Airstep Users

O

Olmanwoods

Member
Hey all. I am considering beginning my midi journey with an Airstep. It seems like a reasonably priced and easy-to-use controller, with some useful versatility.

I was wondering if there are any Airstep users out there willing to share their experiences using it with the AM4, and possibly how you are using it with some programming details.

Again, I am brand new to this world, so be kind. I am also open to any resource suggestions to start me on my way.

Thanks is advance,

Scot
 
bchulse said:
Just posted on 1/8/26:

Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing. Helpful. I did notice that if you customize switches on the AM4, you could eliminate a number of steps to start with - I find the long presses have been helpful over double presses. The programming info is very helpful in explaining things as an entry point for me. Thanks
 
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I am not a fan of pressing two buttons to get access to something, I always miss. So, I found the AirStep to be a great companion to the AM4, I can get where I need very quickly, pressing one switch. The AM4 switches stay in Effects mode.

The AirStep basically has 5 banks (they call it "local preset") of 5 switches (however up to 8 "messages" can be stacked on one switch). I personally have set it up when I long press any switch, it switches to that bank:

Bank 1 (switch 1-5, respectively):
Preset -1
Preset +1
Scene -1
Scene +1
Tap Tempo

Bank 2: I have assigned switch 1-4 to my favorite Fractal created presets for Clean, Dist 1, Dist 2, Lead/Solo and #5 Tap Tempo

Bank 3: Same as Bank 2 but for my custom made AM4 presets.

Bank 4: Scene Select 1-4, #5 Tap Tempo

Bank 5: Transport control in Pro Tools for recording: Stop, Play, Record/Quick Punch, Rewind & Fast-forward (AirStep offers the ability to send HID/Key Strokes via Bluetooth MIDI, but I find it laggy and unreliable. Because of this, I am outputting MIDI messages via AirStep USB MIDI instantly and reliably.)
 
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ibanman555 said:
I am not a fan of pressing two buttons to get access to something, I always miss. So, I found the AirStep to be a great companion to the AM4, I can get where I need very quickly, pressing one switch. The AM4 switches stay in Effects mode.

The AirStep basically has 5 banks of 5 switches (however up to 8 "messages" can be stacked on one switch). I personally have set it up when I long press any switch, it switches to that bank:

Bank 1 (switch 1-5, respectively):
Preset -1
Preset +1
Scene -1
Scene +1
Tap Tempo

Bank 2: I have assigned switch 1-4 to my favorite Fractal created presets for Clean, Dist 1, Dist 2, Lead/Solo and #5 Tap Tempo

Bank 3: Same as Bank 2 but for my custom made presets.

Bank 4: Scene Select 1-4, #5 Tap Tempo

Bank 5: Transport control in Pro Tools for recording: Stop, Play, Record/Quick Punch, Rewind & Fast-forward (AirStep offers the ability to send HID/Key Strokes via Bluetooth MIDI, but I find it laggy and unreliable. Because of this, I am outputting MIDI messages via AirStep USB to my computer, and using Bome Midi Translator as a bridge to send these transport control messages instantly and reliably.)
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing. I have been using mine similarly. I want to find a way to program a button on the Airstep to move through banks on the AM4. Not sure how I can do that, though, as I don't see any cc commands for that.
 
Olmanwoods said:
Thanks for sharing. I have been using mine similarly. I want to find a way to program a button on the Airstep to move through banks on the AM4. Not sure how I can do that, though, as I don't see any cc commands for that.
Click to expand...
When you say "move through banks on the AM4", I assume you mean move through the AM4 presets?
 
This can be done and programmed in the AM4, but you can only move forward or backward one preset at a time.

In AM4-Edit, click Setup. Then click remote in the bottom portion, where you can assign CC#s to Preset +1 and Preset -1. Then, assign AirStep buttons to the same CC#s and then you will have the ability to cycle through AM4 presets.
 
ibanman555 said:
This can be done and programmed in the AM4, but you can only move forward or backward one preset at a time.

In AM4-Edit, click Setup. Then click remote in the bottom portion, where you can assign CC#s to Preset +1 and Preset -1. Then, assign AirStep buttons to the same CC#s and then you will have the ability to cycle through AM4 presets.
Click to expand...
I see the preset programming. What I am looking for is to move through BANKS (+/-)
 
Olmanwoods said:
I see the preset programming. What I am looking for is to move through BANKS (+/-)
Click to expand...
Understood. There is no option at this time to program the AirStep to BANK through presets, to my knowledge. The only way is on the AM4 itself:

To change the BANK in Preset Mode using the footswitches, press and hold Switch 4 or Switch 1 to step up or down through the banks.
 
ibanman555 said:
Understood. There is no option at this time to program the AirStep to BANK through presets, to my knowledge. The only way is on the AM4 itself:

To change the BANK in Preset Mode using the footswitches, press and hold Switch 4 or Switch 1 to step up or down through the banks.
Click to expand...
Boo ;) Hopefully in a future update.
 
ibanman555 said:
I am not a fan of pressing two buttons to get access to something, I always miss. So, I found the AirStep to be a great companion to the AM4, I can get where I need very quickly, pressing one switch. The AM4 switches stay in Effects mode.

The AirStep basically has 5 banks (they call it "local preset") of 5 switches (however up to 8 "messages" can be stacked on one switch). I personally have set it up when I long press any switch, it switches to that bank:

Bank 1 (switch 1-5, respectively):
Preset -1
Preset +1
Scene -1
Scene +1
Tap Tempo

Bank 2: I have assigned switch 1-4 to my favorite Fractal created presets for Clean, Dist 1, Dist 2, Lead/Solo and #5 Tap Tempo

Bank 3: Same as Bank 2 but for my custom made AM4 presets.

Bank 4: Scene Select 1-4, #5 Tap Tempo

Bank 5: Transport control in Pro Tools for recording: Stop, Play, Record/Quick Punch, Rewind & Fast-forward (AirStep offers the ability to send HID/Key Strokes via Bluetooth MIDI, but I find it laggy and unreliable. Because of this, I am outputting MIDI messages via AirStep USB MIDI instantly and reliably.)
Click to expand...
How do you avoid normal press triggering action at the same time you do a long press? I'm assuming you have 2 functions setup per switch?
I've tried assigning Msg2 as long press and what it does is trigger the normal press and then the long press.
Is there a way to cancel normal press action if the long press is registered?
 
Al23x said:
How do you avoid normal press triggering action at the same time you do a long press?
Click to expand...
On the AIRSTEP, you cannot actually program a "press" and "long press" message together, because it will always trigger the "press" first. So, switch your "press" message to "release", and a quick tap of the button serves the same purpose as a "press", allowing for a "long press" to be functional also.
 
While I enjoyed my time with the Airstep, entering into the world of midi. Its limitations quickly became apparent. I have since moved to a Morningstar MC8 pro. And, while more expensive, it provides all the functionality that I needed (and that the Airstep lacked/lacks). Maybe consider moving up the chain, you might be more satisfied.
 
Which AIRSTEP is the best for the AM4? I noticed there’s several available with prices going from $80-$200
 
I’m useing a Paint Audio 10 button Midi Captain with pretty good success. I have my 4 favorite patches on the top row with a long press of each to go to a different patch. I need to try the release to select method and see if that works on the Midi Captain. The bottom row I use to change scenes only. The 2 button on the end I have setup for tuner and tap tempo on the MIDI Captain. The same 2 buttons on page oe I use to scroll the AM4 presets. These buttons are also programmed by default to change pages on the Midi Captain so it gives you 10 more buttons to play with. The AirStep looks like a great unit with good capabilities I chose more button and a slightly cheaper solution. The Midi Captain does have built in wireless which is very nice. The Midi Captain did take a while to learn to program because programming is done by editing a text file. There is a Geek mode that is pretty simple but as far as I know does not support long presses but can be edited on stage. Overall pretty happy with the Midi Captain.
 
boz52 said:
Which AIRSTEP is the best for the AM4? I noticed there’s several available with prices going from $80-$200
Click to expand...
Airstep multi. The most expensive.

I use it with my fm3 and it’s a killer and cheap midi controller.
It also has Bluetooth that is use to change preset when I change sheets on my iPad with forscore.
Really easy to use and it had two midi expression pedal input
 
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