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Multiple iPads to one Sequencer-iPad or Hardware Sequencer - possible?
Lets say, we have four old iPads here, fast enough for the old Synth Apps like Thor, Sunrizer etc.
And one iPad with a sequencer. OR a hardware sequencer like the Keystep Pro.
Is it possible to connect the ipads with a CCK to a hub and then play them via MIDI?
I just wonder, if someone tried this kind of workspace before...
Comments
Hmmm. Not like that, for sure. The CCK is a USB host interface (note the USB A connector), and there can only be one host on a USB system.
Maybe if each iPad had a 5-pin MIDI interface. I'm thinking of those simple interfaces with a USB connector and 2 5-pin cables. Now, those usually only do MIDI In and MIDI Out, but each iPad could implement MIDI Thru using AUM or MidiFire. So, the sequencer could send MIDI on different channels to the others. Connect the others in a chain, Out to In. Each picks off its MIDI and sends the rest on. You can get double female adapters to mate those cables.
Alternatively, you could implement Network MIDI over WiFi, but timing may not be very good. If you want to try, you can use MidiFire on one iPad to implement the network host (usually provided by a computer). Network MIDI requires a host running somewhere on the network.
How would you handle the audio? Each iPad playing through its own tiny speakers?
Hmmm. Network MIDI with an Ad-hoc WiFi network is said to achieve possible latencies in the 10..20ms range as stated in this article:
https://cdm.link/2013/09/use-ipad-music-control-every-way-cables-wireless/
Worth a try I'd say.
Even if the latency is a bit higher, chances are that the latency between the sound generating iPads will be in the same ballpark, making it a "good enough" experience.
Make sure you create an Ad-hoc network on a computer (or iPhone, using the Personal Hotspot feature?) located physically close to the iPads and also play with encrypted/unencrypted WiFi settings.
They would connect into a separate Mixer, like Hardware Synths.
In that case you only need a USB hub to which all iPads are connected via CCK and a midi routing app on the master iPad. (imho)
If I‘d have the same plan right now, I‘d use my iConnectAudio4+ to hook up 2 iPads directly.
The 3rd iPad would connect to the iCA‘s additional USB port for midi and it‘s audio output into analog pair 1+2 of the iCA4+.
For the 4th iPad I‘d connect via an IK-Midi interface (DIN) to the iCA‘s DIN inputs and anlog out into pair 3+4 of the iCA.
In that scenario one could even route audio between all 4 iPads... of course #3 and #4 are restricted to be senders only.
(that‘s what I like about the iCA4+)
Use the iconnectmidi4+ instead it allows for 3 devices with audio pass through.
Ableton Link would probably be my goto method for this.
Also, Here’s a great video by @jakoB_haQ
Connect synth iPads to sequencer one using Bluetooth midi.
You'll need an audio interface with each of the iPads or use headphone jack, connect all those to another audio interface to use with your sequencer iPad. Run the sequencer in AUM so midi can be sent over Bluetooth and audio can be routed in via the audio interface.
This would be the best, most efficient, less cables, just setting up is the hard part with the software configuration wackiness, but once setup, presto.
As I already said, you cannot just connect iPads to a USB hub via CCK. The CCK is a USB host interface; it can only connect to the host connector (usually a cable) on the hub. An iPad cannot be a USB slave like a keyboard or synth.
Your alternative scheme using the iConnect products is probably workable, however. Those gadgets are unique in that they can connect to two USB hosts.
for ipad 3 and above (ipad3=first retina) you can try bluetooth midi, although I don't know if it's possible to connect one iPad to multiple via BT , post of it works
Also there is ethernet solution (ipads connected to a hub or router) , it requires dongles but you could stream audio
check Sonobus
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sonobus/id1523236365
and midi via Apple's built-in network midi feature
Edit: Sonobus works from iOS 11 and above , you haven't mentioned which ipad you have , so it might not work
ableton Link it's just a protocol for syncing and has nothing to do with midi
@Korakios Sonobus is nice. It even runs on a Raspberry Pi!!!
I always forget about that, because I usually connect the iPad to the „other“ side of the hub by CCK
Unfortunately not (completely)... the additional USB port doesn‘t accept an iPad with just the regular cable or a hub in between.
Never used that port myself and would have to look at the doc for details.
Edit: ignore. I just read he wanted a software sequencer on iPad....not hardware sequencer.
I use it in conjunction with BT midi via midimttr etc
So many Ideas... Thank you so far!
I also think the iConnectivity Mio has 4 USB Ports with MIDI....
Sonobus does MIDI??
So i could use Lightning to Ethernet Adapters and a Hub/Switch?
Again, the scenario would be: One iPad /HW-MIDI is the Sequencer and four iPads (iOS 12 and above) would be just Synths.
The routing of the 4 Audio signals is not the subject, it could be go analog to somewere...
This midihub looks quite versatile and affordable
https://blokas.io/midihub/
It‘s a unit that handles all midi traffic and after setup by it’s dedicated control software operates on it‘s own. 8 presets can be recalled live.
Each iPad needs a DIN output to connect.
(plain chance that it just appeared on my screen)
No ,Sonobus doen't currently handle midi , but there is no need since iOS supports via wifi (unstable) or ethernet (stable)
But try first (if your ipads are >ipad 3 model) bluetooth midi
If you’re willing to use a desktop OS to host your sequencer, you can use Studiomux. And your sequencer doesn’t have to be one of the big boys. To keep that hardware sequencer vibe with your setup, Numerology (macOS only) is great fun. Especially once you map it to some midi controllers/launchpads and suchlike.
My only word of warning if you go this approach is that your iOS hardware can’t go back much further than the iPhone XS (iPad mini 5). But if you purchase both iPads and iPhones you should have at least 2 devices that can take advantage of Studiomux (and more if you upgrade every 24 months).
http://www.five12.com/hq/N4
This is obviously way outside the scope of the @Pummelfee's original request but iConnectivty's mioXL is a serious bit of MIDI kit and the price isn't too crazy either - street price $399 (they're appox £300 here in the UK).
It would solve @Pummelfee's request in a heartbeat, and all without having to first convert to MIDI DIN or rely on network MIDI. Simply plug each lighting cable directly into mioXL. And the real benefit here is that you wouldn't have to worry about the age of the iOS device, as long as the apps in question are Core MIDI.
https://www.iconnectivity.com/mioxl
If all you're searching for now is midi routing, isn't Bluetooth MIDI an easy solution to try? @auxmux suggested above to connect all the synth iPads to the sequencer iPad via Bluetooth MIDI. This would give you routing from the sequencer to each of the synths. @auxmux also said you'd need an audio interface, but that's only if you're concerned about getting the audio from each back into the same machine.
I'm not sure if Bluetooth MIDI can make multiple connections from different iPads into the sequencer iPad, but if it can it seems clearly like a good solution -- fairly low latency and pretty stable -- and clearly the easiest, requiring nothing more than what you already have (multiple iPads, nothing more hardware-wise).
It can. And, it is the simplest solution if you ask me.
A few possible downsides are:
SonoBus doesn't do MIDI. However, it would be possible to use "Network Session" for MIDI over ethernet. It would take some exploration and setup as without a host like a Mac, establishing the connection isn't always straightforward. I've used MIDIFire to establish such connections over ad-hoc wifi, so I assume the same could be done with ethernet adapters. You'd need an ethernet switch to plug everything into as well.
I have two adapters I can mess around with. Maybe I'll give this a try just to satisfy my curiosity.
I've used this free app "Midi Network" to manage network session midi connections:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/midi-network/id1102428729
Looks good. Thanks!
Thank you - tried it out, works great!
Connect a usb midi to another via female to female midi adapter.
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Coupler-Changer-Extender/dp/B08B1WR2CB