Help: Using iPad with Fractal Audio FM9

jcshirke

Hi,

I'm trying to send MIDI commands from ST3 to my FM9. I'm doing so wirelessly using a WIDI jack.

For the moment, I'm not trying to do anything too complicated. I just want to send a PC when I hit play on my backing track in ST3. I've tried doing so several ways. I tried the [midi@play...] route, and I've also tried the same thing by having ST3 send the message at 1 second into the count in [midi@00:01.00...]

In this instance, I'm trying to load FM9 preset 452. According to the MIDI chart that comes with FM9, that should be in bank 3, preset 68.

As I understand it (which may precisely what's at issue, I realize), there are two ways to do this in ST3. The easier of the two ways is to use the ST3 "shortcut" and assume the MSB is 0. So, the command in this case should be:

PC68.3@1 (preset 68, bank 3, on MIDI ch 1)

I've tried sending the message the longer way by sending CC0 with a value of 3. I've tried sending one long command separated by a comma. I've tried splitting the messages up into two separate midi commands.

The WIDI jack flashes at the exact time(s) I've specified in my commands, so it seems like it is receiving data. I've triple checked that I have the MIDI outputs set for blue tooth in Playback. I've checked the MIDI remote setup as well--several times. Nothing is working. Rather than spell out each and every attempt I've made, I was hoping someone could just tell me what I'm likely to be doing wrong.

I realize I need to troubleshoot three possible sources of the problem: ST3, WIDI jack, and my FM9. But I've gone over everything in painstaking detail, and I can't figure it out.

For any Fractal Audio users, I also read and posted in this thread on the FAS forum. It describes pretty much the same issues I'm having.

https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/solved-midi-preset-scene-control-via-widi-jack-w-stage-traxx-3-ios.194313/

Thanks so much in advance for any help.

Lishy

jcshirke silly questions but will ask - have you definitely set the FM9 to receive on channel 1?
Are the ins and outs on the Jack correct? I’ve made this mistake before…

jcshirke

Lishy

I don't blame you for going back to square one. I've checked the simple stuff a dozen times. Yep, it's set to receive on ch. 1. In/Out jacks look to be correct. I even reversed them once or twice just to make sure I wasn't being an idiot. Still didn't work. I will check yet again.

jcshirke

Lishy

You were right! I had the MIDI jacks reversed because I was reading the triangles on the WIDI Jack wrong. I had it connected correctly at some point during my struggles, but I probably wasn't sending the correct messages to the FM9 then.

Just as a note in case someone else needs the info, you cannot send PC65.3@1 (in my example) to switch banks. You do need to include a CC message also. So, in my case, I had to send: [midi@00:01.00: CC0.3@1, PC65@1]. It worked!!

peter

Maybe the Fractal device starts numbering at 1? ST3 starts at 0, so to select bank 3 you would need PC68.2@1.

jcshirke

peter

This is from the manual:

MIDI BANK & PROGRAM CHANGE
The following table lists the MIDI Bank and Program Change messages required to select FM9 presets.
MIDI Bank Select (CC#0) Value , Midi Program Change = FM9 Preset Number.

0, 0 = 0
0, 1 = 1
0, 2 = 2
0, 3 = 3
0, 4 = 4

Continuing:

3, 68 = 452

Even if I had made a mistake about which bank corresponded to the one I need, wouldn't I expect to see some preset to load with PC68.3@1?

jcshirke

One other thing I should mention is that I tried the MIDI learn route first. On the ST3 screen, it just says "Waiting for MIDI data," no matter what buttons I push on the FM9.

peter

Ah yes, so the Fractal device needs the bank sent in CC0. Then you need to send it seperately, because the part that is sent in the PC command uses CC32. So PC65.3@1 will be effectively: CC32.3@1,PC65@1

jcshirke

I've got it figured out now, and it works brilliantly. I programmed two FM9 scene changes later in the song, and they worked flawlessly. 🙂 Thanks, everyone!

Lishy

jcshirke glad you got it sorted.