Help

MIDI output

InputConfig can turn a game controller, a keyboard, or a MIDI device into a MIDI controller for any music app on the Mac. Buttons play notes, sticks and triggers become continuous controllers, a stick axis bends pitch, and a button can start or stop the transport. It works through a virtual MIDI port that exists whenever the app is running.

The virtual port

While InputConfig runs, it publishes a MIDI source on the Mac named InputConfig. Every DAW and MIDI app that lists inputs sees it. There is no IAC bus to set up, no third-party driver, nothing to install.

Connecting a DAW

Open the DAW: Logic, Ableton Live, GarageBand, MainStage, Bitwig, Reaper, or anything else.
Find its MIDI input or control surface settings.
Enable InputConfig as an input source. GarageBand and Logic take every source automatically.
Arm or select a track that listens to that input.
Activate a preset that contains MIDI outputs and play.

Note

A MIDI Note output plays one note when the control is pressed and stops it on release. Pick the note (C-1 through G9), the velocity (0 to 127), and the channel (1 to 16). Face buttons make a small keyboard or a set of drum pads; the built-in MIDI: Drum Pad preset puts kick, snare, closed hat, and open hat on the face buttons with turbo on, so holding a button rolls.

Control Change

A MIDI CC output suits sliders and continuous parameters. Bind a stick axis to CC 1 (modulation), CC 7 (volume), CC 11 (expression), CC 74 (cutoff), or any other number. With Variable Sensitivity on, the CC value follows how far the stick is pushed; without it, the control sends a fixed value on press. The CC reference lists the standard numbers.

Pitch bend

Pitch Bend is the wide bend wheel. Bind a stick axis in both directions, plus and minus, for natural up and down bending. Centre sends 8192, which is no bend; full positive sends 16383 and full negative sends 0.

Program Change

Program Change tells the receiving instrument to switch patch. Bind a button to program 0 to 127 to recall a synth sound, a drum kit, or an instrument bank instantly. Many DAWs and hardware synths assign specific sounds to each program number.

Transport

Transport outputs send real-time playback messages: Start (from the beginning), Stop, and Continue (from the current position). One button per action gives you hardware transport control without leaving the DAW window. The built-in MIDI: Transport Control preset wires A, B, and X to the three.

Stuck notes

When a preset deactivates, InputConfig sends note-off for every note it is holding. If something hangs anyway, deactivating and reactivating any preset clears it, and most DAWs have a panic or All Notes Off shortcut. The emergency stop also releases every held note.

Questions

Can I play chords?

Yes. Give one row several MIDI Note outputs with the plus button and they sound together. The MIDI: DAW Performance preset plays a C major chord from the face buttons.

Is there latency?

The message is sent the moment the input arrives, at the controller's polling rate. At the default rate that is a few milliseconds, which is in the same range as a hardware controller over USB.

Does it work with hardware synths?

The virtual port is a software source. Route it to a hardware synth through the DAW, or with a MIDI interface and Audio MIDI Setup's MIDI Studio.