⚠️ This guide is for pad controllers on Mac and Windows.
On iPad? Use our iPad connection guide instead.
The iPhone app is drums only.
Get connected
Most MIDI pad controllers work with Melodics, so let's get yours set up.
Connect your controller with a USB cable. A direct USB connection works best.
Select Pads as your instrument. Click the instrument icon in the top left corner of Melodics and choose Pads.
Choose your controller. Go to Settings and pick your controller from the Input dropdown. Many controllers are plug and play, with no setup needed.
That's it. Pick a lesson and start playing!
Using a Maschine? It needs a quick setup first. Follow our Maschine setup guide.
Controller not showing up?
No stress, we've got you. If your controller isn't in the Input dropdown, you can set it up yourself. Some controllers won't appear until you've done this, so if yours is missing, start here.
Go to Settings.
Click Configure MIDI instrument.
Follow the on-screen instructions: choose your pad layout, then tap each pad in turn.
Still not showing up?
If Melodics can't find your controller at all, work through these:
Check your cable. Make sure it's plugged in firmly at both ends.
Try a different cable or USB port. Avoid USB hubs, extensions, and cables longer than 2 meters (6 feet).
Restart your computer to clear any software or driver glitches.
Close other music apps that might be using your controller.
Factory reset your controller. Here's how for popular controllers.
Check your controller is sending MIDI
Check your controller is sending MIDI
To check your controller is connected at all, outside of Melodics, open a free MIDI monitor and hit a few pads. If notes show up, your controller and cable are working, and the issue is in Melodics. If nothing shows up, the problem is the connection or the controller itself.
Mac: MIDI Monitor
Windows: MIDI-OX
Using a MIDI to USB interface?
You may need to configure your controller yourself, as supported controllers only set up automatically over a direct USB connection.
Pads not triggering, or triggering the wrong pads?
Let's sort it. If your controller is connected but pads don't trigger in lessons, or the wrong pads light up, try these in order:
Reset to default. If your controller is in our supported list, go to Settings, hit Reset all MIDI settings to default, then reselect your controller from the Input dropdown. If Melodics tells you your controller is already set up, keep the current setup.
Factory reset your controller. If its settings have been changed at some point, it may no longer send what Melodics expects. A factory reset puts it back. Here's how for popular controllers.
Not a supported controller? Go to Settings and click Reconfigure MIDI instrument to set it up again.
Pad lighting not working?
Pad lighting only works on supported controllers using their default setup, and not every controller has it. If yours supports lighting and it's stopped working, hit Reset all MIDI settings to default in Settings.
More tips
Left-handed, or want to make the layout your own?
Start any lesson and you can flip your pad layout, or edit it to suit how you play.
Hearing a delay when you play?
Delay (latency) usually comes from your sound setup, not your controller connection. It's often down to the headphones or speakers you're using. Check out our sound setup guide for Windows or macOS.
Still stuck?
We've got your back. Chat with us using the chat button on this page. Our chatbot knows the fixes for lots of specific controllers and setups, and it can pass you to the team if you need a hand.