MIDI Designer Pro X

It really isn’t difficult once you understand it, but the interface definitely takes some getting used to. Once you do, you’ll be able to whip up a custom control set in no time. I’ve barely scratched the surface so far. My semi modular synth only had a couple of assignable parameters, but there are over a dozen different options for one of the outputs on the patch bay that is buried deep in a menu (on a synth with no screen). I quickly figured out how to make a grid of buttons to send out the program change signal for each one. Now I can change the parameter instantly without having to even open the menu. The app is definitely function over form, but gives you the tools to quickly design and program a MIDI control surface for your hardware and software synths, and any other conceivable use for it. Not to mention the integration with a MIDI-based scripting language. The possibilities really do seem endless. I do hope the interface is easier to navigate in future updates. It is very difficult to make things look nice, and feels like the interface works against you. However, the devs are still active and frequently updating. I can imagine they have plans to streamline everything once they have most of the functionality set and major bugs squashed.

For me, MIDI Designer Pro is a great app for both iPad and Apple Silicon Macs. I have been using it on my M1 Mac Mini for about a year. I find the larger size (I have a 27” monitor) extremely useful for designing layouts using a mouse rather than an Apple Pencil or my fingers on an iPad. My retirement hobby is designing midi controllers for organists using Virtual Pipe Organ Apps such as Hauptwerk. Having both apps simultaneously active and displayed on one monitor simplifies the midi interface. While a touchscreen may be necessary for many MDP/Mac applications, using external pistons and/or switches from an organ console or keyboard to control MPD2 can provide unlimited possibilities for custom control and eliminates the need for an iPad. Those familiar with the iPad and iPhone apps will find the behavior of the Mac Version is essentially identical. I found a few minor issues with using a mouse, but they are easily overcome.

I actually bought TouchOSC and a few of the other MIDI design apps before looking at this one - scared off by the larger price tag. That was mistake, and one I am glad to have corrected by shifting all of my MIDI control needs to MIDI Designer Pro 2. There’s a pretty good wealth of community content available (a template for UNO Synth got me hooked), but if understand even basic MIDI principles, you’ll soon prefer to make your own controls. I created a template for my Roland TR-08 and was amazed how easy it was to put together and how everything just WORKED. There are even subtle touches, like how the drumpads or keys respond to velocity differently based on where you touch the pad. I’m mostly “function over form”, but there’s some great tools to help you make your projects look nicer if that interests you, as well. A lot of hardware synths have “hidden” features delegated to CC messages, or are simply difficult to execute on the face of the device. MIDI Designer Pro 2 allows you to reimagine both the programming and performance interface of your device - to set it up the way YOU want it. Support for Bluetooth LE MIDI connectivity is also appreciated. There’s some occasional stability/crash issues and I would like to see just a few more customization options for faders, knobs and pads. But this is an amazing app and really does not require you to be a MIDI expert to get going and create your own templates.