Help from current users
I just picked up a used M-Audio Axiom 49 and was looking for any input from currernt users regarding setup and use or issues when using with N-Track. I will greatly appreciate any help assigning and using controls?
For almost 10 years, I’ve been using the same, reliable, but very old Optimus keyboard with little midi control capability.
Thanks in advance.
TJ
I too have one, but am just learning midi myself (the Axiom 25)
I am not able to get the darn thing to pass any midi data through to other devices, I mean the keyboard sends midi data to a module just fine, but other stuff I send to the controller does not make it to the other devices…
I haven’t tried doing anything with the controller and Ntrack yet, mainly because I do not have any midi capability on my computer (don’t even have a sound card) but from what I hear the USB can be used along with a program from M-audio…Enigma I think it is called…anyway that is supposed to help you get the device situated in the PC.
keep shinin
jerm
Hi Gents:
Some of the Midi Specialists around this Board seemed to have moved on…
There were guys like Learjeff and guys like him that were here, knew Midi and it behaviours like second nature…
Anyway, I don’t see him around, anywhere…
For the little I know about Midi, make sure you have a Midi capable Midi Audio Card connected to your computer’s motherboard… I have and use m-Audio 192 PCI Audio Cards, in my setups…
You have a keyboard that has Midi IN-OUT-and-Through, connections…
All of your Midi Cables should be of Top Quality and are the same length…
They say that Midi Cables of different lengths causes varying Lag Times and then you suffer from uneven Sync’d responses, and a number of other issues-and-all…
I read that in a Midi Book I have…
I have a Green Paper Back 8" x 10" Midi Book that explains Midi down to it’s toe-nails… I got it some twenty years ago…
It’s probably out-dated by now… BUT it sure gave insight into Midi…
If you understood what is between the lines, you become a Midi expert…
Bill…
Thanks, Gents.
It’s a good buy. I saw it used at the music store, yesterday. The guy only had it a couple of weeks and decided to move up to a full 88-key system. I plan to pick it up today and let you know how things go.
Quote: (tommyj55 @ Apr. 09 2010, 7:06 PM)
I just picked up a used M-Audio Axiom 49 and was looking for any input from currernt users regarding setup and use or issues when using with N-Track. I will greatly appreciate any help assigning and using controls?
For almost 10 years, I've been using the same, reliable, but very old Optimus keyboard with little midi control capability.
Thanks in advance.
TJ
I have found that units like this work in banks. A bank is like having 2 sets of keyboards. It should have like 128 banks. You have select which bank your working on. Most if not all the knobs and sliders should be able to be used via the learn feature in n-track. More advanced features such key stroke veloicty will take some reading from the manual. With that said the keyboard will allow you to use it as a pinao or synth. I see it has Midi in and out. There will be a switch or keyboard squence you'll need to activate to allow the the unit to work with other midi devices. Most of these new boards are already setup to allow, but in any case the option to allow it on or off should be there. I have an 88key m-audio keyboard and I do use mine with my BFC200 midi controller so I know it should work with other midi devices in tandem. Remember the midi setup in n-track requires midi "in" and "out" in prefrences.
PACO
http://www.google.co.uk/product…QzAMwAA
’Thru’ is a mirror of ‘In’.
MIDI-THRU ports started to be added to MIDI-compatible equipment soon after the introduction of MIDI, in order to improve performance. The MIDI-THRU port avoids the aforementioned retransmission delay by linking the MIDI-THRU port to the MIDI-IN socket almost directly. The difference between the MIDI-OUT and MIDI-THRU ports is that data coming from the MIDI-OUT port has been generated on the device containing that port. Data that comes out of a device’s MIDI-THRU port, however, is an exact duplicate of the data received at the MIDI-IN
Quote: (TonyR @ Apr. 10 2010, 4:48 PM)
MIDI-THRU ports started to be added to MIDI-compatible equipment soon after the introduction of MIDI, in order to improve performance. The MIDI-THRU port avoids the aforementioned retransmission delay by linking the MIDI-THRU port to the MIDI-IN socket almost directly. The difference between the MIDI-OUT and MIDI-THRU ports is that data coming from the MIDI-OUT port has been generated on the device containing that port. Data that comes out of a device's MIDI-THRU port, however, is an exact duplicate of the data received at the MIDI-IN
And I thought it was just a burnt cookie with a whole in the middle..LOL! I'm amazed TonyR you know this stuff so well, I can't even remember what I had to eat last night. I learn something new everyday, even if it's only for a few minutes.
PACO
Thanks to all for the info. I picked up the Axiom 49, but so far, I haven’t had much luck connecting via USB.
I’ve tried using my DAW with WinXp SP3 and My laptop with Win-7. My DAW with WinXP says the device is ready to use, but does not show up on the list of available MIDI devices for either Enigma or N-Track. The Axiom does show up with Enigma and N-track on my laptop with Win-7, but I’m still not getting any audio output. I had to leave home for the weekend, so I didn’t get a lot of time to work with the control settings. I would have thought I should at least be able to play some notes let alone the other controls. I haven’t tried the standard MIDI In and Out connections to see if that will work. When I retuen home next week, hopefully I’ll have better news.
I’ll keep you posted.
- TJ
Let me know how this works out, I’d love to get my Axiom to send midi thru the USB to the computer to record my notes! 
Right now all the USB is being used for is to power the darn thing!
I actually have two midi devices going in VIA USB (the GNX4) is the other, it however sends midi signals just fine to ProTracks, midi drums which I then can work with in Ntrack…
I just press ARM on a midi track and press PLAY on the drum machine and presto a midi drum sequence is put into the computer, even tho in BOTH programs it says there is NO MIDI DEVICE SELECTED…
keep shinin
jerm
UPDATE:
I got mu AXIOM to work with NTrack! YEA!
All I did was go inside Setting>>>Preferences>>>MIDI SETTINGS>MIDI DEVICE> then clicked on USB MIDI DEVICE (2) for both playback and record.
Armed a midi track to record and played some piano…BAM new midi piano file!
keep shinin
jerm
Quote: (jeremysdemo @ Apr. 13 2010, 8:10 PM)
UPDATE:
I got mu AXIOM to work with NTrack! YEA!
All I did was go inside Setting>>>Preferences>>>MIDI SETTINGS>MIDI DEVICE> then clicked on USB MIDI DEVICE (2) for both playback and record.
Armed a midi track to record and played some piano.....BAM new midi piano file!
keep shinin
jerm
Hi jeremysdemo:
Boy.....
that must feel some good..
Record-and-date that in your journal..
You know...
We're gonna be waiting to hear a post from you with your latest composition..
Bill..
Way to go, Jeremy!
I haven’t been as fortunate. I’ve selected my Axiom as the MIDI IN and OUT device and added a MIDI track, with VST assigned, but no sound. I’ll try the standard MIDI IN and OUT instead of the USB when I get back home. I bought my Axiom used unit, so it could have a problem. I hope not!
-TJ
Quote: (tommyj55 @ Apr. 14 2010, 5:25 AM)
Way to go, Jeremy!
I haven't been as fortunate.
I've selected my Axiom as the MIDI IN and OUT device and added a MIDI track, with VST assigned, but no sound.
I'll try the standard MIDI IN and OUT instead of the USB when I get back home.
I bought my Axiom used unit, so it could have a problem.
I hope not!
-TJ
Well in your computers defense I do have a module hooked up too....so technically the "sound" is coming out of that, not the computer...
But I do get sound to come out of midi files without it, Midi Mapper I think plays them, and I use SFZ player and sf2's for each track to get better sounds IN the computer.
I wouldn't worry about the SOUND at first, just making sure a midi signal passes through the Controller to the computer and records would let you know the "midi" is connected properly even if you can't hear the midi file being played.
keep shinin
jerm
Quote: (woxnerw @ Apr. 14 2010, 2:29 AM)
Quote: (jeremysdemo @ Apr. 13 2010, 8:10 PM)
UPDATE:
I got mu AXIOM to work with NTrack! YEA!
All I did was go inside Setting>>>Preferences>>>MIDI SETTINGS>MIDI DEVICE> then clicked on USB MIDI DEVICE (2) for both playback and record.
Armed a midi track to record and played some piano.....BAM new midi piano file!
keep shinin
jerm
Hi jeremysdemo:
Boy.....
that must feel some good..
Record-and-date that in your journal..
You know...
We're gonna be waiting to hear a post from you with your latest composition..
Bill..
I am actually working on a sequence right now for a cover,
I'm So Glad, by Cream preformed LIVE at the Whiskey a Go Go in 1963, I will post that file when I am done with it.
I cut it down a bit, since there is a 5 min jam in the middle of the song......which was reduced to 1 min.
As far as you hearing it.....well that is going to depend on what kind of Midi banks you have as to what it is going to "sound" like, so far it sounds goon on my system!
keep shinin
jerm
M-Audio USB midi keys need a driver installed for XP. Vista-SP2 and Win 7 should recognize them automatically.
Yes you can control certain program, and some plugin, parameters/functions by assigning them to the different pads and sliders on the Axiom and N-Track. You can also assign them to control external devices. You can also, within N-Track, send control signals to external devices via midi…like at this marker send this signal to change to this patch or setting or start the playback of an external device.
All of my VSTi reside on a laptop running XP. M-Audio USB keyrig attached. Added an M-Audio MidiSport 2x2 USB to Midi converter. Have laptop and main DAW computer slaved together via MTC through the MidiSport in & out to the main DAW midi in & out on sound card M-Audio Audiophile 192. Main DAW is set as slave, N-Track as master, both are now synced together. I can control main DAW via N-Track and laptop. This allows me to create an audio file and an editable midi file at the same time, in sync to whatever is playing on the main DAW.
Second midi ports of the MSport run over to a Behringer Virtualizer Pro, external stereo multi-effects. I can change the parameters of any patch, and do patch/bank changes on the fly.
If you attempt to do this note that in XP you should install the MidiSport driver first…then the one for the whatever keyboard you are using…my personal experience, with lots of hair pulling…
Duff
That sounds like quiet the rig.
I am doing something similar, in that when I record a midi file it also records and audio file of whatever patch is playing out the module+ whatever outboard processing gear I happen to have in the chain.
For instance in the song I am working on I has a wav. of the Cream performance playing, while I play the controller to add the notes of the “bass” and “guitar” which is recording in midi via USB and in wav. through the ONYX 1620, and it’s all synced up.
Presently I am using a Joe Meek VCQ3 to give the sounds out of the module a bit of warmth and drive, kick in the EQ and compressor and you can get a nice mojo on the tone.
Tell us more about that virtualizer and what it does for the midi sounds?
keep shinin
jerm
Quote: (jeremysdemo @ Apr. 14 2010, 9:31 AM)
For instance in the song I am working on I has a wav. of the Cream performance playing, while I play the controller to add the notes of the "bass" and "guitar" which is recording in midi via USB and in wav. through the ONYX 1620, and it's all synced up.
keep shinin
jerm
Same idea as what you are doing.
The midi file is recorded to the laptop and the audio out of the lappy goes through my studio mixer and into main DAW.
The Virtualizer is just a stereo effects processor. Got it patched into the Auxs Channels of the studio mixer. Has some very nice reverbs, delays, a harmonizer, chorus, just to name a few. The Grand Piano in Proteus VX with the large hall 'verb and a bit of delay via the Virt is lush.
I like to get the sound I am looking for on the front end via hardware before I record. Both the Virtualizer and my compressor are 10-12 years old.....what 10 year old software do you own still runs on todays computers? None. And what is the resale value of software...zilch, zip, nada, zero.
HEy TJ,
did you ever get this sorted?
I’d like to think somewhere in a galaxy far far away in a distant time (maybe even another dimension) this thread will be helpful for someone googling “Axiom” and USB/Midi…in relation to software set ups…
Duffman hit it on the nail when he said Xp requires a driver for MIdi USB, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be the AXIOM driver, one could use another midi device already connected to the computer (I use a GNX4) to route the Axiom controller through…
keep shinin
jerm