MIDI Monitor

Module ID: midi.monitor Category: MIDI Header Color: Magenta

The MIDI Monitor module

Description

The MIDI Monitor displays incoming MIDI data in real-time, helping you debug MIDI connections, verify controller mappings, and understand what data your MIDI devices are sending. It's an essential diagnostic tool.

Inputs

Outputs

This module has no outputs—it's purely for monitoring.

Display Elements

The monitor shows real-time MIDI activity:

Note Display

Note: C4 (60) Vel: 100 Ch: 1

Shows note name, MIDI number, velocity, and channel.

CC Display

CC 1: 64  (Mod Wheel)
CC 7: 100 (Volume)

Shows controller number, value, and common CC names.

Pitch Bend

Bend: +0.50

Shows pitch bend position (-1.0 to +1.0).

Aftertouch

AT: 45 (Channel)

Shows aftertouch pressure value.

Activity Indicators

• LED flashes on any MIDI activity
• Separate indicators for Notes, CC, etc.

Parameters

Usage Tips

Debugging MIDI Connections

1. Add a MIDI Monitor to your patch
2. Play your MIDI controller
3. Watch the display for incoming data

If nothing appears:

• Check MIDI cable connections
• Verify MIDI device is selected in system settings
• Try a different MIDI channel

Learning Controller Mappings

Find out what CC numbers your controller sends:

1. Add MIDI Monitor
2. Move a knob/fader on your controller
3. Note the CC number displayed
4. Use that CC number for MIDI Learn

Verifying Velocity Response

Check that velocity is being transmitted:

1. Watch the velocity values while playing
2. Play soft and hard to see range
3. Adjust velocity curve if needed

Checking Pitch Bend Range

Verify pitch bend is working:

1. Move the pitch bend wheel fully
2. Watch the Bend value
3. Should range from -1.0 to +1.0

Troubleshooting Stuck Notes

If notes are stuck:

1. Watch for Note Off messages
2. Check for matching Note On/Off pairs
3. A missing Note Off indicates a MIDI problem

Channel Identification

When using multiple MIDI devices:

1. Set Channel Filter to "All"
2. Play each device
3. Note which channel each uses
4. Configure MIDI Note modules accordingly

Common MIDI CC Numbers

Display Format Examples

Note On

[NOTE] C4 (60) vel:100 ch:1 ON

Note Off

[NOTE] C4 (60) ch:1 OFF

Control Change

[CC] #1 = 64 ch:1 (Mod Wheel)

Pitch Bend

[BEND] +0.245 ch:1

Aftertouch

[AT] pressure:78 ch:1

Connection Examples

Basic Monitoring

[MIDI Device] ──> [MIDI Monitor]
              ──> [MIDI Note] ──> [Synth]

Monitor MIDI while also using it.

Multi-Channel Debugging

[MIDI Device] ──> [MIDI Monitor (All Channels)]
              ──> [MIDI Note (Ch 1)] ──> [Bass Synth]
              ──> [MIDI Note (Ch 2)] ──> [Lead Synth]

Controller Programming

[MIDI Controller] ──> [MIDI Monitor]

Use monitor to learn what your controller sends before mapping.

Tips

1. Always useful during setup: Add a monitor when connecting new MIDI gear
2. Filter noise: Use channel filtering if one device is too active
3. Watch for patterns: MIDI problems often show up as missing events
4. Remove when done: Monitor uses some resources; remove in final patches
5. Check both ends: If nothing appears, verify MIDI is being sent from the source

Troubleshooting Guide

Related Modules

• MIDI Note - Convert monitored MIDI to CV
• Keyboard Input - Alternative non-MIDI input