All of these FAQ entries have been migrated to the Q&A site, found here.


Getting Started

How do I get my MIDI Designer to talk to my computer? That’s the point, right?

Yes, for 95% of users, that is the point (others will use a hardware connection).

First, you must make sure both computers are on the same wireless network.

Then you create a connection on your computer. See www.mididesigner.com/connect for more instructions.

I do not see my iPad under Directory on my Computer’s Network Audio MIDI Settings. Also: I do not see my computer on my iPad’s Connection tab. Help!

“Bonjour Broadcasting” is a bit quirky, sometimes. Double check that both devices (your iPad and your computer) are on the same network. Sometimes your Computer doesn’t see your iPad right away, but your iPad can see your computer. Either way works.

You should definitely get a MIDI Monitor (Snoize MIDI Monitor on Mac, this simple one for Windows) to figure out what’s going on. With the right tools (like a MIDI Monitor), everything becomes much easier to diagnose.

Can MIDI Designer send note-on note-off combinations (drumpads)?

Yes (as of version 1.2). Use Message Type “Note.”

They are not velocity sensitive.

Can MIDI Designer work with Reason? Logic? Ableton Live? Reaper?

MIDI Designer is a universal MIDI controller, so it will work with all DAWs. Make sure to check our connect page for help on getting connected.

2013-12-30 Update
Google for the latest suggestions. For instance, for Logic use this link. MIDI Designer is really well indexed by Google, luckily.

Can I use MIDI Designer with a 1st Generation iPad? A 3rd Generation iPad?

Yes. MIDI Designer is tested for performance-readiness and compatibility on the original iPad 1, iPad 2, and the new iPad.

How do presets work? How do layouts work? How can I save my stuff?

Presets

Presets represent all the values in your entire MIDI Designer setup. For example, a knob called “Sweep” might be set to 45° (or an outgoing MIDI value of 32). When you store a preset, that value is saved. When you recall a preset, all controls snap to the value they had at the time the preset was saved. So your sweep knob would snap to 45° regardless or what position it’s in, and that value would be sent out to all hardware/software that is connected.

Presets are available from the main tongue that drops down from “More” for both save and recall. Presets cannot be deleted at this time, but they can be overwritten.

More on presets

Layouts

Layouts represent the whole of your MIDI Designer layout: all banks, all pages, and all controls. Setups are files that have the extension “mididesigner” so an example would be, “Cannes May 2012 05.mididesigner”. MIDI Designer adds the file extension for you.

Layouts may be saved, loaded, and emailed. Find this functionality under More -> Config -> Actions.

Layouts may also be opened from email. Follow the default instructions in the email which contains the layout.

In addition, you can drag and drop layouts to and from MIDI Designer via iTunes.

Note: layouts contain your presets, so if you open your layouts on another iPad, you will find your presets are also available.

In Design Mode, when I select a control and the quantity I want, I get double what I asked for. If I want one slider and select that option I get two. If I select 4 I get 8. This is a bit confusing. How can I get only one set of controls?

You are most likely looking at the same bank and same page on both sides. The page selectors are at the top and look like tabs, and the bank selectors are the little numeric things that say “1” at the top of either side. See the pic below.

Pages exist in banks, and you are free to show the same bank on both sides and even the same page (useful sometimes in Design Mode).

To stop this from happening, switch the page on the right side (or left side). Alternately, you can switch the banks to be separate on the right and left sides. If you do this, you would have two different numbers showing at the top (1 and 2, for instance), and each side could access totally different pages.

Note: you can add and remove pages and customize them (color, texture and name). You can also add and remove banks.

I’d like create a button that changes to a defined program on my keyboard (e.g., Program 68). How can I set that up in MIDI Designer?

  • Enter Design from More -> Design.
  • Create a button.
  • Properties

  • Change “Type” to “Momentary.”
  • MIDI

  • Change “Message Type” to “Program Change.”
  • Change “Min/Max” to 0->68.
  • Try it out!

    Program Change 68 will be sent when the button is pressed. Nothing will be sent when it’s released.

    How do I create a new bank of pages?

    In Design Mode, press and hold the bank selector. Then choose the number of banks you want (2-6).

    How Do I Move Pages Between Banks

    In Design Mode, drag and drop the page tab you wish to move.

    I just bought Pro. How can I move my layouts from Lite to Pro?

    The easiest way is via the Mail app.

    In MIDI Designer Lite, use More -> Config -> Mail Layout.

    Then open the mail in your mail program and follow the instructions. Choose to open in MIDI Designer Pro.

    Note: You do not need to actually send the mail. You can open it directly from your Drafts folder.