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ROLI Airwave - Getting Started

ROLI Airwave - Getting Started

This guide covers the initial setup required to use a ROLI Airwave device with third-party MIDI software.

Prerequisites

Ensure the following software is installed:

  • loopMIDI
  • ROLI Connect

1. Configure loopMIDI

Open loopMIDI and check the available MIDI ports.

You should have a virtual MIDI port named:

ROLI Airwave Expression

If this port does not exist:

  1. Click the + button to create a new loopback MIDI port.

  2. Name it:

    ROLI Airwave Expression

loopMIDI-3.png

  1. Leave loopMIDI running in the background.

The Airwave software uses this virtual MIDI port to communicate with compatible applications.

2. Open ROLI Connect

Launch ROLI Connect.

ROLI Connect acts as the launcher and management application for the ROLI software suite.

ROLIconnect-2.png

From here you can start:

  • ROLI Airwave Control
  • ROLI Airwave Player
  • Other installed ROLI applications

3. Configure Airwave

From ROLI Connect, launch ROLI Airwave Control.

Check the device configuration.

AirwaveControl-1.png

Device Recognition

Under Current Device, the Airwave should be detected as:

3rd Party

MIDI Forwarding

Ensure that:

3rd-party MIDI forwarding

is enabled.

This setting allows Airwave gestures and expression data to be sent to external MIDI applications.

4. Launch Airwave Player

Return to ROLI Connect and launch:

ROLI Airwave Player

Airwave Player should now receive data from the Airwave device via the configured MIDI routing - select the KL Essential61 mk3 and you're ready to calibrate the Airwave with the keyboard.

AirwavePlayer-calibration.png

Once calibration is complete, you'll be able to play sounds on the keyboard from Airwave Player and use gesture control with the Airwave to change the parameters of the selected sound. Select different sounds using the menu at the top left of the page.

Troubleshooting

Airwave is not detected

  • Check that the device is connected via USB.
  • Restart ROLI Airwave Control.
  • Reconnect the Airwave device.

No MIDI data appears in other software

  • Confirm the ROLI Airwave Expression loopMIDI port exists.
  • Verify 3rd-party MIDI forwarding is enabled.
  • Restart loopMIDI and Airwave Control.

Airwave Player does not respond

  • Confirm the Airwave device appears as 3rd Party in Airwave Control.
  • Close and reopen Airwave Player.
  • Reboot the computer if the device is not recognised.

Quick Checklist

  • loopMIDI running
  • "ROLI Airwave Expression" port created
  • ROLI Connect open
  • Airwave recognised as "3rd Party"
  • 3rd-party MIDI forwarding enabled
  • Airwave Player running

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