Basic Manual

This manual applies to almost all ParksTool product lines. (Some products may have limited functionality.)

Product Overview

This product is a compact MIDI controller that operates through a USB-C port. It can send keyboard input and various MIDI messages, with simultaneous output through USB and TRS ports. It works in Plug & Play mode, operating immediately without additional drivers when connected to typical PCs or smart devices.

Key Features

  • Simultaneous USB MIDI & TRS MIDI Out output

  • Support for various inputs through keyboard, knobs, dials, faders, etc.

  • Note On/Off, CC, Program Change, Pitch Bend, V-Pot transmission

  • Standard keyboard shortcut input capability (e.g., Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V)

  • Media key mapping support (volume control, play/stop, etc.)

  • Flexible layout switching through Banks (number of Banks may vary according to component count)

  • Identical messages are output simultaneously from USB MIDI and 3.5mm TRS MIDI Out.

  • TRS MIDI supports both Type A / Type B (mode switching possible with switch)

Package Contents

  • Main unit x1

  • (USB cable is not included. User must prepare separately)

System Compatibility

  • Windows 10 or later

  • macOS

  • Linux

  • Android

  • iOS

Works with Plug & Play on all operating systems without additional drivers.

Integration with DAW and DJ Software

This product is a standard USB MIDI device. When you connect it to a computer it appears as a MIDI input device without any driver, so you can use it as it is in any DAW or DJ software that supports MIDI controllers.

Connection Steps

  1. Connect this product to your computer with a USB cable.

  2. In the settings of the software, select this product as the MIDI input device. Depending on the software you may have to add it manually under a name such as “Generic MIDI” or “MIDI Controller”.

  3. Select the parameter you want to control with the MIDI Learn function of the software, then move a control on the product once. That control is now linked to the parameter.

The mapping is done on the software side. On the product you decide which CC number and Channel are sent, in Configuration. A parameter that the software does not open for MIDI assignment cannot be controlled from the product either.

Register it as a MIDI controller, not as a control surface

A DAW has a separate entry for registering a control surface, apart from the MIDI controller settings. Control surface standards such as HUI or Mackie Control include the device telling the DAW what kind of device it is, and the DAW sending screen text and meter displays back to the device. This product does not act as a device of that standard. Do not register it as HUI or Mackie Control. Connect it with MIDI Learn instead.

  • Logic Pro: Use Controller Assignments (Logic Pro > Control Surfaces > Controller Assignments) rather than installing a device under Control Surfaces. Turn on Learn, click the parameter you want to control, then move a control on the product once to link them.

  • Native Instruments plug-ins (Guitar Rig, Massive, Kontakt, etc.): Right-click a parameter in the plug-in window and assign it with MIDI Learn. The dedicated hardware integration of Komplete Kontrol (NKS) is open only to NI own devices, so it cannot be used with this product.

Note

Even without registering it as a control surface, the product still receives value feedback from the DAW. If you route the MIDI output of the DAW to this product, the encoders follow the current value in the DAW, so the value does not jump when you touch a control after changing it on screen. If you do not want this behaviour, turn it off with IGNORE MIDI IN in the Web Configurator.

Note

If you configure this product to send Pitch Bend or vpot, it can control the faders and trim of a device that receives Mackie Control Protocol (for example a Sound Devices 833 / 888 recorder). This is a different matter from registering it as a control surface in a DAW. See Mackie Control Protocol (MCP) Integration for how to set it up.

Which Control Suits What

  • Potentiometers and Faders send an absolute position as the value. The position of the knob or fader is the value itself, which suits parameters such as volume or EQ where you want to read the current value at a glance.

  • Encoders turn endlessly and send only the amount of change. They suit fine adjustment while watching the value on screen, or assigning a different parameter for each Bank.

Examples

  • With the stem feature of DJ software, assign four potentiometers to the volume of the four stems of one deck. One product with 8 potentiometers (8P2K) covers two decks, and two of them cover four decks.

  • In a DAW, control track volume and EQ. When you switch the Bank, the same controls act on a different track.

Note

After a Bank switch, the physical position of a control and the value in the software can differ. If you enable ENABLE ANTI-JUMPING in the Web Configurator, the control sends no MIDI message until it reaches the position stored earlier, so the value does not jump. See Advanced Configuration for details.

Product Operation Test Guide

If you want to verify that the product works properly when first connected, follow these steps:

  1. Install the free MIDI monitoring software called MidiView. (midiview.com, supports Windows and macOS)

  2. Connect this product to your computer with a USB cable.

  3. Select this product from the device list in MidiView.

  4. When you operate knobs or keys, MIDI messages will be displayed in real-time on the screen according to your operations.

Through this process, you can quickly verify that the product is properly recognized and transmitting MIDI data.

LED

The LED layout differs from product to product. Every product has a power LED, but some products have no communication / Bank indicator LED. For example, the 8ES has only a power LED.

  • Power LED: Located at the top left; it is always on while USB power is supplied.

    • This LED only shows that USB 5V power is present and says nothing about data communication. The computer may therefore fail to recognize the product even while the power LED is on. In that case, see Troubleshooting & FAQ.

  • Bottom-right LED (only on products that have one):

    • By default, it displays USB communication status.

      • Red: Device → PC data transmission in progress

      • Blue: PC → Device data reception in progress

    • When switching Banks, this LED operates as an indicator showing Bank status:

      • Bank 0: LED off (maintains default communication status LED function)

      • Bank 1: Red

      • Bank 2: Blue

      • Bank 3: Purple

    • Bank LED indication is supported up to Bank 3.

      Applied from June 2025 products. Previous products may have different colors and LED positions.

Bank System

  • The number of Banks varies by product. For example, a product with 24 potentiometers can have 3 Banks, while a product with 4 encoders and 2 keys can have up to 14 Banks. (Based on firmware version 8, subject to future changes)

  • Each Bank can have different MIDI channel and CC value configurations.

  • Bank switching is usually assigned to Keys (push buttons) and is most intuitive.

    • Also possible with Encoders, Potentiometers, etc.

  • Automatic LED status update when switching Banks

  • Bank information is retained even after power off/on (stored in internal memory)

TRS Port

  • Almost all products have a TRS MIDI out port. A TRS to MIDI converter is required, and cable type is recommended.

If using USB and TRS MIDI out simultaneously on the same power system, a USB isolator may be required.

Power Supply Requirements

  • USB power supply is absolutely required even when using TRS output

  • This product is not a passive device, and the TRS cable itself does not include power

  • When supplying USB power, you can use the following methods:

    • Using Power Bank (Portable Battery)

      This product uses a very small amount of power. When using too little power, power banks automatically cut off power. This is an intelligent feature to prevent overcharging when charging typical smartphone devices. However, these features are problematic when using this product with a power bank. Therefore, when using a power bank, you must activate low power mode. This is usually done by double-clicking the power bank button. This varies by power bank manufacturer. Some products may not have a low power mode. In such cases, we recommend using other USB LED lights, fans, or other devices that consume more power together.

    • Using a wall charger (USB adapter)

    • Using USB ports on computers or hubs