Akai MPK Editor via MIDI interface?

The Lounge General Discussion
1

Bit of a weird one.

The MPK Mini editor requires you to connect it directly to a USB port on your computer to work. However, when I’m using it I have it connected to a USB hub that is connected to one of the host ports on my iConnectivity4C.

I was wondering if there’s any way to sort of “trick” the Akai editor into seeing the MPK via the iC4C so I don’t have to unplug and replug every time I want to edit the MPK settings.

I think the issue is the editor only looks for a device calls “MPK Mini 3” so when it’s not plugged directly into the computer USB socket the device disappears and therefore the editor won’t function.

2

I was looking for some sort of software patching/routing solution but MIDI Pipe and a couple of others are no longer compatible with recent versions of MacOS :frowning:

Edit: found a 64bit version of MIDI Pipe here:

https://download.macupdate.com/app/mac/10541/midipipe/download

Fingers crossed!

3

Couldn’t get MIDI Pipe to work (well MIDI Pipe was working but I couldn’t manage to route MIDI from the MPK to my iC4C in way that was useful).

4

Can you trick the hardware instead of the editor? It looks like mpk mini uses usb type B to computer side type A. I found this cable that splits a type B out into dual type A and then has a switch that changes which direction the data flows.

Maybe you don’t have to plug into one or the other if you can just connect to both.

61ibijC01qL.SL1500
61ibijC01qL.SL15001500×1500 101 KB

51cw1RJ5gUL.SL1200
51cw1RJ5gUL.SL12001200×1200 57.5 KB

US Amazon link but for reference if you like the idea I’m sure you can find similar semi locally.

FWIW there’s also one in the link for type B split into one side type A and the other a type C in case you require a C for your Mac. Best luck then.

5

I have this same issue!

My very low-tech and cheap solution was to use a very short USB extender (10cm).

Bit annoying but saves wear and tear on the devices themselves.

Shigginpit’s solution looks more elegant though!

6

I have actually managed to make it work with MIDI Pipe. Plugged MPK into Mac Mini USB port (so the editor works) then made a simple pipe that takes the output of the MPK and (via “hijacking”) directs that to a virtual port on my iC4C. Might look at one of those cables though as I’d prefer a hardware solution. Thanks @shigginpit :pray: