Set Up Your MIDI Devices
All MIDI capable hardware devices are collectively referred to as External Devices in Studio One. There are three types of External Devices: Keyboards (MIDI In), Instruments (MIDI Out), and Control Surfaces.
While each device type functions in a slightly different way, there is one menu to add and configure any External Device. The menu can be found by navigating to Studio One > Options(Windows) | Preferences(macOS) > External Devices.
Press the [Add] button.
Set Up MIDI Keyboards
A MIDI keyboard controller is a hardware MIDI device that is generally used for playing and controlling other MIDI devices, virtual software instruments, and software parameters. In Studio One, these devices are referred to as keyboards, but will also include drum pads. Before recording a performance with a Keyboard, the MIDI keyboard controller must first be set up in Studio One. Once a Keyboard is set up, it is available at all times for use in Studio One.
To configure a MIDI keyboard that is not in the predefined list:
- For piano keys, drum pads, and other MIDI devices that send MIDI NOTE messages, you will need to create a [New Keyboard].
- Type in a Manufacturer Name and a Device Name in the appropriate fields. This makes identifying the New Keyboard easier.
- Assign the MIDI "Receive From" to the MIDI port your device is connected to. For the basic configuration, don't assign the MIDI "Send To" port assignment.
- Don't check any of the MIDI Filters, only check filters if you want block MIDI messages.
- Set this as the [Default Instrument Input] if you want this to be set automatically when adding an instrument in Studio One.
- Press the [OK] button to save the configuration.
****You will need to do this for each MIDI device to play either instruments in Studio One, or to play sounds on external devices that have built in sounds.
****For synthesizers and keyboards that have built in sounds, you will need to set the keyboards "Local Control" to OFF. Please consult your devices manual for that setting.
We have also provided some predefined configurations for third party keyboard manufacturers. To configure a keyboard that is in the predefined list, please do the following:
In this example, the keyboard is an M-Audio Axiom 49.
- To set up a keyboard that is in the predefined list, please browse through the list and see if it is there. Then, select it.
- Some predefined devices may have some instructions to complete the configuration. If so, that information will be in this window.
- Assign the MIDI "Receive From" to the MIDI port your device is connected to. For the basic configuration, don't assign the MIDI "Send To" port assignment.
- Set this as the [Default Instrument Input] if you want this to be set automatically when adding an instrument in Studio One.
- Press the [OK] button to save the configuration.
Set Up External Hardware Instruments
In Studio One, an External Instrument sends MIDI out of Studio One for the purpose of using the built-in sounds of an external MIDI hardware synthesizer, workstation, or other device that can generate or manipulate sound. External instruments are set up globally and then are available for use in any Song.
- You will need to create a [New Instrument].
- Type in a Manufacturer Name and a Device Name in the appropriate fields. This makes identifying the New Instrument easier.
- Assign the MIDI "Send To" to the MIDI port your device is connected to. For the basic configuration, don't assign the MIDI "Receive From" port assignment. The MIDI "Send To" assignment sends MIDI out of the track to your external device.
- Check all the MIDI clock options.
- Press the [OK] button to save the configuration.
Please refer to this article on setting up to record using an External Device: Studio One Pro 7 - Setting up a Song to Record With a MIDI Hardware Keyboard/Synthesizer in Studio One Pro 7
Set Up Control Surfaces
In Studio One, a Control Surface is a hardware device that includes transport controls, faders, and other specialized controls. The control surface might use MIDI directly or via a special control layer such as Mackie Control.
Generic Control Surface
A generic control surface is a device that is not in the predefined list. This type of device will need to be manually configured.
- To set up a generic Control Surface, please select [New Control Surface].
- Type in a Manufacturer Name and a Device Name in the appropriate fields. This makes identifying the Control Surface easier.
- Specify the device Port to which the Control Surface is sending, and the device Port from which it is receiving via Studio One. Select your MIDI device driver name from the drop-down menu for both "Receive From" and "Send To."
- Press the [OK] button to save the configuration.
Predefined Control Surface
- To set up a Control Surface that is in the predefined list, please browse through the list and see if it is there. Then, select it.
- Some predefined devices may have some instructions to complete the configuration. If so, that information will be in this window.
- Specify the device Port to which the Control Surface is sending and the device Port from which it is receiving via Studio One. Select your MIDI device driver name from the drop-down menu for both "Receive From" and "Send To."
- Press the [OK] button to save the configuration.
****You do not need to specify the MIDI channels your Control Surface should use, as control surfaces use alternative protocols, such as Mackie Control, to communicate with Studio One.
If your device is not in the list, please look through the your devices manual to see if the device uses the Mackie Protocol for control. Many control surface hardware uses Mackie Protocol for faders and transport.
- Go to Options (Windows) | Preferences (macOS) > External Devices, add a Mackie Control(MCU) or Mackie HUI, and assign the MIDI Receive From to that devices MIDI Port.
- Specify the device Port to which the device is receiving via Studio One. Select your MIDI device driver name from the drop-down menu in "Receive From." The "Send To" normally does not need to be set.
- Press the [OK] button to save the configuration.
When you set the device to Mackie protocol, the faders and transport will be properly mapped. For more information on using Mackie Control devices with Studio One, see Mackie Control in the Studio One Manual.
Otherwise, use Control Link to map it:
In most DAW software, you can use external hardware devices to control software parameters. For instance, you could map several knobs on a hardware MIDI controller to the software knobs of an EQ effect, so that when the hardware knobs are turned, the software knobs are turned. However, in most cases the implementation is limited and difficult to learn.
Studio One improves on this model with the Control Link system, simplifying the control mapping process with no need for knowledge of MIDI. Control Link is also capable of context-sensitive mapping, so the same hardware controls can control many different things based on the current area of focus.
Links below for information on using the Control Link system.
Studio One Pro 7 Manual Control Link: https://s1manual.presonus.com/#Control_Link_Topics/Chapter-Control_Link.htm?Highlight=control%20link
YouTube Control Link video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq0GMDvagi4
Custom Placement of Control Surfaces
If you are using multiple surfaces with motorized faders, you can customize the placement of the fader banks so that Channels in the Studio One Console are spread across your surfaces in the desired order.
To customize this placement, click on [Placement] in the Options > External Devices menu after adding your surfaces. All ungrouped surfaces appear under the Ungrouped tab. To place a surface in a group, select a Group tab, then click-and-drag the surface from the Ungrouped area to the selected group area. To adjust the order of the grouped surfaces, click-and-drag them left or right. Channels in the Console appear in order across the surfaces from left to right.
Up to four Groups can be created, to allow for mirroring of Channels across multiple surfaces. This is helpful if you have more than one location in the studio where you wish to use control surfaces (e.g., an A room and B room or a control room and live room).
Only supported and predefined Control Surfaces appear in the Placement window. User-defined devices do not appear in this window.
Use Your Computer Keyboard as a MIDI Keyboard
You can use your regular QWERTY computer keyboard as a MIDI Keyboard to play virtual instruments and record musical data in Studio One. To do this, please refer to the QWERTY Setup Guide.
Using the PreSonus FaderPort
If you have a PreSonus FaderPort connected to a computer running macOS or Microsoft Windows, Studio One automatically recognizes it and configures it for use. Please refer to the Fader Port knowledge base for more information: https://support.presonus.com/hc/en-us/sections/203319263-FaderPort-8-16-Setup-and-General-Solutions
Reconnect Devices
In most applications, when MIDI devices become disconnected while the application is running, you usually have to restart the application, and the software may crash. In contrast, if an external MIDI device becomes disconnected while Studio One is running with a Song or Project open, the device can be reconnected without restarting Studio One.
If this occurs, navigate to Studio One > Options > External Devices (macOS: Preferences > External Devices) and click on [Reconnect] at the bottom of the menu. Then, reconnect your devices and click OK. The devices will now work normally in Studio One.
If an external device is not present when Studio One is started for instance, you will see a warning message that makes you aware of the situation. If your setup frequently changes, you may wish to turn off this warning message by disengaging the "Notify me if devices are unavailable when Studio One starts" option.
Later, when you start Studio One with the device connected to your computer, Studio One recognizes the device automatically, and it can be used exactly as before, with no further setup required.