# How to use Companion rotary knobs with the MIDI module and "relative mode"
**URL:** https://discourse.checkcheckonetwo.com/t/how-to-use-companion-rotary-knobs-with-the-midi-module-and-relative-mode/4283
**Category:** Generic MIDI Module
**Created:** [November 7, 2024, 2:47am UTC](https://discourse.checkcheckonetwo.com/t/how-to-use-companion-rotary-knobs-with-the-midi-module-and-relative-mode/4283 "2024-11-07T02:47:13Z")
**Posts on this page:** 10
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Jp12687](https://discourse.checkcheckonetwo.com/u/Jp12687)
#### Post date: [November 7, 2024, 2:47am UTC](https://discourse.checkcheckonetwo.com/t/how-to-use-companion-rotary-knobs-with-the-midi-module-and-relative-mode/4283/1 "2024-11-07T02:47:13Z")
Hey
Any instructions for getting a knob to control a fader with generic MIDI? Using companion and struggling to get it to work. It always just jumps to top or bottom.
---
### Author:  [@Andy](https://discourse.checkcheckonetwo.com/u/Andy)
#### Post date: [November 7, 2024, 2:39pm UTC](https://discourse.checkcheckonetwo.com/t/how-to-use-companion-rotary-knobs-with-the-midi-module-and-relative-mode/4283/2 "2024-11-07T14:39:06Z")
Welcome.
Which mixer are you controlling?
---
### Author:  [@christianizm](https://discourse.checkcheckonetwo.com/u/christianizm)
#### Post date: [April 7, 2025, 7:26pm UTC](https://discourse.checkcheckonetwo.com/t/how-to-use-companion-rotary-knobs-with-the-midi-module-and-relative-mode/4283/3 "2025-04-07T19:26:36Z")
I am having trouble with the encoders as well. I am just trying to use the knobs as midi encoders. Seems to work sometimes with relative enable but it needs a beginning value. The software I am using is not sending any values to the streamdeck. (It is a lighting software). Everytime I restart the computer I have to enable a few times to get it to work. Just trying to set it up as a basic midi encoder. Thanks
---
### Author:  [@Andy](https://discourse.checkcheckonetwo.com/u/Andy)
#### Post date: [April 7, 2025, 8:34pm UTC](https://discourse.checkcheckonetwo.com/t/how-to-use-companion-rotary-knobs-with-the-midi-module-and-relative-mode/4283/4 "2025-04-07T20:34:39Z")
Relative will only work if the device sends MIDI back to Companion.
Are you having any issues other than using it in Relative mode?
---
### Author:  [@christianizm](https://discourse.checkcheckonetwo.com/u/christianizm)
#### Post date: [April 8, 2025, 2:34am UTC](https://discourse.checkcheckonetwo.com/t/how-to-use-companion-rotary-knobs-with-the-midi-module-and-relative-mode/4283/5 "2025-04-08T02:34:15Z")
I can’t get it to work otherwise. What would be the correct value to have the encoders work without using a variable or relative mode?
---
### Author:  [@Andy](https://discourse.checkcheckonetwo.com/u/Andy)
#### Post date: [April 8, 2025, 5:07am UTC](https://discourse.checkcheckonetwo.com/t/how-to-use-companion-rotary-knobs-with-the-midi-module-and-relative-mode/4283/6 "2025-04-08T05:07:25Z")
Encoders aren’t much use except in relative mode.
What specific board are you controlling that doesn’t send MIDI as well as receive?
---
### Author:  [@christianizm](https://discourse.checkcheckonetwo.com/u/christianizm)
#### Post date: [April 9, 2025, 8:20pm UTC](https://discourse.checkcheckonetwo.com/t/how-to-use-companion-rotary-knobs-with-the-midi-module-and-relative-mode/4283/7 "2025-04-09T20:20:56Z")
It’s for a lighting software GrandMA3.
---
### Author:  [@Andy](https://discourse.checkcheckonetwo.com/u/Andy)
#### Post date: [April 10, 2025, 4:34am UTC](https://discourse.checkcheckonetwo.com/t/how-to-use-companion-rotary-knobs-with-the-midi-module-and-relative-mode/4283/8 "2025-04-10T04:34:43Z")
The MA3 console can both send and receive MIDI, the onPC software can’t?
---
### Author:  [@christianizm](https://discourse.checkcheckonetwo.com/u/christianizm)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2025, 1:06am UTC](https://discourse.checkcheckonetwo.com/t/how-to-use-companion-rotary-knobs-with-the-midi-module-and-relative-mode/4283/9 "2025-04-12T01:06:24Z")
It can. I am trying to use the encoders on streamdeck+ to control the attribute encoders in MA3. If I was using them for a sequence I could also set it up to send midi to the streamdeck but not with the programming/attribute encoders.
---
### Author:  [@Andy](https://discourse.checkcheckonetwo.com/u/Andy)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2025, 1:21am UTC](https://discourse.checkcheckonetwo.com/t/how-to-use-companion-rotary-knobs-with-the-midi-module-and-relative-mode/4283/10 "2025-04-12T01:21:04Z")
Ok, well, if you want to be able to use relative mode and the encoders, you’ll need to have the current value of whatever control you’re controlling sent back to Companion. If the GrandMA3 software can send MIDI, then see if you can make that work.