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 Akai mpk25 to sonar 1
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dukelemoyne
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Posted - 04/24/2012 :  7:53:43 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote  [Reply to Topic]  | [Reply w/ Quote]
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Until recently, I used an old Korg Poly-800 as a midi controller for my DXi's. I went through a period of raw live-to-mic recording and now I'd like to get back into electronics. I wanted a little more flexibility so I bought an Akai mpk25. Now I can't figure out how to get Sonar to recognize it. It seems to me that I when I used to plug the Korg into the USB port (I used a midiman midi/USB interface) it was recognized automatically. But as I said, it's been a while since I worked with it. Am I forgetting something? What am I doing wrong? Thank you.


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garrigus
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USA
8889 Posts

Posted - 04/25/2012 :  08:23:56 AM  Show Profile  Visit garrigus's Homepage  Reply with Quote
I haven't used the Akai, but if it's like most other keyboards, you first need to install some drivers. Then when you plug it into a USB port, it should be recognized by both Windows and SONAR. Did the Akai include a driver install CD?

Scott

Scott R. Garrigus - http://garrigus.com - SONAR X2 Power! - http://www.garrigus.com/powerbooks.asp
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series: http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar ProAudioTutor video tutorial series: http://garrigus.com/?ProAudioTutor
* Publisher of the DigiFreq free music technology newsletter: http://digifreq.com/?DigiFreq
* Publisher of the NewTechReview free consumer technology newsletter: http://newtechreview.com/?NewTechReview
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dukelemoyne
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30 Posts

Posted - 04/25/2012 :  5:42:00 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by garrigus

I haven't used the Akai, but if it's like most other keyboards, you first need to install some drivers. Then when you plug it into a USB port, it should be recognized by both Windows and SONAR. Did the Akai include a driver install CD?

Scott




Scott, the MPK25 is plug and play and came with no drivers. It did come with a disc for Ableton Live lite, but I'm pretty invested in Sonar on both computers and am not ready to switch a new program, esp. the lite version.

Some more info. The MPK is powered through its USB cable, but I haven't used it that way. On my Vista PC, the USB cable provides power to the MPK but Sonar (8.5) won't recognize it as a midi device unless I power with an ac adapter and connect with my midiman midi/usb interface.

On the XP PC, the USB cable alone won't even power the device. I thought there might be a problem with the USB port, but I've been using a Blue Snowball USB mic in that port with no problems at all.

Any ideas? Thanks.
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garrigus
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Posted - 04/25/2012 :  6:40:02 PM  Show Profile  Visit garrigus's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Hi Duke,

Hmm... okay, well then the USB port may be underpowered for that particular device. If the Akai includes an adapter, then that means it probably needs more power than the USB port can provide. Devices that are plug and play, and say that they are powered via the USB port don't usually include power adapters.

If you connect the MPK with USB only, does Windows recognize it as a device? You should see a message in the Task Bar at the bottom of the screen when you connect the keyboard. If Windows doesn't see it, then I'm pretty certain it means you need to power via the adapter.

Scott

Scott R. Garrigus - http://garrigus.com - SONAR X2 Power! - http://www.garrigus.com/powerbooks.asp
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series: http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar ProAudioTutor video tutorial series: http://garrigus.com/?ProAudioTutor
* Publisher of the DigiFreq free music technology newsletter: http://digifreq.com/?DigiFreq
* Publisher of the NewTechReview free consumer technology newsletter: http://newtechreview.com/?NewTechReview
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dukelemoyne
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30 Posts

Posted - 04/25/2012 :  9:10:27 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
The Akai didn't come with a power adapter. I had to order that separately. Yes, Windows recognizes it when I plug it in, at least according to the little blinking keyboard symbol in the corner. Sonar doesn't seem to see it, however.
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garrigus
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USA
8889 Posts

Posted - 04/25/2012 :  10:34:01 PM  Show Profile  Visit garrigus's Homepage  Reply with Quote
In SONAR 8.5, when you choose Options > MIDI Devices, the MPK isn't listed in the dialog box?

If that's the case, then I'm really not sure why. If the MPK is powering up fine when connected to USB and it's being recognized by Windows, then it should show up in that dialog box in SONAR.

You may need to contact Cakewalk tech support about this...

Scott

Scott R. Garrigus - http://garrigus.com - SONAR X2 Power! - http://www.garrigus.com/powerbooks.asp
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series: http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar ProAudioTutor video tutorial series: http://garrigus.com/?ProAudioTutor
* Publisher of the DigiFreq free music technology newsletter: http://digifreq.com/?DigiFreq
* Publisher of the NewTechReview free consumer technology newsletter: http://newtechreview.com/?NewTechReview
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dukelemoyne
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30 Posts

Posted - 04/27/2012 :  10:53:10 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Scott, just to let you know. Your suggestion about using a better USB cable was on the mark. Sonar 8.5 now recognizes the Akai with no problem. Re: the Akai with Sonar 1. As long as I use the AC adapter, midiman usb/midi interface and install the Akai before turning on Sonar, everything works great. I can certainly live with that. Thanks for all your help.
Roger
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dirtysteve
Gold Member

USA
1005 Posts

Posted - 04/27/2012 :  11:06:19 AM  Show Profile  Visit dirtysteve's Homepage  Reply with Quote
So, it was the cable?

Always fly high
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garrigus
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USA
8889 Posts

Posted - 04/27/2012 :  2:46:42 PM  Show Profile  Visit garrigus's Homepage  Reply with Quote
I'm glad you found the solution and it's working now. Sometimes it's the minor things that can cause major problems, especially when it comes to computers and technology in general.

Scott

Scott R. Garrigus - http://garrigus.com - SONAR X2 Power! - http://www.garrigus.com/powerbooks.asp
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series: http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar ProAudioTutor video tutorial series: http://garrigus.com/?ProAudioTutor
* Publisher of the DigiFreq free music technology newsletter: http://digifreq.com/?DigiFreq
* Publisher of the NewTechReview free consumer technology newsletter: http://newtechreview.com/?NewTechReview
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