How to Use The Aviary

The Aviary

The Aviary is your MIDI controller configurator — available as a zero-install web app and a full-featured desktop application.

Video Tutorials

1. Getting Started — Setup & Web MIDI (3:03)

Description: Learn how to connect your Sparrow controller to The Aviary in Chrome, Edge, or Firefox, allow Web MIDI permissions, view live fader tracking, edit CCs, and sync mappings directly to hardware memory.

Key Chapters: 0:18 Browser Permissions · 0:52 Offline Mode · 1:25 Live Fader Tracking · 1:50 Editing CCs & Channels · 2:32 Sync to Hardware

2. Cloud Profiles — Sync & Custom Aliases (5:45)

Description: Walk through creating a free cloud account, naming custom hardware aliases, saving multiple layout templates, editing fader labels, and maintaining persistent profiles across multiple studio machines.

Key Chapters: 0:24 Account Sign Up · 1:51 Renaming Devices · 2:27 Saving Layouts · 3:56 Custom Fader Labels · 4:43 Download to Local

3. Desktop App Install — Mac & Windows Offline (2:34)

Description: A complete guide to downloading and installing the standalone Aviary application for macOS (Apple Silicon & Intel) and Windows. Learn why the desktop app is required for firmware updates and offline studio mapping.

Key Chapters: 0:15 Downloads Page · 0:46 Web vs. Desktop Comparison · 1:16 macOS & Windows Setup · 1:47 Gatekeeper Verification

4. Firmware Updates — Upgrading to v3.0.0 (3:54)

Description: Learn how to safely upgrade older/legacy Sparrow controllers to Universal v3.0.0 firmware using the Aviary Desktop App.

Key Chapters: 0:59 Update Modal & Notes · 1:59 Flashing Bridge · 2:27 macOS USB Prompt · 2:38 Universal Flash · 2:56 Cache Clear

Feature Guide

3.1: Getting Started
  • Welcome to The Aviary: The Aviary is your MIDI controller configurator. It lets you map every fader, knob, button, and encoder on your Sparrow hardware to any MIDI channel and CC value you choose.
  • Splash Screen Options: "Log In for Cloud" signs in with your account, presets sync across devices. "Start Offline Mode" requires no account, presets stored locally.
  • Two Modes: Web (aviary.themidimaker.com) works in any modern browser. Desktop App has full native MIDI access, automatic firmware updates, and offline-first support.
  • Layout Themes: Four views available in Settings: Console Strip (default), Classic Cards, Data Spreadsheet, and Minimalist Rack. All show the same data — purely visual preference.
3.2: Hardware Match Panel
  • Device Detection: The Aviary listens for MIDI port names that match a known Sparrow device. Appears automatically — no driver installation required.
  • Device Selector: If multiple controllers are connected, use the device selector dropdown in the header to switch between them.
  • Live Hardware Activity Panel: Shows the raw physical position of whatever control you just moved. Green glow = hardware value matches saved configuration. Amber glow + Pending Sync = value hasn't been pushed to hardware yet.
  • WebHID (Absolute Addressing): On web version, clicking "Enable Absolute Hardware Addressing" grants direct USB HID access for precise hardware positions. Only available for Sparrow V2 controllers.
  • Device Rename: Sparrow V2 controllers (and V1 on firmware 3.0.0+) support an Aviary-only alias. Click RENAME, type a name, and hit Save. Stored in cloud if logged in, otherwise stored locally.
3.3: Configuration Panel
  • The Configuration Panel: Each row or card represents one physical control (fader, knob, button, or encoder). Set its MIDI Channel (1-16) and CC (0-127). Changes are pending until you press Sync to Hardware.
  • Layout Presets: Active Layout is the currently loaded preset. Unsaved Changes badge appears when live state differs from loaded preset. Use Revert to discard, or Overwrite Layout to save.
  • Save as New Layout: Type any name and click Save As New to snapshot current mapping as a new preset.
  • Sync to Hardware: Sends complete mapping to controller's memory. Persists even after power-off.
  • Cloud vs. Local Profiles: Logged in = presets sync automatically across all devices. Offline Mode = stored in browser's local storage or desktop app. Can merge local to cloud when signing in. Can download cloud to local for offline use. Export as JSON for sharing.
3.4: Encoders & Buttons
  • Rotary Encoders: Endless dials that transmit relative or absolute MIDI messages. Two mappable parameters: Rotation (turning left/right) and Push Switch (clicking down).
  • Encoder Rotation CC Modes: Absolute CC (0-127, standard), Relative 64-Off (centered around 64, ideal for infinite scrolling), Relative 2's Complement (positive for CW, large values for CCW, used by Ableton/Reaper).
  • Velocity Sensitivity: Controls speed scaling. Off = fixed increments. Low/Medium/High = dynamic multiplied step sizes for fast sweeps.
  • Push Button Behaviors: Toggle CC (alternates ON 127/OFF 0), Momentary CC (ON while held, OFF on release), Shift Modifier (doubles encoder controls by offsetting CC number), Double-click Reset (double-press within 300ms resets rotation to center 64).
  • Push Buttons (Tactile Switches): Standard push buttons send MIDI CC on press/release. Perfect for simple dedicated mappings like play/stop.
3.5: Button Configuration
  • Three output modes per button: Note Mode (Note On velocity 127 on press, Note Off on release), CC Mode (CC 127 on press, CC 0 on release), OSC Mode (SysEx forwarded as OSC UDP packet, configure host/port/address in Settings).
  • Latch Mode: Default is momentary (ON while held). Enable Latch for toggle behavior — first release = ON (stays on), second release = OFF. Fires on release for reliability.
  • LED Modes (for RGB-equipped buttons): Off (always dark), Always On (idle color permanently), Dual Color (idle color at rest, press color when held or latched), Toggle (alternates idle/press color on each release — recommended pairing with Latch).
  • LED Colors: 10 preset colors (Off through Pink) plus custom picker. Brightness 0-100%.
3.6: Warning Reference
  • Multiple Faders Detected (amber): Controller reading movement from multiple faders simultaneously. Usually a USB power issue. Click "I am only moving one fader" to escalate to diagnostic view.
  • Hardware Diagnostic: USB Voltage Fluctuation (red): Analog sensors picking up electrical noise. Fix: plug directly into computer USB port, use shorter/shielded cable, avoid unpowered hubs.
  • Duplicate MIDI Assignments (amber): Two or more controls share same Channel + CC. Fix: ensure every control has a unique Channel/CC pair.
  • Pending Sync (amber glow): Live Hardware Activity panel value doesn't match stored mapping. Reminder that sync may be needed.

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