If you are experiencing problems with your MIDI Controller/DJ Hardware not connecting or behaving correctly, there are a few things you can check first which hopefully will ensure successful operation with Serato software.

Often overlooked, but the first thing we recommend is testing with several different USB cables to connect your device. Also, certain USB ports on your computer can function better than others. It's good to experiment with ALL ports on your computer before moving on.

Now try checking that it is being recognized. If your Operating System is recognizing your controller correctly, then it will more than likely work with your Serato software.

For Windows:

When you plug your controller in Windows should search for the drivers automatically (or it will ask your permission to). Some controllers require special software or drivers to run - these maybe on a disc that came with the controller. If you do not have this go to the controller manufacturer's website and find it there.

Sometimes Windows can install devices incorrectly. This usually happens when the device is recognized as being something else, other than the expected name of the device. We can check what your computer is recognizing your controller as by going to the Device Manager.

This is usually found in: Start > Control Panel > Device Manager (Pictured above)

Your MIDI controller should show up in either:

- Universal Serial Bus Controllers     OR

- Sound, video and game controllers

Most controllers will show up with the name of the manufacturer or the name of the controller.

If you have identified the controller in either of these lists and it shows up as something else, right-click on it and select uninstall. Now unplug then re-plug the controller to your computer and let Windows search for the drivers again. If it installs the controller incorrectly again, or there is a yellow exclamation mark next to the device logo please start a help thread here and give the moderator a detailed description of your issue and setup.

For Mac:

Some MIDI devices require mac drivers.

Go to: Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup > Window > Show MIDI Studio (⌘2)

Your MIDI device driver should show up as an icon as the example above shows. Sometimes even though this icon is shown in the MIDI Studio, it will not connect first time. You can disconnect your MIDI device and then with your device icon highlighted, select 'Remove Device'. After doing this reconnect the MIDI device and the driver icon for this device should reappear. Now check to see if your device has been recognized.

If you have tried everything above but are still having problems then the next step is to check that your MIDI controller is communicating (sending/receiving) MIDI messages with your computer.  This is the basic functionality of MIDI and if your controller is not communicating with your computer then it is not going to work.

We can check to see if MIDI messages are being communicated between the computer and the MIDI controller quite easily using an application that monitors MIDI messages being sent from a MIDI device, called MIDI monitor

• If you are unsuccessful with connection and your controller is not sending MIDI messages, try testing your controller with a different computer by following the steps in this article.

This helps to narrow down the cause of the issue. If your controller is still not behaving correctly with a different computer, then it is possible that controller may be faulty.

However, if it is working correctly, then further troubleshooting may be required with your computer. You may also received a "Failed to connect MIDI" error message.

MIDI-OX FOR WINDOWS

Some computers come with their own built-in MIDI monitor program, but for those that don't (or if you are not sure how to use this program), we recommend MIDI-OX. MIDI-OX is a Windows-only MIDI monitoring application that is free and easy to use.

• Free download MIDI-OX HERE

You can use this MIDI monitor to:

1. Check that MIDI messages are being sent from your controller AT ALL

2. Check to see what kind of MIDI data is being sent

Once you have downloaded and installed MIDI-OX open it up and connect your MIDI controller.

• Go to Options > MIDI Devices and double-click on your MIDI controller on the left both for MIDI Inputs AND MIDI Outputs. Your MIDI controller should now appear in both the Port Mapping and Port Map Objects boxes. Click 'OK'. (Pictured Below)   

If you get to this point and MIDI-OX gives you an "Undefined External Error" follow the steps below to resolve it. 

DISCLAIMER: These steps require that you modify the Windows registry. You should only do this if you understand that modifying registry keys other than the one specified below could cause irreversible damage to your system. Please read the instructions carefully and do not edit any other values inside regedit, unless you know what you are doing. Additionally, please remember to close MIDI-OX before proceeding with the steps below.
You may also wish to make a manual back-up of your registry, via steps provided by Microsoft here.

1. Hold down the Windows key and press the letter "R". This will open the Run window. Type in "regedit" and press enter to open the Registry Editor.
2. Press CTRL + F on the keyboard to open the search window. Copy and paste the following key in the “Find what” field, Ensure that no spaces are leading or following the key: 4D36E96C-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318
3. You can confirm that the search has located the correct key because the "(Default)" value shows as "Sound, video and game controllers" (however it may also show as "Value not set"), also the "Class" will show as "MEDIA". If you haven't located the correct key, do not change any entries.
4. Right-click in the right hand pane in the blank space underneath the data and select "New" >  select "Multi-String Value".
5. Right-Click on "New Value" and select "Rename". Type in: UpperFilters  (case-sensitive, all 1 word).
6. Next, double-click UpperFilters and under "Value data:" type in: ksthunk (case-sensitive, all 1 word). Now click OK.
7. Click File > Exit to close the Registry Editor. Disconnect, then re-connect your MIDI device to the software again.

Now we need to just check that everything is as it should be. It looks a bit intimidating but its actually quite simple.

First lets look at the buttons on your controller:

• Press a button on your controller. When you press the button down a MIDI line should come up, when you let go of the button another line should appear.

• All you need to check is that:

1. The NOTE is the same for the ON and OFF note. 

2. None of the buttons on your controller are sending the same NOTE. This is a common problem and if you can see that more than one button is sending the same note then they will obviously be conflicting. What happens in this scenario is you will map something to that button in Serato DJ then you will map something to the button that sends the same note and then the first button is overwritten.

If you have buttons that are sending the same NOTE you will need to change the way your controller is sending notes. Some MIDI controllers have different MIDI modes (like the AKAI MPD range), so you will need to change to a MIDI mode that allows a different MIDI message to be sent from every button. Other MIDI controllers have software that allows you to change this - either way it is best to consult your manual or controller manufacturer on how to change this. 

Now lets look at the faders and knobs on your controller:

• With Endless Rotary knobs (knobs that have no start and end position) you just need to check that MIDI messages are being sent and that the only thing that differs for each message when you twist the knob is the number in the DATA2 column. 
• With Relative knobs and faders (knobs that have a start and end position and therefore are relative to the position on the hardware), you need to check that

A. Every movement of the knob/fader sends a MIDI message, and

B. The OFF position of the knob/fader sends a MIDI note of 00 and the ON position sends a MIDI note of 7F in the DATA2 column in MIDI-OX. (see picture below - click to enlarge)

MIDI MONITOR FOR MAC

Some Macs come with their own built-in MIDI monitor program, but for those that don't (or if you are not sure how to use this program), we recommend SNOIZE MIDI MONITOR. Snoize MIDI Monitor is a Mac-only MIDI monitor that is free and easy to use.

• Free download SNOIZE MIDI MONITOR HERE

We can use this MIDI monitor to:

1. Check that MIDI messages are being sent from your controller AT ALL

2. Check to see what kind of MIDI data is being sent

Once you have downloaded the Snoize MIDI Monitor DMG file, open it up and connect your MIDI controller.

By default, the MIDI monitor should already be set to receive MIDI messages from your controller but you may have to click Sources > MIDI Sources and select your MIDI controller from here. As you can see above I have my VFX-1 selected.

Basically, we are just checking a few things:

• All the buttons/knobs/faders send a MIDI message. If they don't then your computer and MIDI controller are not communicating at all. Make sure your controller is powered, try using a different USB cord and plugging into a different USB cord, try connecting to another computer and see if it works.
• That none of your buttons/knobs/faders are sending the same Data (in the Data column).What happens in this scenario is you will map something to that button in Serato DJ then you will map something to the button that sends the same note and then the first button is overwritten.

  If you have buttons that are sending the same NOTE you will need to change the way your controller is sending notes. Some MIDI controllers have different MIDI modes (like the AKAI MPD range), so you will need to change to a MIDI mode that allows a different MIDI message to be sent from every button. Other MIDI controllers have software that allows you to change this.