The plugin doesn't require specific port names. After installing, it uses the default names "StreamDeck2Daw" and "Daw2StreamDeck," but you can create ports with any names you prefer and connect them in the plugin. I recommend using port names that specify both endpoints and the direction, such as:

• Use StreamDeck2Daw and Daw2StreamDeck for remote control via, e.g., Control Change. In your DAW, these ports should not connect to any tracks. In Cubase/Nuendo, do not include StreamDeck2Daw in "All MIDI In".
• Use StreamDeck2DawTrack and DawTrack2StreamDeck to manage Note, Program Change, Sysex, and articulation messages that need to reach the tracks. In Cubase/Nuendo, include StreamDeck2DawTrack in "All Midi In."
• Use Mackie2Daw and Daw2Mackie to manage Mackie Control communication. In your DAW, these should not be connected to any tracks. In Cubase/Nuendo, Mackie2Daw must not be included in "All Midi In". These ports should be used only for the Mackie Control-to-plugin communication. If you also have a real Mackie Control, it needs its own ports — the Mackie Control protocol does not permit two devices to share the same Midi ports.

The built-in MIDI Studio is used to configure virtual Midi ports.

Please note: for the ports to be visible to the plugin, they must be defined for the "IAC Driver" device. Do not create a new external device for the ports, as the plugin will not be able to use those ports.

Configure MIDI ports according to the recommendations on top of this page. Please note that the Midi studio has two fields that will be combined to create the port names visible to the plugin: the Device Name field and the Ports list.

The plugins can use any port, but if you want to use the plugin's default port names, the Device Name field must be completely empty. If it is not empty, its content will be added to the port name, and you must select the appropriate port name in the plugin.

Important note if you are using Logic:

In the Midi input configuration, you must deselect the ports used to send information to Stream Deck; otherwise, you will have midi loops that totally ruin every attempt to do something productive....

If you are using Cubase or Nuendo, this is my recommended configuration of Midi ports:

• Encircled in red are the settings I consider mandatory to avoid hard-to-diagnose midi conditions.

  • The three ports StreamDeck2Daw, StreamDeck2DawTrack and Mackie2Daw need to be visible as inputs so you can select them wherever needed.

  • The three ports Daw2StreamDeck, DawTrack2StreamDeck and Daw2Mackie need to be visible as outputs so you can select them wherever needed.

  • Only the StreamDeck2DawTrack port should be marked for In "All Midi Inputs"; the other ports are not meant to be sent to tracks, so if they are marked to be in "All Midi Inputs", you will probably get unexpected things happening now and then.

• Encircled in green are the settings that I recommend.

  • The three ports StreamDeck2Daw, StreamDeck2DawTrack and Mackie2Daw do not need to be visible as outputs; they should never be used that way, so having them visible as outputs allows you to select them by mistake.

  • The three ports, Daw2StreamDeck, DawTrack2StreamDeck and Daw2Mackie, do not need to be visible as inputs; they should never be used that way, so having them visible as inputs allows you to select them by mistake.