Gamepad to MIDI guides
How to use a PlayStation, Xbox or any USB or Bluetooth gamepad as a MIDI controller with PadMap: connecting it, getting the MIDI port into your DAW, and mapping sticks, triggers and buttons to the things worth controlling.
Set up your DAW
- Ableton Live →Use a PS5, Xbox or any gamepad as a MIDI controller in Ableton Live: enable the port, MIDI-map sticks and triggers, and play Drum Racks from the buttons.
- FL Studio →Use an Xbox, PS5 or any gamepad as a MIDI controller in FL Studio: enable it in MIDI settings, link sticks and triggers to knobs, and play FPC from the buttons.
- Logic Pro →Use a PS5, Xbox or any game controller as a MIDI controller in Logic Pro on Mac: learn sticks to Smart Controls and plug-ins, and play Drum Machine Designer.
- Bitwig Studio →Use a gamepad or PS5 controller in Bitwig Studio: add PadMap as a generic MIDI keyboard, map sticks and triggers, and drive Bitwig's modulators from it.
- REAPER →Use an Xbox, PS5 or any game controller as a MIDI controller in REAPER: enable the PadMap input, MIDI-learn FX parameters and bind pad buttons to actions.
- Cubase →Use a PS5, Xbox or any game controller in Cubase: set up the PadMap port, build a MIDI Remote surface, map the sticks to Quick Controls and play instruments.
Set up your controller
- PS5 DualSense →Use your PS5 controller as a MIDI controller: connect the DualSense by USB-C or Bluetooth and map buttons, sticks, triggers and gyro to notes and CC in any DAW.
- PS4 DualShock 4 →Turn a PS4 controller into a MIDI controller: connect the DualShock 4 to Windows or Mac and map its buttons, sticks, triggers and gyro to notes and CC.
- Xbox controller →Use an Xbox controller as a MIDI controller: connect a Series X|S or Xbox One pad by USB or Bluetooth, map it to notes and CC with PadMap, and play your DAW.
Help
- loopMIDI setup (Windows) →Create a virtual MIDI port on Windows with the free loopMIDI, connect it to PadMap, and get your gamepad's MIDI into Ableton, FL Studio or any DAW in a minute.
- Troubleshooting →Controller not detected, PadMap missing from your DAW, or buttons that send nothing? Work through these checks on Windows and macOS to get MIDI flowing.