1. Using Built-in Sound Sources (9 Presets)

The Aeroband Guitar (AG) is a guitar-shaped MIDI controller that connects to computers for external sound source usage while also featuring rich built-in tones.

1.1 Tone Overview

The AG includes 9 built-in tones:

• Acoustic Guitar (Finger-style)
• Acoustic Guitar (Pick)
• Electric Guitar (Country)
• Electric Guitar (Pop)
• Classical Guitar
• Piano
• Bass
• Banjo
• Clarinet

1.2 Switching Tones

1.2.1 Via App:

   1. Scan the QR code to download the 'Aeroband Guitar App' on your phone/tablet.

   2. Open the app and connect to your AG via Bluetooth.

   3. Navigate to the 'Guitar' page → Select 'Guitar Tone'.

   4. Choose your preferred tone.

1.2.2 Via Hardware Button:

Power on the guitar and press the center button on the headstock to cycle through tones.

2. Using AG with External Sound Sources

External sound sources include DAW-built-in instruments and VST plugins (free/ paid).

We will now introduce mainstream, secure, free, and user-friendly DAWs and VST plugins to facilitate multitimbral exploration.

Please Note: 

• For future music creation/production needs, we recommend using your DAW’s built-in sounds. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the DAW’s workflow while exploring tones.
• If you do not require creation capabilities, you may directly use VST sound sources.

2.1 Connecting the Aeroband Guitar

• Locate two ports on the AG: 6.5mm audio Output and Type-C.

• Connect the Type-C port to your computer using a USB cable.

2.2 Using Free DAWs

FL Studio Trial (Mac/Windows)

1. Download:

• Visit https://www.image-line.com/fl-studio-download, click 'Try For Free' → Select OS →This process does not require email registration, the download initiates in the background immediately upon clicking 'Download'.

2. Installation:

• Open installer → Click 'Next' → 'I Agree'.

 .   

• Choose 'All users'.

• Follow prompts, and click 'Next'.

• Set installation path (default recommended).

• Waiting for the process, click 'Next' > 'Next' >  'Finish', and complete the setup.

3. Load VST:

• Launch FL Studio → Close welcome screen.

• Press F6 or select 'View Channel Rack', you can also open it by clicking the button on the toolbar above.

• Click '+'  for adding an instrument.

• Choose the instruments under 'Synth Classic' → Select 'FLEX' (or other instruments).

• Choose your preferred tone.

4. MIDI/Audio Setup:

• Go to Options → Audio Settings.

• Select an audio device. FL Studio has its own ASIO. If it works normally, just choose the default device.

• Click 'Midi', Enable 'Aeroband midi' Only.

5. Complete setting. Select the instrument that was just added, play the Aeroband Guitar, and check if there is sound.

Note: It is recommended to lower the guitar volume during the performance.

Cakewalk (Windows Only)

1. Download:

• Visit https://www.cakewalk.com/sonar → Click 'Download for Windows'.

2. Installation:

• Run installer → Click 'Next'×3 times.

• Click  'Install'.

• Click  'Finish', and after that, it will launch Cakewalk.

• Log in/register via Cakewalk Product Center.

• Click 'Install', install 'Cakewalk by BandLab', and 'Cakewalk Studio Instruments'.

• Open the 'Cakewalk BandLab' after the installation is successful.

3. Load Instruments:

• New Project → Click  'Basic'.

• Click  '+' → Instrument → Select piano/bass/drum/strings.

4. MIDI/Audio Setup:

• Click 'Edit' > 'Preferences'.

• Set playback device, Adjust buffer size (256 samples recommended).

• Click 'Midi'  → 'Devices'  → Tick 'Aeroband Midi'.

5. After setting up, check if it can produce sound, then you can start playing.

2.3 Using Free VST Plugins

Spitfire LABS (Gather various tones into one)

1. Download:

• Visit https://labs.spitfireaudio.com/ → 'Start free trial'.

• Click 'Continue without subscribing', then register or log in.

• Download OS-compatible version.

2. Installation:

• Run installer

• Click 'Next' > 'I accept the agreement' > 'Next'.

• Select plugin formats (default recommended).

• Set path (default recommended).

• Click  'Install'.

• Click 'Finish', complete the installation. Check 'Launch labs' to open after 'Finish'.

3. Add Sound Packs:

• Launch LABS. Log in/Register.

• Click 'Get more pack'.

• Click 'All Packs', filter select 'Free', then select the preferred tone and click 'Download' to initiate the download. You may also click the play button for a preview.

• After the download is complete, click 'Back'. On the left page, select the downloaded tone, the module on the right page is used to adjust parameters.

4. Connect AG:

Click 'Option' > 'Audio/Midi Settings', complete the setup as shown below.

5. After the setup is completed, check if sound can be produced, and then you may begin to play.

Keyzone Classic (Piano and electric piano sounds, requires a DAW)

1. Download:

• Visit https://plugins4free.com/plugin/2848/, and download OS-compatible version.

2. Installation:

• Run installer

.         

• Select path → Click 'Next'.

• Click 'Install'.

• Click 'Finish'.

3. DAW Integration: 

• In DAW (e.g., Cubase) , Click 'Studio' > 'VST Plug-in Manager'.

• Check if the installed path appears in the scanning paths below.

If missing, please click the yellow '+' button to add.

If present, please click 'Refresh' (top-right corner).

• After the scanning is complete, return to the main interface, right-click on the 'Input/Output Channels' page, and select 'Add Instrument Track'.

• In the 'Instrument' row, select 'Keyzone Classic' and click 'Add Track'.

m. . 

• Select 'Aeroband-Midi' in the MIDI input.

4. After the setup is completed, check if sound can be produced, and then you may begin to play.

3. Speaker/ Headphone Connection

3.1 Hardware Setup

3.1.1 Connect Hardware

Wired:

• Connect speakers to the computer's 3.5mm audio port.

. .

• Connect the speaker to the audio port of the computer (such as an RCA audio connection cable, speaker).

.   

• Insert the headphones into the audio interface of the computer.

Note: The audio output interface of the computer is, by default, 3.5mm. If your headphones have a 6.5mm or 2.5mm interface, it is necessary to purchase the corresponding adapter for conversion.

Bluetooth (Windows):

• To enable Bluetooth pairing mode on the speaker/headphones.
• Search for and connect the device in the computer's Bluetooth settings.
• Then set it as the default playback device in the 'Sound Control Panel'.

3.1.2 Check the system audio

Right-click on the volume icon in the computer taskbar → Select 'Sound Settings' → Confirm that the output device is set to headphones/speakers (not the system built-in speaker).

3.2 DAW Audio Routing

MacOS

   1. Create an Aggregate Device (Resolving the issue of no sound from external devices):

      Open 'Audio MIDI Settings' → Click the '+' in the lower left corner → Select 'Create Aggregate Device' → Check the connected headphones/speakers as output devices.

   2. DAW Setting:

      (Audio MIDI Setup → + → Check output device) → Select 'Aggregate Device' in DAW.

Windows

   1. Drive mode selection:

       In DAW → Audio → Driver Mode: 'WASAPI' → Select output device.

   2. Specify output device:

       Select the connected Bluetooth or wired device (such as 'PreSonus HD10BT Stereo') in the 'Output Device' section → Click 'Apply'.

3.3 Parameter Optimization

Buffer Size (Resolving Stuttering/Latency)

• Recording: 128–256 samples (low latency).
• Mixing: 512–1024 samples (CPU efficiency).

Signal Test

• Create audio tracks → Monitor level meters.

3.4 Troubleshooting

4. FAQs

4.1 Hardware Connection

Q1: DAW doesn’t recognize AG?

1. Check USB connection/drivers (Windows: Install 'Ape Configant' driver).

2. DAW-specific setup:

• GarageBand: Preferences → MIDI → Enable 'Ape Configant'.
• FL Studio: Options → MIDI Settings → Enable 'Aeroband Midi'.

Q2: Phone connection unresponsive?

• Enable 'USB OTG' (Android: Settings → More connections).
• Use certified MIDI-to-USB-C cables.

4.2 Software Issues

Q3: DAW crashes with free plugins?

• Increase buffer size → Close background apps.
• Reinstall plugins (e.g., Spitfire LABS).

4.3 Latency & Performance

Q4: Audio delay

• MacOS: Enable 'Low Latency Mode' (GarageBand).
• Windows: Reduce ASIO buffer (Cakewalk: 128 samples).

Q5: Mobile battery drain?

Disable Bluetooth/Wi-Fi → Use lightweight apps (e.g., GarageBand Mobile).

4.4 Compatibility

Q6: Post-upgrade plugin failure?

• Check plugin OS support (e.g., KONTAKT requires macOS 12+/Win 11+).
• Roll back the DAW version if needed.

Q7: Third-party VST not loading?

• Confirm plugin format compatibility (AU/VST3).
• Manually place files in the DAW’s default scan directory.

Want to know more?

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For additional assistance, please refer to the included manual or contact AeroBand customer support at support@aeroband.net.