Skip to main content

Turn your keyboard into a MidiFighter (MIDI device)

When we were first trying to port the Midi Fighter mapping onto nanoPAD2, we also thought of porting that mapping for users who do not have any midi controller at all. So our quest began with solely two purposes; First: How can we turn our keyboard into a MIDI device so that it can do all possible things that can be done via other midi controllers and Second: Porting a solid Traktor mapping onto keyboard to showcase the power of this thought.
While trying to work on this thought of ours, we tried and tested various software both paid and free for finding the one with most options and compatibility to work with. And finally in this post we will be discussing results of our quest for using keyboard as a Midi Controller. In order to showcase our experiment we will be showing you how you can turn your keyboard into a Midi Device, and that too not just any other midi device, a Midi Fighter! So after going through this post you will be able to use your keyboard to create amazing sounds effects and build ups just like Ean does using his Midi Fighter.


Do we need such setup?
Its always good to have something extra, something that enhances your performance, even though you don't own a sophisticated advanced MIDI controller, but expanding the use of keyboard will definitely add to your existing controllers. Following are the ways you could use this mapping:
  • You already own a MIDI Fighter and use it with instant gratification mapping. Then this method allows you to use your keyboard as a second MIDI fighter with classic mapping.
  • You don't own a MIDI Fighter but own some other MIDI Controller. Then this method allow keyboard to serve as an extra MIDI controller for free.
  • You neither own a MIDI Fighter nor any other controller. Then this method allows you to do advance things with the all times available MIDI device, you keyboard to control any music software.
What we need before we begin!
#1. Virtual MIDI In/Out: The best one is Midi Yoke! Download it for free from this link. (Machine restart is required, after you install this software)
#2. Keyboard to MIDI Controller: After trying out multiple software for this purpose, we settled onto Virtual Midi Piano Keyboard. This one is the best out there and you can download it for free from this link.
#3.  Keyboard layout: Our custom made keyboard layout for the above discussed software. Download it form here.
#4. Midi Fighter Traktor mapping: Finally to work with our setup, we ported the official Midi Fighter Classsic mappings. It took a great deal of studying the mapping and carefully putting it together so as to make it work on our nanoPADs! If you care about our work and want to support future mappings please download a Donate Version! for just $1. We worked really hard to create this mapping from scratch. It took countless hours in studying each and every keypress, values, and logic to come up with a workable mapping that can independently capture almost all functions of the more advance midi controller. Therefore we request you to please purchase our mapping at just $1. This will not only be our thank you token but will help us to put more effort into coming up with more such advance mappings!
Buy this on Selz Sell digital downloads on Selz
Mapping Layout


Just like our nanoPAD2 mappings for Midi Fighter in this version we used two rows of 8 buttons each.

Understanding the Mapping
In this mapping layout we have mapped the keys in such a way that both hands can be used simultaneously to control effects and settings. The associated keymap is discussed below:
  • Keys U, I, O, P and 7, 8, 9, 0 are mapped to CUE 1 to 8 respectively.
  • Keys 1, 2, 3, and, 4 are mapped to SHIFT, SYNC, PAUSE, and , PLAY respectively.
  • Keys Q, W, E, and, R are mapped to REC, MASH, FILTER, and, ECHO respectively.
  • As our previous mappings this mapping also allow you to control all four decks.
You can work with this mappings as described below:
  • Press SHIFT plus PLAY to select the deck you want to control.
  • SHIFT plus SYNC or PAUSE will bend the track if beat goes off.
  • Press REC button to drop a loop (8 counts recording). If you stop the track now, the recorded loop continues to play.
  • After recording press SHIFT plus REC button and now all the eight cue points enable juggling through the recorded sample.
  • Press REC button for stop playing the recorded loop.
  • Use CUE 1 – CUE 8 for storing cue points and SHIFT plus CUE button to deleted that cue point.
How to make our setup work?
While using this mapping you need to keep in mind that your VMPK window should be on top of your Traktor window and VMPK preferences should be set as shown in the screenshot below. Also in VMPK, Click on Connections in Edit Menu, and set Output MIDI Connection drop-box value as Out to MIDI Yoke: 2.

One Final Thought!
This setup does not replace the use of Midi Fighter nor it tells users to use Keyboard instead of using a actual Midi Fighter. This is just to help users who are looking for doing amazing things but do not have access to advance stuff.
Did you liked this mapping? OR Do you need other mappings to be ported for this setup? Give us your feedback and we will be more than happy to help you out! Happy Fighting with your keyboard! :)


Popular posts from this blog

How to view Removed OR Private pastes on Pastebin?

If you are a "Pastebin" surfer, you may come across private or removed pastes. These are the pastes which are removed by pastebin, or user marked them as a private paste. Pastebin lists following message for such pastes: "This paste has been removed!" or "This is a private paste. If you created this paste, please login to view it." Viewing removed or private pages To view these pastes: Drag the following bookmarklet into your bookmarks bar. View Cache Open the private or removed pastebin page. Press the bookmarklet ' View Cache '. The page will open and you'll be able to see its contents. NOTE: Do make sure you enable your Bookmark Bar in chrome before adding. How it works? This bookmarklet opens the cached version of the page from Google servers. PRO TIP: You can use this bookmarklet to view other sites as well, pages which are blocked by your company, school etc.

Adding .cer certificates on your Android Phone

Wow, what a title! Well actually that's not possible. The only reason I used this title is - in this tutorial we will be using .cer certificate and will be converting it to .pfx certificate which will then be used on our phone. (Experience free call to US and Canada visit How to use Gmail Call features outside US ) I have gone through a lot of pages saying that certificates problem with Android OS, how to use WPA2 Enterprise secured network on Android, how to add .cer files to android and many more. I have found solutions to some problems somewhere on the internet, but didn't found all the related information at a single place. So I thought of writing this blog entry dedicated to adding certificates for WPA2 Enterprise secured network. Please note that I have a HTC Hero (GSM) which is having Android OS 1.5 (Yes I resisted myself from rooting it with 2.1, but the official update is coming soon). I will update this entry when I’ll get my hands on Android 2.1 UPDATE: For in

Using Sandboxie to bypass Trial version limitations in software

Disclaimer: Please note that this article is for information purposes only. Please use this method only for testing purposes. If you want to use full capabilities of software after the trial period, please purchase ‘em. UPDATE (Want to use your favourite applications without Administrator rights… read my latest blog post Web Hosted Applications to find out more ways to run your applications without admin privileges) (Want to Install/Use your favorite applications but do not have administrator privileges to do that… Then please read http://abtevrythng.blogspot.com/2009/08/using-installing-applications-without.html for a workaround) (Experience free call to US and Canada visit How to use Gmail Call features outside US )   Many times we use software that are bound to be used only for limited period, trial versions are available which let users use fully functional software on trial basis for a limited period of time (like 15 days trial) OR in some cases trial versions come