Getting Started with MIDI Volume Control

Set up MIDI Volume Control, map your controller, and start controlling Mac and Music volumes independently.

Section: Getting Started with MIDI Volume Control

Installation

Download MIDI Volume Control from the Mac App Store. Requires macOS 10.15 or later.

Quick Setup

  1. Connect your MIDI controller via USB or Bluetooth
  2. Open MIDI Volume Control — it appears in your menu bar
  3. Open Settings and click MIDI Learn next to “System Volume”
  4. Move a knob, fader, or button on your controller — it maps automatically
  5. Optionally repeat for Music Volume to control Apple Music independently

That’s it. Your MIDI controller now adjusts your Mac’s volume in real time.

Even without a MIDI controller connected, the menu bar icon gives you direct access to both volume sliders. Click the icon to see and adjust system and Apple Music volumes independently.

Apple Music Integration

To control Apple Music volume separately from system volume, enable the Music toggle in Settings. macOS will ask you to grant permission for the app to control Apple Music — this is the only permission required.

Launch at Login

Enable “Launch at Login” in Settings to have MIDI Volume Control start automatically when you log in. Your MIDI mappings are preserved between sessions.

Compatible Controllers

Any MIDI controller that sends standard MIDI CC messages works. This includes popular controllers from Akai, Novation, Arturia, Native Instruments, and many others. Both USB and Bluetooth MIDI are supported.

If your controller is not detected, check that it appears in macOS Audio MIDI Setup. MIDI Volume Control uses the standard CoreMIDI framework.