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Nanokey Studio... I'm at a loss.
Hey all, been a hot minute. Does anyone know if there's issues syncing the Korg Nanokey Studio with newer iPads/iPadOS versions? I've been banging my head against the wall for weeks now. Will try to keep this as short as possible to explain what I've done so far.
On my iPad 9th gen... about a year ago... everything worked fine. I put everything down for quite some time, just busy, whatever, decided I wanted to get back into some stuff. I now have an iPad 10th gen, latest iPadOS version, whatever.
Cannot get the Nanokey studio to sync via bluetooth. I tried factory reset. I tried ensuring the wireless was turned on while plugging it into a computer via USB. I'm on the latest firmware (still version 1.08). I tried my sons iPad 9th gen (it's actually my old one), I tried my iPhone 15, nothing nothing nothing.
I started to think maybe the bluetooth transceiver was fried. I emailed Korg. They were not super helpful, but because I was super close to my one year warranty they graciously replaced it. I just received the BRAND new (not repaired, literally BRAND NEW) Nanokey Studio today and I'm getting exactly all the same symptoms. Factory reset... verified firmware 1.08. Tried my iPad, iPhone and my sons iPad again - nada.
What 👏 the 👏 hell? Please, someone talk me off the figurative ledge cause I really don't know a) wtf I'm doing wrong?? and 2) Is it just me?!
Much appreciated y'all!
Comments
There was an iOS update that broke connectivity (maybe iOS 17?).. but it was fixed with updated firmware.
My only suggestion would be to “forget” the BT connection and then pair it again… this fixed a similar issue for me once.
You could also try using Korgs app if you haven’t already.
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/bluetooth-midi-connect/id1108321791
Good lucky!
NKS has never sent or received clock over Bluetooth by design. It only works over USB connection. This issue is unrelated to iOS version or any other cause, and there is no way to work around it other than to use a 3rd party bluetooth dongle that NKS thinks is a USB device (and also transmits clock. Not all do).
I think ‘sync’ in this context means establishing BT connection rather than MIDI clock sync.?!
(Otherwise I wasted my time!!)
but yeah you are correct about no MIDI clock sync when using BT connection!
Are you trying to sync the NanoKey ARP to an app or just having problems connecting with BT? What host/app are you using to connect with Bluetooth? Are you seeing the Bluetooth being advertised but not being able to connect?
I have the NanoKey studio. No issues with BT here.
Bluetooth on iOS is quite flakey in my experience.
Adafruit’s Bluefruit Connect and MidiMittr are really helpful in debugging Bluetooth issues on iOS. It seems very common for iOS to not even see a Bluetooth device, yet you can connect with one of these tools. Once the connection is established most of the time it keeps working.
Oh! I totally misread the post. I think I saw sync and immediately imagined a mention of midi clock. 😂
Yes, removing the bluetooth profile is what fixed that for me. Also updating to the latest firmware was needed at one point, but that was years ago and @icsleepers is on the latest.
Also, I've been tripped up a time or two by other devices grabbing the bluetooth connection before the device I'm on. I have to remember to delete the bluetooth connection when I've used a device other than my default one.
What steps are you taking to connect it?
Yikes way more comments way faster than I expected. Literally I’m just trying to get iPadOS to see it, always what I did - see below:
Going to switch over to a laptop to address everyone better, stand by.
@iamspoon - yep, this was my first thought. Before I RMA'd my old one I verified it wasn't connected on any other device - it wasn't. HOWEVER, I downloaded the Korg Bluetooth Midi connect app.... and yeah, wtf. It seems fine now. I do NOT EVER remember doing this lmao.... so thanks man!! That did it I think! Though I don't know why @_@
@wim yeah not clock, sorry I should been more specific with what I meant by sync. Literally just the BT connection lol...
@rheslip and @reezygle thanks! I think I needed the bluetooth midi connect app but I swear to god I don't recall using this in the past....
@espiegel123 I think I'm good, gonna test in a minute. I feel so dumb now I really, really don't ever recall using another app to connect the nanokey studio via BT....
I must be losing my mind lmao. Thank you everyone!! If someone can just 100% confirm yes, you need the Korg Bluetooth Midi App for this to work I can mentally put this to bed 🤣
If you're trying to connect there, you're in the wrong place. You don't make a BLE Midi connection via Bluetooth settings.
@icsleepers : your hosts will have a Bluetooth connection panel. You connect there not in iOS settings
You know… now that I’m pontificating on this more, you’re right. I did initiate the connection from either Gadget or GarageBand directly. And then of course it does show up in settings as a Bluetooth connected device. FML man I’m getting old and stupid lol.
Thank you everyone for entertaining my insanity lol…
TLDR, did anyone mention the firmware update. There was a firmware update for the Korg nanokey studio a year or two to fix this specific problem.
Nevermind, happens to the best of us.
@Poppadocrock yeah! That was my first thought, the one that got shipped to me was already 1.08 haha.
The more I’m thinking about all this the more I’m like damn, totally forgot how to sync this thing it’s been so long lmao… say you haven’t been making music without saying you haven’t been making music 🫣
lol. Cheers.
So did you ever get it sorted?
😂😂👍 At least that was a year. There was this iOS midi daw thing years back, can’t remember what it was called, that was soooo convoluted and made no sense. You’d figure it out but if you stopped using it for a week you’d be staring at it like an idiot, back on square 1 with no idea of what was where.
It’s all good haha, figured it out! Was trying to sync in the not correct spot 😅
Thanks for the thread. You’re not alone. You just helped me to understand where I had been going wrong with a bluetooth connection. I had let it go and then I saw this thread. So thank you! My bluetooth is all in a happy place now. it’s in the app not the system settings…