Connect Akai Mpk Mini To Garageband On Ipad

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Ok, maybe somone here has gone through this before. I have a new Akai MINI mpk midi controller that I am using with the most current version of garageband. I am using this controller to lay down a sick organ track via a 'B-3' virtual instrument track. My question: can I assign one of the pads. Finally back with another video! We found some time to record, so from now on keep it locked to MusicTableTV for weekly videos covering all aspects of beat m. SANTA has been quite generous this year - I got a nice AKAI MPK 225 and I prefer it to the Mini as the piano keys really much larger sized. To my surprise, basically none of the iPad DAWs or synths is able to cope with the on-board functions of the MPK - I am able to assign the rotation potentiometers to it, but nothing else really.

Let’s Multi-Instrument! Bass Rig Keyboard Setup

Ever since seeing Greta Kline from Porches alternate between bass guitar and bass keyboard duties, I’ve been semi-obsessed with creating a bass rig keyboard setup of my own. Greta plays a Novation Bass Station II. At some point I’d like to try out that keyboard out, but I ended up landing on the Akai MPK Mini MkII keyboard controller, with an iPad brain, and Garageband Keyboards for the software.

I play an Ampeg SVT-VR which has 4 inputs so I got this crazy idea that I should be able to use one of those inputs for the keyboard setup, when I’m not playing bass.

My Bass Rig Keyboard Setup

I selected the Akai Mini because it has both keys and drum pads. It has enough features to be ‘professional’ but is simple enough for a beginner electronic musician such as myself. The final reason I chose it is because you can find them for as little as $20 buck or new for $99. I already had an Apple iPad with Garageband on it so I thought I could have a great keyboard/drum pad set up for about the cost of a round of beers…it’s never that simple.

Getting the iPad to connect the Akai was a nightmare…I easily connected my Android phone and my Macbook Pro to the Akai so I knew the Akai was working.

Akai

Here’s all the different crap I tried getting this stuff to work:

Connect
  • USB hub – Internet says this will work but you need a specific adapter and it will run your iPad out of power.
  • Powered USB hub – Internet says this will work, but you still need the same lightning to USB adapter.
  • USB A to USB C Adapter – Don’t try this, I lost my mind and thought Apple switched over to USB C. I was able to used it for my phone though.
  • USB B to lightning Adapter – Doesn’t work, iPad complains that Akai is drawing too much power.
  • Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter – WINNER WINNER, CHICKEN DINNER!

The Remedy

In the end I recommend using the Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter because this is the simplest, least expensive, working solution. This adapter converts USB A to lightening and delivers power to the iPad. Any solution involving a hub, also requires a USB to Lightening adaptor…even if you think it doesn’t, it does.

If I end up loving this set up, I may switch the iPad with a iPod Touch that is dedicated to running Garageband. This would make my set up even more simple and compact.

My Setup Bass Rig Keyboard Setup:

  1. Multi-input Bass Amp

Here’s a quick video showing how I set it up:

Connect Akai Mpk Mini To Garageband On Ipad Air

The new MPK mini mkII is an ultra-compact keyboard controller designed for the traveling musician and the desktop producer. With an array of hardware controls, MPK mini mkII lets you record, compose, and perform with virtual instruments, effect plugins, and DAWs whenever inspiration strikes. This guide will walk you through setting up your MPK mini mkII with Garageband, along with the included plugins: Air Hybrid and Sonivox Wobble.

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Contents

Re: USB EWI on iPad? Garageband and anything else that uses Midi - it's amazing, the only downside is it drains the iPad battery (G.band) as the EWI is now powered from the socket I'm usually found having fun on YouTube these days, come & say hello. Jan 04, 2019 The Antelope Audio Zen is our choice for the Best Audio Interface for GarageBand. Features and Specifications The Antelope Audio Zen Tour comprises of 4 mic pres & 4 line/hi-z ins with phantom power, 8 Analog outs, 2 headphone and 2 preamp outs, plus an array of digital I/O, built-in talkback, as well as also having a touchscreen control panel.

Connect Akai Mpk Mini To Garageband On Ipad

What is Garageband?

GarageBand is a whole music creation studio right inside your Mac — with a complete sound library that includes software instruments, presets for guitar and voice, and virtual session drummers. An intuitive interface makes it easy to learn, play, record, create, and share your hits worldwide. It’s never been easier to make music like a pro. Garageband is not available for Windows.

For more information regarding Garageband, visit the official Apple page below:

Setup in Garageband

Connecting your MPK mini mkII to Garageband is a quick process:

  1. First, connect your MPK mini mkII to an available USB port on your computer. The MPK mini mkII should power on automatically.
  2. Locate the Garageband icon on your taskbar or in your Applications folder and click it to open the software.
  3. Once Garageband is open, select Empty Project.
  4. Select Software Instrument from the available options.
  5. Garageband will then open up a new project with a Classic Electric Piano on the first track.
  6. Garageband will recognize your MPK mini mkII automatically, so hit some of the keys to hear some electric piano!

Downloading and authorizing the included plugins

The MPK mini mkII comes bundled with two plugins to further expand your sound library. These plugins can be opened as a software instrument inside of Garageband.

To access these plugins, you will first need to create an Akai account and register your MPK mini mkII. Once registered, there will be download links and authorization codes. For a complete walkthrough on installing and authorizing the plugins, please make sure to follow the articles below before proceeding with the rest of this guide:

Accessing your included plugins

Once your plugins are installed and authorized, we can open them inside of Garageband.

  1. Hit the Smart Control icon located in the upper left of the software. You will see the Smart Control windows open at the bottom of the screen.
  2. Hit the Inspector icon to open a new window.
  3. Click on Plug-ins to open a new set of options.
  4. Select the Instrument category and hover over AU Instruments to browse your installed plugins. For this example, let's select Hybrid which is listed under AIR Music Technology.
  5. Once selected, the Hybrid interface will open, which allows you to adjust settings and select different presets.

Mapping your MPK mini mkII knobs

While Garageband does not have a MIDI learn feature, you can still use the MPK mini mkII knobs by mapping them to control parameters inside of Hybrid and/or Wobble.

Hybrid

Connect Akai Mpk Mini To Garageband On Ipad

  1. Open the Hybrid plugin interface as described above.
  2. With the interface open, select a parameter. In this case, I will be mapping the Shape knob under the category OSC 1.
  3. Hold down the Control key on your keyboard, and then click on the knob. You will see a list of options appear.
  4. Select the Learn CC option.
  5. Now, move the knob labeled K1 on the MPK mini mkII from left to right. You will see it reflected in the Hybrid interface, as the Shape value changes and the value moves from 0-100%.

Wobble

  1. Open the Wobble plugin interface as described above.
  2. With the interface open, select a parameter. In this case, I will be mapping the Width knob for Channel 1.
  3. Select the Learn icon in the upper right of the interface to enter the MIDI learn mode.
  4. Left click on the Width knob, and then proceed to move the K1 knob on the MPK mini MKII from left to right. You will see it reflect in the Wobble interface, as the Width knob moves left to right.
  5. If you would like to map another knob, first click the Learn icon to get out of MIDI learn mode. Then click it again, and you can map a separate knob.

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Connect Akai Mpk Mini To Garageband On Ipad App

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