Axiom User Guide English
Table of Contents English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . What’s in the Box? . . . . . . Axiom Keyboard Overview . About This Manual . . . . . . Section 1: Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Axiom Line User Guide 2 English
Axiom Line User Guide Introduction Congratulations on the purchase of your M-Audio Axiom MIDI controller keyboard. Please register your product today to ensure full warranty coverage and receive free product updates. Register online at www.m-audio.com/register Your new keyboard provides extensive control of virtual instruments, DAWs, hardware synthesizers, samplers and any other MIDIcompatible device.
Axiom Line User Guide Section 1: Getting Started 1.1 Axiom Keyboards Overview 1.1.1 Top Panel Overview 1.1.2 Back Panel Overview 1.1.3 Control Definitions These controls are referred by name throughout this manual.
Axiom Line User Guide 1.2 Setup If you intend to connect your Axiom keyboard to a computer, please read sections 1.2 and 1.3 first. If you only intend to use your Axiom keyboard to control a sound module or synthesizer using the external MIDI OUT you should skip to section 1.4. 1.2.
Axiom Line User Guide 1.5 Power Supply If you are using your Axiom with a computer via its USB port, there is no need for an external power supply.Your Axiom will draw its power from the computer. However, if you are intending to use your Axiom without connecting to a computer’s USB port, then you will need to use an external power supply.
Axiom Line User Guide Advanced A number of advanced functions on the Axiom 25 are accessed from the keyboard itself. These functions are listed above the keys on the front panel of the unit. To use any one of these functions, first press the Advanced button. The button will light indicating that the keyboard is now in Advanced Function mode. The keys can now be used to select the functions shown above them, instead of sending MIDI notes.
Axiom Line User Guide 2.1 The Keyboard When you play the keyboard, MIDI note messages are sent. These messages are read by your computer software or external MIDI gear and used to generate sound accordingly. 2.1.
Axiom Line User Guide To change the velocity curve: 49- and 61-note versions: < Locate the label Vel Curve. Press the two buttons above this label. < The LCD will show the currently selected velocity curve, preceded by a ‘C’ if a curve is selected, or ‘F’ if a fixed velocity is selected. < Enter the new curve number using the numeric keypad or use the -/+ keys to select a different curve. 25-note version: < Press the Advanced button. This sets the keyboard to control data entry.
Axiom Line User Guide 2.2 MIDI Channel MIDI messages can be sent on any of 16 channels. If you are connected to a computer, the MIDI software will be receiving on all channels in most cases. However, when you are connected to external MIDI synthesizers, sound modules and some virtual instruments, you need to match the transmit channel of your keyboard with the receiving channel of the MIDI device for the connection to work properly.
Axiom Line User Guide < Press the Advanced button. < Press the Program button. < Enter the program change in the range of 0-127 on the numeric data entry keys. < Press the Enter key to confirm the entered value To send a bank change: 49- and 61-note versions: < Press the Bank LSB or Bank MSB button. < The LCD will flash the bank number that was last sent out. < Enter the new bank number in the range of 0-127 on the numeric keypad. 25-note version: < Press the Advanced button.
Axiom Line User Guide 2.4.1 Extra Messages – 128 To 131 You may have noticed that although we have stated there are 128 MIDI controller messages (0 – 127), Appendix C shows 132 assignable controller messages. This is because messages 128 – 131 are a different type of MIDI message, defined in the General MIDI Specification as RPN messages. You can assign these to the controls on your Axiom keyboard in exactly the same way as any other MIDI controller message.
Axiom Line User Guide 25-note version: < Select the physical controller for programming using method 1 or 2 above. < Press the Advanced button. < Press the Ctrl Assign key on the keyboard. < The LCD display will show the currently assigned MIDI controller number The physical controller you are programming is displayed in the bottom left hand corner of the LCD display for clarity. < Use the numeric data entry keys or the -/+ buttons to enter the MIDI controller 0-131 as defined in Appendix C.
Axiom Line User Guide Section 3: Advanced Features In section 2 we saw how to use the keyboard, send program and bank changes, and assign MIDI controllers to the various controls on your Axiom. These basic skills allow you to perform with many software applications, sound modules and synthesizers. However, the Axiom has some more advanced features that allow you to take your performances even further. In this section we look at these features and how you can make use of them.
Axiom Line User Guide 3.1.2 Drawbar Mode Drawbar mode is a quick method of reversing the direction of the nine sliders on your Axiom 49 or 61. If you are controlling an instrument that makes use of drawbars rather than faders—the MB-3 electric organ on Key Rig for example—then you should use drawbar mode. The Drawbar function is not available on the 25-note version. Press Data 3 and Chan Assign together to enable Drawbar mode.
Axiom Line User Guide To recall any memory you have stored: 49- and 61-note versions: < Press the Recall button. < Enter the number of the memory location (1 to 20) using the numeric keypad. 25-note version: < Press the Advanced button. < Press the Recall button. < Enter the number of the memory location (1 to 20) using the numeric data entry keys. < Press the Enter key to confirm. or < Press the Recall button. < Use the -/+ buttons to increment, decrement the currently selected memory. 3.2.
Axiom Line User Guide For example, if you want to store the settings for the trigger pads only: 49- and 61-note versions: < Press the Store button. < Press group button C to activate group C only. < The LCD display will now only flash the Group C symbol. < Use the numeric keypad to enter the memory location to store the Pad settings. 25-note version: < Press Advanced. < Press the Store key. < Press the REC button to activate group C. < The LCD display will now only flash the Group C symbol.
Axiom Line User Guide 3.3 How To Avoid Jumping Parameters A common problem with MIDI controllers occurs when you move a physical controller and the receiving parameter on your external MIDI gear or software jumps from its present setting to the position of the knob or fader that you are using. The result can be a volume spike, a vibrato effect suddenly engaging or a pan position jumping from one side to another. The Axiom is well equipped to avoid this situation. 3.3.
Axiom Line User Guide In order to program one of these methods to the rotary encoders on your Axiom, you should assign the MIDI controllers given below: MIDI CC Endless Data Method Increment Decrement 145 Program Change Increment/Decrement — — 146 2’s Complement from 64 / Relative (Binary Offset) 065 to 127 063 to 000 147 2’s Complement from 0 / Relative (2’s Complement) 001 to 64 127 to 065 148 Sign Magnitude / Relative (Signed Bit) 065 to 127 001 to 063 149 Sign Magnitude / Relative (
Axiom Line User Guide 3.4.1 Acceleration Curves There are three acceleration curves (C1-3) which define the relationship between how fast you turn the endless encoder and the value increment/decrement that is sent out. It is also possible to turn the acceleration curve OFF so that regardless of how quickly or slowly you turn the dial, the value will only increment/decrement by 1 per step. Turning the acceleration curve off is useful if you are performing adjustments that require fine tuning.
Axiom Line User Guide 25-note version: < Select the pad as described in section 2. < Press the Advanced button. < Press the Ctrl Assign key. < The LCD display will flash the currently assigned controller for the pad. < Enter 147 for Note on/off (press/release), or 148 for note on/off toggle < Press the Enter key to confirm. < Press the Advanced button again. < Press the Data 1 key. < The LCD display will flash the currently assigned note for the pad.
Axiom Line User Guide 3.5.3 Sample/Loop Triggers with MIDI Controller Messages In some cases,you may wish to send standard MIDI controller messages to trigger samples or loops. To make this work, you need to first assign a MIDI controller to the pad and then set the pad to send just ON and OFF values. This is done as follows: 49- and 61-note versions: < Select the pad as described in section 2. < Press the Ctrl Assign button. < The LCD display will flash the currently assigned controller for the pad.
Axiom Line User Guide 3.5.4 Pressure Control Using the pressure control, the pads give you a different type of performance option on your Axiom. You can control parameters on your software in a way that would not be possible on a standard dial or slider. The pressure pads can be used to make some very interesting effects. As we’ve seen above, each pad can be assigned an individual MIDI controller number. It is also possible to assign minimum and maximum values to the controller.
Axiom Line User Guide *It is also possible to send fixed velocities each time you press a pad This is useful when composing drum parts, or simple synthesizer tracks. The fixed velocities are selected by assigning Pad Curve 10 to 12 as follows: Curve Fixed Velocity Value 10 64 11 100 12 127 3.5.6 Velocity Lock The Velocity Lock (Vel. Lock) feature allows you to immediately turn off the response curve of the pads, and lock them to a set velocity.
Axiom Line User Guide 3.6.2 Activating/Deactivating Zones There are four zones assignable on the 49- and 61-note versions and three zones assignable on the 25-note version. To activate/ deactivate zones, first press the Zone/Group button which will light. To enable/disable any zone: < Press the Zone/Group button. < On 49- and 61-note versions use Zone buttons 1, 2, 3 and 4, located beneath faders D9 through D12 to activate/ deactivate Zones 1-4 respectively.
Axiom Line User Guide 3.6.4 Zone Range The Zone Range defines the upper and lower limits of the keys contained in a zone. To set the range of a zone: < Press the Zone Range button.The LED in the Zone/Group button lights to indicate that Zone/Group mode is automatically selected. < The LCD display will flash the symbols representing all zones which are currently active, and will therefore be affected by this range setting. The Range symbol will also appear on the LCD display.
Axiom Line User Guide 3.6.7 Individual Channel Assignments of Controls Every physical controller on your Axiom can be assigned to its own individual channel, allowing you to control several instruments at the same time. It is also possible to tie a physical controller to a zone or to the Global Channel. To assign the transmit channel for a control: 49- and 61-note versions: < Select the physical controller as described in section 2.4.2. < Press the Chan Assign button.
Axiom Line User Guide 3.7 Group A Controls Note: For information on Group A memory recall, please review section 3.2.1. The term “Group A controls” refers to the pitch bend wheel, modulation wheel, aftertouch, sustain pedal and expression pedal. Each of these controls differs from other controls on your Axiom because these can be programmed to be active or inactive in each zone independently.
Axiom Line User Guide 3.8 Example of Control Functionality 3.8.1 Setting Toggle Values for the Buttons The assignable buttons and the pedals can each be assigned to toggle between two MIDI controller message values. You may for example want to send out value 15 when you first press the button followed by value 74 when you press the button for a second time. Setting up a toggle effect: 49- and 61-note versions: < Select the button or pedal to edit. < Press the Data 2 button.
Axiom Line User Guide 3.8.2 Assigning MMC Messages to a Button MIDI Machine Control messages are used by some devices and software to control transport functions such as Stop, Play and Record. The Transport controls on your Axiom keyboard can be setup to send MMC messages, however it is important to note, that not all MIDI devices or software applications respond to MMC messages. Even those that do support MMC often need to be set up manually to respond to these messages.
Axiom Line User Guide 3.8.3 Assigning RPN/NRPN Messages to a Fader or Encoder Many of today’s synthesizers and music applications can receive and process RPN and NRPN MIDI messages to allow control of an array of useful settings and features. However, RPN/NRPN messages are different from most other MIDI data as they consist of two or more MIDI messages that have to be sent in sequence.
Axiom Line User Guide Section 4: Usage Examples 4.1 MIDI Out from USB Function MIDI Out from USB can be used to switch the source of the MIDI data seen at the MIDI Out port of your Axiom. On initial power up, MIDI Out from USB mode is off. This means that as you play your Axiom, MIDI data will be sent to the MIDI Out port. If you turn MIDI Out From USB mode on, playing your Axiom will no longer send data to the MIDI Out port. The data is instead streamed from the computer.
Axiom Line User Guide To control MIDI out from USB mode: 49- and 61-note versions: < Press Data 2 and Data 3 together to change the MIDI Out setting to MIDI Out from USB. < You will see a MIDI plug symbol appear on the LCD display. < To turn MIDI Out from USB mode back off, press the same button combination again. When you do this, the MIDI plug symbol disappears. 25-note version: < Press the Advanced button. < Press the MIDI Out key to activate MIDI Out from USB.
Axiom Line User Guide 4.3 Controlling a Sound Module from the Computer By turning on MIDI Out from USB mode (section 4.1), the data coming into the Axiom from the computer will go directly out of the MIDI Out port and trigger the sounds in the external sound module. This means that your Axiom is effectively acting as a USB to MIDI interface. In order to channel MIDI data from the computer to the MIDI Out port, you should set the MIDI Output device on your computer to be the Axiom.
Axiom Line User Guide 5.2 RPN/NRPNs Explained Non-registered parameter numbers (NRPN's) are device specific messages that enable you to control synths and sound modules via MIDI. The MIDI specification defines open parameter numbers to allow manufacturers to specify their own controllers. The more common of these are registered by the MIDI Manufacturer's Association and are now part of the MIDI specification (hence the term Registered Parameter Numbers – RPN's). (See Appendix F.
Axiom Line User Guide Section 6: Troubleshooting The Axiom has been designed to give you high performance MIDI control. It has been tested under a wide range of systems and operating conditions. However, there are virtually limitless numbers of operating scenarios, any of which could affect your system’s performance. Though this section cannot cover all possible situations you may encounter, we would like to offer some suggestions for dealing with common problems.
Axiom Line User Guide Section 7: Technical Info Caution: Electro Static Discharge, Electrical Fast Transient and Conducted RF interference may cause the unit malfunctioning. In such case, unplug the unit and plug it in again to restore normal operation. Note: Your M-Audio product has been tested to comply with FCC Standards FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE. Modifications not authorized by the manufacturer may void users authority to operate this device.
Axiom Line User Guide Section 9: Appendices Appendix A - MIDI IMPLEMENTATION CHART Function Transmitted Recognized Basic Channel Default Changed 1-16 1-16 X X Mode Default Messages Altered Mode 3 0 ***** X 0-127 ***** X True Voice Velocity Note ON Note OFF 0 X X X After Touch Key’s Channel X 0 X X 0 X Note Number Pitch Bend Control Change 0-119 120-127 0 0 X X Program Change 0-127 ***** X True # System Exclusive 0* 0* System Common Song Position Pointer Song Sel Tune R
Axiom Line User Guide Appendix B – Useful MIDI Data Tables B1 - General MIDI Instruments – Program Change Numbers Piano Bass Reed Synth Effects 0 Acoustic Grand Piano 32 Acoustic Bass 64 Soprano Sax 96 SFX Rain 1 Bright Acoustic Piano 33 Fingered Bass 65 Alto Sax 97 SFX Soundtrack 2 Electric grand Piano 34 Electric Picked Bass 66 Tenor Sax 98 SFX Crystal 3 Honky Tonk Piano 35 Fretless Bass 67 Baritone Sax 99 SFX Atmosphere 4 Electric Piano 1 36 Slap Bass 1 68 Oboe 100 SFX Brightness
Axiom Line User Guide B3 - Roland GS And Yamaha XG NRPN Messages NRPN NRPN Data Data MSB LSB MSB LSB CC99 CC98 CC06 CC38 01 08 00-7F n/a (-64 - 0 - +63) Vibrato Rate (relative change) 01 09 00-7F n/a (-64 - 0 - +63) Vibrato Depth (relative change) 01 0A 00-7F n/a (-64 - 0 - +63) Vibrato Delay (relative change) 01 20 00-7F n/a (-64 - 0 - +63) Filter Cutoff Freq.
Axiom Line User Guide Appendix C - General MIDI Controller Numbers (MIDI CC's) 00 Bank Select 49 Gen Purpose 2 LSB 98 Non-Reg Param LSB 01 Modulation 50 Gen Purpose 3 LSB 99 Non-Reg Param MSB 02 Breath Control 51 Gen Purpose 4 LSB 100 Reg Param LSB 03 Controller 3 52 Controller 52 101 Reg Param MSB 04 Foot Control 53 Controller 53 102 Controller 102 05 Porta Time 54 Controller 54 103 Controller 103 06 Data Entry 55 Controller 55 104 Controller 104 07 Channel Volum
Axiom Line User Guide Appendix D – Assignable Controller Numbers to Linear Controllers This table applies to the following controls on your Axiom: < Sliders < Aftertouch strip < Pitch bend wheel < Modulation wheel < Expression pedal MIDI CC Description Data 1 Data 2 Data 3 0-119 Standard MIDI CC's - MIN MAX 120-127 Channel Mode Messages - MIN MAX 128 Pitch Bend Sensitivity - - - 129 Channel Fine Tune - - - 130 Channel Coarse Tune - - - 131 Channel Pressure - - -
Axiom Line User Guide Appendix E – Assignable Controller Numbers to Non-Linear Controllers This table applies to the following controls on your Axiom: < Assignable buttons (Axiom 49/61 only) < Transport controls < Sustain pedal MIDI CC Description Data 1 Data 2 Data 3 0-119 Standard MIDI CC's - Toggle Value 2 Toggle Value 1 120-127 Channel Mode Messages - Toggle Value 2 Toggle Value 1 128 Pitch Bend Range - Sensitivity Value - 129 Channel Fine Tune - Tuning Amount - 130 Chan
Axiom Line User Guide Appendix F – Assignable Controller Numbers to Rotary Encoders This table only applies to the Rotary encoders on your Axiom MIDI CC Description Data 1 Data 2 Data 3 0-119 Standard MIDI CC's - MIN MAX 120-127 Channel Mode Messages - MIN MAX 128 Pitch Bend Sensitivity - - - 129 Channel Fine Tune - - - 130 Channel Coarse Tune - - - 131 Channel Pressure - - - 132 RPN coarse - RPN LSB RPN MSB 133 RPN fine - RPN LSB RPN MSB 134 NRPN coarse - NRP
Axiom Line User Guide Appendix G – Assignable Controller Numbers to Pressure Pads This table only applies to the pressure Pads on your Axiom.
Axiom Line User Guide Appendix H - Hexadecimal Conversion Chart Hexadecimal value Decimal value Hexadecimal value Decimal value Hexadecimal value Decimal value 0 0 2B 43 56 86 1 1 2C 44 57 87 2 2 2D 45 58 88 3 3 2E 46 59 89 4 4 2F 47 5A 90 5 5 30 48 5B 91 6 6 31 49 5C 92 7 7 32 50 5D 93 8 8 33 51 5E 94 9 9 34 52 5F 95 0A 10 35 53 60 96 0B 11 36 54 61 97 0C 12 37 55 62 98 0D 13 38 56 63 99 0E 14 39 57 64 100 0F
Axiom Line User Guide Appendix I – Factory Presets Your M-Audio Axiom keyboard comes with 20 preset setups which allow you to use the keyboard controller with supported software right out of the box. See section 3.2 for instructions on how to load a factory preset.
Axiom Line User Guide With some of these applications it is necessary to set up your Axiom keyboard within the software. How to use the Axiom with Ableton Live Ableton Live does not have any default MIDI controller assignments but it is possible to make your own very quickly and easily using the MIDI Learn function. It is best to use Preset 17 with Live, since it is programmed with a selection of unassigned MIDI controllers.
Axiom Line User Guide Presets 7 to 12: Propellerhead Reason Each Reason module is specifically covered by these presets, except for Redrum. Redrum is always triggered by the trigger pads no matter which Reason preset is selected. To set up your Axiom keyboard to control the desired Reason module: < Select the Edit menu (Windows) or Reason menu (Mac), followed by “Preferences.” < Select Advanced MIDI from the Page drop-down menu. < Select your Axiom keyboard as the Bus A device.
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