Sending MIDI from a second iPad in the network

kb0025

Just started using Stage Traxx with another musician as the primary user, in a synced setup of our backing tracks on our iPads. Is it possible on the second iPad, the synced user, to receive the synced backing track data from the primary master iPad, but have the second unit sending its own MIDI PC/CC information separately to a WIDI adapter that is connected to the gear that the second synced user is controlling? Also, what is the most reliable WIDI adapter to get for receiving the bluetooth commands to a standard 5 pin MIDI input? There are several out there on the market but I have never used one.

Lishy

kb0025 not sure what you mean by backing track data?
Yes the slave can send its own midi messages and the Widi master is probably what you are after.

AnthonyB

+1 on anything by CME Pro. As part of my live setup I use WIDI Jacks, WIDI Masters and an H4MIDI WC + WIDI Core chip as the 'main' unit connected to my iPad (via USB) that runs ST. Their support and community engagement is excellent.

kb0025

Thanks to all. We were able to get the WIDI adapter and wireless network to work. But not the PC and CC command lines to work properly with my Fractal Audio AXE FX 3 guitar preamp and effects unit.
Here's our issue:
I could really use someone's help today. I have been automating the functionality of my AXE FX 3 by wirelessly sending MIDI PC and CC commands through a WIDI Master wireless MIDI Transmitter to the MIDI IN on my AXE FX 3.
We have multiple iPads running a backing track program called StageTraxx 3 which interfaces with all band members through a wireless Private Network on our iPads. The network lets all of us to see the same backing track information like words and music information including a designated feature that allows me to transmit Preset Changes to the AXE FX 3 via MIDI from each song track we play. I have verified that the network Wi-Fi works, and the WIDI wireless MIDI transmitter and receiver works as well. However, even after following instructions from the creator of the Stage Traxx program we cannot get the Syntax of the MIDI commands we send to go to high banks and presets above PC 128.

I asked AI to help me with it and AI said to send three different commands like, CC# 0 2, CC# 32 3, and then PC 103, since we are transmitting on MIDI channel 2. We have tried different configurations but most of the time it would switch AXE FX 3 to Preset 103 or 104. We did try some other random numbers but we could not get above PC 128. Stage Traxx said to put the Syntax all in the same line, and AI said try three separate lines , but still did not work. Finally AI said there may be settings in the MIDI section of the hardware that may need to be changed or in the MIDI/Remote section of AXE Edit.

Needless to say it has been very frustrating. So can anyone help me with this issue? We were using the example of switching the AXE FX 3 to switch to Preset 487, but with no luck.

Lishy

kb0025 after looking at the manual it looks like you need to send a CC message to select the bank and then a PC message to select the preset 487. Have you tried [midi: CC3@2, PC103@2] or try it on separate lines if that doesn’t work?

AnthonyB

Yeah, I was going to suggest similar to @Lishy . This reminds me of dealing with a Line 6 Helix where on the 1 line I send a Bank Change CC, Program Change, then a Snapshot number:

[midi@00:00.100: CC32.2@5,PC3@5,CC69.1@5]

AXE FX Manual p108 lists the MIDI Bank Select (CC#0) Value , Midi Program Change = Axe-Fx III Preset Number

If you want Preset 487, manual lists that as 3, 103 = 487
So you (likely) need to send it CC0 with a value of 3, followed by PC with value of 103.
In ST, targeting MIDI Channel 2, and timestamping the command to send at 100ms into the start of your song, that would be:
[midi@00:00.100: CC0.3@2,PC103@2]

You've then got options to select Scenes or Channels (start at p46)
It looks like it defaults to CC34 for Scene Select, so if you want to load Scene 4 on the above Preset, the command becomes:

[midi@00:00.100: CC0.3@2,PC103@2,CC34.3@2]

I have to say, that Axe FX manual is as bad as any I've encountered when trying to just to understand it's MIDI implementation. I don't know why they can't just have a table with all the DEFAULT CC values. Instead, they scatter the info intro a bunch of different sections and often say "you can configure the CC in the global options..."