How to set up the M-Audio Axiom 25 to be a control surface for Pro Tools?

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This tutorial has been made relatively obsolete with all of the new versions of the Axiom. If you own one of the original Axioms, please read on.

To use the original Axiom 25 as a control surface for Pro Tools, you will need to re-program it to function like a J.L. Cooper CS-10, and then load the legacy CS-10 controller profile.

Programming the Axiom is easiest with the Enigma software that is down-loadable from the M-Audio Website. If you want to go ahead and program it yourself, you can follow the instructions in my other tutorial. There’s really no need to do that though because I’ve already done the work for you. All you have to do is:

  • make sure your Axiom 25 is plugged in, turned on and recognized properly by your computer
  • download my Axiom25ProToolsController.xml (right click, save Link as)
  • Open the M-Audio Enigma software and ensure that your Axiom is recognized by the software. (The red arrow in this picture shows a properly recognized Axiom).
  • Click file -> load, find the downloaded file and load it. You should now see an item titled “Axiom25ProToolsController” in the Devices and Files pane on the top left hand side of the enigma program window. (this picture shows the xml file properly loaded into Enigma)
  • click and drag the loaded file (“Axiom25ProToolsController”) onto the “Axiom 25″ list item (on the mac, this displays as “Axiom 25 Memory”)
  • Highlight “Axiom 25″ and load it onto the Axiom 25 (file -> upload to device)

Here’s a Video Reference. My controller preset is preset #1 on the Axiom.

Now you need to obtain and install the CS-10 legacy controller profile.

  • download the Legacy MIDI Controllers
  • Unzip the file you downloaded
  • Find the cs10.dll file in the unzipped folder and move or copy it to the following location

    On Mac OS X:     Hard Drive:\Applications\Digidesign\Pro Tools\Controllers
    On Windows XP:     C:\Program Files\Common Files\Digidesign\DAE\Controllers

Please note: These instructions are for Pro Tools versions above 7.0 only. If you are using an older version of Pro Tools, the file you download will be different, and the instructions may vary.

Next is the configuration for Pro Tools:

  • open Pro Tools
  • go into Setup->Peripherals…->Midi Controllers
  • select the CS-10 in the “Type” dropdown on line #1
  • Select Predefined->”USB Axiom 25 in1″ under the “Receive From” column
  • Select Predefined->”USB Axiom 25 out [Emulated]” under the “Send To” column
  • Select 8 in the dropdown for “# Ch’s”

Now you need to load the preset on the Axiom:

  • Press the Advanced Button
  • Press the Recall button
  • select the preset number 1 by pressing the D#2 key (the numbers are in white above the keyboard)
  • Press the enter key (C3 on the keyboard)

You should now be able to use the transport controls to control those aspects of Pro Tools.

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