MidiKey2Key Guide: Control OBS Studio Scenes and Audio with a MIDI Pad

MidiKey2Key is a free Windows application that translates MIDI commands into PC keyboard strokes, allowing you to turn any MIDI pad, keyboard, or controller into a custom macro board. This setup is popular for triggering transitions in streaming software like OBS Studio, managing shortcuts in photo/video editors, controlling games, or bypassing unchangeable default shortcuts in DAWs like FL Studio. Phase 1: Installation & Device Connection

Download: Get the official installer from the MidiKey2Key Download Page.

Hardware Setup: Connect your MIDI controller to your PC using a USB cable or a MIDI-to-USB interface. Launch: Run the software from your Windows Start Menu.

Select Device: Locate the Midi devices dropdown menu and select your connected controller. Phase 2: Logging MIDI Actions

Activate Log: Check the box labeled Log To Window on the main dashboard.

Start Monitoring: Click the Start button to begin listening for incoming MIDI signals.

Press a Control: Press a button, key, or pad on your physical MIDI device.

Identify Event: Look at the active log window; a new row representing your button press (such as a NoteOn event) will appear.

Open Assignment: Double-click that specific log entry to launch the action assignment window. Phase 3: Mapping the Hotkey Action

Choose Action Type: Select the Generate PC-Keyboard Action tab at the top of the new window. Set Status: Ensure the Active checkbox is checked.

Record Keystroke: Click inside the blue input field and press your desired PC keyboard combination (e.g., Ctrl + Alt + A).

Configure Hold Behavior: Check the Wait for NoteOff box if you want the computer key to remain held down until you physically release the MIDI button.

Label and Save: Give your new action a clear name in the description box and click Save. Phase 4: Matching Targets in Target Apps

Open Target App: Open your external software (such as OBS Studio or your game).

Set Controls: Navigate to its settings or keyboard shortcuts menu.

Assign Match: Bind your preferred macro action to the exact same QWERTY key combination you just hardcoded into MidiKey2Key.