SETUP WIZARD

MIDI Setup

Select controllers

Click the MIDI tab in the System Settings window. This section contains a list of software and hardware MIDI devices on or connected to your system that can be used for MIDI Input/Output. For example, hardware and software synthesizers, controller keyboards and 'loopback' devices. The most common controllers used by PC based musicians today connect to your PC with a USB cable (rather than MIDI cable) and provide a piano-keyboard, pad or mixer-style interface.

How do I connect my keyboard/controller/synth to my PC?

MIDI is not an audio connection - The connections discussed on this page do not transfer audio, MIDI connections transfer note data, knob movements and program changes so that your controller can play FL Studio instruments and or FL Studio can play sounds from connected MIDI hardware. To use sounds from an external synthesizer (while it is played by FL Studio) you will need to make MIDI connections (discussed below) AND audio connections to your soundcard inputs so that FL Studio can record the sound/s that it triggers from the external MIDI hardware using a MIDI Out plugin.

Cable issues - You will either have a USB based keyboard/controller or hardware with 5-pin DIN MIDI connectors. Click here to see these connector types compared.

• USB controller - If you have a USB based controller then it will connect directly to your PC with a standard USB cable. The PC and controller will have different ports on them to match the plugs on the USB cable (you can't go wrong). Turn on the controller and wait for it to be detected by Windows (standard USB 'connected' sound and sights should greet you). Start FL Studio AFTER the controller has been detected and proceed as described below.
• MIDI hardware - If you have a device with 5-Pin DIN connectors you will probably need to purchase a USB to MIDI cable adapter as shown. 5-Pin DIN MIDI connectors are no longer found on PCs (off to the store!). Back already? Connect the 5-Pin DIN connectors to the MIDI IN and OUT ports on your MIDI hardware and turn it on. Next, connect your 'USB to MIDI cable' adapter to your PC, wait for it to be detected by Windows (standard USB 'connected' sound and sights should greet you). Start FL Studio AFTER the adapter has been detected and proceed as described below.

Note: Both cable types transmit the same MIDI data (notes, velocity, program changes etc), it's just a change of cable and connection protocols. You can be sure that whatever replaces USB in a few years will obsolete all your USB connectors/controllers and this section in the manual will be telling you to go out and buy a 'Ultra-USB' to USB adapter...or something.

Setting input and output MIDI devices

You may want to select an Input (a controller that plays FL Studio instruments) or Output device (something that connects to your PC and receives note data from FL Studio). Most commonly only the Input device is required.

Selecting an output

Click on the device to be used. Once selected it will be highlighted. Only one Output device can be used at a time.

Selecting an input

The Input section contains a list of controller devices detected by your PC. Note: Your controller may not necessarily appear by its correct name, in the example above a 'Keystation 88es' appears as 'USB Audio Device', although it is actually a keyboard. This may happen if a generic USB driver is used to interface with the controller, it should not cause any problems. If you do not see any options here then you will need to install the drivers and or consult the manual for installing that device in Windows. To connect a controller:

1. Select the device - Click on the device name in the list that you would like to use. It will be highlighted (as shown for the single 'USB Audio Device' above).
2. Select the 'Enable' switch. This switch shows the setting for each device in the list as it is selected (in the previous step). You can selected/deselected each device separately.

Troubleshooting

Nothing appears in the Input box? Did you connect/start your controller AFTER opening FL Studio? It is necessary that your operating system has detected your controller BEFORE opening FL Studio. Close FL Studio, turn your controller off and on (unplug and reconnect the USB cable if it does not have a switch), wait for it to be detected by the PC (Windows makes a 'bing' sound when it successfully detects a USB device), then start FL Studio.

Items appear but don't seem to be responding Click the Rescan MIDI devices button and then enable the device. If that does not work, close FL Studio, turn your controller off and on (unplug and reconnect the USB cable if it does not have a switch), wait for it to be detected by the PC (Windows makes a 'bing' sound when it successfully detects a USB device), then start FL Studio.

Success?

If you have set up your controller successfully the MIDI activity light on the Main Panel will blink each time controller data is received (when you play notes or move a knob).

For more detailed information on the rest of the settings in this section and further details on supported controllers go to the MIDI Settings page.