I just purchased this sweet little gadget to connect my CME M-Key 49-Key USB MIDI Controller to my laptop so that I can use it with it Ableton Live. Initially I was under the impression that it would be a quick plug and play but it wasn’t quite that simple.

Long story short, you’ll need to get the latest drivers for this device from the m-audio website (http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support&tab=driver&PID=4f73c099681cb8ca6b0e91aca5d85b56&serie_ID=4#tabs) in order for music creation/editing software to recognize it as a ‘midi input’.  Make sure you select the operating system applicable to you.  This guide is specific to a Windows XP SP3 installation because that’s what I’m using but making sure you have the latest drivers is a good idea no matter which operating system you’re using.

Once you’ve downloaded the drivers, ensure that the Uno Interface is unplugged.  During the beginning of the installation you’ll be asked to unplug if you haven’t already done so.  Click next and yes and continue anyway to any windows you see.  Once the setup is complete you’ll be asked to plug in the device to finalize the installation.  Once it’s finalized you’ll be asked to reboot the computer.  Upon restart if you don’t get any dialogs about new hardware you should be good to go.

However, you may get a ‘found new hardware’ dialog when your computer boots back up.  Check the ‘Yes, this time only’ only option for Windows to automatically find and install the driver.  It will take a little while but Windows will figure out what goes where and the driver will install.  Once everything is installed and there are no exclamation points/errors in the device manager you’re ready to fire up Ableton live or whatever software you intend to use with your Uno and Midi controller.

From here you’ll need to find a tutorial specific to the software suite you’re using to enable the midi device you’re connecting to the Uno.

I’m excited to jump into making electronic melodies and beats with the help of this device.  As usual I’ll post my ideas and songs to the http://www.eliratnermusic.com/listen page of this site.

Please comment with any comments/suggestions/questions.

-eli