SynthPi can be controlled by any MIDI device connected to your computer. Either a simple keyboard or a controller keyboard with knobs and faders on it.
To select the MIDI channel number go to the Settings panel in the main menu. SynthPi listens on all MIDI ports of your computer. But connecting a new USB-MIDI device while SynthPi is running will actually not work. So if you connect new USB-MIDI devices you’ll have to restart SynthPi. Sorry, hope I can fix this some time.
SynthPi recognizes the following MIDI performance events:
- Notes on/off with velocity
- Pitch Bend (if strange pitch bending behavior occurs read more about that under Settings)
- Sustain Pedal
- Mod-Wheel
- Program Change
But there’s more:
Mapping MIDI Controllers
You can map MIDI Control Change messages (CC) sent out by your controller keyboard to almost every parameter in SynthPi.
The main menu in the SynthPi control interface has a MIDI Learn Mode button.
Pressing “MIDI Learn Mode” switches the control interface into, yes, MIDI learn mode.
A red border around the menu bar signals that learn mode is active.
Use your mouse pointer to move over any parameter you want to control with MIDI (no clicking required). The parameter that is currently active for “learning” is highlighted with red background color. Now simply turn the knob you want to assign on your MIDI controller. That’s it, know the selected parameter is controlled by the corresponding fader or knob on your MIDI device.
Be sure, that the MIDI controller you want to assign, sends on the same MIDI channel SynthPi is set to!
To stop MIDI learning mode press the Learn button again.
If you want to save the MIDI learnings permanently, you’ll have to open the “Settings” panel and press the “Save Settings” button. If you don’t do so, the MIDI controller mappings are lost after exiting SynthPi.