POUNDING
← Gamepad MIDI
Pounding Systems
Documentation

Advanced Features

This guide covers advanced features and power-user options in Gamepad MIDI.

Stick Area

Found on the Left Stick and Right Stick tabs, below the smoothing slider.

An analog stick can address a square area or a circular one, and the two trade against each other. Neither is more correct — it depends on what the stick is driving.

Square (the default)

The stick pair is expanded so both axes reach their full range at once, including in the corners. The cost is that near a diagonal the dominant axis flattens off, so pushing further around the edge stops changing it.

Best when each axis drives its own separate parameter and you want the whole range from both.

Circular

The pair is scaled by its distance from centre instead, so that distance stays even at every angle. Motion around the circle is smooth and continuous. The cost is the corners: on controllers whose sticks physically reach a square shape, the outermost diagonal travel is clamped and stops responding.

Best when one stick drives two parameters together as an XY pad, where continuous motion matters more than reaching the maximum of either parameter.

Notes

  • The setting covers both sticks and is saved with the preset.
  • Square reproduces exactly what Gamepad MIDI did before this option existed, so upgrading changes nothing unless you switch it yourself.
  • How much you give up in circular mode depends on your controller's stick shape, which varies by manufacturer.

Always on Top

Keep the Gamepad MIDI window visible above all other applications.

Enabling Always on Top

  1. Open the mapping editor (right panel)
  2. Find the "Always on Top" checkbox in the menu bar area
  3. Click to enable

When Enabled:

  • Gamepad MIDI window stays above all other windows
  • Useful when working with a DAW in the background
  • Make adjustments without switching windows
  • Monitor MIDI values in real-time

When Disabled:

  • Normal window behavior
  • Can be covered by other windows
  • Standard window stacking

Use Cases

Live Performance:

  • Keep controls visible during a set
  • Quick adjustments while performing
  • Monitor gamepad status

Studio Work:

  • View mappings while DAW is in focus
  • Check MIDI values without switching windows
  • Reference while tweaking parameters

Tip: The setting persists between sessions.

Motion Sensor Control

Advanced control using gyroscope and accelerometer sensors.

Gyroscope

The gyroscope detects rotational movement (tilt).

Enabling the Gyroscope

  1. Navigate to the Gyroscope tab in the mapping editor
  2. Find the "Enable Gyroscope" toggle at the top
  3. Click to enable

Note: Your gamepad must support gyroscope sensors (PlayStation DualShock 4/DualSense, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller).

Understanding Gyroscope Axes

X Axis: Tilt left/right

  • Tilt controller left = negative values
  • Tilt controller right = positive values
  • Range: -1.0 to +1.0

Y Axis: Tilt forward/back

  • Tilt controller forward = negative values
  • Tilt controller back = positive values
  • Range: -1.0 to +1.0

Gyroscope Smoothing

Gyroscope data can be noisy. Use high smoothing values (0.92-0.98) to reduce jitter.

Adjust in: System tab → Gyroscope Smoothing slider

Creative Uses

  • Filter sweeps - Tilt to change cutoff frequency
  • Vibrato - Subtle tilting for pitch modulation
  • Panning - Tilt left/right to pan audio
  • Effect mix - Tilt to blend dry/wet signals
  • Expression - Natural movement for dynamics

Accelerometer

The accelerometer detects linear acceleration (shake/movement).

Enabling the Accelerometer

  1. Navigate to the Accelerometer tab in the mapping editor
  2. Find the "Enable Accelerometer" toggle at the top
  3. Click to enable

Note: Your gamepad must support accelerometer sensors (PlayStation DualShock 4/DualSense, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller).

Understanding Accelerometer Axes

X Axis: Shake left/right

  • Shake left = negative values
  • Shake right = positive values
  • Range: -1.0 to +1.0

Y Axis: Shake forward/back

  • Shake forward = negative values
  • Shake back = positive values
  • Range: -1.0 to +1.0

Accelerometer Smoothing

Like gyroscope, accelerometer needs smoothing. Use values of 0.92-0.98.

Adjust in: System tab → Accelerometer Smoothing slider

Creative Uses

  • Rhythmic control - Shake in time with music
  • Tremolo effects - Rapid shaking for modulation
  • Dynamic control - Movement intensity affects parameters
  • Percussion - Shake to trigger or modulate drums
  • Chaos/randomness - Controlled randomness via movement

Battery Considerations

Motion sensors consume more battery power:

  • Enable only when needed
  • Disable when not using motion control
  • Saves battery on wireless controllers

Multiple Mappings Per Control

Assign multiple MIDI messages to a single gamepad control for complex parameter control.

Why Use Multiple Mappings?

Control Multiple Parameters:

  • One stick controls filter and resonance simultaneously
  • Single trigger affects volume and reverb send
  • Button triggers note and changes effect state

Layer Different Channels:

  • Send to multiple MIDI channels
  • Control multiple instruments with one control
  • Create complex macro controls

Combine CC and Note Messages:

  • Stick sends CC for filter while also triggering notes at extremes
  • Button sends CC value and note simultaneously

Creating Multiple Mappings

  1. Create the first mapping normally
  2. Click "Add Mapping" again on the same control
  3. Configure the second mapping
  4. Repeat as needed

No Limit: You can add as many mappings as you want to a single control.

Example: Dual-Layer Synth Control

Goal: Left Stick X controls two synth parameters

Configuration:

  • Mapping 1: CC 74 (Filter Cutoff), Channel 1
  • Mapping 2: CC 71 (Resonance), Channel 1, Min: 0, Max: 64

Result: Moving the stick sweeps the filter while simultaneously increasing resonance to a maximum of 50%.

Example: Multi-Instrument Control

Goal: Right Trigger controls volume on three tracks

Configuration:

  • Mapping 1: CC 7, Channel 1 (Track 1 Volume)
  • Mapping 2: CC 7, Channel 2 (Track 2 Volume)
  • Mapping 3: CC 7, Channel 3 (Track 3 Volume)

Result: Single trigger fades three tracks together.

Managing Multiple Mappings

Editing:

  • Each mapping has its own Edit button
  • Change independently
  • No affect on other mappings

Deleting:

  • Each mapping has its own Delete button
  • Remove individual mappings without affecting others

Ordering:

  • Mappings appear in the order created
  • All fire simultaneously (order doesn't matter for MIDI output)

MIDI Channel Strategy

Advanced organization using MIDI channels.

Understanding MIDI Channels

MIDI supports 16 independent channels (1-16):

  • Each channel can control different instruments
  • Same CC number on different channels = independent control
  • Organize complex setups

Channel Organization Patterns

Pattern 1: By Instrument Type

  • Channel 1: Lead synthesizer
  • Channel 2: Bass synthesizer
  • Channel 3: Pad/ambient
  • Channel 4: Drums/percussion
  • Channels 5-16: Additional instruments

Pattern 2: By Control Function

  • Channel 1: Note triggers (all instruments listen)
  • Channel 2: Filter controls
  • Channel 3: Effect sends
  • Channel 4: Mixer automation

Pattern 3: By DAW Track

  • Channel 1 = DAW Track 1
  • Channel 2 = DAW Track 2
  • Channel 3 = DAW Track 3
  • Direct mapping to DAW tracks

Multi-Channel Mappings

Technique: Map similar controls to the same CC on different channels

Example:

  • Left Stick Y → CC 7 (Volume), Channel 1
  • Right Stick Y → CC 7 (Volume), Channel 2
  • Left Trigger → CC 7 (Volume), Channel 3
  • Right Trigger → CC 7 (Volume), Channel 4

Result: Independent volume control for 4 tracks using different gamepad controls.

Update Management

Gamepad MIDI includes automatic update checking.

Update Notifications

When Available:

  • A banner appears at the top of the window
  • Shows version number and brief description
  • Non-intrusive notification

Actions:

  • Download Update - Opens browser to download page
  • Dismiss - Closes the notification

Update Policy

  • Checks for updates on launch
  • Never updates automatically without permission
  • You control when to update
  • Can continue using current version indefinitely

Installing Updates

Windows:

  1. Download new installer
  2. Run installer (closes current version)
  3. Follow installation wizard
  4. Restart application

macOS:

  1. Download new DMG
  2. Drag to Applications (replace old version)
  3. Launch new version

Linux:

  1. Download new package/AppImage
  2. Install using your package manager or replace AppImage
  3. Launch new version

Note: Your presets and mappings are preserved during updates.

Licensing System

Gamepad MIDI includes a licensing system for commercial use.

Viewing License Status

  1. Click the Pounding Systems logo at the bottom of the window
  2. The About window opens
  3. License status is displayed

Status Types:

  • Licensed - Full license active
  • Trial - Time-limited trial active
  • Offline Licensed - License activated offline
  • No License Found - No license present

Managing Your License

To Activate or Manage:

  1. Open the About window (click logo)
  2. Click "Manage License"
  3. Follow the activation process

License Information:

  • Shows licensed user name/email
  • Expiration date (if trial)
  • Offline/online status

Trial Mode

If in trial mode:

  • Full functionality available
  • Time-limited period
  • Expiration date shown in About window
  • Convert to full license before expiration

Note: Licensing may not be present in all distributions. Check the About window for license status.

Performance Optimization

Tips for optimal performance with Gamepad MIDI.

Reducing MIDI Traffic

Use Appropriate Smoothing:

  • Higher smoothing = fewer MIDI messages
  • Reduces MIDI bandwidth
  • Prevents MIDI buffer overflow

Limit Active Mappings:

  • Only map controls you're using
  • Unused mappings don't send data
  • Keep presets focused

Motion Sensors:

  • Disable when not needed
  • Constant movement generates continuous MIDI
  • Enable only for active use

System Performance

Multiple Applications:

  • Gamepad MIDI has minimal CPU usage
  • Safe to run alongside DAWs
  • No performance degradation

MIDI Latency:

  • Typical latency: 5-10ms
  • Additional latency from smoothing: 5-20ms
  • Total latency: 10-30ms (imperceptible for most uses)

Gamepad Battery Life

Wired Connection:

  • Longest battery life (or USB powered)
  • Most reliable connection
  • No wireless interference

Wireless Connection:

  • Enable motion sensors only when needed
  • Disable when not using motion control
  • Standard gamepad battery life otherwise

File Locations

Understanding where Gamepad MIDI stores data.

Configuration Files

Windows:

C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\PoundingSystems\Gamepad\

macOS:

~/Library/Application Support/PoundingSystems/Gamepad/

Linux:

~/.config/PoundingSystems/Gamepad/

Files Stored

  • midi_mappings.json - Current mappings and settings
  • Presets/ - Directory containing preset files
  • Application preferences and state

Backing Up Configuration

Manual Backup:

  1. Close Gamepad MIDI
  2. Copy the entire configuration directory
  3. Store in a safe location

Cloud Backup:

  • Use cloud sync for the Presets folder
  • Automatic backup across computers
  • Easy restoration if needed

Restoring Configuration

From Backup:

  1. Close Gamepad MIDI
  2. Replace configuration directory with backup
  3. Launch Gamepad MIDI

Fresh Start:

  1. Close Gamepad MIDI
  2. Delete or rename configuration directory
  3. Launch Gamepad MIDI (creates new configuration)

Command Line Usage

Gamepad MIDI can be launched from the command line.

Basic Launch

Windows:

"C:\Program Files\Gamepad MIDI\Gamepad MIDI.exe"

macOS:

open "/Applications/Gamepad MIDI.app"

Linux:

gamepad-midi  # If installed via package
./Gamepad-MIDI-x86_64.AppImage  # If using AppImage

Advanced Usage

Launch with Specific Preset:

  • Currently not supported via command line
  • Last used preset loads automatically

Logging:

  • Application logs to standard output
  • Useful for debugging
  • Shows MIDI messages, gamepad events, etc.

Keyboard Accessibility

While Gamepad MIDI is primarily mouse-driven, some accessibility features exist.

Navigation

  • Tab through UI elements
  • Enter/Space to activate buttons
  • Arrow keys in some controls

Focus Indicators

  • Clear visual focus on interactive elements
  • High contrast for visibility

Integration with DAWs

Advanced integration techniques.

MIDI Learn Workflow

Efficient Mapping:

  1. Create mappings in Gamepad MIDI
  2. Open DAW in MIDI learn mode
  3. Move gamepad controls to assign
  4. DAW automatically maps to parameters

Tip: Use descriptive CC numbers for easy identification.

Template Projects

Create DAW Templates:

  1. Set up MIDI routing in your DAW
  2. Configure instruments to receive specific channels
  3. Save as template
  4. Create matching Gamepad MIDI preset

Benefits:

  • Instant setup for new projects
  • Consistent workflow
  • Save time on configuration

OSC Integration

Currently not supported, but MIDI can be converted to OSC using third-party tools:

  • MIDI to OSC bridges
  • Bidirectional conversion
  • Control OSC-based applications

Security & Privacy

Network Access

  • No internet connection required for operation
  • Update check requires internet (optional)
  • License activation requires internet (one-time, if applicable)

File Permissions

Gamepad MIDI requires access to:

  • Configuration directory (read/write)
  • USB/Bluetooth devices (gamepad access)
  • MIDI system (send MIDI)

Next Steps