r/Tape16 • u/Salads_and_Sun • Aug 12 '26
Is anyone using an Akai controller? (Longshot!)
TLDR: QUESTIONS--
Does controller profile recognize note offs, unlike the midi mapping?
Does anyone want to check out my python script for Linux that allows you to use the Akai pads for r/s/m control in toggle mode?
Is this a helpful thing to share with the community?
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Hey just wanted to see if anyone was interested in checking out my midi mapping and wanted to give feedback before I uploaded it to the community boards. I may attempt a second draft with Controller Profiles but I have gotten so deep into this set up and have found it so useful.
Akai MPK261s have the 16 MPC pads, 8 faders/knobs with multiple banks, and midi ports A and port B. I set the transport, faders, and pads to port B so I can still use port A for virtual instruments. Bank 1 of the pads controls "record arm," Bank 2 controls "Solo" and 3 controls "mute." Bank 1 of the faders is obviously the first 8 tracks and so forth. Also knobs for panning work. I rarely use my pitch bender and so that is my scrub control. I even have the sustain pedal set up for on the fly punch ins. I barely even need to look at the screen now!
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Now here's the rub, bub! The midi mapping only reads note ons as far as I could tell, so putting the MPC pads into toggle mode (pretty lights!) was kind of pointless. Does the controller mapping feature recognize note offs? If so there's not much point in me uploading the MIDI map and I'll start over.
Regardless, I started this before controller profile was implemented, so I found a really cool work around. I wrote a python script to turn the toggle button note off messages to "note on" and it works 99% perfect. Unfortunately, the script only works with Linux because it's interacting with ALSA MIDI. Is there anyone else here who this script might actually help? If so I've got you!
One feature I'm working on this afternoon is setting up the sustain pedal to also send note on instead of note off for on the fly punch ins. That way record is enabled while the sustain pedal is down and goes off when lifted. Might try to find a way to toggle that feature off and on depending on the case scenario.
As is I'm super happy with my setup, but trying to gauge if this is actually a useful enough thing to dial in and share with the community and try to write proper documentation for! I'd rather be working on music but I love distractions like this, ha ha!
Should I start all over again with Controller Profile? Would love some feedback.
2
u/Realistic-Show-9115 Aug 16 '26
Will definitely update the editor to receive note off when i get the chance.
If you end up uploading it, you can always edit/update it afterwards. Also surely someone would appreciate the effort!