Setting up ST3 with Helix and A&H CQ20B

johnplanetz

Hi there,
I'm considering Stage Traxx 3 as my new live rig setup, using an iPad. I have a Helix Floor, and A&H CQ20B mixer.
I'm wondering if it's possible to set up ST3 so I can send individual multitrack audio tracks to the mixer over USB (and also send midi commands to the mixer fx), and simultaneously control the helix over midi (to change presets/snapshots, etc).
Would a USB hub let me connect both devices to the iPad? Or do I need to consider some alternative setup?

Or, if I just plugin in helix over usb, can I route ST3 tracks over USB to the 4 individual AUX outs on the helix? Then plug those AUX outs into the mixer? But then I'm not sure how I could change FX on the mixer over midi.

Any suggestions?
Thanks!
-John

peter

iOS can only work with the last connected audio interface. Both the helix and the CQ20 act as audio interfaces. Therefore you will not be able to use both at the same time on iOS. What would work though is to connect the CQ20 to a USB hub together with a simple USB MIDI interface that is connected to the Helix. Then you can send MIDI commands to the Helix while using the CQ20 as an audio interface.

johnplanetz

Thank you for the quick reply Peter! That seems like it should work. I've never tried a usb hub or midi interface with an iPad. I'm currently using an iPad Air 2 (which I'm hoping is sufficient!)
Could you please suggest some usb hub and midi interface that would be likely to work in this setup?
Thanks again!
-John

peter

Both the hub that I use and my midi interface are old stuff that you can no longer buy. Any class compliant midi interface should work as well as any active (with a power supply) usb hub. Given that the CQ20 does not draw any power over usb and midi interface also need next to no power you should also be fine with a passive hub. But no guarantees on that.

johnplanetz

Thanks Peter. I'll try!
Any thoughts on whether the iPad Air 2 will be a good experience with ST3 running a set with multitrack audio?
Or will there be any limitations/latency/etc due to its age?

Sharonzaz

johnplanetz I sold my iPad Air 2 to a friend and she is running ST3 on it. It runs.
The other iPad Air (1) I sold to another friend also runs (slightly older version) ST3. Running fine.

I’d suggest you moving to first gen usb C iPad Pro.
They’re not expensive second hand and will give you quite a bump in speed and performance and keep your older iPad to maybe mix on your mixer. More importantly it’ll open you up to a new ecosystem of adapters and cables otherwise not working or even available for lightning port iPads.

I held onto my older iPads for too long.
I’ve got two Gen 1 iPads pro 11 and 13 and one M2 iPad Pro. The differences are amazing in performance, just even loading a backup 26gb in size or creating it moves way faster.
But you don’t have to have the latest just to run ST3.

peter

The current version will run fine as long as you don't crossfade between 2 speed and pitch changed 8 track songs. The next version 4 will no longer run on that iPad.

Sharonzaz

When I perform solo I use my iPad plugged into the helix directly (usb adapter- usb cable into helix - this way also charge the iPad)

When I work with a band I plug the same setup but I also use a usb over Ethernet hub (powered and must be audio compatible) and one usb cable goes into my A&H QU SB and then I use a little wireless midi (BT adapter) I got off Amazon as well.

The same setup I also run another usb device out the hub - isb to Ethernet converter and from there to a router- node and then DMX out to run my lights.
All from one iPad.

This is the usb hub I got and it works great
https://a.co/d/21YXlU0

This is the wireless midi I got
https://a.co/d/5o2GkgH

USB c camera adapter
This

https://a.co/d/9yveatC

Or this

https://a.co/d/fttZPPF

If your iPad is the older lightning I highly advise getting the Apple original camera kit adapter but I did find one on Amazon that did work

https://a.co/d/bPOmh3f

I have only one iPad left with a lightning port.
The other 3 are usb c and my new iPhone is also usb c.
Way better.