Archive for Bluetooth MIDI on iOS

Sean | December 18, 2012
5 comments

BlueMidi: Bluetooth MIDI for iOS is here! and it has Virtual MIDI!

[This post has been updated with some important notes]

Bluetooth is the future of MIDI on iOS.

Several weeks ago, we saw the first steps toward this, and today it’s one step further. Introducing BlueMidi: a Virtual MIDI compatible Bluetooth MIDI transmitter for iOS. This app receives MIDI from other apps running on the same iOS device and continues to send that MIDI, through Bluetooth, to your Mac via this helper app.

Note: This and the post you are currently reading are not by the same developer. So this does not correspond with this (the video embedded above).

Also note that: The second app being demonstrated in the video has pads that light up slightly after you touch them, making it not a very good latency demonstration…

Another note: This app requires a Mac running Bluetooth LE, meaning Macs released after June 2012.

One more note: the iOS app requires Bluetooth LE and is compatible with the following devices:

  • iPhone 4S and iPhone 5
  • iPod Touch 5th gen.
  • iPad 3, iPad 4, iPad mini
  • The app also requires iOS 6.0 or later

Now, there is no need for a WiFi network (it’s been proven insignificant anyway – note that that test was done with a different iOS app) and your dock is now freed up for an audio interface or charging cable! All that’s missing now is Bluetooth MIDI hardware or an adapter!

BlueMidi - Mikkel Gravgaard

Category: BlueMidi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth MIDI on iOS, Virtual MIDI |
Sean | October 30, 2012
No comments

Bluetooth MIDI on iOS: the first steps!

I’ve been thinking about Bluetooth MIDI on iOS for a while now, and it’s finally happening! I shot the developer an email yesterday asking if he had plans to add Virtual MIDI to his upcoming ROTOSynth app. This would allow any app that supports Virtual MIDI, to also support Bluetooth MIDI simply by using ROTOSynth as a ‘bridge.’ Also, we wouldn’t have to wait for every developer to add Bluetooth support. He replied with

That’s a fantastic idea that I hadn’t really thought of. In fact, maybe it’d be best to just have a really basic app that just implements my Bluetooth stuff and sends/receives MIDI messages to other apps with Virtual MIDI. ROTOSynth still has dev to be done on the synth engine, so this way, I could get the BT stuff out without having to finish ROTOSynth first. I’m thinking about taking the project to Kickstarter, I’m just a really busy grad student and I almost need a little startup company to get this going.

…I’m TOTALLY going to back that Kickstarter.

Jay put a page up on his site that details the hardware, software, and some latency stats that YOU HAVE TO SEE. He’s looking for some positive feedback before getting started so if this is something you’d like to see LEAVE HIM A COMMENT HERE!

See also:
Post: MIDI over Bluetooth: Why it’s ideal for iOS

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Category: Bluetooth, Bluetooth MIDI on iOS, coremidi, MIDI, Wi-Fi MIDI |
Sean | October 18, 2012
3 comments

MIDI over Bluetooth: Why it’s ideal for iOS

Update: BlueMidi: Bluetooth MIDI for iOS is here! & It has Virtual MIDI!

MIDI over Bluetooth on iOS would be a breakthrough in convenience, portability, as well as save you some money. MIDI controllers with Bluetooth built in would be wireless (obviously) providing for more portability, as there would be no need for an interface or cables. If there was a keyboard like the nanoKEY2 that supported Bluetooth, your mobile studio could be expanded with a physical instrument that you could take with you on those hour long train rides to work. Also, there would be no need for a WiFi network, and your dock connector would be freed up for an audio interface.

Another thought: A free app could (has been – App Store link) be developed that sends MIDI received via Bluetooth to another app via Virtual MIDI instead of waiting for every developer to add Bluetooth support. Similarly, a physical Bluetooth MIDI plug could allow you to use the hardware you already own.

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Category: Bluetooth, Bluetooth MIDI on iOS, hardware thoughts, MIDI, video |