Axiom Line User Guide
5
English
1.2 Setup
If you intend to connect your Axiom keyboard to a computer, please read sections 1.2 and 1.3 first. If you only intend to use your
Axiom keyboard to control a sound module or synthesizer using the external MIDI OUT you should skip to section 1.4.
1.2.1 Minimum System Requirements
If you are using your Axiom with a computer, the following minimum system requirements apply:
Windows
Mac OS
Pentium 3 800 MHz or higher
Macintosh G3* 800/G4* 733 MHz or higher
(CPU requirement may be higher for laptops)
(CPU requirement may be higher for laptops)
256 MB RAM
OS X 10.3.9 with 256 MB RAM,
DirectX 9.0b or higher
OS X 10.4.2 or greater with 512 MB RAM
Windows XP (SP2) or higher
*G3/G4 accelerator cards are not supported.
(Windows 98, Me, NT or 2000 not supported)
M-Audio suggests you also check the minimum system requirements for your software, as they may be greater than the above.
USB hubs are not supported. M-Audio suggests that you connect directly to one of your computer’s built in USB ports.
1.3 Driver Installation Procedure
Important:
Do not connect the USB cable to a computer until you have read and understood the instructions in the Quick Start
Guide. A printed copy of this is included in the box and you will also find this on the Keyboard Controller Series CD-ROM.
1.3.3 Using The Axiom with Your Software
When installed, the Axiom appears as a simple MIDI device with two input ports and one output port. You should select the first
listed Axiom input port as the MIDI input device in your software. Once this is set, your software should be able to receive notes
and controller data from the Axiom.
If you have connected external MIDI gear like a drum machine or another keyboard to your Axiom’s MIDI IN port, this gear can
be interfaced to the computer by selecting the second listed Axiom input port. This way, your Axiom is acting as a MIDI to USB
interface.
It is also possible to stream data from your computer to external MIDI gear connected to the MIDI OUT port of your Axiom—
effectively a USB to MIDI interface. To do this, you should select the Axiom output device in your software. Note that some other
steps are necessary to make this work that will be fully explained later in this manual.
The port names are defined in the table below. Note that the MIDI ports will appear with different names depending on whether
you are using Mac or PC, and whether you chose to install the Windows multi-client driver (more information on driver installation
and configuration can be found in the printed Quick Start Guide).
USB Input Port from Axiom
Input port from external MIDI IN
USB Output port to Axiom
Mac OS X
USB Axiom Port 1
USB Axiom Port 2
USB Axiom
Windows Class Driver
USB Audio Device*
USB Audio Device*
USB Audio Device*
Windows Multi-Client Driver
USB Axiom In
USB Axiom In (2)
USB Axiom Out
* These will appear as a single USB Audio Device in the Device Manager.
1.4 MIDI Connections
The MIDI Out port accepts a standard 5-pin DIN-type MIDI plug (available from most professional audio retailers).
The MIDI Out port can be used to connect the Axiom to a hardware sequencer, an external synthesizer or sound module, for
example.
