User Guide English
User Guide (English) Chapter 1: Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of an M-Audio Axiom Series MIDI Controller. Designed for both studio and stage, Axiom offers 25, 49, or 61 semi-weighted velocity-sensitive keys with aftertouch, and DirectLink. Once installed and configured, DirectLink automatically maps Axiom faders, buttons, knobs, and Transport Controls to numerous functions in qualified versions of Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs).
Chapter 2: Driver Installation Windows Axiom functions as a class-compliant device and will be recognized by a computer without additional drivers on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8. Simply connect the device to a computer using the supplied USB cable, configure your recording software and start making music.
Chapter 3: Controls and Connectors Top Panel Using DirectLink Once installed and configured, DirectLink is activated by launching a qualified DAW application on the host computer. This automatically maps Axiom controls to functions in your recording software and offers the following modes of operation: • Mixer Mode: This is the default mode which maps Axiom Faders, Encoder knobs, and Fader buttons to their corresponding DAW mixer functions.
• Default Operation: The Group F button is used to enable or disable the control group when a Patch is stored or recalled. When the button is illuminated the group is enabled for the operation. For example, when storing a Patch, the group is enabled by default. Pressing the button disables and excludes the controls from the newly stored patch. When the patch is recalled, the state of the group is remembered as being disabled, and the Group F button will not illuminate. 5.
12. Trigger Pads – There are eight Trigger Pads (P1–P8) that send different types of standard MIDI CC, MIDI note, or other advanced MIDI messages based on the parameter they are assigned to. Generally these pads transmit MIDI notes using MIDI Message "147." Please see Chapter 5, "Advanced Programming Functions" for more information. When assigned to a standard MIDI CC number, the pad is pressure sensitive.
14. Mute Button – In DirectLink mode, this button will mute and "un-mute" the targeted track in a qualified DAW. Pressing this button while holding down the Shift button will solo the keyboard's target track. If the Zone button is active, the Mute button activates and deactivates Zone 4. For more information, see section 17 "Zone Buttons (1,2,3, & 4)" in this chapter. 15.
Chapter 4: Advanced Keyboard Functions Axiom includes extended programming capabilities through secondary functions of the keys. The available parameters are listed along the top edge of the keyboard, and accessed by pressing the Edit button. The LCD screen shows the numerical value of the parameter being edited.
When assigned to channel "0," the control will transmit on the Global MIDI Channel. When numbers 17 – 20 are entered the control will send MIDI data on one of the four Channels used by keyboard Zones, z1 – z4, as shown in the following table. For further instructions on assigning a MIDI channel to a Zone, see "Zone Channel (Zone Chan)".
Memory Dump (Mem Dump) The SysEx Memory Dump function (MEM DUMP) will send the contents of all 20 Patch locations for storage in a DAW application. The SysEx data is sent as soon as the key is pressed, and Edit mode will automatically exit. For information on how to record SysEx MIDI data, refer to the documentation provided with your DAW software. To send a SysEx Memory Dump to your DAW: 1. Prepare a MIDI track within your DAW software to record from your Axiom. 2. Press the Edit button on your Axiom. 3.
To select a Keyboard Velocity Curve: 1. Press the Edit button. 2. Press the Curve key. The LCD screen will read "V Crv" and display the current velocity curve (for example, "C2"). 3. Do one of the following: • Type the Velocity Curve number (1 through 7) using the number keys. or • Use the Patch "Up" and "Down" buttons to scroll through the Velocity Curves (C1 through F3). 4. Press the Enter key.
Chapter 5: Advanced Programming Functions The MIDI CC (continuous controller) numbers from 0 to 127 are part of the General MIDI specification, and are typically used for real-time control of parameters in MIDI-compatible music equipment. For example, an Axiom knob can be assigned to MIDI CC number 10, which controls the Pan setting of a connected synthesizer or DAW software track. Many of the Axiom controls are fully programmable, and can be assigned to any standard MIDI CC.
To set Trigger Values for buttons or Sustain Pedals: 1. Select a button as described earlier. 2. Press the Edit button. 3. Press the Control Assign key. The LCD screen will read "ASIGN" and display the currently selected control (for example "F10"), and the current MIDI CC assignment (for example "87"). 4. Type 146 using the number keys. This configures the button to operate as a trigger (press/release). 5. Press the Enter key. 6. Press the Edit button. 7. Press the Data 1 key.
Assigning a Note to a Trigger Pad It is possible to configure a pad to send a Note On message when it is struck or held down, and a Note Off message when it is released.
14. Press the Edit button. 15. Press the Data 3 key. The LCD screen will display the currently selected control (for example "F10") and the current value. 16. Enter a Bank MSB number, such as 32. 17. Press the Enter key. Programming a Button to Increment/Decrement a MIDI CC value It is possible to configure a button to increase or decrease a value each time it is pressed. This is useful if you want to step through values one by one each time a button is pressed.
12. Enter 127 using the number keys. This specifies the highest Program number. 13. Press the Enter key. To configure a button to decrement a Program Change between a maximum and minimum value, assign it to number 155. The minimum and maximum values are set using the Data 2 and Data 3 parameters respectively. When one button is configured to increment through sound patches (such as, 1, 2, 3, etc.), and another to decrement through them (such as, 127, 126, 125, etc.
Assigning RPN/NRPN Messages to a Knob, Fader, Button, or Pedal Axiom transmits all three necessary MIDI CC messages for RPNs and NRPNs when a knob or fader is moved, or the Sustain Pedal or a button is pressed. The "Control Assign" setting allows assignment for control of the RPN Coarse (132) and RPN Fine (133), as well as NRPN Coarse (134) and NRPN Fine (135) parameters. The Data 1 setting lets you specify which MIDI CC number is sent to alter values (usually: Coarse = CC 6; Fine = CC 38).
Chapter 6: Keyboard Zones The Zone feature allows you to layer or split sounds on a hardware or virtual instrument, by dividing the keyboard into a maximum of four programmable non-overlapping or overlapping sections. When active, each Zone will transmit MIDI notes on a separate MIDI channel. This makes it possible to play up to 4 different instrument sounds on a connected multi-timbral synthesizer, by playing notes in different sections (Zones) of the keyboard.
4. Repeatedly press the Octave "–" or "+" button to lower or raise the pitch. Axiom will return to Performance one second after the last button press. 5. Repeat steps 1 – 4 to set the Transpose value for the remaining Zones. After setting the Transpose value and exiting Edit mode, activate all desired Zones by simultaneously pressing their respective Zone buttons. Zone Channel The Zone Channel parameter specifies which MIDI Channel a Zone will use when transmitting MIDI data.
Appendix Technical Specifications Display: Custom, backlit LCD Power: USB bus-powered or external 9V DC power supply Keyboard: Semi-weighted piano-style keys Velocity-sensitive and aftertouch-sensitive (channel pressure) Assignable Controls: 8 encoders (360°) 9 faders (40 mm) (Axiom 49, Axiom 61); 1 fader (40 mm) (Axiom 25) 9 fader buttons (Axiom 49, Axiom 61) 6 transport buttons 8 assignable trigger pads Pitch bend wheel Modulation wheel Connections: 1 MIDI input (5-pin DIN) 1 MIDI output (5-pin D
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