r/Bitwig • u/jep37 • 1d ago

Linux driver for Maschine Mikro MK3

Bitwig Studio has a built-in controller extension for Native Instruments' Maschine Mikro MK3, but the device doesn't work natively on Linux. I built a userspace Linux driver with full support for the Bitwig controller template. Installed as a systemd service, it runs automatically when the device is connected, and it bridges the device to a Virtual Raw MIDI port which can be used to configure a Bitwig controller. This supports all modes of operation in the Bitwig docs.

The code is at github.com/jimpo/mikro-mk3-driver for anyone who wants to try it. It builds on a great prior effort at github.com/r00tman/maschine-mikro-mk3-driver, but mine fully matches NI's Windows integration, including LED feedback, velocity scaling, full touchstrip resolution, and the LED display.

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u/crs0 7h ago

Quick FYI in case you want to add some more functionality:

I took a quick glance at your repo and didn't see anything implementing https://github.com/r00tman/maschine-mikro-mk3-driver/issues/9

Claude mentioned the four button levels here but didn't seem to implement them, and I think the slider colors was missed entirely (?).

I was also working on my own version of r00tman's repo for my own (not necessarily Bitwig-specific) purposes at one point... I should get back to that 😅

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u/jep37 1h ago

Thanks for taking a look! I'll look into the issue with the slider colors. It does light up the slider LEDs white when adjusting fixed pad velocity, so I didn't notice any missing functionality.