Composer Tools

1. Open Audio MIDI Setup — go to Applications → Utilities → Audio MIDI Setup. In the menu bar, choose Window → Show MIDI Studio if you don't see the MIDI grid. If you do not need a virtual MIDI cable and are using a MIDI hardware device, skip to Step 2.
2. In the MIDI Studio window, find the "IAC Driver" icon and double-click it.
3. In the window that opens:
   • Check "Device is online."
   • In the Ports list: if there is no port yet, click the "+" button to add one. Click once on the port name to highlight it, type a clear name — for example ComposerTools Bus — and press Return to confirm.
4. Close the IAC window. You can leave Audio MIDI Setup open or quit it; the settings are saved.

macOS now exposes a virtual MIDI port called ComposerTools Bus that any music app can send to or receive from.

1. Plug in your USB keyboard.
2. In the main Composer Tools window, find the section titled "MIDI Inputs."
3. Click the "+" button on the right.
4. A new row appears with a label like "Select device…"
5. Click that label and choose your USB keyboard or the MIDI device you would like to use from the list.
6. Make sure the small on/off toggle in that row is on so the input is active.

Now when you play the keyboard, Composer Tools can see your notes.

1. Find the section titled "Device Chains."
2. Click the "+" button to add a chain. Or skip this step if you would just like MIDI throughput. Composer Tools works with MIDI throughput as a default, whether a device chain is added or not.
3. Inside the new chain panel, click Add Device and add any combination of:
   • Harp Pedals
   • Scales
   • Intervals

You can open each device's window from this chain to adjust its settings.

1. Scroll down to the section titled "MIDI Outputs."
2. Click the "+" button to add an output.
3. In the new row, click the "Select device…" label.
4. Choose ComposerTools Bus — the name you gave the IAC port — or the MIDI device you would like to use as an output for the signal path.
5. Turn the row's on/off toggle on so this output is active.
6. At the top of the window, make sure the global "Active" switch is turned on so the rack is running.

Signal path so far: USB keyboard or MIDI input device → Composer Tools devices → ComposerTools Bus (virtual cable) or MIDI output device.

1. Create a new instrument or MIDI track with your chosen software instrument.
2. Set the track's input to ComposerTools Bus or your preferred MIDI device. If your DAW has an "All MIDI Inputs" option, choose only ComposerTools Bus or your preferred MIDI device for this track to avoid notes arriving twice.
3. Arm the track or enable input monitoring so you can hear it.

Full path: USB keyboard or MIDI input device → Composer Tools → ComposerTools Bus or MIDI output device → DAW instrument.