MIDI Controller Not Working
Q. My MIDI controller is not working
First, please check that your MIDI or HID controller is actually supported by VirtualDJ. A list of currently supported controllers can be found on the following page: Controllers natively supported by VirtualDJ.
Make sure that you have the latest drivers and firmware installed from the manufacturer's website.
Also, make sure that you latest version of the VirtualDJ installed. Register your serial number if you have not already done so and then go to the Download Center.
If your controller did not come with VirtualDJ LE included, then you will need to purchase the full VirtualDJ Professional to be able to use MIDI or HID controllers. You can also test controllers for 10 minutes at a time in VirtualDJ Home FREE.
If your controller is supported and you have the latest drivers/firmware, but is still not working then there may be a configuration issue with it. Please see Controller Configuration And Troubleshooting for instructions for specific controllers.
Make sure that you have not accidentally changed the MIDI channel(s) that the controller operates on. Some may allow different MIDI channels to be configured for other software that requires this. Please refer to the user manual that came with your MIDI controller for information on how to change the MIDI channels. Make sure that they are set to the default.
Also, try using a different USB cable and/or different USB port of your computer. Make sure that you plug it directly into your computer, not via a USB hub (NOTE: An unpowered USB hub may not provide sufficient power to run a bus-powered controller that does not have its own separate power supply.)
If your computer has USB 3.0 ports (Normally blue for identification), try using a USB 2 port (The controller may not be compatible with USB 3.) If it only has USB 3.0 ports then try using a powered USB 2.0 hub and connecting your controller to it.
You can also check that the controller is working by downloading the MIDItrace tool (Or HIDtrace for HID controllers.)
Run this with all other software including VirtualDJ closed. Choose your controller in the INPUT and OUTPUT sections and then press some buttons. You should see MIDI messages in the OUTPUT window as you press each button (For HIDtrace, you will see HID data changing as you press the buttons.)
If you don't get any response then there is either a hardware fault with the controller or a conflict on your system that is stopping it from working.
NOTE:
If you connect a MIDI Keyboard (like the Roland A-800 Pro) would work well when it is connected directly directly to the Notebook and not on a usb-hub. This is puzzling, because the Midi-Keyboard works very well with other Programs (like VSTHost) even on the hub. But VirtualDJ would require to connect this directly when you experience problems with it in VirtualDJ.
FAQ Wiki HOME
First, please check that your MIDI or HID controller is actually supported by VirtualDJ. A list of currently supported controllers can be found on the following page: Controllers natively supported by VirtualDJ.
Make sure that you have the latest drivers and firmware installed from the manufacturer's website.
Also, make sure that you latest version of the VirtualDJ installed. Register your serial number if you have not already done so and then go to the Download Center.
If your controller did not come with VirtualDJ LE included, then you will need to purchase the full VirtualDJ Professional to be able to use MIDI or HID controllers. You can also test controllers for 10 minutes at a time in VirtualDJ Home FREE.
If your controller is supported and you have the latest drivers/firmware, but is still not working then there may be a configuration issue with it. Please see Controller Configuration And Troubleshooting for instructions for specific controllers.
Make sure that you have not accidentally changed the MIDI channel(s) that the controller operates on. Some may allow different MIDI channels to be configured for other software that requires this. Please refer to the user manual that came with your MIDI controller for information on how to change the MIDI channels. Make sure that they are set to the default.
Also, try using a different USB cable and/or different USB port of your computer. Make sure that you plug it directly into your computer, not via a USB hub (NOTE: An unpowered USB hub may not provide sufficient power to run a bus-powered controller that does not have its own separate power supply.)
If your computer has USB 3.0 ports (Normally blue for identification), try using a USB 2 port (The controller may not be compatible with USB 3.) If it only has USB 3.0 ports then try using a powered USB 2.0 hub and connecting your controller to it.
You can also check that the controller is working by downloading the MIDItrace tool (Or HIDtrace for HID controllers.)
Run this with all other software including VirtualDJ closed. Choose your controller in the INPUT and OUTPUT sections and then press some buttons. You should see MIDI messages in the OUTPUT window as you press each button (For HIDtrace, you will see HID data changing as you press the buttons.)
If you don't get any response then there is either a hardware fault with the controller or a conflict on your system that is stopping it from working.
NOTE:
If you connect a MIDI Keyboard (like the Roland A-800 Pro) would work well when it is connected directly directly to the Notebook and not on a usb-hub. This is puzzling, because the Midi-Keyboard works very well with other Programs (like VSTHost) even on the hub. But VirtualDJ would require to connect this directly when you experience problems with it in VirtualDJ.