I wanted to try the Akai MPK Mini with the A4 connecting it to the USB port, but the A4 does not seem to offer enough power to run the Akai. I was hoping to get a nice setup having those two connected, since the A4 does support MIDI via USB.
Has anyone else had any success connecting a USB MIDI keyboard directly to the A4? Does the A4 submit any power at all for powering a USB keyboard?
I hope Elektron can update the firmware to make it compatible with the Akai MPK Mini, but that doesn’t require any hardware update.
I don’t know of any midi/usb keys which will connect in that way to a synth - your akai needs to connect to a host/computer which in turn connects to the A4 - it’s not about power - i don’t even know how you found a cable that’d go between them - if i’m wrong on this i’d love to know, i use a raspberry pi between my korg nanopad and various usb synths, there are other ways to do this with a small footprint, kenton probably best but pricey
the most direct route i’ve found is ipad via cck through a usb lead to A4
I had to use a USB adapter in order to connect the Akai MPK Mini to the A4. Looked a bit weird, so I had my doubts. I don’t own the Akai, but tried it in the music store yesterday. Would be cool if it was working…
you would need something like the "kenton usb host "in between the akai keys and the a4 . the bad news is that it will cost as much or more than the mini keyboard
Look into KMI QuNexus and their Midi Expander. Innovative touch/motion/sensor keys and pads, USB to MIDI and 3 CV Outs/2 CV Ins. USB interfaces to PC/MAC and your DAW or even via CCK for iPad …this new Reference Manual 1.1 has helped unlock (and O.S. Update) a much better fit to integrate with way I personally work …this KMI QuNexus has POLY After touch, and actually can do and be programmed via an editor for controls to CC’s.
Only just touched iceberg, as am unlocking potential of A4 and QuNexus, thinking will keep A4 but will def. order AK post- NAMM 2014.
It’s always very handy to have midi controllers with actual set(s) of 5-DIN ports and USB as an addition.
I’m going to try this approach with a Korg Nanokeys2 and my A4.
Which MIDI utility do you use? I’m confident with Linux but still appreciate a nice GUI.
Oh, I just saw this in another thread @avantronica:
i have it working fine with various class compliant gear including korg nanopad (i wrote a simple root levelscript to deduce what two devices (input & output) were connected at boot and to simply link them, no xwindows or pd patching required) it’s handy for portable setups and cheap, it’ll do other stuff as well
More people need to know about this, me included!
Would you be willing to share your script if I go ahead and order a raspberry pi?
yeah sure - it’s probably a bit hacky but does the business - pm me when you are ready ! it’s done at the system level so no ui or fancy business - just connecting In X to Out Y directly, so latency is best it’s ever gonna be - works a treat
