USB Class Compliant MIDI Cables for Mobile devices

Started by Elantric, April 20, 2013, 10:58:31 AM

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Elantric

The knockoff Apple Camera Connection Kits (CCK) USB Host Adapters do not work for our needs.
You need the genuine Apple adapters listed below, else you will loose time trying to debug something you can't fix.

Today, 90% of the generic third party USB Host or OTG adapters are complete junk for our needs here, and will mislead you into thinking:

"This does not work - I give up!"

Its crucial to use the official USB Adapter from your device manufacturer for your specific model.

For latest iPads (or  Iphone 5 running IOS7) - Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD821ZM/A/lightning-to-usb-camera-adapter?fnode=3a

For older iPads (or  Iphone 4S running IOS7)  - Apple CCK (Camera Connection Kit)

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC531ZM/A/apple-ipad-camera-connection-kit?fnode=3a


For Android  - (Samsung Galaxy Note 2)   Micro USB to USB Adapter ET-R205UBEG



Here is the tested solution for full MIDI I/O

MeritLine USB MIDI Interface Link Cable Adapter for Music Keyboard  SKU:  0009966-001
http://www.amazon.com/AudioLink-Music-Keyboard-MIDI--Converter/dp/B00LE7SLPY/ref=sr_1_131?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1452559133&sr=1-131


http://www.meritline.com/usb-midi-interface-link-cable-adapter---p-85182.aspx

USB MIDI Interface Link Cable Adapter for Music Keyboard

Description:

100% brand new and high quality!
The USB MIDI cable makes it easy to connect any MIDI instrument to your PC and Mac via USB
Latest version with a built-in driver.
USB powered and class compliant for true plug and play just connect to a computer USB socket for automatic installation of the driver.
1 in + 1 out MIDI interface, 16 MIDI input channels and 16 MIDI output channels.
LED indicate MIDI in signal and MIDI out signal.
Compatible with Windows 98 SE/2000/XP/VISTA/Win7 Mac OS X10.1 or later.
Cable length: 5 Feet/ 1.5M
Package Includes: 1x USB MIDI Interface Link Cable Adapter for Music Keyboard



This is a USB Class Compliant MIDI Interface, and works with all operating systems that support USB Class devices. No Driver required.
My $14 USB to MIDI I/O Cable from Meritline.com works with iPad Mini + Apple Lightning USB Camera Adapter.

Uploaded at Snapagogo.com

I have also tested this with Ipad2 + Apple CCK and it works there too!




--
Android -
Here is the MeritLine USB /MIDI Cable working using my 2012 Samsung Galaxy Note2 + Samsung USB OTG Adapter
Uploaded at Snapagogo.com

Uploaded at Snapagogo.com


I found that generic "USB OTG" adapter cables do not work with the Note 2, the official Samsung version works like a charm for MIDI and USB Audio I/O with Audio Evolution Mobile!
They have a complete list of working interfaces here
http://www.extreamsd.com/USBAudioRecorderPRO/
http://www.audio-evolution.com/


https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=8393.0


Edit: the MeritLine USB<>MIDI cable above jumped up in price to $33
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LE7SLPY/sr=1-131/qid=1452559133/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1452559133&sr=1-131
- so might as well get the superior Roland UM-ONE MK2
http://www.amazon.com/Roland-UM-ONE-MK2-MIDI-Interface/dp/B00967UN50/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1460060557&sr=1-1&keywords=Roland+UM-ONE+MK2

BackDAWman

#1
Is there anything special I should know to get this to work? I have a genuine Apple CCK and a generic USB to midi lead that works fine on my PC but I can't for the life of me get it to work with my ipad 2. I have tested with Midi Monitor, TB Midi Stuff and My Lyric Book. All of these apps work fine with my Neusonik midi adapter. I thought I would try this with the USB to Midi lead as the lead is quite long and makes for a neater set up.

Elantric

#2
QuoteI have a genuine Apple CCK and a generic USB to midi lead that works fine on my PC but I can't for the life of me get it to work with my ipad 2.

Not all USB <> MIDI Cables work

I own two of these MeritLine USB<>MIDI Cables and both work on my iPad 2  (with 30pin Camera Connection Kit (CCK) or iPad Mini (with Apple Lightning USB Camera Adapter)

Remember MIDI Out on this Cable feeds  MIDI In on target device 

MIDI Out on target device feeds  MIDI In on this Cable   

And you must use Genuine Apple USB Camera Connection adapters

BackDAWman

#3
I've tried both ways. There is a little light on the USB connector for midi activity in and out. I get activity coming from my GR-55 but nothing coming from the ipad :-(

Elantric

#4
QuoteThere is a little light on the USB connector for midi activity in and out.

On mine the Large Black oval shaped "pod" in the middle of the cable has a clear plastic window that glows Blue when its connected to USB. Seen below

Quotebut nothing coming from the ipad :-(
Remember the GR-55 does NOT respond to MIDI Note On/Off messages - so its not the fault of the cable ;)

Use a Midi Monitor app to test your setup.
Here is  a pic of mine working with MIDI Wrench on my iPad Mini


Post a pic of your Cable and setup?

Mine looks like this:


and is purchased here:
http://www.meritline.com/usb-midi-interface-link-cable-adapter---p-85182.aspx

BackDAWman

#5
Will do but I'm at work at the moment so I will have to post tomorrow. Thanks for your help.

BackDAWman

#6
Wouldn't you know it?!? Last night must have been the night for everything to just work! I set up the CCK and midi lead so I could take a photo. First with TB Midi Stuff then with Midi Monitor. It was here that I noticed the Midi interface showed up in the top right panel. I moved the expression pedal and there it was....streams of wonderful midi data!

The only thing I can put it down to was the fact that after testing the CCK earlier that night for it's intended functionality ( I figured I would take it back for being faulty) and working for both USB and SD card reader it had made itself 'known' to my iPad (??)

Elantric

#7
Glad you got it working.

BTW - if you obtained this same cable from MeritLine.com -
http://www.meritline.com/usb-midi-interface-link-cable-adapter---p-85182.aspx




Uploaded at Snapagogo.com

notice the color picture on the back of the packaging that shows this same $11 USB -MIDI cable being used with a Roland VB-99

Uploaded at Snapagogo.com

BackDAWman

#8
This is the rig I'm using with my CCK:

The midi cable was a generic I picked up from the local music shop about 3 years ago.

Elantric

#9
Cool -

looks like you have the Ego-Sys  / ESI-MIDIMateII
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=8393.msg67942#msg67942

BTW - its important if you locate a generic USB to MIDI cable, that it clearly states:


"USB powered and Class Compliant for true plug and play just connect to a computer USB socket for automatic installation of the driver."


montyrivers

Thanks a lot for finding this, Elantric.  Just ordered two.

Elantric

#12
I just ordered two of these for testing. Update - works great!

ESI MIDIMATE II - USB 2.0 MIDI Interface Cable $29.95
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=invoice&A=details&Q=&sku=746076&is=REG

The MIDIMATE II from ESI/Ego-Sys is a USB 2.0 MIDI interface housed in a convenient cable form. The two MIDI connectors will function in the standard configuration of MIDI In and MIDI Out, but the interface also automatically detects the incoming and outgoing MIDI signals and assigns them appropriately. This means the interface can deliver 32-channels of either input or 32-channels of output if required.

[ [ So this cable can act like a Dual MIDI Input  / Dual MIDI Output  / Thru Box for iPad+CCK ]]

The interface is compatible with Windows XP, Windows 7 (32-, 64-bit) and Vista (32-, 64-bit), as well as Mac OS X. The interface works instantly after being plugged in to the computer, with no driver installation required. [ i.e, Will also work with iPad / Android]
USB MIDI interface with 2 MIDI connectors, each can work as independent input or output
High-speed connection to USB 2.0 or 1.1 equipped PC or Mac computer
Bus powered - requires no external power supply
No driver needed for Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Mac OS X


cell7

#13
Quote from: Elantric on September 09, 2013, 01:53:43 AM

The MIDIMATE II from ESI/Ego-Sys is a USB 2.0 MIDI interface housed in a convenient cable form. The two MIDI connectors will function in the standard configuration of MIDI In and MIDI Out, but the interface also automatically detects the incoming and outgoing MIDI signals and assigns them appropriately. This means the interface can deliver 32-channels of either input or 32-channels of output if required.


I think i have this actual cable... although i never realized it could do 2x16 in or out. Thats cool!

BackDAWman

#14
Yep. That's the one I got. Although here in Australia it was $79.95 when I bought it!

Jeremy Hall

Thanks for this interesting thread.

I just wondered if you guys with the ESI Midimate II have tried it with any android phones /tablets?
I have a Note II 10.1 and would like to use it with the gr55.

Thanks
Sent from my GT-N8010 using Tapatalk 2

Elantric

#16
ESI MIDIMATE II - USB 2.0 MIDI Interface Cable


Works with my Ipad and Galaxy Note II phone. just like the MeritLine cable did shown above. It should work also with your Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet.

Its crucial to use the official Samsung USB Adapter specifically for YOUR device. - none of those cheap "micro USB OTG" adapters work on Samsung.
In my case I use  (Samsung Galaxy Note 2)   Micro USB to USB Adapter Part Number ET-R205UBEG

Similar to this


Use this Android app to debug MIDi
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.extreamsd.usbmidimonitor&hl=en
USB MIDI Monitor
eXtream Software Development - July 14, 2013

The USB MIDI Monitor lets you view all incoming MIDI events from your USB MIDI interface. The events are timestamped and the event type, MIDI channel and values are displayed in a scrollable table. For control changes, extra information is displayed if the control change is a known type like volume or panning.

Note that this app requires the following items:
* Android 3.2 or higher
* Tablet or phone with USB host support
* USB MIDI interface that works without drivers on Windows or OSX
* If your device has a micro-USB connector: a micro-USB to USB OTG cable (around 7 to 10 euro)
* No rooting or special drivers required!!

Elantric

#17
Workflow for setting up MIDI Controllers.
www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=2975.0


What may not be apparent is I can now use my Android phone as a MIDI Monitor to fully debug any MIDI System using the tools above.


Jeremy Hall

Thanks elantric for the comprehensive response.

The next issue is finding stock of the midimate in the UK. Cheapest place seems to be Thomann in Germany at around 24 UK pounds delivered. Maybe I will go for the much cheaper Meritline option although it will take longer to arrive from China.

Jeremy Hall

I just found this one on e Bay which claims to be class compliant so I might give this a go.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=290963159663

Elantric


Jeremy Hall


Jeremy Hall

#22
Update with good news:

I found 2 ways to connect my Android devices to the GR55...

1. Using a MIDI interface cable. I found the same Chord USBMC MIDI cable as mentioned in my post #19 cheaper on Amazon UK than on Ebay  :o
The good news is that I have now received it and it works with both my Samsung Galaxy S2 phone (soon to be replaced by a Note 3) and my Samsung Note 2 10.1 tablet.  ;D

Here's the Amazon UK link for anyone that wants to buy the MIDI interface (£9.95 + £2.99 UK delivery) --> http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001FW063I/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The key thing to remember is to plug the MIDI interface USB connector into the phone/tablet USB OTG connector cable before connecting this to the phone/tablet.
I also had the MIDI interface MIDI cables already connected to my GR55 (MIDI OUT connected to GR55 MIDI IN and vice versa for the other cable) before connecting the tablet.

I quickly tried the free TouchDaw app (many thanks to Nils from Humatic for a heads up on how to send Program Changes to the GR55) --> http://www.humatic.de/htools/touchdaw/
It works great using the keyboard option, click on the top left tab and select program/bank change then when you press the program +/- keys GR55 changes program. You can also type program numbers.

2. Using rtpMidi to achieve a MIDI over Wifi connection to your PC (the one connected to your GR55).

Install rtpMIDI on your PC/MAC from here --> http://www.tobias-erichsen.de/software/rtpmidi.html
There is a good tutorial here --> http://www.tobias-erichsen.de/software/rtpmidi/rtpmidi-tutorial.html

rtpMIDI has a "Live Routing" feature in the lower right corner. You need to temporarily disable the session you are using and then you are able to select the gr55's MIDI interface there. Re-enable the session and what comes from the phone/tablet gets routed directly to the GR55 :)

Again I used TouchDaw to achieve the same results as 1. above but using a wireless connection from my phone/tablet to my PC. The normal GR55/PC USB connection provides the necessary MIDI connection from the PC to the GR55.

Hope this helps,
Jez

Toby Krebs

Thank you yes very helpful as I am considering going down the Android road and will want to interface it with both my GR55s.

Jeremy Hall

Quote from: Toby Krebs on October 05, 2013, 11:20:19 AM
Thank you yes very helpful as I am considering going down the Android road and will want to interface it with both my GR55s.

Glad it helps. I will also be trying out the Android version of touchosc with the gr55 template as soon as I can get some time.