SoftStep / 12 Step Comparison
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Welcome to the KMI MIDI Expander FAQ List.
This list of FAQs has been assembled to help answer some of the most common questions about the KMI MIDI Expander. Browse through the questions to find the answers you seek.
Expander Frequently Asked Questions
Answers
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Does the MIDI Input jack act like a MIDI Thru?
No, the input jack on the Expander does not act like a MIDI Thru, passing the incoming data to the MIDI Out jack. The input jack is solely for receiving MIDI from external hardware and transmitting it into a computer.
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What do I need the MIDI Expander for?
Our MIDI Expander is necessary if you would like to be able to control external hardware devices like effects boxes, synthesizers, lighting consoles, etc. with one of our products (SoftStep, 12 Step, QuNeo) over a MIDI cable. If you will only be using your controller with hardware, the MIDI Expander will also allow you to use your controller without being connected to a computer.
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My hardware has a USB port, do I still need the MIDI Expander?
Most hardware devices with a USB port only accept data when that port is connected to a computer, and it's generally not used to transmit MIDI data (though some do), so our controllers will not work if you just connect the controller and hardware together with a USB cable. You will need our MIDI Expander and your hardware will need to have a MIDI Input port on it.
If your hardware's USB port does accept MIDI messages (this is different for every device) then you could potentially get away with not using an Expander — though a computer will be necessary. If you connect your hardware device and KMI controller to a computer via USB cables, you could program the controller to output its MIDI to your connected hardware device. The computer will act as the middle-man in this situation.
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Do I need a MIDI Expander to connect to my iOS device?
No, you do not need to have a MIDI Expander to connect to an iOS device. Using Apple's iPad Camera Connection Kit you can plug any class-compliant USB controller into an iOS device. You may potentially need to power your controller from an external power source if it draws too much power from the iOS device.
If you do have a MIDI Expander you can also use the Alesis IO Dock, Line 6's MIDI Mobilizer, or IK Multimedia's iRig MIDI to connect your KMI controller to your iOS device.
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I have a MIDI interface, do I still need the MIDI Expander?
If you are ok with connecting your controller and interface to a computer so they can speak with one another, then you do not need to have the MIDI Expander — you should be able to program your controller to output it's MIDI data over your MIDI interface. If you do not want to have a computer involved, then yes, you will need to have a MIDI Expander for your controller.
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How will my controller be powered when connected by the MIDI Expander?
Your controller can be powered a number of different ways when connected to a MIDI Expander. The first is to connect the Expander's POWER input to a power outlet via a USB cable and USB power adapter. The second is to connect the Expander's POWER input to a computer's USB port. The third way you can power your controller is to have the controller connected to a computer via its main USB port while it is also connected to the Expander via the Expander port (this method will not work with QuNeo as it only has one port, but will work with SoftStep and 12 Step as they have a separate Expander port).
Any of these methods will be able to reliably power your controller and Expander.
