iPads as Wireless MIDI Controllers

iPads as Wireless MIDI Controllers

Wrightstuffmusic.com © 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