axion 25 as a midi input device and a control surface in mc5

How do I configure mc5 so I can use my axion 25 as a midi input device and a control surface permitting use of the pads, knobs and the transport controls

research on this topic in no particular order



http://www.cakewalk.com/Tips/SONAR/ACT.aspx

axiom &sonar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFaSICoEJ80





[font="arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 14px; "] Oxygen 8 v2 controller configured with SONAR's ACT http://www.pcmusicsupply.com/oxygen8andsonarvideo.html


http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=869336&mpage=1&key=axiom󔏘

Katchi - who in tech support told you that?  I'm afraid that's completely incorrect. 

http://www.cakewalk.com/images/musiccreator_4_vs_musiccreator_5.pdf

this is from Kate's link at the top of this forum regarding what is available in MC5 as compared to MC4.  notice both support Control Surfaces and ACT.

besides - my instructions above on how to get the axiom to be recognized as a control surface were done by my actually trying it before telling the OP how to do it, so I know the control surface functions are there.

Ok - I can believe that MC5 doesn't have an ins def for the axiom 25 and that would fall in line with what Chad told you.  however, you said,

According to tech support MC5 doesn't support surface control, you have to upgrade to home studio or sonar

which is an incorrect statement because MC5 does support control surfaces, just not all of them and not including the Axiom 25 apparently.

You should be able to set up the Axiom 25 as an ACT controller in MC5. Here are some things you can try for ACT functionality. 

First go to OPTIONS | MIDI DEVICES and verify that all of your MIDI Interface's input/output ports are selected and press OK. Next, go to OPTIONS | CONTROLLERS / SURFACES.  Please remove any controllers that are currently listed.  Now click the Add New Controller / Surface button.  In the Controller/Surfaces Settings window that appears please select the correct input and output for your MIDI device. Choose ACT MIDI Controller.

Press OK.  Back in Surfaces window make sure that WAI and ACT are
enabled for this device and that WAI Display is enabled for your track
and console view.  Press Close.

Now go to TOOLS | ACT MIDI CONTROLLER.

This will open up the ACT MIDI CONTROLLER window. 

In the ACT window you will need to load a preset that corresponds with your controller (Axiom 25). Now make sure that you have the memory preset loaded on the controller itself. If the preset isn't there, let me know and I can send you one.

When testing the ACT function I recommend having the ACT controller window open so that you can visually verify any activity. 

Also make sure that Enable Strip Parameters under Active Controller
Technology is enabled in the ACT MIDI Controller Window (the check-box is located in the bottom left hand corner).

If you are still having difficulties with configuration there is a good tutorial on ACT here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCbeXIwNfuw

Hope that helps! 

Me too please!

All of the transport functions should be listed under the buttons drop down menu in the Options tab of the ACT setup window. You may need to scroll up or down the list; there is a lot there. The MIDI Learn function within ACT is the best way to map the other rotaries. You can do this by clicking on the desired button in the Controllers tab of the ACT Setup window.

If ACT is giving you trouble, you also have the option of using the Cakewalk Generic Surface plug-in, which works quite well once set up properly. Choose Options | Control Surfaces and click the Add button. Next, choose Cakewalk Generic Surface and select the proper MIDI input and output. Finally, choose Cakewalk Generic Surface under the Tools menu and setup the parameters for the mixer. Use the Learn button here to map the various transport functions. Press F1 for help. Check out this tech tip:
http://www.cakewalk.com/Tips/TechTipMay02_1.asp

Hope that helps.

My apologies for not posting this earlier. Please download the Axiom 25 preset files here. Go to Start | Run, copy and paste the following location:
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%/application data/Cakewalk/Shared Presets/{0A7F7099-E2BC-4869-B943-914D70FB0FE6}
Press OK. You'll need to unzip the preset to that folder.

If the preset doesn't show up in MC5 right away, run the .reg file.

I have the transport working as I mention before and also the rotary controls for the volume and Pan in the active track.

I notice that in the Controllers/Surface window there is an option to [Import ACT data] where is that data located or how you export that data to XML.?

I'll try the Generic surface option