ProxiMIDI is a USB MIDI controller that gives you the ability to control sound by moving your hand through the air. ProxiMIDI can detect both the location of your hand and how much your hand is moving. It can be used to control digital audio workstations, synths, samplers, and more.
ProxiMIDI also provides visual feedback via embedded lights to help you play more accurately and to visually enhance your performance.
Each ProxiMIDI is built individually using solid hardwood, resin, stainless steel fasteners, and electrical components in a small workshop in Brooklyn, New York, USA. ProxiMIDI is currently available in three sustainably-harvested North-American wood species: walnut, cherry, and maple.
Learn more about the capabilities of ProxiMIDI.
To create sound, a MIDI controller must be used in conjunction with a sound generating device such as a computer or synthesizer.
This application gives you the ability to customize your ProxiMIDI settings as well as save custom presets.
The included cable is USB-C to USB-A, however, using a USB-C to USB-C cable should also work, as long as that cable can transfer data.
ProxiMIDI will be available as a MIDI input - just like any other MIDI controller. ProxiMIDI can be used to control instruments or to control parameters within the D.A.W. interface through MIDI mapping.
The sensor can "see" your hand when it is located above the center hole. The playable area is the column of air starting at the top surface of your ProxiMIDI and ending 60 cm above (about 2 feet).
Windows operating system only allows one application to receive MIDI at a time. This means that on Windows you have to close all other midi-compatible applications, such as your digital audio workstation, before opening ProxiMIDI Control.
When you open ProxiMIDI Control, all of the current settings of your ProxiMIDI will be displayed. Any adjustments that you make will be automatically saved to the current preset.
ProxiMIDI has internal memory, so your presets will persist even after disconnecting your device.
Hover your cursor over any setting in ProxiMIDI Control to learn more about it.
ProxiMIDI can store up to seven presets at a time. A preset stores all of your preferred settings for a particular use, song, instrument etc. and then you can easily switch between them.
Use the Preset dropdown menu in the top left corner.
To change presets using "Wave":Quickly wave your hand back and forth across the top surface of ProxiMIDI. Your hand must pass over the center hole two times within the span of about one second. ("Wave" must be toggled on).
Each preset is numbered and also assigned a color of your choice. The color helps to identify which preset you're using without needing to open the software.
ProxiMIDI sends MIDI over USB - just like many modern controllers. If your synth has a USB input (host) port, ProxiMIDI should be able to connect directly and control it. This kind of port is usually USB type-A.
If your synth does not have a USB input: You will need a separate device between your ProxiMIDI and your hardware synth. This device needs to both power the ProxiMIDI and convert MIDI over USB to MIDI over 5-pin DIN. If you want to accomplish this without using a computer, you will need a hardware device called a MIDI USB host. ProxiMIDI has been tested with both the Kenton MIDI USB host and the DoreMIDI USB MIDI Host.
Note: You can cycle through your saved presets by simply waving your hand across the top surface, however, to make edits to your presets you will need to temporarily connect ProxiMIDI to a computer and use the ProxiMIDI Control application.
ProxiMIDI is most easy to use with desktop/laptop computers, however, it is also possible to use ProxiMIDI with iOS devices. This only works if you connect your ProxiMIDI to the iOS device through a powered USB hub.
Android devices are not currently supported, but will likely work using the same method as above (powered USB hub).
Note: You can cycle through your saved presets by simply waving your hand across the top surface, however, to make edits to your presets you will need to temporarily connect ProxiMIDI to a computer and use the ProxiMIDI Control application.
ProxiMIDI is great for adding expression alongside a keyboard or a pad
controller. First, make sure that you have selected "Expression Mode" in
ProxiMIDI Control. Then ensure that your instrument track / virtual instrument is
accepting
multiple MIDI inputs. This will be the default
behavior of new instrument tracks in most digital audio workstations.
Now you
should be able to play notes on your other controller and control parameters such as
modulation, pitch bend, volume, and more using ProxiMIDI.
No. ProxiMIDI Control only needs to be open when you want to make changes to your device. Presets are stored on the hardware itself so you can quit the application whenever you want. You can even cycle through your saved presets without opening the application by waving your hand across the top surface.
Yes. If you have multiple USB ports you can use more than one ProxiMIDI at the same time inside your D.A.W., with virtual instruments, with a hardware synth etc. The only limitation is that you can only edit the presets of one ProxiMIDI at a time. Therefore when using ProxiMIDI Control to edit your presets, you may need need to temporarily disconnect your other ProxiMIDI.
The auto tuning feature is based on MIDI Pitch Bend. You need to make sure that the Pitch Bend Range setting of the instrument that you are controlling matches the "Pitch Range" setting of your ProxiMIDI - this can be viewed and adjusted using the ProxiMIDI Control application.
Every ProxiMIDI is functionally identical but aesthetically unique. The different wood options change only the appearance of your device.
Yes. ProxiMIDI is a class-compliant MIDI controller which means that the
hardware is fully compatible with Windows - ProxiMIDI will connect just
like any other MIDI controller.
The workflow of using ProxiMIDI Control (to edit your
presets) is slightly different on Windows. The software
capabilities are exactly the same between MacOS and Windows - the difference is that
on Windows you may need to close all other MIDI-compatible applications
before opening ProxiMIDI Control.
Unfortunately, this is a limitation built into the Windows operating system.
Windows only allows one application to communicate with a MIDI controller at a
time.
This means that you need to:
Copper & Cedar provides a one-year Standard Limited Warranty for this product only to the person or entity that originally purchased the product. The warranty period starts on the date of purchase. Copper & Cedar warrants the hardware against defects in worksmanship and materials during the warranty period. Copper & Cedar does not warrant against normal wear and tear, nor damage caused by accident or abuses due to improper operation. You will be required to provide proof of purchase as a condition of receiving warranty service.
If you own a ProxiMIDI and you cannot find the answer that you need,
submit a support request here.