7. Windows - MP MIDI App - Using the joker encoder

The MP MIDI app update in October 2024, includes a new functionality where one encoder can be set as a joker encoder. This encoder, controls mouse cursor movements, while performing a click and drag. This is useful because you can control any variable parameter/component by just clicking on it.

The Joker Encoder is only available in the MP MIDI app, 
not the MP Host plugins.

Video tutorial here

Click on a parameter and then move the encoder which was previously set as a joker encoder. The mouse will perform a click and drag using vertical cursor movements.

To switch between horizontal and vertical mouse cursor movements, double right click anywhere. The app will detect the double right click and it will switch the direction of the control of the mouse cursor.

You will notice that as soon you stop moving the encoder, the mouse cursor returns to the position you clicked last (left click). This is important because when you move the encoder again, the mouse cursor will be on top of the selected parameter, therefore controlling that parameter.

How it works

The way it works is simple. You left click on a location and the coordinates of that location are recorded by the Joker Encoder app. When you move the encoder (previously selected as joker encoder) on the MP controller the mouse cursor performs a click and drag operation starting from the recorded position. 

After you stop moving the encoder, the mouse cursor will return to the recorded position so you can use it again on that parameter.

It important that you don't use the mouse or move the mouse elsewhere when you use the joker encoder to control a parameter because it will not be able to control the mouse cursor.

The joker encoder can be used anywhere not just plugins. You can use it to control your mixer or anything you want to control with an encoder.

How to activate/deactivate the joker encoder

Click and hold at the center of any encoder. The encoder will show the joker icon. This is now the joker encoder in all pages of the MP MIDI app. Note that when an encoder is set to be a joker encoder it will not send CC messages to any other MIDI port. It will only work as a joker encoder.

To deactivate the joker encoder, click once at the center of the encoder.

The joker encoder will be saved in the MP MIDI app presets.

When you close the MP MIDI window, the Joker Encoder will stop working. 
The Joker Encoder works only when the MP MIDI window is open.

Setup the virtual MIDI port

The Joker Encoder needs a virtual MIDI port to work on Windows.

Create a virtual MIDI port named:

jokerencoder

The name should be exactly that.