MIDI Timeout?

Question

I'm trying to control a Elation Stage Setter-8 lighting controller via my MIDI Designer layout, and things are working at first, but after I send each control, about 6.5 seconds later the MIDI light stops flashing on the lighting controller and its settings revert back to what it was before the MIDI command was sent (in this case, it's all note messages).  If I keep sending commands, it works until 6.5 seconds after the last command is sent.

It seems like it's losing the connection and reverting back to its default values when it loses the connection.  Is there a timeout to MIDI connections?  Is there a way to make MIDI Designer keep that connection active?  Is this even typical behavior?  I've never seen this kind of thing when hooking up foot controllers to guitar effects processors, but I don't know if this is special behavior associated to the iPad, MIDI Designer, or the IK iRig MIDI I'm using.  My all-purpose foot controller doesn't send note messages (which is what the lighting controller needs), so I don't have a good way of testing if it's just the way the lighting controller works.

I have an email to Elation to request info on this behavior too.. but I was also hoping to find info here too.

Comments

Hi and thanks for your question. This is all quite strange. Is it possible that there's a setting on the Elation? Is it possible that this 6.5 second reset to default would be desirable somehow. Also: what messages are you sending exactly? Are they exactly the ones you need? For instance, a note off MIGHT do just this 6.5 second thing, so try "send on only" for buttons. Just some thoughts to get the ball rolling on figuring this out.

---

So with lots of experimentation I've found that something about the iPad/IK iRig MIDI/Elation combination does not work well.  I've got no feedback from Elation, and the IK support team simply claims that they have no timeout.  I think it's working now with a GENUINE iPad Camera Connection Kit and an Edirol UM-1 EX... the MIDI connection seems to be holding steady.  I tried a cheap 5-in-1 connection kit I found on Amazon, but it only worked intermittently and only with a USB hub in between too.  With the Apple kit, the UM-1 works right away, every time.  Now on to the foot controller connection!

---

Sorry to hear that the road around this was so long. I'll incorporate what you've found in the related question, too.

For the foot controller, you can always go through the computer. Google "live routing" for the network connection (it's on the bottom right of the MIDI Network Setup panel).

Answer 1

Very new to MIDI Designer, but I had a similar issue and resolved it by going to More>Config>"iPad Should Not Sleep" - try that?

Comments

Thanks for this answer, but this limit is usually MUCH longer. The OP is asking about something that happens 6.5 seconds later.

---

Perhaps my answer is actually more of a comment now that I realize there's a distinction.

---

Great, it's all good and thanks for contributing. It's important to note that the feature exists, too ;)

---

BTW that tip was a good idea but didn't solve my problem.  See my comment above about how now I'm using the Apple Camera Connection Kit and an Edirol UM-1 EX to fix this problem.  I'm afraid I can't recommend the IK iRig MIDI to connect to the Elation at least... Maybe it works with other devices.

Answer 2

Very new to MIDI Designer, but I had a similar issue and resolved it by going to More>Config>"iPad Should Not Sleep" - try that?

Answer 3

Midi active sense problem?

Answer 4

Midi active sense problem?