6. Windows - MP MIDI App - Sending keyboard keys

Modified on Fri, 11 Oct at 1:10 AM

In the September 2024 update we have introduced this functionality under the button Push Options. It provides the ability to send keyboard keys (or keyboard shortcuts) to any application running in Windows.

The first field "Window name" selects the target application to send the keyboard shortcut.

It does that by finding the target application by window name. The app window name you are targeting to send keyboard keys should contain name typed here. Letter case does not matter.

For example, when you want to target Ableton Live, on Windows it shows as:

Typically apps display their window name on the top bar. You can just type the word Ableton and it will find the Ableton Live.

You can use AutoHotKey Spy app to find easily window names of apps.

The target DAW/App must not be minimized. The window of the targeted DAW/App must be open when sending keyboard keys. It will not open a minimized application.

The drop down shows a list of available key modifiers, the third field is the key you want to send and the last drop down is a delay value that will be triggered after the targeted application has been selected by the MP MIDI app. This delay gives time for the application to come to focus (if needed) and then send the keyboard keys to it. This delay is optional and should be used only when needed.

You can disable sending CC when you have chosen to send keyboard shortcuts in the Push options dropdown.

You can type in the names of the following keys when you need to send these:

backspace

space

delete

escape

tab

down

left

right

F10

F11

F12

home

end

pageup

pagedown

for example:

The key names must be typed exactly as listed here and letter casing matters.

Modes

There are 2 operational modes on Windows,

Some applications (DAWs) interpret keys in a different way, therefore we offer 2 different methods so that this feature can be compatible with many applications.

For example, Ableton Live works well with mode 1.

Cubase works with mode 1 on some keys, like for example "space" but if we send "up" (for up arrow) it does not work with mode 1, it works with mode 2.

You can try which mode works best in your DAW or other application.

Optionally, you can define the keycode definitions or even add new definitions by editing the MPMIDI.properties file under ~/MP/Host folder.

When this file is edited the MP MIDI app/plugin needs to be restarted for changes to take effect.
If you make a mistake during edits and the MP MIDI app does not work correctly you can just delete the file and run the MP MIDI app to create a new one.

To add a new one, just copy a line and place it as a new line and then save the file. The start the MP MIDI app.

You can also edit the existing ones, both the name and key code.

To get key codes from your keyboard use a free app like:

Windows - KeyboardKeyInfo (uncheck show in Hex)