I found this very useful after many hours of trying to do it myself. I paused the vid and copied your transport settings from the screen to my generic file. Got them working thanks to this and watched the rest to see how you used the array of switches and knobs to real advantage. If you don't do much producing, like me, you won't know what a 'good' workflow will look like. The file that I could download from AKAI is xml format so not very friendly to look at. The manual from Cubase lacks a lot, for instance, the upper screen for generic is the Configuration and the lower screen is the Assignment; this took me a while to understand. So.. the negative comments were probably more expressions of frustration with a process that is not at all straight forward. My suggestion is spend some time trying to get an understanding of what is actually happening, with your setup, not from youtube;-) then come here to get the rest of the story
long ago we had to make our own maps and somewhere along the way, with these ready-made ones and the wish to 'obey', I think something sets in, well whatever it was you have set me free :) I have 7 Midi Controllers, 2 of these (P1 and Automap) I can now remap from the factory presets and get them working the way I expect and want them to, thanks to your video. Those which are fine on their own software include: AudioFront continuous Sustain Pedal controller, Peavey & Yamaha(which just obeys, from the start!)
Hi David! I just upgraded to Cubase Pro 9.5 - coming from Pro 9 and months of not doing anything with it - and, looking around on RU-vid I arrived here at your channel. I suscribed after listening to your reggae song and one tutorial. Wow, just wow. Your enthusiasm radiates and sets aflame! If I may ask, or suggest an idea for a next tutorial: Flux. It looks very powerful, and many people tend to forget all the goodies that come with Cubase. cheers, and a big thanks from Antwerp, Belgium!
Thanks for the kind words! I'll put Flux on the list. I was messing around with it when 9.5 first came out, but I'll try to figure it out a bit more in the weeks ahead and release a video soon!
I would love to see a video about assigning drums sounds (EZ Drummer 2) to keys on a controller (I have a Nektar Impact LX+). Your explanations of QB 9.5 are great. Thanks for considering this subject. I think it would help a lot of people since there are few vids out there concerning this.
Hi, Again, love your enthusiasm and thanks for making this! It doesn't seem like you really showed "how" to hook up my Akai. I see how you did YOURS, but you don't really show how to even add the Generic Remote category to the list of Remote Devices. Would you be into making a more detailed "Tell it to me like I'm a six year old" way? So we can get full details on how to add the controller and map it. Again, love your enthusiasm and thanks for making this!
i agree with you, im really new to all of this and i can not for the life of me wrap my head around configuring my akai mpk mini mk2 to cubase elements 9.5
I actually spent at least a few hours troubleshooting last night before I even got Cubase Elements 9.5 to pick up MIDI signals from an MPK25. I don’t know how the mini compares to the MPK25 in terms of global settings, but here’s a few things to look into: 1. The MPK25 has a global setting called “common channel”, with options that range from 1a-16a and 1b-16b. Any controls with the midi channel set to “CC” will use the value of this setting as the channel. The alpha part of the value (“a” or “b”) corresponds to MIDI ports 1 and 2, respectively. When you connect an MPK25 to a computer via USB, 3 midi ports are available. When you create a generic remote in the Cubase MIDI setup page, be sure to set the input port to the one corresponding to the alpha part of the “common channel” value saved in global settings. 2. I’m not sure why, but I couldn’t transmit MIDI to Cubase with the “common channel” global setting on the MPK25 set to 1a or 1b. When I had it set this way, MIDI learn wouldn’t work in Cubase, and even if I set the MIDI values manually in Cubase for a given control, Cubase wouldn’t respond to control changes. As soon as I switched the “common channel” setting on the MPK25 to 2a or 2b (or, presumably, any channel other than 1a or 1b), Cubase was able to magically see the MIDI coming from the board. It’s worth noting that I didn’t have this problem with a few other standalone VSTs (1a and 1b worked fine with Arturia V Collection’s MIDI learn, for example). Only Cubase. Hope that helps, and feel free to ask questions.
@@halcyon77 Hey Scott, thanks for chiming in! At the moment, I've given up on trying to manually map my MPK261 in Cubase 10 Pro. I spent just about 2 entire days awhile ago, trying to map things the way I wanted. I had this weird issue where after I'd map everything, I would save the settings and then save the project as a template, hoping to be able to load it in the future with the mapping intact. But the strangest thing was, the settings would still be there after reloading the template, but as soon as I used the sustain pedal, ALL the mappings would change beck to whatever they were or something. It drove me crazy! Im obviously no expert, but I do sort of understand MIDI CC. I found a list of all the CC commands, so at least an idea of what numbers to use for things. I had it working like I wanted several times. Transport, faders, panners, mutes, solos, using banks A thru C. But, I could never get them to stay that way. I decided to give the Akai VIP software a try again, after trying it long ago and giving up on it. So just the other day, I updated it and my iLok license manager and gave it a go. It really seems nice! It actually has maps for the MPK2's for TONS of plugin effects and soft synths on the market. It had mappings for every plugin I have. And apparently, it's supposed to be very friendly in the MIDI learn dept. I can't fully vouch for it because I haven't spent much time with it. But it looks really promising so far! If the maps work, we'll just have to fine tune things with the MIDI learn and be off to the races! You should check it out. I think it's still free on the Akai site. Somehow it feels more like a complete and powerful package. Anyway, would love to hear yours or anyone's thoughts on having luck with mapping the MPK2 from scratch or using the VIP software.
I was having difficulty finding the "device" menu that every other tutorial shows. Apparently, Cubase put all of that menu into the "studio" menu. Your tutorial finally helped me out after a couple of days of complete frustration. Thanks for planting several ideas for maximizing my usage of my Akai! Hopefully, I can incorporate your ideas into a map of my own. Is there any chance that you'd share a .xml? Thanks again!
Yeah, I think they switched from 'Device' to 'Studio' in version 9. I'm glad it was helpful. The Akai is pretty much a blank slate. The built-in integration (the map they provide online) isn't that great, but you can make it do just about whatever you want.
Hello I bought this keyboard two weeks ago and frankly I am very frustrated... Impossible for me to set the potentiometers on the vst/i in a sustainable way... (you can do it via the learn cc when they work) but impossible to save either in the keyboard via a program that we would have created or in my daw .... If someone has the solution frankly I'm interested
It can be even more simpler & better on programming all those steps. MACROS... FI. I PUSh just 1 knob and Cubase will set 4 bars, in loop mode, play mode, locators on both ends and then proces it to real copy.. Another macro I use when I finish: I always render the whole song to get a raw mix in mp3 for listening (in my car or so: all done with one Macro=1 push on 1 button: it starts setting the locators on all parts; adding a new audio Track, record enable, selecting the master out as input, starts playing from the beginning and saves it as an mp3. Al.l through one knob...in that time I have cleaned up the studio and say goodbye to all my groupies :-).
Hello, congratulations on your channel, it is very useful. I am a Cubase 10 PRO user, last update and an AKAI MPK 249 midi controller (same as your MPK 261 but with 49 keys). My problem is that the editor "Generic Remote" that does not save the midi mapping correctly. It is clearly a mistake. I want to map the Master Fader in a fixed position within the "controlled project and its number of tracks" midi controller. It is impossible to map it on my AKAI MPK 249, or on any other midi controller. Cubase automatically reassigns the "Master Fader" to the last "physical" position according to the number of tracks in the project, although for example it is mapped to the first physical fader. For some reason (error), Cubase always assigns the "Master Fader" in the last position. Example: 2-track project: Cuabase assigns the Master Fader to the physical position "3" 4-track project: Cuabase assigns the Master Fader to the physical position "5" 7-track project: Cuabase assigns the Master Fader to the physical position "8" This is clearly a Cubase error, since for example, the "Generic Remote" editor lets you assign the Master Fader to the physical position "1" of the midi controller, but when Cubase restarts and reads that mapping xml file, it assigns the "Master Fader" in the last position and not where it was originally mapped. Have you had this problem? If so, how have you solved it? Thank you very much and sorry for my Google Translator English ...
I cant find the xml file anywhere.. I bought it used, so it didnt come with a CD, so I cant map anything. Can you share your xml file for Cubase, please?
Can I mapping and create script for older midi keyboard, for example AKAI MPK 88? Does it integration works in Cubase 10 or 12 version? Thank you im advance? Regards
*Talking Leaf Media I have an MPD226 and I use Cubase 5. I was wondering if you could assist me with setting the controller up proper. I've been through all the tutorials, uploaded the CUBASE FILE for the MPD provided by tech support, however the transport controls and the tap tempo does not work and now the the not repeat seldom works.*
Best Cubase tips in youtube that i've foud! great Job! I have a question: How do i remap the Mod Wheel to affect all vst instruments?(rchestral strings .WW. etc;) i have a large orchestra template but i dont know how do that. And my Mod Wheel is not controlling the Dinamic, Thank you
Hi, when my akai faders are on "the top", the cubase faders are at +6 db on the the mixer ! (i want my faders in cubase are at 0 Db...) I don't find a solution, in ableton it's very simple but with cubase it's impossible (the steinberg hotline told me that), perhaps a solution in the .xml file but i'm not an infortician...:) can you help me ? :) thank you
Nice tutorial !!! I'm having a problem activating ( mapping ) my transport to Cubase pro 9.5 I have a Akal Max 49 . I went thru the steps of mapping ... I even had the learn box ticked and touched each transport button I wanted Mapped the address numbers never changed they remain number 7 . Can you help me with this please !!!
I have a nektar P6 and I have had no luck mapping an expression pedal through it. Same pedal I've had for years an m-audio EX-P. And come to think of it I don't think it's ever worked on any of my controller's Over 20 yrs any suggestions for a great expression pedal?
Hey David, great video! Do you still have the AKai with the latest Cubase 12? Would be great if you could do a video on that! No pressure of course ;-)
I looked into it when 12 first dropped and their configurator thingy was a little buggy with the Akai. I have installed the 12.0.2 patch of Cubase and will look into it again. Cheers!
@@TalkingLeafMedia Awesome! I'm struggling with the Akai: it plays the buttons or knobs only once per session and then never again until I close the project and reopen. Very weird.
@Talking Leaf Media Hi, David. I am having a problem with my new MPK261 midi controller. I see you have the same one and i want to know if you have the same problem. A few days ago i noticed that all the pads and all the 61 keys are triggering notes (in my DAW - Live / in any DAW) 1 octave lower than it should. Important: none of the two up/down transpose buttons are activated and the "Octave" and "Transpose" settings unde the "Edit" menu are on "0". Exemple: - Hit one of the 16 pads - now hit "Edit" menu and see to which note is that pad assigned - now hit that pad one more time and in the same time look at the "piano roll" inside your DAW and see which note is triggered. If the problem with my MPK261 is universal, than you should see that it triggers a note 1 octave lower than it should (than what it says under "Edit" menu). The same happens with all 61 keys. The middle "C" on MPK261 should trigger "C3", but it triggers "C2" actually. I wonder also if the 25 keys MPK users have the same problem. Looking forward for your answer. Thanks!
did you run into any issues mapping your akai to quick controls? My 249 does not want to map with the learn function despite the program showing it is receiving midi.
I've also done somthing quite like this, if you're interested in a way to control the horizontal zoom level with a single knob, just let me know, the MPK series can do that.
cool Video, made me understand the ground principle! nevertheless I'd have two questions: 1) did you perhaps manage to interact the "tap tempo knob" on the mpk with cubase? 2) is it possible to reconfigure the "play-knob" on the mpk in a way that it Switches between Play and stop? thanks for your help if you have time...
Good questions! For the tap tempo, I set the clock source to external (Cubase), so that the tap tempo is rendered useless. And, I tried to make the play toggle, but I couldn't figure it out. So I had to use play and stop.
thanks a lot for the quick response, dude! I'll try that with the tap tempo. concerning the play/stop...would it perhaps possible to set one button on the mpk via HID to the spacebar-key (like on the on the typing keyboard) and get through that way a play/stop button on the mpk?
Hello, cool tutorial and thank you for putting your knowledge out for us all. Quick question: How did you figure out the address for each one of the buttons/knobs on your controller? I have a mpk 61 and am trying to map my play/stop/rec to the corresponding buttons on my controller. Can you show us a little more on your process? Thanks again!
If you do MIDI learn in the Generic Remote, you'll see the address of everything. Also, the address of everything is programmable in the edit menu of the MPK itself.
Thanks for getting back to me, just figured it out. Do you by chance know how to get it to where each time I bring up groove agent it'll map to my pads automatically?
I have an Akai MPK249 and I use a Steinberg UR22mkII interface for Cubase. When I go to find the Generic Remote folder I don't see it, only the VST Controls. How can I find the Generic Remote folder?
Hi and thanks... I will have to go thru this crazy thing that i was postponing since i got mine axiom... a long time ago :-/ ... I will try with CB 5 and axiom 49 in my home studio. I would like to use also AKAI MPK mini for live performance. I also use FCB 1010, but just for live gigs. there was a a java based editor that was very handy in the end. - Anyway which sample library would you suggest me to start with? Because any midi controller without decent sounds is dud. Are there on the market any decent free or not very expensive samples, that you could recommend? thanks!
no worries this video got me squared away: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fjbzZSBwSPo.html But strange thing is when I used Cubase 8/10 AI I recorded directly to the instrument track with Halion Sonic. But with MPC Essentials I have to set up a Group Track/Bus/Audio Track in addition to the instrument track -- kinda confusing for this newbie
Hi, David! If i use your exact "Generic remote" settings, there is a 2 seconds lag between when i hit the buttons and when cubase responds to command. I've found a way to completely get rid of that lag, but i wonder why i have it when i use the exact settings that you have. Are there other settings inside Cubase or inside MPK261 that can help me get rid of that lag? Can you help? The solution that i use is in the "generic remote"settings. Let's take for example your "rewind" button at 02:26. It works seamlessly. If i have your exact settings in the 2 "generic remote" windows, it has a 2 seconds lag. To avoid the lag, i need to tweak the settings in my lower half "generic remote" window. To work without lag they need to be the following: Control name - Rewind (this one doesn't matter), Device - Command, Channel/Category - Transport, Value/Action - Rewind, Flags - P. Thanks in advance for your help!
@@TalkingLeafMedia I seen a Steinberg mod poster this to someone not quite sure if it’s important.. do you have a script you may be willing share I’ve been struggling. Thank you
@@TalkingLeafMedia “Kehl, if you use the KeyCommands section for controlling transport, you won’t be able to get led feedback on the hardware device. Try using the “normal” transport section of the MIDI Remote Functions Browser instead:”
@@TalkingLeafMedia the main features aside from the obvious keys and pads I like having to work is the transport/loop/note repeat/ arp/ and the quantize buttons
Sometimes we should ignore RU-vid and just go to the manufacturer's website: www.akaipro.com/kb/akai-mpk2-series-setup-in-steinberg-cubase/#hardware_setup :-)
