KVR Audio

vixalot · Post by **vixalot** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 6:09 am

Currently I have a Macbook Pro running Logic Studio. I'm debating on using an iPad 2 as a midi controller during live performances...

I've been doing some research but just can't find the answer I'm looking for. So hopefully the KVR Audio Forum can come to the rescue again!!!

Is an iPad only able to act as a midi controller via a wifi connection? This worries me because of possible latency problems triggering samples and what if the gig I'm at doesn't have a Wifi network? Is there any app out there that can act as a midi controller on the iPad but use a cable connection instead?

On that note, lets say I ditch the Macbook all together and run everything just from my iPad? From what I know they say running all of your audio out of a 1/8 inch stereo connection can effect the sound quality of the tunes. I generally plug into house sound with XLR's and have been told that is the best setup to aid in sound quality. Is there any sort of audio interface that could work with the iPad so I could plug into the house sound with XLR's.

I guess I'm trying to figure out just what the boundaries are for an iPad in a live situation.

mindnoise · Post by **mindnoise** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 6:34 am

sure XLR is best but if you can stay close to your entry point in the system
aka main mixing console like 3m (technically 12m AFAIR) it does not matter.

And IF that matters you I'd question the audio quality of iPad, too.

Alesis has a nice ioDock for the pad, it's not yet out though.
Also AudioDamage is developing a nice 2x2 Audiocard for the iPad*edit.
But it also takes some time to be released.

If you are concerned with MIDI over WIFI you can use Line6 MIDI Mobilizer.
Check for App compatibility though.

I use it on the iphone. IT's def. more tight that WiFi, but alos less flexible since you are hooked up with wires.
In general I found "MiFi" responsive enough to be live usable with touchOSC.

kuniklo · Post by **kuniklo** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 7:45 am

You don't have to use an existing wi-fi network for this. If you have a Macbook you can create a new, ad-hoc network on your Macbook and use that from your iPad. I haven't had any problems with this and I use it with very low latency with my midi control app, MidiMe, all the time.

olja · Post by **olja** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 12:21 pm

All apps that are core MIDI compatible can use the Apple Camera Connection Kit to transfer MIDI as well. But yes, the best option is probably the upcoming Alesis I/O dock, since it has both MIDI and audio connections: https://www.alesis.com/iodock

vixalot · Post by **vixalot** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 2:57 pm

kuniklo wrote:You don't have to use an existing wi-fi network for this. If you have a Macbook you can create a new, ad-hoc network on your Macbook and use that from your iPad. I haven't had any problems with this and I use it with very low latency with my midi control app, MidiMe, all the time.

Hmm this I did not know about. Is there anything out there I can read up on to figure out how to do that? That seems to be the route to go for now.

That Alesis dock seems to also be the answer to my problems. So in a since the Alesis audio dock could let me use my iPad as a stand alone unit and leave the Macbook at home I'm guessing? Looks like I could even use it with the Macbook too.

Any idea when this unit is coming out? How about a ballpark price?

surferman · Post by **surferman** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 3:27 pm

Look for the airport icon in your menu. Click on it and select "create network". Give it a name and decide if to have a password. You can change the channel to avoid interference.

Done

kuniklo · Post by **kuniklo** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 4:07 pm

surferman wrote:Look for the airport icon in your menu. Click on it and select "create network". Give it a name and decide if to have a password. You can change the channel to avoid interference.

Yeah that's all you have to do. Very simple. Once you've created this network just select it in the settings app on your iPhone/iPad and you're ready to go. After that just follow the steps here:
http://www.polychordapp.com/midi.html

It's pretty easy.

sirmobius · Post by **sirmobius** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 12:31 pm

Dunno when the io dock is coming out, but it looks like it'll be $200 [that's what all the people carrying it say anyways]. Which is kind of disgusting. But it's the only thing that does what it does, and it looks like it charges the iPad too [or at least doesn't require additional power?!?], so that's nice.

olja · Post by **olja** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 1:50 pm

It's available for pre-order on Sweetwater: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/iODock

Says $199 and shipping in "summer 2011".

iPad as a Midi Controller? Sound quality? Latency problems?