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Near total MIDI newb question RE: hardware connections - MIDI Designer Q&A

Near total MIDI newb question RE: hardware connections

0 votes

As a guitar player, MIDI still isn't the everyday-thing it's become with many other instruments. I'm hoping for some help getting started with MIDI Designer.

I have two pedals with MIDI in/out capability. I also have a Mac connected via USB to a Presonus Audiobox USB, which has MIDI in/out.

Convoluted as it may be, would I be able to connect MIDI Designer on an iOS device to one (or both) of these pedals with the equipment at hand?

  • If not, what's missing?
  • If yes, after connecting the cables what's next?

My intent is to make things work with what I have if I can. Get comfortable and then purchase a bluetooth/MIDI interface for direct iOS to device control.

Thanks in advance. 

asked Oct 11, 2018 in Basic by ruefus (140 points)
Hi Ruefus.  Welcome to your MIDI journey.  Of course the easiest way to use MIDI Designer would be to connect directly.  With your current setup the way I would think of connecting everything would be to connect the iPad to the MacBook via Bluetooth and send MIDI out to the Presonus Audiobox via USB.  This is a fairly complicated setup and I don’t know if the Audiobox would convert and send MIDI sent from USB to MIDI Out.  I doubt it would but check the manual for certainty. Do your guitar pedals have direct 5-pin MIDI ports or TRS/MIDI ports?  Which guitar pedals are you trying to control?  This would make a difference in what I recommend.
Cheers,
Mitch
commented Oct 11, 2018 by MIDI Designer Team (Mitch)
edited Oct 11, 2018 by MIDI Designer Team (Mitch)
Thanks for your reply. I've finally had some time to try a few things and I've had some success using your advice. As convoluted as this setup is, it hasn't cost me a dime. All of the cables and hardware I already had on hand. Including a Radio Shack branded MIDI cable I've had forever.

The pedal I'm wanting to control is an Atomic Amplifire 3. It's an amp modeling/effects unit with 5-pin MIDI ports. The connection goes from the Mac via USB to the AudioBox. AudiBox to Amplifire via 5-pin MIDI.

I used Presonus' own Studio One recording software and it's MIDI control capabilities to try it out. I mapped a CC# in Studio One's control setup and am able to control the AmpliFire. Which is very cool.
commented Oct 21, 2018 by ruefus (140 points)
Great, glad to hear it is working for you and you saved some cash!  Did I answer all your questions?
commented Oct 22, 2018 by MIDI Designer Team (Mitch)
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