Madness having north in the middle for compass (5)
I believe the answer is:
range
'middle for compass' is the definition.
'range' can be an answer for 'compass' (synonyms). I'm not certain of the 'middle for' bit.
'madness having north' is the wordplay.
'madness' becomes 'rage' (synonyms).
'having' is an insertion indicator.
'north' becomes 'N' (abbreviation).
'rage' going around 'n' is 'RANGE'.
'in the' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for range that I've seen before include "testing ground" , "Cowboy song 'Home on the . . . . .'" , "Amplitude" , "spread?" , "Aga or mountain, perhaps?" .)