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Music Production Workflows

Complete Conductor configurations for music producers using DAWs, sample libraries, and production software.

Overview

Conductor transforms MIDI controllers into intelligent, context-aware control surfaces for music production. Use velocity sensitivity, per-app profiles, and LED feedback to create efficient recording and mixing workflows.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Velocity-sensitive recording workflows
  • Per-app profile switching for different DAWs
  • LED feedback for visual mode indicators
  • Hybrid MIDI+gamepad setups for hands-free control

Quick Start: Velocity-Sensitive Recording

The killer feature for producers: map different recording modes to velocity ranges on a single pad.

Configuration

[device]
name = "Music Production Setup"
auto_connect = true

[[modes]]
name = "Recording"
color = "red"

# Soft press = Loop Record
[[modes.mappings]]
description = "Pad 1 Soft: Loop Record"
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "VelocityRange"
note = 36
min_velocity = 0
max_velocity = 40
[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Keystroke"
keys = "r"
modifiers = ["cmd"]

# Medium press = Punch Record
[[modes.mappings]]
description = "Pad 1 Medium: Punch Record"
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "VelocityRange"
note = 36
min_velocity = 41
max_velocity = 80
[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Keystroke"
keys = "p"
modifiers = ["cmd", "shift"]

# Hard press = Toggle Record Enable
[[modes.mappings]]
description = "Pad 1 Hard: Record Enable"
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "VelocityRange"
note = 36
min_velocity = 81
max_velocity = 127
[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Keystroke"
keys = "r"
modifiers = ["opt", "cmd"]

Result: One pad, three recording modes based on velocity. No more mode switching!

Ableton Live Integration

Full control surface setup for Ableton Live with transport, clip launching, and mixer control.

Hardware Recommendations

  • MIDI Controller: Maschine Mikro MK3, Launchpad Mini, APC Mini
  • Optional Gamepad: Xbox/PlayStation controller for navigation

Complete Configuration

[device]
name = "Ableton Live Control"
auto_connect = true

[advanced_settings]
hold_threshold_ms = 1000
double_tap_timeout_ms = 300

# ========== Mode 1: Recording ==========
[[modes]]
name = "Recording"
color = "red"

# Transport Controls (Pads 1-4)
[[modes.mappings]]
description = "Pad 1: Play/Pause"
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "Note"
note = 36
[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Keystroke"
keys = "Space"

[[modes.mappings]]
description = "Pad 2: Stop"
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "Note"
note = 37
[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Keystroke"
keys = "Space"
modifiers = ["shift"]

[[modes.mappings]]
description = "Pad 3: Record (Velocity-Sensitive)"
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "VelocityRange"
note = 38
min_velocity = 0
max_velocity = 80
[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Keystroke"
keys = "F9"

[[modes.mappings]]
description = "Pad 3 Hard: Overdub Record"
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "VelocityRange"
note = 38
min_velocity = 81
max_velocity = 127
[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Keystroke"
keys = "F9"
modifiers = ["shift"]

# Clip Launch (Pads 5-12)
[[modes.mappings]]
description = "Pad 5-12: Launch Clips in Scene"
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "Note"
note = 40
[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Keystroke"
keys = "Return"

# ========== Mode 2: Mixing ==========
[[modes]]
name = "Mixing"
color = "green"

# Volume (Encoders or Velocity-Mapped Pads)
[[modes.mappings]]
description = "Encoder 1: Master Volume"
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "EncoderTurn"
encoder = 1
direction = "Clockwise"
[modes.mappings.action]
type = "VolumeControl"
operation = "Up"

# Send Effects
[[modes.mappings]]
description = "Pad 1-4: Toggle Send A/B/C/D"
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "Note"
note = 36
[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Keystroke"
keys = "1"
modifiers = ["opt", "cmd"]

# ========== Global: Mode Switching ==========
[[global_mappings]]
description = "Encoder Turn: Cycle Modes"
[global_mappings.trigger]
type = "EncoderTurn"
encoder = 0
direction = "Clockwise"
[global_mappings.action]
type = "ModeChange"
mode = "Mixing"

Workflow Tips

  • Use velocity for recording modes: Soft = loop, hard = punch
  • LED feedback: Configure LED schemes to show current mode (red = recording, green = mixing)
  • Per-track control: Map pads to track-specific record enable buttons

Logic Pro X Integration

Optimized for Logic Pro’s workflow with Smart Controls, Drummer, and arrangement features.

[See detailed Logic Pro examples in the Logic Pro Integration guide]

FL Studio Integration

Quick Setup

[[modes]]
name = "FL Studio"
color = "orange"

# Piano Roll
[[modes.mappings]]
description = "Pad 1: Open Piano Roll"
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "Note"
note = 36
[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Keystroke"
keys = "F7"

# Mixer
[[modes.mappings]]
description = "Pad 2: Open Mixer"
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "Note"
note = 37
[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Keystroke"
keys = "F9"

# Pattern/Song Mode Toggle
[[modes.mappings]]
description = "Pad 3: Toggle Pattern/Song"
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "Note"
note = 38
[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Keystroke"
keys = "F8"

Hybrid MIDI + Gamepad Workflow

Combine MIDI controller for recording with gamepad for DAW navigation.

Setup

  • MIDI: Maschine, Launchpad, or APC for pads and encoders
  • Gamepad: Xbox/PlayStation controller for transport and navigation
[device]
name = "Hybrid Production Setup"

# MIDI Mappings (Note range 0-127)
[[modes.mappings]]
description = "MIDI Pad 1: Record"
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "Note"
note = 36
[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Keystroke"
keys = "r"
modifiers = ["cmd"]

# Gamepad Mappings (Button range 128-255)
[[modes.mappings]]
description = "Xbox A: Play/Pause"
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "GamepadButton"
button = 128
[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Keystroke"
keys = "Space"

[[modes.mappings]]
description = "Xbox D-Pad: Track Navigation"
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "GamepadButton"
button = 132  # D-Pad Up
[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Keystroke"
keys = "UpArrow"

Why This Works: Keep hands on MIDI pads for recording, use thumbs on gamepad for transport.

Sample Libraries & Virtual Instruments

Kontakt / Native Instruments

[[modes.mappings]]
description = "Pad Hold: Articulation Switching"
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "LongPress"
note = 36
duration_ms = 1000
[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Keystroke"
keys = "1"
modifiers = ["ctrl"]

Splice Integration

Quick sample browser navigation:

[[modes.mappings]]
description = "Encoder: Browse Samples"
[modes.mappings.trigger]
type = "EncoderTurn"
encoder = 1
direction = "Clockwise"
[modes.mappings.action]
type = "Keystroke"
keys = "DownArrow"

Hardware Recommendations

Budget Setup ($0-50)

  • Reuse existing: Maschine, Launchpad, Xbox controller
  • Software: Any DAW (Ableton, Logic, FL Studio)
  • Cost: $0 (repurpose hardware)

Mid-Range Setup ($50-200)

  • MIDI Controller: Arturia BeatStep ($99)
  • Gamepad: Xbox Elite Controller ($180) or Standard ($60)
  • Hybrid: Best of both worlds

Pro Setup ($200+)

  • MIDI: Maschine MK3 ($599)
  • Optional: Stream Deck for visual feedback ($150)
  • Result: Professional control surface

Troubleshooting

MIDI Latency Issues

  • Problem: Delayed response from MIDI pads
  • Solution: Reduce buffer size in DAW preferences (128 samples or lower)
  • Conductor Impact: <1ms latency on Conductor side, latency is DAW-side

Velocity Not Working

  • Problem: All presses trigger same action regardless of velocity
  • Solution: Check MIDI controller supports velocity sensitivity
  • Test: Use cargo run --bin midi_diagnostic to verify velocity values

Per-App Profiles Not Switching

  • Problem: Same mappings work in all apps
  • Solution: Enable per-app profiles in Conductor config
  • Check: Ensure app names match exactly (case-sensitive)

Next Steps