I bought this MIDI Keyboard (Donner DMK25 Pro) that claims it’s ready to use out of the box, which is technically true in that the buttons and keys are capable of playing whatever instrument or SFX I select in Cubase LE AI (which was bundled with this device). The problem is that some of the assignable sliders and knobs are not being properly configured in the program, nor are the transport buttons (the latter are treated as assignable sound pads/keys as well).
I was dismayed to find that Donner was not included in the list of Midi Controllers for the program, and when I looked online for user-created scripts I couldn’t find any for this particular device. People talked about it but didn’t share how they had set this up.
I’m new to music production and devices like this, and I’ve been disheartened that my experience hasn’t been very new user friendly so far. If I understand correctly, I need to set up the MIDI remote in Cubase for the keyboard’s full functionality (eg. the transporter buttons and assignable sliders/knobs) to work. I’ve tried manually setting up the MIDI keyboard using the Cubase “MIDI Remote” panel, but it doesn’t seem to recognize the buttons I’m assigning in the layout. They remain orange (signifying they are “incorrect”), and my changes do not save when I exit the panel. As far as I can tell I’m assigning the correct elements of my MIDI keyboard to the designated controls in the program. I’m even trying to arrange the elements in the same places on the “MIDI Remote” panel grid. It’s still remaining orange and I can’t fathom why.
How do I fix this problem so that I can properly use the assignable knobs and sliders, and use the transporter buttons on my device as intended? It’s inconvenient to record things by having to click on the keyboard or use my mouse, and I have a strong feeling I’m missing out on other quality-of-life features that my MIDI keyboard might be able to provide should it be programmed properly.
There is a manual, but it doesn’t provide specific instructions on how to program the MIDI keyboard for Cubase LE. It even says on the transport button section that it needs to be mapped manually.
If no one can point to a user-script, then I guess I’ll settle for just figuring out how to map the transport buttons. Where in Cubase LE do I go to do that? When I go to edit the MIDI control surface in the Midi Remote panel, I don’t see the transport buttons as an option to map. I tried placing a button, then right clicking and going to the MIDI Remote mapping assistant, but even after assigning the appropriate function to the button and arranging it on the grid, it still remains orange. When I try to save and exit, it says the orange elements are not correctly programmed and will be erased. So what am I doing wrong?
I’m attaching screenshots of the manual, the MIDI Remote panel controller surface editor, and the MIDI remote mapping assistant (with the configuration for the button that is orange.)
Yep, tried that too. Even though my MIDI keyboard is plugged in, the app says that it can’t detect it, possibly because of DFU mode being active. I can’t seem to figure out how to switch this mode off, and I didn’t see an answer in the manual about it. I’ve emailed Donner support for help with that as my Google-fu has yielded no specific answers. (Sorry, my deleted comment was just this same message. I thought I hadn’t hit reply, but I had.)
Okay. I plugged the keyboard in first, then started up Donner Control. But this doesn’t appear to be the way to get the transport buttons properly mapped within Cubase LE. As far as I can tell, you can change if the button mode is momentary or toggle. I have no idea what CC or CN are. I’ve attached a screenshot of the Donner Control page.
This seems more like it’s for tweaking how messages are sent, changing the scale of the keyboard, and changing the lights on my keyboard (because the velocity pads light up), not necessarily for programming buttons within programs for specific usage. (Like my Intuos drawing tablet does for various programs. There I can program macros and assign keystrokes/clicks to the various buttons on the tablet buttons and the tablet pen.)
Did you ever get this figured out Amanda?
I too got this same Donner DMK25 Pro mini controller to try and have found the same as you in scripts for Cubase, or any other DAW for that matter… none!
You ask very good/clear questions and seem to have “gone down the rabbit hole” way more than I have with programming options. Kudo’s to you for effort and understanding!
I haven’t done it yet, but what you last said above is accurate… the Donner Control is indeed where you would change/experiment with CC msgs sent to control Cubase. If they don’t match, then you’d get something alternate happening, IE hit Loop button, and Cubase may do something unexpected like Solo the active track or etc…
Its cool that Donner supplies a Control Center type software for all of the programming options avail in the mini 25 Pro, but I wish either Donner or Steinberg would have made a working/downloadable Template for immediate Cubase compatibility since there is an obvious partnership venture with this keyboard and Steinberg (as it comes with Cubase LE, Wavelab Le, and Cubasis LE) stated right on the “Tin” and website product description… You’d think it would be easier to use there…
I’m a bit late to the party but for me the midi remote editor within Cubase is the way to go rather than donner control actually changing the midi messages to anything specific. You were nearly there in your first post. Attaching a script that works for me mapping the transport and faders which I assigned to the 1st 4 channel volumes but it’s likely you’ll want them on other things (if it works for you). My transport buttons map as CC15-20, I think that is the default settings. Donner_25Pro.midiremote (3.5 KB)
