MIDI Networking Broken on Mac OS Sierra?

Question

Since I upgraded to Mac OS Sierra MIDI Networking is broken. None of my iOS MIDI apps work any more, and I have yet to find a solution. Apparently I am not alone:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7695767

I'm trying to connect an iPad 2 with a mid 2011 iMac that has always worked well until now.

Thanks in advance for any tips.

Comments

Yes, I can confirm that this problem continues with MIDI over WiFi. I have not had the opportunity to try Bluetooth, as none of my devices are Bluetooth LE capable. According to a "developer" in the Apple Discussions Forum, Apple is aware of the problem. I would be happy to contribute in whatever constructive fashion to help resolve the problem.

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Hi guys.  Does anyone know if this issue was fixed in High Sierra?  The gig partition on my Mac is running Sierra 10.12.6 and I've been having major issues trying to maintain Network MIDI connectivity with my iPad Pro (iOS 12.3).

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Hey there, the issue we were talking about here was not occasional disconnection. That said, have you tried an ad-hoc Net connection to the Mac? If that's not possible, we definitely recommend trying an Apple router (even though it's extinct hardware that Apple no longer makes).

Thanks!
Dan

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Hi Dan. Ok, so those other issues being reported all concern the complete inability to connect. I’ve been using an Apple Airport Express with my Mac and iPad for a couple of years and this setup has been flawless. However, I recently updated my gig partition to 10.12.6 and the disconnection issues started. Everything would be ok for an hour or so but then the iPad would disconnect with the same error as per the link to Apple Discussions in the OP. I think I’ll try to downgrade to 10.12.5 because there were no issues at all.

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Wi-Fi is a tricky beast and we don't have a lot of visibility in to it. It could be as simple as trying a static IP address, switching to IPv6, or perhaps you changed something else? Good luck. There are always wired solutions at this point if that's interesting. You could could also consider the Yamaha bluetooth MIDI dongle, which would be totally backwards for this use -- you'd plug it in to a MIDI port -- but I think they have another one that could help you solve. Good luck and thanks!
Dan

Answer 1

Users report that with OSX 10.12.3 shutting off IPv6 solves this connection issue.

Answer 2

Users report that with OSX 10.12.3 shutting off IPv6 solves this connection issue.

Answer 3

Update 2017-02-01: Users report that with OSX 10.12.3 shutting off IPv6 solves this connection issue.

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OLD: This is broken on OSX due to changes in IPv6 and IPv4. Right now there is no solution to the Wi-Fi connection on Sierra that we're aware of, and we're waiting for Apple to do their work to unbreak this.

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In the meantime, you've got options:

1. Bluetooth (free, built into iPad Air and above), available since 1.7.3
2. musicIO MIDI (lowest-latency, best professional solution for MIDI-over-USB-lightning cable... also, we are co-authors of the app)
3. iConnect ($60+)
4. midiMittr (free app)

Thanks!
Dan

Comments

Thanks Dan, you've been most helpful with this matter. Since I don't have Bluetooth LE or Lightning cables for my devices, midiMittr is the best solution so far, and it works within my DAW (Digital Performer). My MIDI generating apps seem to work OK with it, however I've got a couple of control surface apps that I still can't get to work properly, but that's not your area. Regardless, you have been the most help so far and I really appreciate it! Happy New Year!

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@cuttime I'd love to send you a promo code for musicIO MIDI, but I cannot send from support [at] mididesigner.com due to your spam filters? Send me an email and I'll hook you up if you want. In our last round of testing we were WAY lower latency than option 4, but perhaps that has shifted.

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I just updated to mac OS 10.12.3, and I'd like to think this problem has been solved, alas, it has not.

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Thanks for reporting this. It's definitely a problem with IPv6 (hence that ridiculously long IP address).... I'll file another radar with Apple, but from what I've heard, they've already got several. So you're using MidiMittr for Bluetooth MIDI and it doesn't require Bluetooth LE?

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I use the USB option with MidiMittr, the same as with musicIO MIDI. Really missing my cordless options.

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Yes, that's why I'm asking: Apollo MIDI-over-bluetooth might give you a real wireless option for now. Thanks!

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I have Apollo MIDI over Bluetooth and I never got it to work this way. Perhaps I'm missing something, as I didn't know this was an option. I'll work with it more and see what I come up with. Thanks for the tip-and the tee!

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I just tried Apollo again and AFAIK Bluetooth LE is the only option.

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@cuttime can you trying shutting off IPv6? http://osxdaily.com/2014/04/18/disable-ipv6-mac-os-x/

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Sorry for the delayed response. I tried disabling IPv6 with 10.12.2 and there was no joy. I had not had the opportunity to try this with 10.12.3 until today, and son-of-a gun it worked! Apparently Apple did make some changes in the last update, so a solution is possible. Thanks so much for the reminder!

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cool I've modified the answers to this, please upvote as necessary. Also if you haven't left an awesome review for MDP2 on the app store recently, please consider doing so. But most importantly, enjoy!

Answer 4

Update 2017-02-01: Users report that with OSX 10.12.3 shutting off IPv6 solves this connection issue.

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OLD: This is broken on OSX due to changes in IPv6 and IPv4. Right now there is no solution to the Wi-Fi connection on Sierra that we're aware of, and we're waiting for Apple to do their work to unbreak this.

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In the meantime, you've got options:

1. Bluetooth (free, built into iPad Air and above), available since 1.7.3
2. musicIO MIDI (lowest-latency, best professional solution for MIDI-over-USB-lightning cable... also, we are co-authors of the app)
3. iConnect ($60+)
4. midiMittr (free app)

Thanks!
Dan