Setup guide

Three steps: install the app, connect it to the computer running your software, then teach that software what each control does. Most setups take about five minutes.

  1. Install and open the app

    Get VDJ Controller from the App Store or Google Play and start the 7-day free trial. Every feature works during the trial, and nothing is charged when it ends.

  2. Connect to your computer

    Pick the way that matches your device and computer.

    Android, over a USB cable

    WINDOWS · MAC
    1. Plug the phone or tablet into the computer with a USB data cable.
    2. On the device, pull down the notification shade, tap the USB notification and choose MIDI.
    3. In the app, choose USB. The status card turns green and reads Connected.
    4. In your software, choose the device as a MIDI input. The computer names it after the maker, for example “SAMSUNG_Android”.

    Some cables only charge. If the USB notification never appears, try another cable.

    iPhone or iPad, over a USB cable

    MAC ONLY
    1. Plug the iPhone or iPad into the Mac with a USB cable.
    2. On the Mac, open Audio MIDI Setup (Applications › Utilities). Your device appears in the window. Click Enable next to it.
    3. In the app, choose USB. The status card turns green and reads Connected.
    4. In your software, choose the device as a MIDI input.

    This uses Apple's Inter-Device Audio & MIDI, which only Macs have. On Windows, use Wi-Fi instead.

    Android, over Bluetooth

    MAC
    1. In the app, choose Bluetooth and allow the Bluetooth permission. The device starts advertising itself as a MIDI device.
    2. On the Mac, open Audio MIDI Setup, choose Window › Show MIDI Studio, then click the Bluetooth button in the toolbar.
    3. Find your device in the list and click Connect. The app's status card turns green.
    4. In your software, choose the Bluetooth MIDI device as a MIDI input.

    Bluetooth from an iPhone or iPad is coming soon. Bluetooth MIDI on Windows depends on your Windows version and software, so we don't recommend it yet.

    Any phone or tablet, over Wi-Fi

    MAC · WINDOWS WITH DRIVER
    1. Put the device and the computer on the same Wi-Fi network.
    2. In the app, choose Network. It appears on the network as “VDJ Controller” followed by a four-letter device ID.
    3. Mac: in Audio MIDI Setup › MIDI Studio, open the Network window, select the device under Directory and click Connect. Windows: install an RTP-MIDI driver, then connect to the device from it.
    4. In your software, choose the network session as a MIDI input.

    Some venue and office networks block device discovery. If the device never appears, type the computer's address into the app under Settings › Connection.

  3. Map it in your software

    In your VJ, DJ or presentation software, turn on VDJ Controller as a MIDI input. Then use its MIDI learn: pick the thing you want to control, turn learn on, and press the pad or move the fader. Repeat for each control.

    If you'd rather map by number, this is what each control sends on channel 1. You can change the channel, first pad note and first fader CC in Settings › MIDI › Advanced.

    • Fixed pads NOTE 0–4 Shift, Play, Cue, Sync, Rec
    • Pads, layer 1–6 NOTE 36–125 15 per layer: layer 1 is 36–50, layer 2 is 51–65, and so on
    • Faders CC 48–58 Faders 1–10, then master on 58
    • Knobs, layer 1–6 CC 59–82 4 per layer: layer 1 is 59–62, layer 2 is 63–66, and so on
    • Fader buttons NOTE 100–110 Under faders 1–10 and master

    Turn on LED feedback in Settings › MIDI and send notes back to the same numbers: pads light in the colour that matches the velocity.

If it doesn't connect

Still stuck? Email michael@essandoh.dev with your device, your computer and the connection you tried.