Question

I cannot get my iPad to recognise my M-Audio Keystation 61es when it is connected through my Audiobox iTwo. The Keystation is running off its mains power supply, and its MIDI Out port is connected to the Audiobox iTwo’s MIDI In port using a standard 5 pin DIN cable. The Audiobox is connected to the iPad as normal (USB connections to a plug and the iPad itself), yet when I go to try the keyboard sounds in GarageBand (or, indeed, any other app that works with MIDI), I cannot make any sound or find the keystation in any menus. Does anyone know what is going wrong?

I should also say that the keyboard, interface and cables have all been tested separately and work fine.

Answer 1

The issue is not with the iTwo, but with your keyboard. The M-Audio series USB Controllers that have a USB Port and a MIDI Out Port all default MIDI Out traffic over the USB Port as it's primary setup. To use the Keyboard without USB connected and only send MIDI Out of the 5 pin port, you need to toggle from USB to MIDI using a function embedded in the keyboard. Read your M-Audio keyboard manual on how to make that change. I believe it's the Function Button and then hit one of the keys on the keyboard, it may not be labeled, so you'll have to refer to the manual to see which one it is. Then it will work. Once you remove power from the keyboard and reconnect it, you may need to toggle it again. Read the manual to be sure.