Using faders + knobs + sort of buttons in Axiom 49

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 11:35 am

Hey.

I have the MAudio Axiom 49 and it has all those knobs and faders which I wanted to know how exactly do I use them and how can I activate them on Apple GarageBand?

Also there are the buttons of "record" - "play" - "stop" etc..
How do I activate them also that it will work with GarageBand?

I'm working with MacBook on Mac OS 10.5.4.

Thank you =]

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:33 am

I think that you will have a hard time getting the most out of this midi controller if you are only going to use it with Garageband.

For a program that is free with a new Apple computer, Garageband is a decent program. But it is a very basic entry level program and intentionally limited in its scope.

I don't think that you can midi map with Garageband. My midi keyboard has a pitch bender and a volume slider that work just fine, and I know they sell specific hardware with transport controls for garageband. But all those other knobs and sliders, whatever they are for, I don't think you can get them to work.....

I just did a quick search and found this on mAudio's website.

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:45 am

VonRocK wrote:

I think that you will have a hard time getting the most out of this midi controller if you are only going to use it with Garageband.

For a program that is free with a new Apple computer, Garageband is a decent program. But it is a very basic entry level program and intentionally limited in its scope.

I don't think that you can midi map with Garageband. My midi keyboard has a pitch bender and a volume slider that work just fine, and I know they sell specific hardware with transport controls for garageband. But all those other knobs and sliders, whatever they are for, I don't think you can get them to work.....

I just did a quick search and found this on mAudio's website.

First of all, thank you for the answer.

Secondly, if I buy Logic Express 8, is there a way I can activate the buttons on this program?

Thank you so much.

Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 6:18 am

That keyboard is a MIDI controller. It can control MIDI parameters. It has buttons that can be used as transport (play, rewind, etc) with the file download Von Rock linked you to.

The keyboard keys will send out note data (note, duration, velocity, etc) to a MIDI program or device to tell it to play this note this loud for this long, etc.

The sliders and knobs are for performance parameters. Otherwise known a CC or "continuous controllers". You can assign them to adjust volumes, pitch bends, modulation, panning, reverb or chorus depths...basically anything that the device and/or program that it's connected to can recognize. You just have to tell the Axiom what to do, and make sure the other end knows it wants to do that, if it's capable. If your devices allow it, you can use the controls to apply sweep, tonal and other filtering to MIDI sounds, or VST instruments.

It's possible to use the knobs and/or sliders as a rudimentary mixer in your program. Not the best mixer surface in the world, but...

So, you can use them in a mainly audio program that recognizes MIDI control functions, but that keyboard was more meant for joyful tweaking of MIDI devices...modules, soundcards, virtual instruments, etc.

Read the manuals of all the software, the Axiom, and your interface to see what you can do. If a term comes up that you don't know, Google it.

Kapt.Krunch

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