USB out for audio & midi

Melharris

Using Stage Traxx with both audio and midi. I have bought this double USB/Power connector from Amazon, and as I thought it has unstable connection. Apple only make their "camera" adapter with 1 USB/Power. If I used this to send midi I could take the audio from the headphone jack. Before I spend more money is this the way that most users work Peter? I just thought it would be neater on stage to use a double connector but its no good if unreliable. Thanks, Mel

Lishy

Hi Mel, where are the 2 USB outputs going to? Are they used just for sending midi? In short, I send midi via bluetooth which might be worthwhile looking into to save on cables and adapters.

Melharris

Hi, thanks for the answer! No Bluetooth. Its 1 audio out to usb/audio interface, and 1 midi out to a usb/midi interface into an RCF M18 digital rack mixer, which also controlled by an iPad. cheers, Mel

Lishy

Melharris What usb/midi interface do you use? What do you control on your mixer via midi out of interest?

Melharris

Hi, If you check out the spec of the RCFM18, all parameters on
the mixer can be controlled by midi. Ie: Snapshot the whole mixer to bring effects on and off, also it has guitar amp simulation which you can programme and change by midi Patch change, so basically my whole show is run by that!

Lishy

Melharris Ok so if you just use that usb/midi interface for sending midi from your ipad then you could get a wireless midi bluetooth adapter like the CME widi master (if the midi in on your mixer is powered, if not then you could get the widi jack). That way you could potentially do without the interface (and any camera adapter) and then take the audio from the headphone jack.
If you just use the other audio interface as an in between to connect the usb to your mixer you could also get a 3.5mm jack to 2 1/4"/2 XLR cable to get into your mixer (which is what I do) which would mean you wouldn't need that interface either. I say all this not knowing your full set up, however.

peter

As far as I know most users use the headphone socket to connect to a mixer. And only those that need multiple outputs use USB to connect to an interface or mixer.

Melharris

peter
I guessed most use the headphone out, thanks for that Peter.
Mel

Melharris

Lishy

Thanks for that I'll check that stuff out. My main priority is that its all bullet proof at gigs!!!

Melharris

Lishy
Hi, Just checked out the CME widi master and it looks great, never used bluetooth on stage before. Just asking if it has been reliable or any connection issues at a gig?? Thanks for your time!!

Lishy

Melharris Absolutely. I've been gigging with using midi bluetooth between ipad and floor modeller for years and have had no issues with it. If you have any further questions you've checked it out, let me know.

Lishy

Melharris No problem at all, happy to help. No I've not had any connectivity or reliability issues with sending midi via bluetooth at all (I've also used the Yamaha BT-01 in the past too). I've played some pretty crowded gigs and use 2 midi bluetooth devices on stage as well as using lighting which uses bluetooth/2.4ghz as well as two 2.4ghz wireless systems without any issue either. I am, however, now using 5.8ghz wireless as I plan on using a midi bluetooth footswitch to control stage traxx on 3 ipads (via host sessions) and our lighting so I wanted as little 2.4ghz/bluetooth up on stage as possible just in case.

Melharris

Lishy
Thanks for your positive help today! I have ordered the CME widi, it arrives tomorrow. I have been using midi on stage since the 1980's as a solo guitar/vox. Been using Cakewalk for tracks and midi for the past 25 years waiting for something that improves on it yet it bullet proof on stage, looks like I may have found it now. Thanks again, Mel

Lishy

Melharris no worries, glad to have helped. Hope it works all ok for you. On that note, I assume the app for the mixer will allow you to connect to it ok? Or do you use ST3 to send all your midi stuff to it?

Melharris

Lishy
I'm going to use another iPad which will connect to the RCFM18 mixer by wifi, then I can get to mixer volumes etc separately. Then use the ST3 iPad to send and audio and midi to the mixer. I need to have a spare iPad on stage anyway, so I thought that was the best way to work!

JonathanS

I use the camera connection kit to send audio to my Bose Tonematch which has a USB input. This keeps the signal digital all the way to the speaker.
On rare occasions I have used the headphone socket if I am using the lightning socket for a midi keyboard running into SampleTank, then the CCK acts as a Midi input.
I don’t hear a difference between analogue or digital to be honest but digital helps prevents any noise getting into the system. Great to be able to power the iPad (and keyboard if necessary) at the venue rather than remembering to do it at home.

Melharris

JonathanS

Hi, thanks for your input! So I'm going to end up with Midi from the iPad sent bluetooth via CME widi. Audio sent from the headphone port. Then I think I'll get an Apple Camera adapter which gives me chance to charge the iPad or use USB to midi as a backup in case of any bluetooth issues or indeed the audio out. I've been using sequencers/computers/midi on stage since 1989 and I have learned to have a backup system for everything, especially working solo!!!

Lishy

Melharris That's exactly how I work with my set up too.

PaulHand

Hi Mel and Lishy.

I hope you are both well.
I wanted to ask your advice please as it seems like you are quite knowledgeable in what I'm trying to achieve and i'm not very clued up with Midi and sounds like you Mel are a seasoned pro at this.

I recently bought the M18 mixer.. I'm also a singing guitarist and currently i just have a Boss duel foot switch that pedal one turns off/on VOX FX and pedal 2 is for an Overdrive boost on my Guitar sim channel.

I'm playing at some UK holiday parks where set up is quick and I just want to take minimal gear so automation the RCF M18 mixer via Midi on ST3 would be great.

So please if you can help as i've never done it.. on setting Program changes from within a song to send to the Mixer

Change Amp patches
Set Delay Tempo to match that of the song.

I have just purchased the Apple Camera USB- Lightening adaptor (after reading the post.. I'd rather go had wired first as My iPad for the M18 is next to the mixer.

I have a septette Ipad to control and run stage traxx.

I'm going to have a play about today but I hope you can offer some advice.

Thanks so much in advance and thank you to Peter for the best thing ever in STraxx.

Regards, Paul

Voxharm

Read this with interest
What would the set up be if you need USB to go to a pedal for midi but also need that USB for power. Does a splitter work or do you just have to ensure iPad charged fully? I use ipad for hours on lyrics but haven't done BT playback so I am not sure if it would last the night when it has to handle everything if that makes sense thank you