Configuring multiple devices to Play nicely together

General
, ,
1

Hi -
I’d like to share the setup I wish to configure properly to get some help/advice.

I would like the Polyend Play to be the master for sync and playback.

I have a Roland Aira S-1 I like to use as a little midi controller. I would like to be able to record MIDI notes from the S1, as well as have the Play send notes to it for playback.

I have a WIDI Bluetooth for getting midi to my iOS device, which has synths I would like the Play to sequence.

I have a Pokyend Tracker Mini coming in about a month. I will be creating patterns on this that I would like to bring home, plug in, and have it sync and playback in time with the Play.

Pressing play on the Play should create a cacophony of sounds coming from all of these devices :hugs:

I have various dongles but fear I need more. Before I buy more stuff I want to make sure I have a sound config planned.

My questions are: do I need to invest in a MIDI interface and connect everything to it? Do all interfaces work without a computer? Can I get away with not having one?

I get a bit lost in the signal flow when I attempt to conceptualize connecting all this together. @TheKrazyWabbit I watched some of your videos so I know you deal with this sort of thing often!

Any help is appreciated!

1 Like
2

I can’t speak to the tracker mini, so I’ll leave that part for the experts.

In my testing, the Play needs a type B 3.5mm midi adapter connected to midi 5 pin to midi 5 pin extension connected to a type A 3.5 mm midi adpapter if you want to send midi to the S1.

That would be your midi out of the play to the S1. If the tracker mini needs to be connected to the play for the play to sync it, sounds like a midi thru box might be needed. What device(s) are you using widi master with?

3

Thanks for the response.

The WIDI master was thrown into the mix in order to get MIDI to my iPhone for synth playback (and still get audio out through the port).

So, there’s Play, Tracker, S1 and iPhone that all need MIDI I/O between them.

4

Short of getting the answer you need from someone, the best way I’ve found is to hook what you have together and test. That will help tell what needs focus and where if any tools need to be bought.

Then if you want, share so others can learn.

Looking forward to hearing how it plays out.

5

From what I can see, all of these devices are USB class compliant and can receive and send MIDI via USB. So an alternative could be an USB hub like the one from UNI (the $50-ish one) with an USB-audio adapter for your audio.

I’m routing the Play through the AUM app (highly recommended) to whatever device is connected, as well as some nice software synths.

This would set you back a few bucks (probably around what you would pay for a MIDI splitter) with the benefit of having a USB hub powering your phone, giving you HDMI output if you need it, etc.

3 Likes
6

That sounds like a great solution. Thanks

I was assuming that a computer was needed when doing midi over usb. If that is not the case I will definitely be trying this method.

I’ve also had issues with noise in the audio signal when usb is connected.

I will try it out and post results!

7

Thinking about this more, I realize the phone running aum would act as the ‘brain’ for handling all of the midi routing. That could work!

1 Like
8

You are not wrong. In that case the iPad is the computer, but I think there are dedicated boxes that can do MIDI over the standard DIN and USB-ports. Retrokits has a nice hub with MIDI over USB and TRS-A inputs (RK-006) which looks compact and handy.

When it comes to noise: Yeah, have the same problem. I bought a 16 port powered USB-hub with buttons for every port because I thought it would be a clever idea to just use 90W the thing is capable of providing to power all my gear. Turns out, that almost everything which gets its power through this hub and puts out audio introduces ground noise. Except the Polyend Play :slight_smile:

9

How are your results. I really like the idea tbh, since it’s a slick solution. Playing around with Loopy Pro at the moment, which can also do routing, but AUM does it better. Loopy is a great Looper though and I still don’t know if it will hold me back from buying the RC-505 but time will tell.