MIDI mapping
Drambo provides a simple and intuitive way to map MIDI controls to any parameter, enabling seamless integration with your MIDI controllers for a customized workflow.
1. Connect Your MIDI Controller: Ensure your MIDI controller is connected to your iPad or device running Drambo. In Drambo’s Settings > MIDI Inputs, enable your controller for Track and Control (and Clock if syncing externally).[](https://www.reddit.com/r/ipadmusic/comments/1coo5dk/guide_turning_drambo_into_a_mpcmaschine_style/)
2. Enter MIDI Learn Mode: Tap the MIDI learn icon on the top bar.
3. Locate the parameter you want to map (e.g., a knob, slider, or button). Tap the parameter and tap it.
3. Send MIDI from Controller: Move the corresponding control (knob, fader, or button) on your MIDI controller. Drambo will detect the MIDI message (e.g., CC number or note) and assign it to the parameter. If you want to test mapping leave mapping mode for a moment.
4. Adjust mapping parameters. Tap the parameter control again to show mapping menu where you can fine-tune the range or select desired control type.
5. MIDI mappings in Drambo are saved per project. To reuse mappings, save your project as a template for future use.
MIDI Controller profiles and feedback mapping
Please note: MIDI mapping profiles are available only in standalone version. (AUv3 has no access to MIDI ports.)
Drambo v.2.40 provides support for MIDI Controller profiles and bidirectional communication, where the controller not only sends MIDI data to Drambo but also receives updates from Drambo to reflect the current state of parameters on the controller’s interface (e.g. LED indicators updating or motorized faders moving automatically).
MIDI mappings are stored per project or in MIDI Mapping profiles, that remain active across sessions. To activate or deactivate MIDI Mapping profile open Drambo menu and navigate to Settings / MIDI mapping profiles sections (Drambo contains mappings for some popular controllers, but it's easy to map your own).
MIDI mapping profiles can include only mappings for Drambo UI elements and track modules (mixer). All track content can be saved only as a private project mapping.
Create your own MIDI mapping profile
1. Connect your MIDI conrollers.
2. To avoid conflicts make sure no other mapping profiles are active (settings).
3. Activate MIDI learn mode
You will see currently mapped profile or Project (private project mamping). There are 4 virtual shift buttons that you may use for conditional mappings.
4. Create a new profile (or select an existing one to edit). Tap on currently mapped profile combo, then + button on the Profiles window topbar, enter profile name and hit Enter.
My new profile name is: My LPX mapping. Make sure it's selected:
5. [OPTIONAL] Enter controller initialization Sysex message.
Some controllers offer a special mode (typically called programmer or custom) that allows you to use more controls to suit your needs. Google for MIDI refference or programmers reference manual for your controller, where you can find a sysex message used to set a controller into a speciffic mode. (e.g. Launchpad X programmers refference manual ) section: Selecting layouts.
Tap (i) on the right side of your mapping list item to show your mapping options:
Select Controller initialization SYSEX, select MIDI output and enter Sysex message (from the documenta) as a sequence of hexadecimal numbers).
Use TRY buttons at the bottom of the table to try the commands.
It's recommended to enter uninit sysex messages, so that your controller may go back to it's default state where mapping is not used. Up to 3 events may be send to 3 independent destinations.
6. Map elements (tutorial)
Let's map step sequencer cells.
Tap the first sequence cell and press the corresponding MIDI controller button. Continue with the subsequent cells. You will see MIDI event labels on already mapped elements.
Now configure feedback messages, control states and colors. Double tap on the first cell again to show detailed mapping menu.
Scroll down and set the Feedback port:
Button state values are MIDI message values sent to the controller to set a specific state (e.g., value or color) for the corresponding Drambo control state. If your controller doesn't support colours, the default values are sufficient. (0 for default and disabled 127 for other states).
You can find the corresponding values in your controller's specification, e.g. from Launchpad X programmer refference:
After setting up the current cell tap "Apply to all in: Current sequence" to apply the same feedback settings to all sequencer step controlls.
All changes in the current mapping are saved automatically.
Mapping conditions
The 'Condition' mapping property enables conditional mapping, activating the mapping only when the condition is met. This allows you to map one physical control to multiple Drambo elements. Conditional mappings override mappings without condition.
Available conditions:
- Launcher maximized - The mapping works only when The clip launcher is maximized (chevron up blue symbol on the right side of the pads panel). Use this to map clip launcher to already used grid of buttons.
- Shift1, 2, 3, 4 - The mapping is active only when one of the virtual shift buttons is pressed.
- Current track - The mapping is active when the mapped element is on the currently selected track. Use this condition if you want to map elements on different track to the same set of physical controls. e.g. each track contains a filter controlled by 2 knobs: cutoff and resonance.
Example Drambo mapping layout: LPX groovebox A
Novation Launchpad X: 8 tracks, 16 pads, 32 steps, 4 sequence pages, 7 patterns, Play, Record, Operation and Undo buttons/
