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SOLVED: setup MIDI routing with iPad, Keystep and Model:Cycles - AUM Meter Sources Hardware unstable
Hi everyone! I've been playing around with my Model:Cycles (M:S) and iPad and am interested to include a Keystep in the setup for easier controlling.
Question is, how can I route this? I have a powered USB-hub and get everything to show up as MIDI routes in AUM but when they're all connected AUM Meter Sources switches Hardware automatically between the M:S and the iPad.
I'm new to this so I don't understand the phenomenon and I'm not able to describe the problem clearly. I currently have this setup:
MS > USB hub
Keystep > USB hub
USB hub > iPad
I would like to both be able to play iPad instruments with the Keystep and that the MS can engage or get engaged by some iPad sequencers.
Can you see why the AUM Meter Sources are switching Hardware automatically? Seems like I've missed something in the connection that makes it faulty.
Thank you.
Comments
Hi,
Is your M:C on the latest firmware?
If not, you'll first want to update it, as it fixes the audio dropouts. Here's the link - Model:Cycles OS 1.13.
If so, well, let's take it 1 step at a time, and confirm that your M:C is updated. 👌
(Also, please let us know what year and model iPad you're using.)
@synthtac . Could you describe what you mean by "AUM Meter Sources switches Hardware automatically"? Do you mean the AUM level meter at the top? Or something completely different?
Also, please post a screenshot of your AUM MIDI routing matrix, so we can see what you're seeing. And also a screenshot of your basic AUM audio confoguration.
Hi, thanks.
Elektron OS is updated for some time. Should have mentioned in the top post. Thanks for helping me clarify.
I tried using an iPad Pro 2020.
Yes. Hmm better to show in pictures. I'm not really sure what you mean with basic AUM audio configuration? I'll upload some descriptive pictures and hope that they showcase the problem.
So it switches between green and red (see images below, audio in/out first couple of seconds it's 1. Hardware iPad and after some seconds it's 2. Hardware USB and the M:C).
Both show up in the routing. And the problem with audio in/out continues independent on how I route MIDI.
After a couple of automatic switches between audio in/out the play button gets a red box and if I press it the error message of "Audio engine not running" comes up (see 4.).
Thanks again.
1.
2.
3.
4.
This link below shows an image with a similar setup that I'm trying to get working but with M:C instead of that other Elektron device.
https://www.elektronauts.com/t/digitakt-ipad-nanokontrol-is-this-setup-possible/57654
You don’t have a magnetic case by chance do you?
Oh, and Ocelot was talking about updating the firmware on the MC, not the iOS version.
Yy, thanks! I edited to "Elektron OS" for clarification.
Tried without the case and the problem still existed.
EDIT: I think I found the faulty link, it's the USB-hub... This switching problem arised when I connected the M:C through the USB-hub with and without the Keystep. If I only connect the M:C to my Apple USB-C adapter it works just fine without the switching.
I have a USB-hub problem and it's the powered Plexgear Desktop 500 USB 3.0-hub.
//
Anybody got any suggestion on a working and fairly portable USB-hub?
Ah, I see. Never looked at AUM's Meter Sources. I don't think the problem is with MIDI routing, but with the M:C USB audio interface. What are the specs for that interface?
Try creating an AUM Audio channel with audio input from M:C.
Edit: Or try turning off A+M USB Mode in Device Config, if you don't need audio in to AUM.
Thanks. I tried altering everything in M:C without any success.
Doesn't seem to respond to the device MIDI changes. Hmm.. I'll tinker with the setup it a bit more. But it should work right? Or do I need other things others than the connection I stated to make it work?
Is your M:C is on 1.13? If not, that could be why the audio interface in AUM (Meter Source) switches unexpectedly.
My M:C is still on 1.12, and that happens all of the time. I haven't updated it to 1.13 yet.
1.13 also adds the ability to pass incoming MIDI (i.e. - from your Keystep) through to devices connected over USB MIDI and DIN MIDI.
But you said it may be your USB Hub. (PlexGear Desktop 500 USB 3.0 Hub).
And you'd like to plug the M:C and Keystep into that PlexGear USB hub, rather than thru the M:C.
Okay, let's start with the process of elimination:
In the meantime, I'll pull my M:C out of its box and set it up.
And open it's PDF manual on my iPad to locate which Settings you need to modify.
You should too.
Much appreciated for taking your time to go through this with me. This community and forum is great!!
I updated M:S a couple of weeks ago. The M:C rebooted as the update instruction but I find no way to control the firmware. Do you know how to find it on the device or with Elektron Transfer?
Have been working with iPad + M:C a week or two without any problems. It was when I introduced the USB-hub that it started switching. My wish is to be able to:
1. Keystep MIDI into AUM and
2. AUM in and out M:C
OK so I disconnected, memory reset etc. as instructed. Continues as bullets below:
^This elimination above makes me think it's the USB-hub.
MIDI settings on the Elektron are accordingly:
On the M:C, when it's booting up, look at the bottom-right of the LCD for a number which indicates the currently-installed firmware. It should show "1.13".
The Elektron Transfer application should also tell you which firmware is installed, but I don't have a computer right now.
Yup, it sounds like your PlexGear USB hub is a problem. Do you have another one to try?
In the meantime, use the Keystep's 5-pin MIDI out into the M:C's 3.5mm MIDI Input using one of the supplied Elektron 5-pin to 3.5mm adapters.
Yep 1.13. Haha never bothered to check the display before..
Not right now. I'll try to get one in the days. I'll update when I'm able to try it out.
Thanks again and thanks for the interim setup suggestion.
The interim setup should work for now until you get a new USB-C hub. (There's been a number of discussions on this forum about USB-C hubs.)
From the Elektron 1.13 release notes:
From your previous post:
M:C MIDI + USB and iPad can get clogged with data over USB, so after messing around with the M:C settings, disable the ports that you aren't using, and limit data that's transferred over USB to only what's necessary for your setup.
Do you need MIDI Clk both in and out? One side or the other should be the master. Changing one of those would cut the MIDI messages a lot, since there are 24 messages per beat. I wonder if heavy MIDI traffic is upsetting the hub, which has to relay every message.
Elektrons can send out an enormous amount of MIDI data, and adding audio-over-USB just compounds the issue.
Elektron's own Overhub is Multi-TT, where each USB port is isolated from the others.
I believe that limiting what his M:C is sending over USB is a great idea, and when researching USB hubs, he should look for one that is Multi-TT. (And if he or anyone needs a MIDI Thru box for an Elektron - avoid the passive MIDI Solutions boxes, and get the powered Kenton).
I see. Haven't come across the thought that I might be overclogging the USB with data, but that's certainly the case with my full ON settings.
Good learning experience for me to really be conscious about my settings. I'll continue to test with only necessary settings later today or tomorrow and see if it works.
Ah.. Also it seems like there is no setting to disable the audio-over-USB in the M:C. I think that's also a fix to part of the problem that I'm experiencing. While the M:C is connected to my iPad I'm not able to choose any other Meter Sources Hardware I/O (it's only set to USB-C I/O in other words the M:C).
Multi-TT USB-hub noted for my hub research.
Thanks for all of these guidelines, they saved a lot of stress, unknowingly purchases and headaches etc.
There is the Device Config. USB Mode. Does it only turn off the processing of external audio sources? Might still be worth changing it to MID only.
Regarding Meter Sources Hardware I/O, iOS can only handle one audio interface at a time. Typically, the last one connected wins. So this behavior of only recognizing M:C as audio source is expected. What you initially described, the Source dropping back to the mic, sounds like the M:C audio connection was dropping out.
I'm not entirely sure on what you mean with processing of external audio sources. M:C has MIDI-Ports settings with I/O. While connected and set to only MIDI I/O, AUM still shows USB OUT.
OK understood. In the end I got to try a new hub and with that one I was able to connect everything without any previous switch problems.
Thanks for the questions and help with the problem analysis.