Using USB MIDI controllers/interfaces with Sonar X1

Author
Post
Essentials Only Full Version
GaryWalker
Max Output Level: -88 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 144
  • Joined: 2004/12/02 08:32:00
  • Location: Hertfordshire, England
  • Status: offline
2011/06/27 09:23:36 (permalink)

Using USB MIDI controllers/interfaces with Sonar X1

On my laptop I've been running Sonar X1 Essential in conjunction with an EMU USB MIDI interface which appears to Windows as a USB Audio device. I have recently bought one of theses:

http://www.akaipro.com/mpkmini

so I can compose while on the go. My question is this:

The Mini MPK also appears as USB Audio device - will Sonar be able to differentiate between both interfaces if I use "friendly" names? I connected the Mini MPK to Sonar at work today, and found that I only had one USB device to choose - The EMU (which was not connected at the time). However choosing this device did allow the Mini MPK to work correctly. If I use "friendly" names and connect both at the same time, am I right in thinking the I can use them both (and define friendly names for both devices)?

Cheers,
Gary.

Current configuration:
Core i3 Laptop / 8GB RAM; Sonar Platinum (replaced with REAPER); Roland Quad Capture interface; Alesis Micron; Roland XP30; Akai Mini MPK; Akai S2000
#1

4 Replies Related Threads
    Stone House Studios
    Max Output Level: -40 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 3550
    • Joined: 2004/05/07 15:07:32
    • Location: Natural Bridge, VA USA
    • Status: offline
    Re:Using USB MIDI controllers/interfaces with Sonar X1 2011/06/27 09:47:45 (permalink)
    Hello Gary -
     
    First thing to sort out is that the Akai is only midi, not audio, as I assume with the EMU USB MIDI interface. 
    If you connect the AKAI via USB, it will show as a port (probably has drivers.)  If you connect it through the EMU, it becomes a controller using the EMU port, so you won't see it.
     
     
    Brian

     Core i7-6700@3.40Ghz  Windows 10x64 16 GB RAM
    Sonar Platinum/Studio One     PreSonus Studio 192
    #2
    GaryWalker
    Max Output Level: -88 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 144
    • Joined: 2004/12/02 08:32:00
    • Location: Hertfordshire, England
    • Status: offline
    Re:Using USB MIDI controllers/interfaces with Sonar X1 2011/06/27 10:08:18 (permalink)
    Both are separate USB devices which are recognised by Windows as generic USB Audio device. The EMU interface is little more than a USB plug with a cable ending with standard MIDI connectors. Here's the EMU cable I'm using:

    EMU MIDI Tab 1x1

    The Akai itself only has a mini USB output, meaning that both would ultimately be connected to the laptop via USB individually.

    My issue is that when I tried using the Mini MPK today without the EMU cable being present, Windows recognised it as a generic USB Audio device, which I'd expect. As the EMU is stored with a friendly name in Sonar, Sonar apparently assumes that the Mini MPK is this device. Based on this, I think I'll have to have both connected so both devices appear in Sonar - I can then set them up accordingly. I was just trying to get some confirmation if this setup would actually work, as my ultimate aim is to use the laptop as a live sequencer, and I would like to use the Akai unit as a control surface of sorts.

    Incidentally, neither piece of hardware has a dedicated driver, as they're both USB class-compliant.

    Cheers,
    Gary.

    Current configuration:
    Core i3 Laptop / 8GB RAM; Sonar Platinum (replaced with REAPER); Roland Quad Capture interface; Alesis Micron; Roland XP30; Akai Mini MPK; Akai S2000
    #3
    Stone House Studios
    Max Output Level: -40 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 3550
    • Joined: 2004/05/07 15:07:32
    • Location: Natural Bridge, VA USA
    • Status: offline
    Re:Using USB MIDI controllers/interfaces with Sonar X1 2011/06/27 14:08:14 (permalink)
    GaryWalker


    Both are separate USB devices which are recognised by Windows as generic USB Audio device. The EMU interface is little more than a USB plug with a cable ending with standard MIDI connectors. Here's the EMU cable I'm using:

    EMU MIDI Tab 1x1

    The Akai itself only has a mini USB output, meaning that both would ultimately be connected to the laptop via USB individually.

    My issue is that when I tried using the Mini MPK today without the EMU cable being present, Windows recognised it as a generic USB Audio device, which I'd expect. As the EMU is stored with a friendly name in Sonar, Sonar apparently assumes that the Mini MPK is this device. Based on this, I think I'll have to have both connected so both devices appear in Sonar - I can then set them up accordingly. I was just trying to get some confirmation if this setup would actually work, as my ultimate aim is to use the laptop as a live sequencer, and I would like to use the Akai unit as a control surface of sorts.

    Incidentally, neither piece of hardware has a dedicated driver, as they're both USB class-compliant.

    Gary,
    Its really neither here nor there regarding your issue - but neither of these are audio devices.  They are both midi devices, so if you go to midi devices in preferences,, you can select them if they are present.  Since they don't have drivers, Sonar may be defaulting to the top device, but you can select the other.
     
    Brian

     Core i7-6700@3.40Ghz  Windows 10x64 16 GB RAM
    Sonar Platinum/Studio One     PreSonus Studio 192
    #4
    BlackHawk
    Max Output Level: -90 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 3
    • Joined: 2011/05/04 20:28:57
    • Location: Houston, Texas
    • Status: offline
    Re:Using USB MIDI controllers/interfaces with Sonar X1 2011/07/06 01:13:12 (permalink)
    Gentlemen,
    How did you set up or configure your Akai MPK Mini with Sonar X1? I have installed the editor that came with MPK Mini but I am having problems using the controller with Sonar.  Any help will be appreciated.

    //BlackHawk//
    #5
    Jump to:
    © 2024 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1