⚠️ This guide is for MIDI keyboards on Mac and Windows.
On iPad? Use our iPad connection guide instead.
The iPhone app is drums only.
Get connected
Most MIDI keyboards work with Melodics, so let's get yours set up.
Connect your keyboard with a USB cable. A direct USB connection works best.
Select Keys as your instrument. Click the instrument icon in the top left corner of Melodics and choose Keys.
Choose your keyboard. Go to Settings and pick your keyboard from the Input dropdown. Many keyboards are plug and play, with no setup needed.
That's it. Pick a lesson and start playing!
Keyboard not showing up?
No stress, we've got you. If your keyboard isn't in the Input dropdown, you can set it up yourself. Some keyboards 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: press the lowest key on your keyboard, then the highest key.
Still not showing up?
If Melodics can't find your keyboard 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 keyboard.
NI Komplete Kontrol users: make sure Komplete software is fully closed. On Windows, open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and end the NI host integration agent task.
Factory reset your keyboard. Here's how for popular keyboards.
Check your keyboard is sending MIDI
Check your keyboard is sending MIDI
To check your keyboard is connected at all, outside of Melodics, open a free MIDI monitor and press a few keys. If notes show up, your keyboard and cable are working, and the issue is in Melodics. If nothing shows up, the problem is the connection or the keyboard itself.
Mac: MIDI Monitor
Windows: MIDI-OX
Using a MIDI to USB interface?
You may need to configure your keyboard yourself, as supported keyboards only set up automatically over a direct USB connection.
Notes not triggering or playing the wrong notes?
Let's sort it. If your keyboard is connected but notes don't trigger in lessons, or the wrong notes play, try these in order:
Reset to default. Go to Settings, hit Reset all MIDI settings to default, then reselect or reconfigure your keyboard.
Factory reset your keyboard. 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 keyboards. Many keyboards also have transpose or scale settings that change the notes they send, so check those too. Reconfiguring in Melodics won't fix this.
Still not right? Chat with us using the chat button on this page and we'll help you sort it.
Run out of keys?
Use the octave up and down buttons on your keyboard to reach the notes.
More tips
Hearing a delay when you play?
Delay (latency) usually comes from your sound setup, not your keyboard 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 keyboards and setups, and it can pass you to the team if you need a hand.