Support and discussion for all of Akai’s modern standalone MPCs including the MPC X / X SE, MPC Live 1, 2 & 3, MPC One / One+, MPC Key 37/61.
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By 83dude Tue May 25, 2021 6:44 pm
Hiya there,

I earlier used „MIDI Studio“ to connect my iPhone via Apple‘s Network IAC (MIDI) as a controller in all my laptop‘s apps seamlessly (Reason, Logic, Pro Tools, Cubase).

As of now I am looking for an app that does the same, only via Bluetooth to connect it to my Live mk.II directly. I found one app stating that the device might need to support Apple CoreAudio MIDI, but no specs from MPCs state that explicitly.

To my question: Did anyone try it before, any experiences to share or advice to give? Anyone using their iOS devices as MIDI controllers via Bluetooth with their standalone units?

Thanks in advance! :worthy:
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By Lampdog Tue May 25, 2021 7:04 pm
I've tried BT w/ X +Ipad pro (2017). I think I had tried animoog and beatmaker 3. I stopped there cause I didn't like the latency and never tried again.
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By 83dude Tue May 25, 2021 10:10 pm
Cheers for both your quick feedback. :worthy:

I‘ll check the video later, NearTao.

EDIT: Watched it. Can‘t spot major latencies, but that inspired me just maybe to try it. Care to share a link to the iPad app you used? Thanks. :)
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By NearTao Wed May 26, 2021 1:23 am
The app in the video is Navichord, I've posted up a few other ones... I'd also highly recommend ChordMaps 2, it's a little obtuse at first, but if you read the manual it'll make a lot more sense, PolyPhase is fun for generative stuff, and if you dig fugues... well Fugue Machine is great fun.

I know there's more out there, but those are the main 4 I've gotten into.
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By 83dude Thu Jul 22, 2021 6:23 pm
EDIT:
I feel stupid. Pairing from the iOS device worked like a charm without any hustle. Connecting using the MPC wouldn't. Yay!


Original Post:
Sorry for reviving this, but I am still searching.

So far I've found some lightweight and cheap four-app-bundle called "Bluetooth Midi Tools" ((sic!)). They along with others I surpsisingly already owned do send Bluetooth MIDI properly, but so far I only ran into issues connecting these to the MPC Live II. While it is discoverable, I try to pair them, but the MPC instantly says:
"Failed to connect to iPhone BT MIDI. Check your device and try again" - while the iPhone says to enter a code the machine should show.

So far I have found out it might be a problem since most apps use Bluetooth LE, but I couldn't find any info on what generation/iteration of Bluetooth is used in the MPC Live. So far no progress.

Does anyone else have had experiences or solutions like this?

I might add I'd rather have a motion controller and MIDI #CC remote than a sequencer or chord machine. Those are fun, but I usually don't need those. Thanks for your suggestions anyway, NearTao. Those are fun apps. :worthy: