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Assigning expression to knob on MPK mini [SOLVED]


Fre

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Hi,

 

Because i often work with a small Akai MPK mini, which doesn't have pitch band or option to add expression pedal etc. I was wondering how i could a assign the parameter "expression" to one of the knobs of the Akai MPK mini. Normally i use the cmd+L feature, but this doesn't seem to do the trick for expression (i only find the parameter expression in the piano roll).

 

I read somewhere that you could use the transformer in the clicks & ports view, but don't have a clue how to do this.

 

Thnx!

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***UPDATED to include low and hi values and how to upload to Mini that i had forgotten about!***

 

I think you HAVE to use the editor to achieve this... otherwise the knobs send nothing that Logic can recognize.

 

In the Mini's guide it is pretty simple.

 

http://www.akaipro.com/stuff/contentmgr/files/22/582deaf3e01de99cbb4fe22717ae31d4/file/mpk_mini___quickstart_guide___reva___english.pdf

 

Start the software editor....

 

Load a preset

 

Look at the knob in the software editor that you want to use as the controller. You will see three settings to be filled out

 

CC # (KNOB) – Click on this field and drag up or down with the mouse (or use your computer keyboard's up or down arrow keys) to change the MIDI Control Change number the knob will send.

 

In your case set this to 11

 

Low: Set Low to 0 (This is the minimum value the knob will send when turned al the way to the left)

 

Hi: Set High to 127 (This is the maximum value the knob will send when it is turned all the way to the right)

 

Press Upload to send current preset to Mini...

 

Save the preset

 

The other important thing to do is..... The first time you use the software editor, even if the correct device is already shown in the drop-down menu, you still need to click on the menu and select the device. (You will also need to do this if you move your files to a new location.) In future sessions, though, you can simply click "Done" if the correct device is shown in this window.

 

Now you should be ready to go... remembering to always connect the Mini BEFORE starting the editor...

 

(I had to recently 'hand hold' a client of mine over the phone who has the same equipment, through this very same thing....so most of it is still fairly clear in my mind for a change!!!)

 

HTH...

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I would actually like to know how to do it in Logic without other software

 

It's not just other software, it's your MPK Mini's preset editor software, designed to do exactly what you want.

 

But, you could still use transformers in the environment to transform one CC to another...plenty of examples of that around here.

 

J.

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J,

 

If I recall correctly....

 

If you don't actually setup the knobs via the software editor, they actually send nothing at all... so you HAVE to use the editor.. It's not a choice.

 

I suppose it must come with a default preset (or presets) pre-loaded, no?

 

Would be weird if it came as a useless piece of plastic from the factory...

 

J.

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N6Smith! Thnx a lot :) i will use the editor then. The reason why it would also liked to know how to do it in Logic (which isn't the best way), is when i'm using other keyboards ;) i'll check out some transformer tutorials.

 

I also thought that i might have been missing something because it's easy to assign plug-in parameters, volume, etc. but not expression for example.

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I suppose it must come with a default preset (or presets) pre-loaded, no?Would be weird if it came as a useless piece of plastic from the factory...J.

 

You would have thought so... but IIRC from the one I helped my client set up, it was actually blank until you ran the editor and either created a preset or selected one and uploaded it... I guess they really want you to use the editor!

 

Cheers..

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OK, so it's necessary to use the preset editor...as I said in my first post :?

 

I also thought that i might have been missing something because it's easy to assign plug-in parameters, volume, etc. but not expression for example.

 

There's a difference in using Logic's Learn function (Command+L) and using a specific MIDI CC's defined function.

 

For example, if a software instrument is designed to respond to CC2 (breath controller) by design, it's not necessary to assign anything: If your MIDI controller sends that CC, the instrument will respond.

 

On the other hand, you can assign CC2 to some other parameter by using Logic's learn function and suddenly the defined function of that CC (breath controller) won't mean a thing because you'd be controlling say, a filter's cut-off frequency which really has nothing to do with breath control.

 

J.

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OK, so it's necessary to use the preset editor...as I said in my first post :?

 

I also thought that i might have been missing something because it's easy to assign plug-in parameters, volume, etc. but not expression for example.

 

There's a difference in using Logic's Learn function (Command+L) and using a specific MIDI CC's defined function.

 

For example, if a software instrument is designed to respond to CC2 (breath controller) by design, it's not necessary to assign anything: If your MIDI controller sends that CC, the instrument will respond.

 

On the other hand, you can assign CC2 to some other parameter by using Logic's learn function and suddenly the defined function of that CC (breath controller) won't mean a thing because you'd be controlling say, a filter's cut-off frequency which really has nothing to do with breath control.

 

J.

 

Alright thnx for the clarification!

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