Keyboards · Akai Professional

Make your MPD218's knobs work in GarageBand

GarageBand plays the keys, but ignores most of the 6 knobs and 6 buttons on the Akai Professional MPD218. KnobLink connects them: it recognises the MPD218 the moment you plug it in.

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Akai Professional MPD218as KnobLink draws it

What each control does in GarageBand

Setup in three steps

  1. Plug in the MPD218 and open KnobLink. It shows your keyboard, controls and all.
  2. Allow instrument knobs in System Settings › Accessibility, once.
  3. Restart GarageBand, only the first time. Then play.

Questions

Does the MPD218 work with GarageBand?

GarageBand plays the MPD218's keys and pads, but ignores most of its knobs and faders. KnobLink connects those too: knobs move the instrument's Smart Controls, faders set track volume, transport buttons work.

Do I need to set up the MPD218 by hand?

No. KnobLink recognises the Akai Professional MPD218 by name when you plug it in and knows its factory settings. If you changed its settings, KnobLink asks you to move the changed controls once.

Does it work with Logic Pro?

KnobLink is made for GarageBand. Logic Pro has its own controller assignments.

Other Akai Professional keyboards: APC Key 25 mk2 APC mini mk2 LPD8 mk2 MIDImix MPD226 MPK mini IV (mk4, 2024) MPK mini mk3 MPK mini Plus MPK225 MPK249 MPK261