I've been waiting for the iConnectMIDI4+ for a while and it seems available at many online retailers now. It's a real connectivity beast! But I'm a bit concerned about one strange requirement: from what I've been reading, they suggest you use ASIO4ALL to get the audio throughput working on the PC. That seems a bit odd to me.
I found a good non-video review here. There's also several demo videos now on Youtube, a series of which is sponsored by iconnectivity.com.
Anyone here get a chance to try it out yet?
So iConnectMIDI4+ is out...
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- KVRian
- 1107 posts since 31 Oct, 2002 from the high desert
You need ASIO4ALL on Windows because ASIO can normally only use one device at a time. To use the audio pass through feature of the 4+, you still need a separate audio interface. It also disables the iPad's own audio.
As an example, say you wanted to play a synth on the iPad and record it into your DAW. The pass through will get it from one device to the other, but to actually monitor it you still need it to go through an audio interface.
Your DAW only lets you use one device, either the audio coming in from the 4+, or your audio interface. ASIO4ALL wraps them together, so the DAW sees at as a single device, even though the actual I/O is physically on different devices.
There's no way around it on a PC. With macs you can aggregate multiple devices, so there is no need for ASIO4ALL.
As an example, say you wanted to play a synth on the iPad and record it into your DAW. The pass through will get it from one device to the other, but to actually monitor it you still need it to go through an audio interface.
Your DAW only lets you use one device, either the audio coming in from the 4+, or your audio interface. ASIO4ALL wraps them together, so the DAW sees at as a single device, even though the actual I/O is physically on different devices.
There's no way around it on a PC. With macs you can aggregate multiple devices, so there is no need for ASIO4ALL.
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 1895 posts since 13 Oct, 2002
Thanks for the info. But shouldn't Multi-client ASIO interfaces like RME's be able to handle this? They present their I/O to whatever softwares want to use them. On my DAW system, Windows uses the same RME channels as my DAWs do and can do so simultaneously (even more than one DAW). I can also route ASIO inputs to other ASIO inputs (foldback) and to any outputs to record and monitor any inputs to the soundcard.
Anyway, I'm so impressed with this thing I actually ordered it today. I'll follow up when I get to play with it.
Anyway, I'm so impressed with this thing I actually ordered it today. I'll follow up when I get to play with it.
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- KVRian
- 1107 posts since 31 Oct, 2002 from the high desert
I think that's different- one device, multi-client vs. multiple devices, one client.
Good luck with it though, let us know how you like it.
Good luck with it though, let us know how you like it.
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 1895 posts since 13 Oct, 2002
OK: I get it. It's not software: the device presents as PC audio hardware and doesn't have its own ASIO driver and without some way of virtually connecting the cards within the PC, an aggregate device has to be created. I'm going to have to find another way cause this is going mess up my current hardware routings significantly.
BTW: looking for the manual to the MIDI4+ I found that they have another product on the way: the iConnectAudio4+!! Seems to put a strong emphasis on quality audio, audio connectivity between 2 devices (vs 3), 4x4 analog audio I/0, 24/96 operation, no networking and 1 MIDI I/O but similar MIDI Connectivity of the MIDI4+. Actually it`s starting to look like the Tascam USB-800... Keep your eyes out for the Audio8+, with SPDIF...
BTW: looking for the manual to the MIDI4+ I found that they have another product on the way: the iConnectAudio4+!! Seems to put a strong emphasis on quality audio, audio connectivity between 2 devices (vs 3), 4x4 analog audio I/0, 24/96 operation, no networking and 1 MIDI I/O but similar MIDI Connectivity of the MIDI4+. Actually it`s starting to look like the Tascam USB-800... Keep your eyes out for the Audio8+, with SPDIF...
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- KVRian
- 1107 posts since 31 Oct, 2002 from the high desert
Yep, you got it.
One possible drawback of the Audio4+ is that you can either connect to a second device OR use the USB host port, but not both. See the switch on the back http://www.iconnectivity.com/images/iCM ... s_rear.png
One possible drawback of the Audio4+ is that you can either connect to a second device OR use the USB host port, but not both. See the switch on the back http://www.iconnectivity.com/images/iCM ... s_rear.png
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 1895 posts since 13 Oct, 2002
Funny: my first knee jerk reaction was regret at not seeing it before I ordered the MIDI4+. But after reading through the features, the MIDI4+ is still far more useful to me, and more flexible in its MIDI and audio routing.