MIDI routing app like iConnect or AUM for desktop?

mistercharlie

I'm looking for a MIDI routing app for my Mac, something that I can configure and forget.

I currently use an iConnect device, but it only has one MIDI DIN device hooked up (an Octatrack), to sync it to my Mac. My audio interface has a MIDI port, so I'd rather use that, and save some desk space and electricity.

But the iConnect's routing matrix is excellent. Is there anything like this in software? I have Midiflow (the iPad app, which runs great on the Mac, but it's hard on the CPU (and therefore battery).

Any suggestions?

MisplacedDevelopment

(Some of this may only apply to M1 Macs)

MidiFire works as a native app on the Mac if you are familiar with it on iOS, though it is a separate app purchase and the developer is no longer actively developing his apps.

KushView Element is a cheaper alternative to software like Bidule, might do what you want.

VisualSwift is another iOS crossover possibility to try, it has had some nice updates recently.

If you have Drambo then this may be another option.

MIDI Patchbay is another native one to look at, it worked pretty well when I tried it.

mistercharlie

Nice, thanks! I tried MIDI Patchbay and it's even heavier on the CPU. Midiflow looks like the best so far. I shall check the rest out today

uncledave

@mistercharlie said:
Nice, thanks! I tried MIDI Patchbay and it's even heavier on the CPU. Midiflow looks like the best so far. I shall check the rest out today

I'm surprised by your CPU comments. These apps should only run when they receive a MIDI message. Are you routing MIDI Clock through them? Possibly multiple clocks? Or are the apps running continuously to scan for data, maybe from external hardware? Could this be improved by a system (or app) settings change? I don't have a Mac to check this on, but it just seems wrong that these apps should be heavy on CPU.

SpookyZoo

Another vote for MidiFire on Mac.

michael_m

What about Blue Cat Patchwork?

mistercharlie

I've done a bit more experimenting, an Midiflow (form the iPad) is actually pretty great. I was wary because I have left it running in monitor mode on my iPad before, and come back to a drained battery. But once it's configured, it barely uses any resources.

I've also discovered KushView Element (thanks @MisplacedDevelopment!), which is a kind of AUM-like AU and VST host for the Mac. Pretty neat

The Mac is great for music, in terns of stability and depth, but whenever I use it I miss so many little things from the iPad.

Aud_iOS

I like MidiPatch for basic routing, just sits in the taskbar, it's $1.99 https://apps.apple.com/app/pocket-midi/id1260936756?mt=12 . Pocket MIDI is free and does everything and probably more than Midiflow: https://apps.apple.com/app/pocket-midi/id1260936756?mt=12. Oh totally forgot, Bome Network Pro - might be ideal. Here's a snap of the routing table - also just resides in the taskbar:

wim

MidiPipe is free and can do amazing stuff. Routing isn't graphical but it's all there. A side bonus is you can set it up so that hardware controllers attached to the Mac can be used to play apps on iOS over iDAM, something you can't normally do.

uncledave

@Aud_iOS said:
Pocket MIDI is free and does everything and probably more than Midiflow: https://apps.apple.com/app/pocket-midi/id1260936756?mt=12.

MidiFlow includes StreamByter scripting, and some useful modules for filtering, etc. I think it's going to be hard to beat in this area.

wim

@uncledave said:

@Aud_iOS said:
Pocket MIDI is free and does everything and probably more than Midiflow: https://apps.apple.com/app/pocket-midi/id1260936756?mt=12.

MidiFlow includes StreamByter scripting, and some useful modules for filtering, etc. I think it's going to be hard to beat in this area.

I think you mean MidiFire, not MidiFlow...

mistercharlie

It seems there’s a lot of choice! I like the apps that sit in the menubar and let you make a quick connection. That certainly fits my way of thinking.

I’m still into Midiflow too. I like that I can save different setups and easily load them up.

wim

@mistercharlie said:
It seems there’s a lot of choice! I like the apps that sit in the menubar and let you make a quick connection. That certainly fits my way of thinking.

MidiPipe doesn't have a menu bar component. I still like it though.

mistercharlie

I’m just going to test everything mentioned here.

krassmann

@MisplacedDevelopment said:
(Some of this may only apply to M1 Macs)

MidiFire works as a native app on the Mac if you are familiar with it on iOS, though it is a separate app purchase and the developer is no longer actively developing his apps.

KushView Element is a cheaper alternative to software like Bidule, might do what you want.

VisualSwift is another iOS crossover possibility to try, it has had some nice updates recently.

If you have Drambo then this may be another option.

MIDI Patchbay is another native one to look at, it worked pretty well when I tried it.

Thanks for mentioning KushView. I tried it and it’s great. Kind of crossover between MidiFire and AUM as it also hosts all kind of plugins. I like their model that it’s basically open source but you can pay $2 to download a binary if you don’t dare to compile the project yourself.

Looks like a great solution to use AUs with Bitwig. In combination with Soundflower you have 64 virtual audio channels for wiring things up. I just noticed that it works but I have no idea if this combo gives you a good workflow. Would be so cool if KushView would support AUv3… does anybody know?

mistercharlie

@krassmann said:
Would be so cool if KushView would support AUv3… does anybody know?

I would love a way to use AUv3s with Ableton. As it it, the best way seems to be to use an iConnect or Studiomux and just host them on an iOS device.

cian

@krassmann said:

@MisplacedDevelopment said:
(Some of this may only apply to M1 Macs)

MidiFire works as a native app on the Mac if you are familiar with it on iOS, though it is a separate app purchase and the developer is no longer actively developing his apps.

KushView Element is a cheaper alternative to software like Bidule, might do what you want.

VisualSwift is another iOS crossover possibility to try, it has had some nice updates recently.

If you have Drambo then this may be another option.

MIDI Patchbay is another native one to look at, it worked pretty well when I tried it.

Thanks for mentioning KushView. I tried it and it’s great. Kind of crossover between MidiFire and AUM as it also hosts all kind of plugins. I like their model that it’s basically open source but you can pay $2 to download a binary if you don’t dare to compile the project yourself.

Looks like a great solution to use AUs with Bitwig. In combination with Soundflower you have 64 virtual audio channels for wiring things up. I just noticed that it works but I have no idea if this combo gives you a good workflow. Would be so cool if KushView would support AUv3… does anybody know?

It does not unfortunately. The only application I've used that supports everything (well except AAX because who cares) is Reaper.

I use Blackhole for audio routing on my Mac which is excellent, free and highly recommended. I have to confess I've never never felt the need for a MIDI app to do this and I'm wondering what I'm doing wrong... I just plug things in, set them up once and they kind of work.

krassmann

@cian said:

@krassmann said:

@MisplacedDevelopment said:
(Some of this may only apply to M1 Macs)

MidiFire works as a native app on the Mac if you are familiar with it on iOS, though it is a separate app purchase and the developer is no longer actively developing his apps.

KushView Element is a cheaper alternative to software like Bidule, might do what you want.

VisualSwift is another iOS crossover possibility to try, it has had some nice updates recently.

If you have Drambo then this may be another option.

MIDI Patchbay is another native one to look at, it worked pretty well when I tried it.

Thanks for mentioning KushView. I tried it and it’s great. Kind of crossover between MidiFire and AUM as it also hosts all kind of plugins. I like their model that it’s basically open source but you can pay $2 to download a binary if you don’t dare to compile the project yourself.

Looks like a great solution to use AUs with Bitwig. In combination with Soundflower you have 64 virtual audio channels for wiring things up. I just noticed that it works but I have no idea if this combo gives you a good workflow. Would be so cool if KushView would support AUv3… does anybody know?

It does not unfortunately. The only application I've used that supports everything (well except AAX because who cares) is Reaper.

I use Blackhole for audio routing on my Mac which is excellent, free and highly recommended. I have to confess I've never never felt the need for a MIDI app to do this and I'm wondering what I'm doing wrong... I just plug things in, set them up once and they kind of work.

Didn’t know there is an alternative to Soundflower. That’s good because Soundflower seems to be abandoned. People on this forum are so resourceful. Thanks.

krassmann

@mistercharlie said:

@krassmann said:
Would be so cool if KushView would support AUv3… does anybody know?

I would love a way to use AUv3s with Ableton. As it it, the best way seems to be to use an iConnect or Studiomux and just host them on an iOS device.

@mistercharlie said:

@krassmann said:
Would be so cool if KushView would support AUv3… does anybody know?

I would love a way to use AUv3s with Ableton. As it it, the best way seems to be to use an iConnect or Studiomux and just host them on an iOS device.

True. And I was not convinced of the idea to bring AUM to MacOS… Now I see it different. If Studiomux is stable it seems to be a good solution. Unfortunately the old version wasn’t. How is the new version working for you when under load?

mistercharlie

@krassmann said:

@mistercharlie said:

@krassmann said:
Would be so cool if KushView would support AUv3… does anybody know?

I would love a way to use AUv3s with Ableton. As it it, the best way seems to be to use an iConnect or Studiomux and just host them on an iOS device.

@mistercharlie said:

@krassmann said:
Would be so cool if KushView would support AUv3… does anybody know?

I would love a way to use AUv3s with Ableton. As it it, the best way seems to be to use an iConnect or Studiomux and just host them on an iOS device.

True. And I was not convinced of the idea to bring AUM to MacOS… Now I see it different. If Studiomux is stable it seems to be a good solution. Unfortunately the old version wasn’t. How is the new version working for you when under load?

I got it working once, and it was fine. But I find it too fiddly to set up. One of the reasons I’m using the Mac more is that I prefer to just wake it up and make music. IOS is amazing, but there’s always something that doesn’t work right.

For reliability, I prefer iConnect. But really, I’ve mostly stopped using the iPad for music.

cian

@mistercharlie said:

True. And I was not convinced of the idea to bring AUM to MacOS… Now I see it different. If Studiomux is stable it seems to be a good solution. Unfortunately the old version wasn’t. How is the new version working for you when under load?

I got it working once, and it was fine. But I find it too fiddly to set up. One of the reasons I’m using the Mac more is that I prefer to just wake it up and make music. IOS is amazing, but there’s always something that doesn’t work right.

For reliability, I prefer iConnect. But really, I’ve mostly stopped using the iPad for music.

Is it possible to set it up as a template? I was thinking if I could setup something where AUM fed into StudioMux, then I'd have the flexibility I'd like on the iPad and I'd only need to set it up one time?