App

TIDAL from a game controller

Download InputConfig on the Mac App StoreThe TIDAL layout is built into InputConfig, free on the Mac App Store. You don't have to make an account, there are no subscriptions, and nothing is locked. Optimized for Apple silicon.

On a Mac: The TIDAL app reads its shortcuts while it is in front. The System Function media outputs work from any app, and macOS routes them to TIDAL.

Yes, a game controller works as a TIDAL remote on a Mac: play on the big button, next and previous on the face buttons and D-pad, volume on the bumpers. TIDAL reads these shortcuts while it is in front. For control from another app or another room, the media key outputs are the ones to add.

The layout, control by control

Click a control. Labels:

How the layout thinks

  • Play. Play and pause (Space) on the bottom face button.
  • Skip. Next track (Command Right Arrow) on the right face button, previous (Command Left Arrow) on the left, and the same pair on the D-pad.
  • Volume. TIDAL's volume up and down (Command Up and Down Arrow) on the bumpers.
  • Browse. The left stick is the pointer, the right stick scrolls, the right trigger clicks.

Tune it for the other room

  • Media keys. System Function outputs Play / Pause, Next Track and Previous Track work while TIDAL is in the background, and keep working if a skip key changes in an app update.
  • Mac volume or app volume. With an external DAC, the Mac's volume keys may not change the level. TIDAL's own volume rows on the bumpers do.
  • Feel the skip. Tick Vibrate under Feedback in the skip rows' Options.

Swap the skip rows to media keys and the remote works whatever app is in front.

Get it in two clicks

  1. Get InputConfig free on the Mac App Store, open it, and click Smart Preset Maker on the welcome screen.
  2. Search for TIDAL and pick it. The layout is created as a preset in your sidebar, named and ready.
  3. Press Activate. Every row can be changed afterwards: the editor's Scan button rebinds any control the moment you touch it.

Every binding, as a table

The TIDAL preset in InputConfig, drawn on a DualSense Edge with each control labeled with the key or action it sends.
Figure 1. The TIDAL preset drawn on a DualSense Edge in InputConfig's Live Visualizer. For example, A / Cross is labeled Play / Pause (Space), and B / Circle is labeled Next track. Any other controller shows the same layout on its own drawing.
ControllerSendsWhat it does
A / CrossSpacePlay / Pause (Space)
B / CircleCommand (Left), RightNext track
X / SquareCommand (Left), LeftPrevious track
LB / L1Command (Left), UpVolume up
RB / R1Command (Left), DownVolume down
D-pad rightCommand (Left), RightNext track
D-pad leftCommand (Left), LeftPrevious track
Left stick leftMouse motion left (speed 16)Cursor left
Left stick rightMouse motion right (speed 16)Cursor right
Left stick upMouse motion up (speed 16)Cursor up
Left stick downMouse motion down (speed 16)Cursor down
Right stick downScroll downScroll down
Right stick upScroll upScroll up
Right triggerLeft clickClick

Button names follow the Xbox / PlayStation pair shown in the editor, so A / Cross is the bottom face button on either pad. On a Switch Pro Controller the bottom button is labeled B; the mapping still fires on position.

Questions

Does this match the Apple Music layout?

Yes, it has the same shape as the Apple Music layout. The media key version is identical.

Download InputConfig on the Mac App StoreCompletely free. You don't have to make an account, there are no subscriptions, and nothing is locked. Optimized for Apple silicon. Open source on GitHub.

Updated