M-Audio MidAir User Guide

Wireless USB MIDI System

English

User Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

What’s in the Box

MidAir Features

About MidAir

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Installation for Advanced Windows XP Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Minimum System Requirements

Controls and Connectors

Transmitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Hardware Connections

Troubleshooting

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Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Appendix A: Useful MIDI Data Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Appendix B: General MIDI Controller Numbers (MIDI CC’s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Specifications

Warranty

Warranty Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

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Warranty Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Technical Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Contact Us

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MidAir User Guide | 3

Introduction

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hank you for choosing the MidAir wireless MIDI system. The MidAir transmitter and receiver modules allow you to convert
any regular MIDI keyboard* into a wireless controller. This allows you to control your MIDI hardware or software without

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cumbersome cables and gives you the freedom to place your keyboard anywhere that best suits your needs—you no longer have
to worry about cable lengths, wiring clutter, or accidents caused by cables on your stage or studio floor.

MidAir’s compact transmitter plugs directly into the MIDI output of any keyboard you wish to turn into a wireless controller. The
transmitter is battery powered and can operate at distances of up to 10 meters (30 feet) from the receiver. It is compliant with
the MIDI specification and will send virtually any command that your keyboard can generate.

Setting up wireless operation is simple. Just connect the MidAir transmitter to your existing keyboard, connect the receiver
to a MIDI module or your computer’s USB port and turn on your equipment. There are no complicated setup procedures or
software applications—your audio software treats your new wireless keyboard just like any other wired controller you may have
in your studio.

Whether you’re looking for unfettered live performance, or the flexibility to set up and record MIDI tracks anywhere in the studio,
MidAir is your wireless MIDI solution.

* MidAir is compatible with virtually all MIDI keyboards as well as other devices that have a MIDI output (such as drum
machines and control surfaces). To simplify this User Guide, we refer to all of these wired MIDI devices collectively as
“keyboards” but please keep in mind that this applies to other devices as well.

What’s in the Box

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< MidAir transmitter

< MidAir receiver

< MidAir Series CD-ROM containing drivers and documentation

< CD-ROM containing Ableton Live Lite M-Audio Enhanced Edition

< Printed quick start guide

< Power adapter

< Two AA batteries

< USB cable

< One-way, 2.4GHz wireless MIDI transmission

< Wireless range up to 10 meters (30 feet)

< Battery- or AC-powered transmitter

< AC or USB bus-powered receiver

< Compatible with virtually all existing MIDI devices

< Supports virtually all MIDI messages and channels

< MIDI and USB 1.1 connectivity

< Receiver doubles as a 2-in/1-out USB MIDI interface

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MidAir Features

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< Standalone operation—no computer required

About MidAir

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ireless devices have become increasingly commonplace over the last few years. For example, many people now

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Internet access and some concert venues have switched to wireless microphones and in-ear monitoring systems. All of these
developments have improved the lives of end-users by reducing cabling clutter, allowing people to move about freely and work
more comfortably. MidAir technology extends this level of convenience to musicians working in the studio as well as performing
on stage.

MidAir establishes a one-way 2.4GHz wireless link and delivers a dependable MIDI connection at distances of up to 10 meters
(30 feet). This proprietary linking technology constantly monitors the wireless signal and automatically changes frequencies
when interference is detected, thereby ensuring a robust connection between the transmitter (keyboard) and the receiver. In
cases where extreme interference or battery failure cause the transmitter and receiver units to lose contact, a full MIDI reset
(including an all-notes-off “panic” message) is issued to prevent stuck MIDI notes. In short, MidAir frees you from your MIDI
cabling, allowing you to work from anywhere in your studio or on stage.

use wireless keyboards and mice with their computers. Lots of college campuses and coffee shops offer wireless

MidAir is class-compliant—no drivers are required. Simply connect the receiver to your Windows XP or Mac computer, attach
the MIDI breakout cable to the transmitter, connect the transmitter to your keyboard and you’re ready to go. Its simple USB
connectivity eliminates the need to open your computer to install hardware.

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Installation for Advanced Windows XP Users

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he MidAir receiver is class compliant. This means that on Windows XP and Mac OS X computers, you can simply connect
the receiver to the computer with a USB cable. The operating system already has the drivers required to communicate

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with the receiver.

However, advanced Windows XP users who intend to use MidAir with more than one application at the same time or
simultaneously use other class-compliant USB devices with audio capabilities should install the special M-Audio drivers for
optimum performance.

Installation instructions can be found in the printed Quick Start Guide.

Minimum System Requirements

When used with a host computer, a USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 port is required.

Windows* Mac OS*

Pentium 3 600 MHz Macintosh G3** 600/G4** 667 MHz

256 MB RAM OS X 10.3.9 with 256 MB RAM

DirectX 9.0c or higher OS X 10.4.5 or greater with 512 MB RAM

Windows XP (SP2) or higher (Mac OS 9 or earlier not supported)

(Windows 98, Me, NT or 2000 not supported)

* Please check the minimum system requirements of your DAW software as they may be higher.

** Native USB port required; G3/G4 accelerator cards are not supported.

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Transmitter

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1. Battery Compartment (Next to Power Jack) – Accommodates two AA batteries. To avoid damage to the
transmitter, observe proper polarity when inserting batteries.

2. Power Jack (DC in 9V) – Connect the optional 9V DC, 500mA external power supply to this jack. It is not
necessary to use this jack if you are using batteries to operate the transmitter.

3. Battery Status LED (Low Bat.) – The LED indicator will begin flashing red when battery capacity is running
low.

4. Wireless Connection Status LED (Connect) – This green LED displays the current state of the wireless link:

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Controls and Connectors

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< On – Connected < Off – Not connected < Blinking – Connection in progress

5. Power Switch – This switch powers the unit on and off. If both AC and battery power are available, the transmitter
will opt for AC power in order to preserve battery life. When not in use, be sure to turn off the transmitter to
preserve battery life.

6. MIDI Input Connector (MIDI)
– Attach the included MIDI breakout
cable to this jack and connect the 5­pin MIDI plug to your keyboard’s MIDI
output.

7. Wireless Connect Button
(Connect) – The MidAir transmitter
and receiver will usually establish a
wireless connection automatically.
Under some circumstances,
excessive interference, distance, or
other factors may cause the controller
and receiver units to lose contact. If
the wireless connection fails and the
transmitter and receiver are within a
range of 30 feet, press the wireless
connect buttons on both units to
re-establish connection.

If you’re using more than one MidAir wireless setup, you might find yourself in a situation where you’ve inadvertently

linked a transmitter to the wrong receiver unit. This will result in your MIDI data being routed to the wrong
destination. If this happens, you can simply press the wireless connect buttons on both devices to “re-introduce”
them to each other.

This button is recessed to avoid accidental activation. Use a bent paperclip, pen, or other small object to press the

button.