Support for the FIRST version line 6 midi mobilizer or the alesis i-dock?

Question

because all of the stuff I've read so far is pretty vague in this area; I'd hate to have got the pro version & spent ages designing a layout only for it not to work with my hardware.

a good, solid list of tested hardware should be front-&-centre of the product brochures.

duncan.

Answer 1

Hi Duncan and thanks for your question. We are fully tested with the iRig MIDI, Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer II, and iConnect (1st gen, but we've heard the second gen works). We also work with the iPad Camera Connection Kit if your hardware works with that. 

I'm aware of the lack of clear marketing information around the app, and appreciate your concern about the lack of a "solid list of tested hardware," but the options listed on the first page of the MIDI Designer site are the only tested ones.

I'm not sure whether MD will work with the first version of the Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer. My understanding is that it's NOT a coreMIDI device and that I'd need to talk to a specific API, so I think that rules it out.

The Alesis i-Dock works in most circumstances, but we've had problems with users before. I believe they were regarding the iDock not passing sysex reliably.

Regarding your comment, "I'd hate to have got the pro version"... do not buy the Pro version until you are up and running with the Lite version. The only difference is the barrier.

Thanks for your question and for your honesty regarding the hardware list. We'll look to do that in the future.

Best!
Dan

 

Comments

>confused< I didn't mention MOTU....

ok, let me put this another way:
if I google for more info on the app, I see some ipad/iphone midi hardware mentioned.
amongst the stuff mentioned is "line 6 midi mobilizer", sometimes with the "II", sometimes without.
there is no mention whatever of the alesis dock, so I am assuming it's not ratified.
but *please* tidy up the position regarding the line 6, so that it's less ambiguous. new users have no idea how long the hardware discovery process usually takes. I left mine "discovering" for ten minutes with the line 6 adaptor connected, & nada. so I think we can safely say it does not work.
it has been established elsewhere that the line 6 mk1 device is not class compliant, but your app will attract some potential users who don't know this, in addition to other users who've bought the alesis dock, thinking that it too is class compliant.

so- again- it would be very helpful if there was a list of "these things definitely work & these other things don't" somewhere prominent.

it looks like a great app, but I can't use it yet. :-/

duncan.

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sorry, adjusting answer now. This is what I get for answering between sets at the gym.

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Hi, let me just clarify where we are in this process. You're the first user who has EVER gotten in touch who has a Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer I. I would love to know your results, but they seem negative (i.e., doesn't work) so far. Right?

Regarding us mentioning the Mobilizer without the II: that's an error in our marketing. I'll fix that on the website and App Store descriptions in the next hour.

Thanks for getting in touch and for your help and patience.

Best!
Dan

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thanks, dan.
I'll probably be writing to line 6 soon; I only found out through trying your app that there even was a new version of the mobilizer, & that it's now "class compliant".
there doesn't seem to be an upgrade path for us early adopters. >sigh<

I really wanted this to work, because I have a bunch of stuff- software & hardware- that I need to use with midi CCs & I'm tired of having to break out the PC every time I need to reprogram one of my doepfer units. your app looks ideal.
next week, I'll be able to try it with my alesis dock.
in the meantime, if there's anything I can do to help get the app talking to other iOS hardware midi adaptors, let me know. perfectly happy to test beta. :-)

d.

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Also see:
http://mididesigner.com/hardware-connections-and-new-lightning-connector/
http://mididesigner.com/qa/413/midi-designer-without-wired-connection-does-work-iconnect
http://mididesigner.com/qa/337/non-wifi-options-midi-designer-on-ipad-via-usb

The App Store description does not mention any specific hardware. Front page of MIDI Designer site has been fixed. Please let me know if you find any other misleading information on the site.

Thanks!
Dan

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Hi Duncan,

Sorry to hear about the Line6 debacle. Upgrade path for hardware is hard. Get in touch over email (via the contact form) and we'll see what we can work out.

Thanks!
Dan

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thanks again, dan. I'll test my alesis dock next week & let you know if there's anything weird. most likely I would use the dock anyway, but I just happened to have the line 6 thing here with me.
d.

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Thanks. Also see: http://mididesigner.com/qa/797/how-can-get-midi-designer-work-with-the-alesis-docks-midi-ports

Answer 2

Hi Duncan and thanks for your question. We are fully tested with the iRig MIDI, Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer II, and iConnect (1st gen, but we've heard the second gen works). We also work with the iPad Camera Connection Kit if your hardware works with that. 

I'm aware of the lack of clear marketing information around the app, and appreciate your concern about the lack of a "solid list of tested hardware," but the options listed on the first page of the MIDI Designer site are the only tested ones.

I'm not sure whether MD will work with the first version of the Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer. My understanding is that it's NOT a coreMIDI device and that I'd need to talk to a specific API, so I think that rules it out.

The Alesis i-Dock works in most circumstances, but we've had problems with users before. I believe they were regarding the iDock not passing sysex reliably.

Regarding your comment, "I'd hate to have got the pro version"... do not buy the Pro version until you are up and running with the Lite version. The only difference is the barrier.

Thanks for your question and for your honesty regarding the hardware list. We'll look to do that in the future.

Best!
Dan

 

Answer 3

FWIW -

I've been using my iPad 2 with MIDI Designer Pro on an Alesis iO Dock for quite a while, and it works GREAT!  I'm using the combination to build some templates for some of my Moog hardware, and so far it seems like everything is working correctly and as advertised!

To caveat, I have not tried anything that requires sending or receiving SYSEX data, but CC, program change, and note commands all seem to be working just fine.

Keep in mind that as long as you have a compatible iPad, the iO Dock is going to give you conventional MIDI DIN, MIDI USB, and combination 1/4"/TRS audio I/O, and it charges the iPad while in use.  And the price has come WAY down in recent months!

As an alternative, if you still want a robust MIDI connection that works quite well, you might think about the iConnect MIDI.  Doesn't offer audio and doesn't charge connected devices, but it is a cool way to link together several DIN and USB MIDI devices with your iOS gear.

UPDATE 24 July:

Unfortunately, I can confirm that the iO Dock does NOT work with SYSEX with ANY app!  That's really a shame, because other than that HUGE oversight on the part of Alesis, the iO Dock really is a great way to integrate an iPad into the studio...

Answer 4

FWIW -

I've been using my iPad 2 with MIDI Designer Pro on an Alesis iO Dock for quite a while, and it works GREAT!  I'm using the combination to build some templates for some of my Moog hardware, and so far it seems like everything is working correctly and as advertised!

To caveat, I have not tried anything that requires sending or receiving SYSEX data, but CC, program change, and note commands all seem to be working just fine.

Keep in mind that as long as you have a compatible iPad, the iO Dock is going to give you conventional MIDI DIN, MIDI USB, and combination 1/4"/TRS audio I/O, and it charges the iPad while in use.  And the price has come WAY down in recent months!

As an alternative, if you still want a robust MIDI connection that works quite well, you might think about the iConnect MIDI.  Doesn't offer audio and doesn't charge connected devices, but it is a cool way to link together several DIN and USB MIDI devices with your iOS gear.

UPDATE 24 July:

Unfortunately, I can confirm that the iO Dock does NOT work with SYSEX with ANY app!  That's really a shame, because other than that HUGE oversight on the part of Alesis, the iO Dock really is a great way to integrate an iPad into the studio...