iPads as Wireless MIDI Controllers
Wrightstuffmusic.com Š 2011
iPads as Wireless MIDI Controllers MIDI? Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) messages are inside Computers, USB Keyboards, iPods & iPads. MIDI allows us to generate music and transport this music over any number of consumer interfaces to a wide variety of MIDI-equipped devices. MIDI files, formats and the MIDI protocol is so completely integrated into the world of music that you will hear musicians say that they "use MIDI", "compose in MIDI" or "control that with MIDI."
2010 MIDI.org, Tutorial - The Technology of MIDI, accessed June 2011 <http://www.midi.org/aboutmidi/tut_techomidi.php>
How is this useful? iPads, iPhones and iPods can connect to your mac over a wireless network (or via the camera connector kit) and control applications like GarageBand & Logic via MIDI - or even allow you to interact with MIDI enabled websites like www.smartboardmusic.org Imagine controlling your music software from across the classroom or in a studio as you play your instrument stuck behind a microphone and cables!
Apps you will need... eyoControl
Pianist Pro
AC 7 Core
MIDI Surface
$8.99 AUD
$5.99 AUD
$9.99 AUD
$2.49 AUD
Getting Connected
On your MAC Laptop or
Apple’s Audio MIDI Setup is a
You may have other devices
Desktop click on the desktop
very important utility to
showing but double click on
and go to:
know about & navigate. In
the purple ‘Network’ icon
GO > Utilities (Shift Command
this little app you can test,
U) >Audio MIDI Setup and open
configure and ‘setup’ your
it (Command O)
MIDI / Audio devices.
* Great Video for MAC & PC users at http://saitarasoftware.com/Site/Setting_Up.html Makers of AC7 Core
You will be presented with this window on the left.
1
Follow the numbered steps to connect your device wirelessly for MIDI Control. 2
4
Tips • Try to minimise the ‘MIDI’ apps you have open on your iPad to one. Don’t overload 3
your network. • Make sure both computer and device are connected to the same network
1. Check the name of your session (either ‘session 1’ or rename it) 2. In the Directory Box you will see ‘my iPad’ etc - only if the app is opened on the iPad though 3. The Connect Button - hit it 4. You should see your devices name in the Participants Box
Icon Archive, all icons, accessed June 2011, <http://icons.iconarchive.com/icons/arrioch/senary/256/Media-music-midi-icon.png>
Example Connecting ‘Pianist Pro’ App
This is the same type of setup for most Wireless MIDI apps on the Mac - PC users will require a MIDI server of some kind e.g. eyoControl
This window will pop up when you hit the MIDI Button. Make sure your ‘ON’ switch is lit-up Then connect your Device in MAC’s Audio/MIDI Setup utility.
You will receive this notification if you have been successful. Now get playing in GarageBand!
Make sure you check out other apps for MIDI control features. This application has everything - Keyboard, X/Y Pads, Drum Pads & Control Surface