Just got a new PC (32GB RAM, 1 TB SSD) with windows 11. I installed cubase 15LE and the latest driver and firmware for my trusty Zoom R16. The audio interface works fine. The makie controls (Faders, start/stop etc.)do not.
I’ve used exactly the same set up as on the old PC (Running windows 10). The same hardware/cable etc. works fine on the old PC but not on the new one.
The R16 driver is selected in the ‘Midi input’ and ‘Midi output’ of the ‘Makie Control’ in ’Studio Setup’.
I’ve tried re-installing cubase 15 LE and the drivers. No improvement.
I’ve also tried installing older versions of cubase (11 LE and also 13 Elements) still the same issue. Audio is fine but no controls.
Is this a Windows 11 thing??
Hi and welcome to the forum,
Add the MIDI Monitor MIDI plugin to the given MIDI Input Port (Zoom 16 MIDI Input) and test if Cubase receives the MIDI data via the given MIDI Port, please.
Hi Martin and thanks for responding and sorry it took a while to get back to you.
And thanks for your logical suggestion.
I can confirm that Cubase is not receiving midi data from the Zoom R16
The R16 is receiving midi data though, as the ‘stop’, ‘play’ and ‘record’ buttons on the R16 light up corresponding with what’s happening on screen, but when I press the buttons or faders on the R16… nothing.
I’ve plugged the R16 into my old Windows 10 PC to compare and it works fine both ways.
I’ve also tried a keyboard (Launchkey 25) in my new set up (Windows 11 and Cubase) and the midi data is sending/receiving fine in cubase…
Hi,
I’m sorry, I don’t know the device.
Should it control the faders of the MixConsole? Aren’t there multiple modes?
Hi Martin Yes… The Zoom R16 is basically a mixer/recorder. Connect to PC via usb and it’s an audio interface (8 inputs, and stereo output) this is working fine and dandy
When the R16 driver is assigned in ‘makie control’ in the studio set up menu It (should) control the master and 8 channel faders in the mix control and start, stop, record functions and some assignable buttons.
Really useful bit of kit. R16 Recorder | Buy Now | ZOOM
all physical connections are the same as the working set up on my old (on its last legs) windows 10 pc. The zoom website sites that the R16 is compatible with windows 11… I’m stumped!
Just to rule something in or out @Chris_Smith
Can you download the checker tool from About Windows MIDI Services - Windows MIDI Services and tell me if it reports that the new MIDI stack is enabled on your PC? You need to run it from Windows Terminal.
If it reports that the new stack is enabled, can you then look at the MIDI monitor in Cubase on your Windows 10 PC, press the play/pause/etc. buttons you mentioned did not work, and then do exactly the same on the Windows 11 PC? (Please post the screen shots here)
I’m specifically looking to see if there’s a translation problem here, because Mackie control bends some MIDI rules, especially around using Note On with zero velocity.
Edit: One last item: Please ensure your zoom is plugged in and powered on (and in Mackie mode if there’s anything that needs to be done on the device) before starting Cubase.
Pete
Microsoft
Thanks for this. I won’t have time before the weekend to try this out, so… I’ll get back to you then. Cheers!
Hi everyone,
I’m having exactly the same problem that Chris explained with my interface-controller Zoom R16: the audio interface and Midi Out are working perfectly (record, mute, solo lights all working well), but Midi Input for transport controllers, faders and setting buttons doesn’t work. If I’m not mistaken, this started in November 2025 after an automatic Windows 11 update, my Pc’s current OS.
Here is a capture that I obtained executing the Midi-check-service.exe that Psychlist1972 shared (thanks a lot!):
Apparently wdmaud2.drv isn’t working or has not yet been enabled, as shown in the command window. How can I fix this?
I would greatly appreciate your help. Thanks in advance!,
Greetings from Chile! 
Nicolas
There’s nothing to fix. It’s telling you that the new Windows MIDI Services stack has not yet been enabled on your PC. Whatever issue you’re having with the device, it’s not related to the MIDI rollout.
IOW, you are using the older MIDI stack in Windows, and everything should work.
Pete
Microsoft
Hi Pete, Thanks for your answer and time.
Then, I don’t know what’s happening. I didn’t change any of the Midi configurations from Cubase that were always working. I will try to prove if the R16-device works in an older windows version (as Chris prove it), because it’s currently working well in its functions as audio interface and analog recorder, and also check it with the midicheckservice.exe as soon as possible.
Thanks a lot for your help!
You can still roll back the update (Settings > Windows Update > Update History > Uninstall Updates and pick the January 2026 Preview Update). It has quite a bit in it. Perhaps there’s something else in there that’s causing issues outside the MIDI stack.
If you do that and it works, please let me know.
Pete
Microsoft
Hi Pete Did you get anywhere with uninstalling the windows updates?
Nicolas have you sorted it yet?
Did you mean this for me? Last request I had was for you to download the checker tool and see if you are running the new MIDI stack. I did provide instructions for Nicolas to uninstall the KB update if needed, but I don’t have any actions to take about uninstalling updates.
Main known issues and link to the tool to check to see if this applies to you or not
Pete
Microsoft
Hi Chris and Pete:
Please excuse the delay in responding, but I haven’t been able to work on my computer these past few days due to work commitments outside home.
Last night I uninstalled the latest January update on my computer; however, it didn’t work with the MIDI input function of the R16 device, since, unfortunately, there are still no changes on its behavior in Cubase.
This weekend I’ll try to fix it by uninstalling other updates or testing it on a different operating system.
Thanks again for your help. If I find any significant improvements, I’ll let you know.
Thanks. The January update was the one with the new MIDI stack (which may or may not have been enabled on your PC). No MIDI changes in earlier updates. So any issues would be due to something else.
Pete
Microsoft
