warranty, and may alter with firmware upgrades etc.

USB Midi class compliant devices

(reported as working by users)

  • Ableton Push (v1 only)
  • Akai LPD8, MPD 24, MPD 26, LPK 25, MPK mini, MPK mini mk2, APC mini,Midimix
  • Alesis IODock 1, v25,QX49
  • Arturia Beatstep, Arturia Beatstep Pro, Mini Lab, MicroBrute
  • Axoloti Core i.e. 1 Axoloti Core board hosting another
  • Behringer UMX610, BCR-2000, X-Touch Min
  • Casio GZ-5
  • C-Thru Music Axis-49
  • CME XKey Air 25
  • Dave Smith Intruments Tetra
  • DJ TechTools Midi Fighter Twister
  • ESI MIDIMATE II
  • Evolution UC33
  • Emu Xboard 25
  • Elektron Analog Four
  • Keith McMillen Softstep (v1), QuNexus, QuNeo, K-Board
  • Korg NanoKontrol 2, nanoPAD2, nanoKey, electribe2
  • Livid Brain Jr.
  • Nektar Panorama P6
  • M-Audio Axiom 61, Keystation Mini 32, Axiom 49 (2nd gen), M-audio Oxygen 49 Mk III, M-Audio Trigger Finger (non-Pro version), KeyRig 49
  • MidiBox SEQ V4
  • Mutable instruments CVPal
  • Novation Launch Control XL, Launchkey Mini mk2, Launchpad Pro
  • Novation Circuit
  • Roland A-800PRO [advanced midi mode must be off], UM-ONE mk2 [switch must be on 'tab']
  • Samson carbon 49
  • Soulsby Synthesizers miniAtmegatron
  • Teenage Engineering OP1
  • Waldorf Streichfett, Blofeld

USB Midi - explicit vendor support

  • Access Virus TI (midi i/o to synth, and midi ports - no audio support)

Not working

  • Behringer UMA25S (has a USB hub hidden inside)

Not working, not MIDI Class compliant

  • Novation Nocturn25
    (and more)
Novation LaunchControl
Lemur on Android
M-Audio Oxygen Mapped CC's subpatch (easily adaptable)
Novation ReMote 25SL, M-Audio Trigger Finger
Novation Nocturn 25 - working?
Portable Midi controller
The Holy Grail?
Lemur on Android
#2

I've briefly tested the AKAI MPD 24 tonight with the latest Axoloti firmware.
Pads, sliders and rotary knobs all seem to work.

You can add it to the list successfully tested devices.

#3

I can confirm Raspberry PI 2 can act as a host smile

#4

@timvets @janvantomme @alexk , could you possibly re-test your non working class compliant devices with the latest firmware.
I made a few changes a few weeks back which MAY have increased compatibility for hosting some devices.

#5

I can confirm that Axoloti Core can host the Axoloti Core device smile
Only midi though, and only tested the host->device direction.

Has anyone tried iPhone or iPad with a Camera Connection Kit?

#6

Cool, can it supply power too?
once my production boards arrive, I want to see how many I can put in a chain smile
(until I implement usb hub support!)

iPad, just gone and found my iPad 1 and camera connection kit... gotta charge up the iPad, then will test it.
I think the difficulty i will have with a non-prod board is power, but I will try with a powered hub

#7

Ok, iPhone 4s confirmed, with camera connection kit

Camera connection kit can even power Axoloti Core, tested with Lemur ...
(still waiting for my iPad 1 to charge up )

(iPad 1, fine with iOS 5 as well, quite a a lot of fun using Tenori ON with Axoloti )

#8

I can confirm that axoloti works fine with ipad2 and cc-kit. My original axoloti core hasn't arrived till yet but tested it with a stm32f4 discoboard flashed with axoloti fw.

#9

i'll try it out but to be honest it isn't even the full Edirol PCR50 that I have..its some cannibalized version that is missing the necessary controller for me to switch around the internal settings (to turn off advanced mode that switches off the roland stuff and make the device class compliant). I can try it anyway and of course I can try my A-800PRO in advanced mode. I think it is best we remove that entry of mine from the nonworking list because my device is not even in one piece and not fully operational.

#10

I briefly played around with an ALESIS V25 on the axoloti. basic keys + knobs were all working (found no issues so far)

#11

M-Audio Axiom 49 (2nd generation) also works file, I can assign knobs, faders, pads and modwheel without any problems.

#12

thanks... I'll add another one :- Keith McM Softstep (v1)

#13

Novation LaunchControl is working for me

#14

A post was split to a new topic: AKAI LP8 - Missing MIDI messages

#15

Is the stand-alone operation with USB MIDI controller a prove that the controller is supported or is it enough if it works while in 'Live' mode when also connected to the Patcher? I just assume both is the same. If the later is true then I can confirm that the C-Thru Music Axis-49 works with Axoloti.

#16

Its enough that the controller is directly connected to the Axoloti board's host port... 'live' or standalone doesnt make any difference to the firmware.

the only thing to 'exclude' is if the controller is connected to a PC/Mac which is then redirecting it thru the Axoloti Core device (eg. using USB device mode), as this is more about the PC/Mac sending via USB device.

#17

Akai MPD26 seems to be working fine via USB midi, just needs more power than axoloti can provide

#18

A post was split to a new topic: Akai APC key25 - no note on/off from keys

#19

Akai LPK 25 and Korg NanoKontrol2 both working great smile

#20

I have tested it with an akai mpk mini and a samson carbon 49, both work fine.