MPK mini IV | GarageBand Setup Guide

Welcome to this guide on how to set up MPK Mini IV with GarageBand using the included DAW Script. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 1. Update the Firmware
• 2. Install the GarageBand Control Script
• 3. Load the GarageBand DAW Preset
• 4. Set Up on GarageBand
• 5. Control Surface Setup
• 6. Control Map
• 7. Pad Modes
• 8. Knob Modes and Mixer Controls
  • Smart Controls:
  • Volume and Pan:
  • Sends:
  • EQ:
  • Navigation:
  • User Mode:
• 9. Troubleshooting

1. Update the Firmware

Before configuring your MPK mini mk4, ensure your firmware version is v1.38 or later.

2. Install the GarageBand Control Script

1. Download and install the most recent GarageBand script by clicking on this link: http://inmusic.to/mini4begin
2. Ensure that GarageBand is closed, open the downloaded file, and follow the instructions to finalize the installation.

3. Load the GarageBand DAW Preset

1. Connect your MPK mini mk4 to your computer using the included USB-C cable.

2. On the MPK, press the PLUGIN/DAW button and make sure the DAW preset is chosen (the button is lit red).
   
   

4. Set Up on GarageBand

1. Open GarageBand
   
   A dialog should appear asking if you would like to automatically assign controls to MPK® mini IV. Click Auto Assign to continue, and the DAW control script should automatically set up MPK® mini IV to work with GarageBand.
   
   

5. Control Surface Setup

If you have any issues, or if you missed the Auto Assign dialog and need to manually set up the control script, use the directions in this section.

1. In GarageBand, open the GarageBand > Settings… menu.
   
   
   
2.  In the Settings menu, navigate to the Audio/MIDI tab.
3. Under the MIDI Controller setting, make sure MPK mini IV is selected
   
   
   

6. Control Map

This will outline the functionalities of MPK® mini IV’s compatible controls when operating in GarageBand. 

1. Keyboard, Pitch Wheel, Modulation Wheel, Sustain Input: These basic performance controls are used for controlling and playing virtual instruments in GarageBand. These controls send their data on MIDI Port 1 and are not part of the additional control script.
2. SHIFT: This button provides access to secondary functions when using MPK® mini IV with GarageBand. Press and hold it and then press another button or pad to access its secondary function. 
3. Encoder: Turn this knob to select tracks.
4. -/+: Press these buttons to move between banks of knob controls.
   Hold SHIFT and press these buttons to cycle between knob control modes in GarageBand.
5. BANK A/B: Press this button to toggle between Bank A and Bank B for the pads, when available.
6. Pads: These drum pads can be used in three different modes, which can be accessed by holding SHIFT and pressing the following pads:
   
   Pad 1: Drum Mode
   Pad 2 (PROG CHNG): Track Record Mode
   Pad 3 (CC#): Track Solo/Mute Mode 
7. Knobs: These endless knobs can be used in six different modes, which you can cycle between by holding SHIFT and pressing the -/+ buttons. 
8. UNDO: Press this button to undo the last action in GarageBand. 
   REDO: Hold SHIFT and press this button to redo the last action undone in GarageBand. 
9. Loop: Press this button to turn cycle playback on and off in GarageBand. 
10. Stop/Play: Press this button to stop or start playback in GarageBand.
    Continue: Hold SHIFT and press this button to start playback from the current playhead position in GarageBand. 
11. Record: Press this button to enable arrangement recording in GarageBand.
    Quantize: Hold SHIFT and press this button to quantize the selected region, track, or notes in GarageBand. This will snap events to the recording grid according to the current time division.
    
    

7. Pad Modes

The MPK® mini IV pads can be used in three different modes with GarageBand. You can access each mode by holding SHIFT and pressing the following: 

• Pad 1: Drum Mode
  In this mode, the pads are mapped to a chromatic scale starting with C1. This will work with MIDI Instrument tracks and Drum Machine tracks. Press the Bank A/B button to switch to the second bank, which continues the scale. 
• Pad 2: Track Record
  In this mode, the top row of pads (Pads 5–8) control the record enable state for the tracks in the current bank. The bottom row of pads (Pads 1–4) can be used to select tracks in the current bank.
• Pad 3: Track Solo/Mute
  In this mode, the top row of pads (Pads 5–8) control the Mute state for tracks in the current bank. The bottom row of pads (Pads 1–4) control the Solo state for tracks in the current bank. 

8. Knob Modes and Mixer Controls

The MPK® mini IV knobs can be used in six different modes with GarageBand. You can toggle between these modes by holding SHIFT and pressing the -/+ buttons. 

Smart Controls:

In this mode, the knobs will be assigned to smart controls for the current track.

Press the -/+ buttons to switch between banks of smart controls 1–8 and 9–16. 

Volume and Pan:

In this mode, the top row of knobs controls the volume of tracks in the current bank, and the bottom row controls the panning of tracks in the current bank.

Press the -/+ buttons to bank through tracks in groups of four. The current bank will be highlighted in GarageBand. 

Sends:

In this mode, the top row of knobs controls the Master Echo send for the current track bank, and the bottom row controls the Master Reverb send.

Turn the encoder to change tracks, which will also change the current track bank in focus. The current bank will be highlighted in GarageBand. 

EQ:

When this mode is selected, GarageBandEQ is automatically added to the current track and the EQ window will open. The knobs control the following EQ functions. 

Navigation:

In this mode, the knobs control important navigation commands in GarageBand. 

User Mode:

In this mode, the knobs are unmapped and send standard MIDI CC messages that can be mapped to plugins in GarageBand.  

9. Troubleshooting

If you are experiencing trouble using the GarageBand control script, you can try the following.

Check that DAW Control Mode is enabled on MPK® mini IV: Press the PLUGIN/DAW button on your MPK® mini IV so that it is lit red, indicating DAW mode is active. 

Reset MIDI drivers in GarageBand: 

1. In GarageBand, open the GarageBand > Settings… menu and navigate to the Audio/MIDI tab. 
2. Click Reset MIDI Drivers.
   
   

Remove the MIDI device from Audio MIDI Setup and reconnect:

1. Close GarageBand if it is open.
2. Disconnect MPK® mini IV from your computer
3. On your macOS computer, go to Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup and open it.
4. Enter the MIDI Studio tab by going to Window > Show MIDI Studio, or by pressing ⌘ (Cmd) + 2.
   
   
   
5. Locate MPK® mini IV in the list of devices, and then remove by selecting it and pressing backspace on your keyboard, or by clicking the – icon in the MIDI Studio window.
   
   
   
   
6. Reconnect MPK® mini IV and reopen GarageBand.