Mapping an M-Audio Oxygen 49 USB MIDI controller/keyboards to BIAB

First time I've used a MIDI controller/keyboard with BIAB. Does anyone know how to do it? Many thanks

Is this a USB device? If it is, use that connection. Otherwise, you will need a cable from MIDI Out on the keyboard, to whatever soundcard you have that accepts MIDI.

If the keyboard is on and plugged in when you start BIAB, then you should be able to select it in the MIDI Drivers dialog as your MIDI input device. You should then hear it, and also see the notes on the little BIAB screen keyboard.

Thanks, Matt. Yes, this is a USB device. It does appear to be responding but I can barely hear it. I suppose I should state that I am also now using Visa Business. I can't find the controls that were there in XP (mind you I have never used a MIDI controller before). What's more it has lots of knobs and dials for editing and controlling the DAW. Trying to figure this out

Biab will only recognize the keyboard for playing notes. For the volume, turn up the Thru channel. If it's still not enough then turn down the other instruments to achieve a balance. Biab or RB are not capable of using the knobs and sliders for mixer control and the like but I think the start/stop transport controls will work.

Bob

Yes, check the Thru channel.

Is there a tutorial somewhere on this? Maybe even a video tutorial? This is crazy

I've checked the Thru channel - looks ok. Still so quiet it is unbelieveable

The Faders are assignable on the O 49.

There is a good chance that someone has already programmed that used O 49 such that one of the faders is sending CC 7 Volume.

So after hooking up and getting it to play so softly on the Thru channel, try moving each fader, one at a time, from bottom to top while playing the keyboard in an effort to see which one may be sending that Volume command.

--Mac

If the keyboard is putting out low velocity, which comes across generally as low volume, (mine does also), then there is a setting in BIAB you can set.

Go to "Opt, Preferences" in the main menu, and then select the "MIDI Options" tab. There you will see an entry field to boost the THRU velocity.

What I would do is to record a melody, then use the event list to see at what velocities the keyboard is putting out. Then add what you want it to be.

For example, I find mine seems to put out an average of about 60, so I add 30 or 40 to increase the volume, but not so much as to make the sound harsh.

Just a thought.

I have a M Audio 61 and use it daily with BIAB and had no problem setting it up, plugged in the usb cable, started BIAB and there it was, no set up at all needed.I only use it a keyboard and did not install any stuff that came on the disk. I will however have a look this evening as I have stuff to do today and will report back. I am on XP on the music computer.

Alyn

Quote:

The Faders are assignable on the O 49.

There is a good chance that someone has already programmed that used O 49 such that one of the faders is sending CC 7 Volume.

and then there's this option

Returning to the Factory Default Setting
You can reset the Oxygen controller back to the factory default settings on power-up by holding down the Data - and + buttons.
Note: Restoring the factory presets will erase all set-ups you have stored to memory.

I somehow doubt he's stored anything to memory on the thing as of yet, at least not purposely. <GRIN>

A Return to Factory RESET would be a good idea, as this keyboard was purchased used...

--Mac

I haven't done anything with it yet apart from plugging it in and setting it in the drivers for MIDI. I actually have no idea what to do with it. Hence my thread.

I would assume that once the drivers have been designated in the MIDI section and a track has been set as MIDI and a Piano patch has been selected then it should generate a sound as loud as any other instrument (otherwise it is basically just an alternate version of the computer keyboard). Now, I am the first to admit I have NO experience with the Oxygen 49 or any other MIDI keyboard as I am a singer and a guitarist. My new MD suggested (actually demanded) I get this piece of kit. I really don't know how to use it or install it.

FWIW, I am running Vista Business

Quote:

Quote:

The Faders are assignable on the O 49.

There is a good chance that someone has already programmed that used O 49 such that one of the faders is sending CC 7 Volume.

and then there's this option

Returning to the Factory Default Setting
You can reset the Oxygen controller back to the factory default settings on power-up by holding down the Data - and + buttons.
Note: Restoring the factory presets will erase all set-ups you have stored to memory.

Thanks, Bob! That worked. I now have sound...

Quote:

Biab will only recognize the keyboard for playing notes. For the volume, turn up the Thru channel. If it's still not enough then turn down the other instruments to achieve a balance. Biab or RB are not capable of using the knobs and sliders for mixer control and the like but I think the start/stop transport controls will work.

Bob

I finally have sound thanks to the 'reset' that Mike suggeseted

But even after that, just playing around, I notice that some of the faders, knobs and buttons DO effect what sound comes out. Any more ideas about this?

Those controls are changing various parameters of whatever synth you're using and this is where things get really confusing. First, you should decide on one main synth. Then you map the controls to that synth. Right now, it's probably all wrong and if you change from say the Forte Dxi to Sampletank then you have to create a different mapping for that. That is not a problem though because that Akai has memory for lots of different maps.

Please understand though this is for the synths not for Biab or RB. The difference between PG products and other big name DAW's like Sonar, is Sonar has remote controller capability. That Akai has a built in map for Sonar, Cubase and others so you can control your mix and other parameters separate from the synth plugins. Plugins have their own mapping. That means for example someone can have their controller interface controlling Sonar and the Kontakt sampler at the same time. Once it's all set up it can be very slick.

Bob

Sam you should also do some serious reading about MIDI and it's ins & outs.No pun here.

Sam, Just use the M AUdio keyboard as a keyboard for playing notes. I know it is tempting to fiddle with all the controls on the left hand side BUT DON'T

I have used master keyboards for years in BIAB and my DAW and tried in the DAW, as you have, to utilise the sliders but after a frustrating period gave up, they may work if I concentrated on making them work but that takes time away from making music.

Glad you got it working

Alyn

Hi Sam,

I have sent you an Email with two PDF documents attached which may be of help.

@Bob: You keep referring to Akai? This is an M-Audio Oxygen 49

@John: Sure I know about MIDI but I have never used a keyboard controller before

@Alyn: Thanks for the advice. I'm sure that is what I will do but I was playing around with it and it started doing odd things. I'll keep my greasy mitts off the knobs, buttons and sliders! The mod wheels and transpose buttons work great though!

@Lyn: Thank you so much. Received and saved. Seems you are of the same opinion as Alyn

Sorry, I have Akai on the brain I guess. Same principles though, controller keyboards all work the same way, it's just some have more controls and memory functions than others. Some have preset templates for the big name DAW's and synths so when you load one of those up everything is set up ready to go. If you don't have a preset template then you move one slider or knob and look at your screen to try to figure out what it's controlling. For example, say knob #3 is controlling volume, you can change that to a slider if you want. It's tedious at first but still once it's done it's done.

Most of the big name DAW's have a "learn" function. You highlight whatever you want to map with your mouse and then move the control on the keyboard and it locks it in. Pretty simple.

But, unfortunately PG programs don't have any of that. Big weakness to a lot of people and it's been in the Wishlist for years.

Bob