midi learn on iPad

Edit Subject

And how are you going to charge your ipad when connected to a large controller?

Lots of controllers have DC inputs and don't require power via the ipad itself ... with DJ player +vci100 mk2 I can manage at least 4 hours playtime when the pad is fully charged, plenty for most gigs

Of course if the manufacturers would also get off their asses and allow charging while in use like the spin ;)

DJ Ivan - USB hub. I actually don't mind the WeGO 3 but was annoyed that I couldn't remap some of the knobs and buttons to my liking even if only to match the way I remapped the darn thing in djay Pro on my MBP. That's how asinine these guys are. If, like me, you map the mid eq knob to the filter in djay Pro and would also like to do that on your iOS version of djay, you aren't allowed. Cheers.

So far here is what I found to work with regard to mapping any midi controller.

I bought a Casio XW-J1 because it is 'officially supported' to work with DJay2 on an iPad mini 2. Yes, it charges the ipad while in use and it also can be run off the ipad by itself if needed. The problem is that it is a relatively crappy controller. The look and feel is cheap and plasticy, but most importantly, you CANNOT remap it via DJay2 (I needed to adjust the platter jog sensitivity and remap the buttons).

So, a work around was discovered (detailed in another thread) that you can map any unsupported midi controller in DJay Pro for Mac and transfer the mapping file to the iPad. I've only been able to test on the one unsupported controller I have, a Pioneer DDJ-SX. This method does NOT work for my supported Casio controller, which is reallllyyyy stupid in my opinion. Paid $350 for a crappy controller and haven't used it even once.

The setup however is a little more intensive.The connection to the thunderbolt port is achieved using an "Apple Thunderbolt to USB Camera Connection Kit". I had to buy a powered usb hub because, even though my DDJ-SX is powered, if connected directly via usb to the camera kit, it was recognized and a pop-up would show on screen saying the device uses too much power. With the hub in between the two, everything works flawlessly. Every time I play out on it people are impressed and always ask me about the setup!

I actually went and bought a Macbook Pro for the purpose of mapping, and I have not touched the computer other than to edit the map for my DDJ-SX.

Now, it works so well and is so nicely adjustable, that I have been gigging exclusively on it for the last couple months, 2-3 gigs per week.

So now, out comes DJay Pro for iOS and you'll be happy to know that the mapping file can be copied to the documents folder for the app and you can begin using your controller right away! I found the program to be too intensive for my iPad mini 2, causing it to crash occasionally, and the audio output stutters as a result.

Also, get yourself a backlit bluetooth keyboard and it's just like you made yourself a macbook mini! Oh, forgot to mention, the battery life is good, so since it is not charging, my battery goes from 100% to 75% over 4 hours, with it on the entire time, no sleeping.

Any chance you can link to the thread detailing the workaround

Well, I can't find it but here is the gist and I'll be able to answer questions if I left anything out.:

Download and install DJay Pro for Mac. Trial version is fine you just have to work in 30 minute increments.

Connect the controller to your Mac and adjust mapping as needed. (click on Advanced to adjust jog sensitivities with the percentage slider) If it's officially supported in DJay Pro for Mac, that's fine too if you don't want to adjust anything and leave it how they map it.

At the top of the mapping menu click the button to save the mapping somewhere on your hard drive, name it anything you want.

Disconnect the controller from your Mac.

Connect your iPad/iPhone/iOS device and pull up iTunes.

In iTunes, click your device, then Apps. This brings up all the apps on your device in iTunes main browser window. Scroll that window down til you see a section called "Documents" and there should be a shortened list of apps in the left hand window.

Click the Djay 2 icon and you will see the documents list populate with some xml's and/or random files. At the bottom you will see and "add" button. Click it and navigate to the location where you saved the midi map created in DJay Pro for Mac. Select the file. Hit the sync button and let it sync afterward. I usually repeat pressing the sync button several times. (Don't ask me why but I have never had an iOS device sync properly in Tunes, EVER)

My guess is that you'll have to use an Apple Camera Connection Kit in most instances as it allows the iDevice to become a USB Host, and gives a convenient thunderbolt or 30pin to USB port. Now first, I would try to connect the USB B from your controller to the USB A directly and see if it works. In my instance, with a Pioneer DDJ-SX, I HAD to have a powered hub for it to work. (I never checked if unpowered would work but may do so when I get home tonight).

Next, connect your controller to your iDevice to check that the mapping worked.

Hmmm, I just tried this with my vci-100mk2 and cannot get it to work

"VCI-100MKII Controller: the connected device is not supported"

Downloaded DJ pro, edited the vci100 mapping
Navigated to the new mapping in ~/library/application support/Algoriddim/midi mappings.

Copied it into the documents section of itunes (where it currently shows up)

VCI100 is connected to the ipad via powered USB hub

>Open DJay2
>Hit Settings
>Hit Midi
>Says Found 1 Device

tried this with the default mapping within the package file Vestax VCI-100MK2.djayMidiMapping

Is there something I'm missing ?

Also how did you set up the audio ?

Cheers

*edit* this might be a bug with ios 9.1 - installing 9.2 and will give it another go

Steve are you using an "Apple Camera Connection Kit"? it's a short male lightning to USB A FEMALE adapter, about $29 from apple. Note: I HAVE tried to do it with a regular iPad charging cable and it does NOT work.

My version of DJay2 always says : Found one Midi device , even if nothing is connected. so i don't rely on that window. You should see a Vestax logo pop up when it is connected correctly, but that is the one caveat, the "Camera Connection Kit".

As far as audio, once the device is connected, the audio output is automatically setup, you shouldn't have to adjust anything, The sound will stop coming out of the iPad and it will start sending it from the controller's sound card.

Yep I'm using the official CCK.

I've used it with DJplayer with no issues before, but I'm thinking my current problem is IOS related, I was on 9.0 when I last tried DJplayer but since upgraded to 9.2.

The message pops up regardless of the application running. Grrrrr

DJPlayer?

iOS, yes it's possible. Since this is my main gigging iPad, I've had to disable all updates, even for DJay2, it's just not worth the chance, one day it works and next day you're screwed. I'm locked into a known working older version, and will NOT upgrade until I buy myself a new iPad Mini 4 at which point, the Mini 2 will become my test rig and I can see if features and stability are affected before upgrading on the main rig, even then, it's kind of risky.

Ok, on your problem, I'm just re-reading your post and I see that it says the "controller is not supported". I seem to remember mine saying that before I had put the file on the iPad so it's possible that the generated midimapping.xml has some syntax problem and may need to be modified.

Let me go home tonight and do a little testing and see if I can replicate your problem. I had read in a thread earlier today, Warren, the official rep had commented on a thread about a bug regarding a Vestax controller and the workaround was that the guy had to edit the mapping.xml to reflect the device id/name that the iPad had for it, then everything worked.

One thing to check, just because it's not completely obvious, but on the USB hub that you have, the main connection to it, might be a "usb mini b" or "usb micro b" or what I have, a "micro usb 3.0" port, THAT is the port that you have to connect to the Apple CCK. It can't be just any port on the hub. I have tried.

Got it working - and working like a champ :D ... looks like it was power being the issue (despite the "unsupported" messages) and not iOS as I had thought.

Had a WeCai cable kocking around and plugged BOTH sides into the powered hub - restarted the ipad, Vestax logo popped everything mapped and audio working perfectly.

BTW, I'm using a Vestax USB hub, VCI100mk2 and ipad mini (first version)

You Sir are on my xmas list ;) its running smooth as butter even on an aging ipad.

Nice! So what I'd like to see next is two CDJ-2000's and a DJM 900 mapped and working stable. That would be huge!

Yep it would be...... about 6ft across hehe :P

Most people don't realise you *can* create .djayMidiMapping XML files (either with djay Pro on Mac/PC, or manually in a text editor) and transfer them to your iPad to enable custom MIDI mappings. I've done it with a bunch of controllers for both djay 2 and djay pro on iPad and it works great!

Please how to do the transfer to iPad ?

iPad mini 2

See Tank Jones solution above in response to my rant. You can simply create a mapping on the desktop version of Djay to any (class compliant) midi controller, export it and transfer it to the ipad via itunes document sharing :)

I've tried a few midi controllers and all so far have worked, I imagine it should work for 4 decks, however I only have Djay 2 currently and doubt my 1st gen Mini would handle pro.

And anyone who doesnt have a mac to make the midi map on can try here to see if one already exists fo download .... https://maps.djtechtools.com

thanks so much for that! I've played many live shows with laptops and its always uneasy on the nerves... even with "dedicated" laptops. surprised more people don't prefer the stability of ios for live performances.

Is it me, or is the Beatpad (1) compatible with 4 decks and not the Beatpad 2?

Built in mappings "might" be given priority over custom ones - someone else needs to confirm this is the case though with a supported controller and custom mapping loaded

Yeah but then they wanna be cute and lock down all their natively supported devices like the wego3. You remap it on the Mac then it ignores the map on the iOS device even after you import it.

you could in theory extract and repackage the app with your new mapping in the same location as the stock one and then repackage the app for install via sync.

It "should" work as you are not modifying any core files from the app, its bit of a workaround though and not within the grasp of many.

You can already - see above, you map using the desktop version and share the mapping with the Mobile App via itunes.

So long as the Midi Controller is Core Midi Compatible it should work.

I'd like to try, but I'd have to buy the 49,99€ version too ?... I've already bought the iPad version...

You can use the demo version to create a map

Same thing happened with my VCI100Mk2. I originally thought it was a mapping issue, it wasn't - it was the cables (which worked before iOS 9 I might add)

I used a different USB cable (WeCAI Dual Power / USB) Plugged into 2 ports on the Hub rather than just the one, I have no idea why this would make a difference, but it did.

The Same thing happened with All other applications as well, e.g. DJPlayer the "not supported" message is generic to iOS.

Have you successfully used the Faderfox with another Midi App, if not, try first, if you get the same error then its down to the device power or Hub or cables.

The controller and same cable work with DJ Player Pro & also a MIDI Monitor app I've got. Must be down to the way djay is reading the mapping file or something in the mapping file isn't right.

The controller is USB Class Compliant & doesn't draw too much power, so no USB hub needed. Connected directly using CCK.

@DJ Hombre ... Try here ... https://maps.djtechtools.com ... You can download and see how djay is mapped to different devices. Maybe you will get some hints how to connect to your controller. I checked but unfortunately yours is not already there

Everyone !! If you have a midi enabled controller it can be mapped to dj player app. Try it and then ask algor' why they don't do it.

I managed to get it working by 'borrowing' someone else's extensive mapping.
The trick is to edit the mapping using notepad (not wordpad) and don't go hacking too much at any time, use replacements or copy/paste within the file...otherwise djay on iOS doesn't recognise the file.

I've uploaded a work-in-progress mapping here;
https://maps.djtechtools.com/mappings...

Still some more work to do on loops.

Does anyone know how to map the LEDs for VUs etc, has anyone got an example mapping that I could 'borrow' a bit from?

...an alternative to in-app midi mapping would be to release a desktop app, like Rekordbox have done recently to allow mapping on Mac/PC for import. Hacking a text file is time-consuming and fragile!

Are you using a good powered USB hub ?

Are you Using the OFFICIAL Apple Lightning to USB connector ?

Is the RMX2 Class Compliant ?

Did you transfer the hercules mapping via Itunes ?

If the answer is no to any of the above then thats probably the reason.

Rmx2 is powered, I use official apple usb connector, rmx2 is class compliznt. Wher do i find the mapping to transfer via itunes?

1. Create and Export your Mapping from Djay Pro for Mac
2. Open itunes
3. Add the Map to Document Sharing for Djay in iTunes
4. Sync iPad

On another Note, Most Powered deviced STILL draw 500ma from the USB connector so you will probably STILL need a powered hub - I do on both my AKAI and Vestax which are both powered.

Dear Steve, can you please tell me how the file should be named? I tried with mixon reloop 4 and had no luck. The file is named: Reloop Mixon4.djayMidiMapping - The exported one has the name: Reloop Mixon4 Edit.djayMidiMapping. Kind Regards, stefan

Hi Stefan ... unfortunately this method does not work for controllers that ate already natively supported by the app ... and the Mixon 4 is one of those ... sorry about that.

100% agree, I'm following you out the door. This is a waste of time.

Without this forum, I would have never figured out the solution to make a custom mapping between an iPad Mini and an unsupported Pioneer DDJ-SX controller. So while midi learn may never be implemented into iOS (possibly because of stability issues) , the workaround is exactly what everyone has been looking for, so it's solved for me.

I can fully understand their reasoning for not including the mapping "features" out-of-the-box.

There's far too many support issues surrounding getting non-iOS specific devices working on an iPad e.g. Power Requirements, USB hubs, the large number of fake USB-Lighting connectors etc and that goes for any Midi and Audio App not just Djay.

It could cost a fortune and cause alot of heartbreak to both users and staff to start troubleshooting each device on a case-by-case basis. Supporting a small number of compliant devices is a much more sensible stance.

Hell I'm pretty tech-savvy and it took me a few attempts to get it working - try explaining the power requirements of iOS or "class compliance" devices to a computer noob.

I'm just glad they left the backdoor open for us to tinker with our own midi devices even if its on a completely unsupported basis.

What's the workaround? Exporting mapping for rmx2 from djay pro for Mac. Since I have neither a Mac nor Djay pro on Pc, is there any other solution?

You'll need to either:

1. Borrow a Mac, and create a mapping using the Demo of Djay
2. Befriend someone who's mapped an RMX2 already
3. Create a map using notepad, midi translator and spend a ton of hours figuring out what all the functions do.

You'll need to actually create your own map as there is no built-in mapping for the RMX2 and djay pro (only RMX)

Yup,

1: ask someone to email you the rmx2 mapping is the easiest option if you can find someone that has it!!

2: borrow or use a Mac with the free djay for Mac demo.

Or

3: the way I did it and not for the faint of heart!!!

Using a Windows pc/laptop

Download a demo version of VMware which allows you to run a virtual pc within your pc..

Download the Mac operating system and load it onto VMware (plenty of YouTube vids to show you how)

You now have a fully working Mac on you pc.

Download the djay pro demo and make a midi map for your controller. Remember to save your mapping every few mins as the demo craps out after 10 mins or so.

I have been doing this for years so look back at a few of my other posts.

I prefer to use a jailbriken iPad because I need to change the mappings of SUPPORTED controllers and this is not possible in any other workaround with a virgin iPad.

Have fun and to all you other djays who have contributed long and hard dispite the lack of response from the GODs!!! Hang in there because we have all helped each other get through.

Ps. For some reason I couldn't login under Hotmail & had to use google, so it looks like this is my first post!
I'm there as STENIGHT

Sounds great. I will give it a try with the wego3.
Trying it right now. Have deleted wego3 file and rezipped will let you know very shortly, just about to delete djay pro off iPad and reinstall modified ver

Step one completed. Modified Dj pro running fine and doesn't recognize my wego 3 now.
Will try file sharing next.

Yes, I can confirm that it works :-)
Well done.

Nice! good to know jailbreaking is not required.

So did you just delete the stock mapping and then file share the new one ?

Yes I shared the one I deleted out of the app. And I can tell it's working with the shared file because now it doesn't come up with the pioneer icon when it loads up, but it was before I deleted it.
Tomorrow I will try a modified version of the mapping file, but it's looking good.

Have you mapped any controllers with VU LEDs? I've gone thru the laborious notepad approach to map my Faderfox DJ44 but can't work out what the tags are for the VU LEDs. If you have an example, could you share please? Otherwise I may have to go the VMWare route which sounds equally horrendous!

Pioneer took the vu LEDs off the wego 3 (don't you hate it when the newer version has 4/5 features removed to save money but the one feature you need like charging the iPad while you are using it means you have to give them up) anyway, the wego 1 had vu but they were hardware controlled with no midi attributes .

Have you downloaded the great "dj player" app.
It has a full featured midi mapping section which I used to find all the midi information I needed when modifying my djay mappings. It's free to download and you might even really like it.

Also. Check all the supported controllers online and see if any have the feature you are looking for, then rape their supporting mapping file for the information.
That's how I got the wego doing things it shouldn't be able to do .

Hi, Can you give me the gist of deleting the supported mapping from the app? iOS is a little foreign to me, do you have to be jailbroken?

No it does not need to be jailbroken.

1. Open iTunes.

2. Click View > More > Apps from the menubar.

3. Right Click the DJay app and then hit "show in finder"

4. Rename the File extension to .zip instead of .ipa

5. Extract Files.

6. Navigate to the "Payload" folder, right click and "show package contents"

7. Now navigate to the Midi Mappings folder.

8. Delete the Default mapping you wish to remove.

9. Re-zip the extracted main folder and remove old version.

10. Re-name your new Zip it exactly as the old file was before (including extension)

11. Remove the App from the Ipad / Phone manually.

12. Sync Your Device apps with iTunes.

Done!

More info please ? What exactly is "not working" ?

Did you only re-zip the files inside the "djay 2 2.8.2" or did you zip the entire folder ? You should only be zipping the files NOT the containing folder (my wording was off first time round probably) and create an archive which you rename to djay 2 2.8.2.ipa.

So.....
The app wont open
The app wont transfer
The app wont recognize controller now
The app never recognized the controller and still doesn't
What controller
What versions of iOS / iTunes / Win or Mac

Secondly you did not mention are you trying to load a mapping for an unsupported or supported controller ?

If its unsupported you only need to create your own mapping on the desktop version of the Djay, export it and share via iTunes Document sharing - no "hacking" required.

If its already supported controller, then I gather it works just fine, just not mapped to your liking ?

I did a test modifying and uploading on the latest version of iOS and iTunes and it still loaded fine still even with the modified midi files.

Firstly, I appreciate the response...this has been an issue driving me nuts for a long while.

In answer to your questions - I'm using latest versions of iOS, iTunes & OSX and the app icon appears as a blank icon with no DJay graphic, loads to about 8 o'clock then disappears completely on the iPad but remains in 'Installing' status in iTunes. It's a supported controller (WeGO3), but judging by what you've advised the problem may well be what I zipped - I zipped the lot, not just the content. I'll try again a bit later this evening.

Thanks again helping out.

Hi MP, You do not need to hack the .ipa file at all. Just leave the djay ipa file untouched. To simplify the process, install the day 2/pro app directly on the iPad from the App store, without using iTunes. The only thing you will need iTunes for, is to transfer the MIDI MAP file to your iPad, not the actual Djay app. You can create your own Midi Map using djay pro for OSX, or you can download from https://maps.djtechtools.com/mappings. Once you have the map that you want to use, connect your iPad to iTunes, then go to iTunes File Sharing, then just drag and drop the midi map file. Hope that helps!

I'm pretty sure that doesn't work as DJay will prioritise the inbuilt map over any new one that is added via iTunes file transfer.

You may be right, as I've never tried it with a controller that is already supported by djay for iPad. I've only tried it with controllers that are only supported by djay for Mac, eg. Pioneer DDJ-SX, DDJ-SP1 and also my homemade maps for Pioneer XDJ-RX, Akai AMX & AFX. My apologies. Have you tried it though? Which controller are you using? Itunes file sharing may override the built-in midi map, wouldn't hurt to try!

My Apologies - you do zip the entire folder.

This is how I did mine step-by-step

http://cdn.imgpaste.net/2016/09/08/0d...

Okay, so I...

1.) Changed to .zip

2.) Extracted files

3.) Opened 'Payload' folder

4.) Right-clicked 'djay 2' selected 'Show Package Contents'

5.) Removed WeGO3 map from 'Midi Mappings' folder

6.) Zipped 'iTunesArtwork'+'iTunesMetadata.plist'+'META-INF'+'Payload' - so 2 files, 2 folders, respectively

7.) Renamed 'archive.zip' to 'djay 2 2.8.2.ipa'

8.) Deleted everything else

9.) Tried to install via iTunes

This is where it fails. The DJay icon appears and says 'loading...' to about 6 o'clock, then 'Installing...' to about 9 o'clock then the icon just disappears. The Sync completes however iTunes still states the apps is 'installing'.

Tried with DJay Pro with exactly the same result.

I'm lost! Could I still be zipping the wrong things? Am I zipping wrong...I'm right-clicking and using 'Compress' ?

iOS v9.3.5
DJay 2 v2.8.2
iTunes v12.4.3.1
El Capitan v10.11.6

Zip the "djay 2 2.8.2" containing folder and you should be left with djay 2 2.8.2.zip. Just rename to .ipa - I made a mistake earlier, sorry was in a rush.

Just doing this twice to make sure I was right about the compressing and yes, it worked like a charm each time.

I'm using the same iOS, Same OS, same Itunes, Same Djay as you.

Oh, make sure you empty the old version from trash before opening iTunes as it will still read the old version from there rather than then new one!

So when I extract the zipped file it creates the 'djay 2 2.8.2' folder, which contains the 2 files/2 folders mentioned above. So to be clear, once I've completed all the other steps I just select that folder alone and compress it, nothing else? Not that folder AND the content of it?

Correct, just select that folder and it'll zip up everything inside. Then it should require changing the extension - job done.

Screenshots again if you missed them.

http://cdn.imgpaste.net/2016/09/08/0d...

That's amazing, thank-you. Shame I have to wait about 12 hours to try it...!

I tried it but itunes does not recognise the new app ... Any suggestions?

Only difference is im tying it with dj pro

You mean the Pad doesnt recognize or iTunes ? Are you removing the app from iTunes by any chance prior to editing it ? (you shouldn't btw)

Honestly can't think of any reason it would not work and someone else did get it working with pro :-S

Not removing it from itunes.

When i sync my ipad it gets to around 9'o'clock then stops installing

Even if i unzip the app ... Dont change anything ... Just rezip it and rename it ... It still will not sync with my ipad

I'm afraid I have no idea why its not working mate.

Could be something to do with the device itself, other apps installed either on your mac or pad perhaps ? - It works on the 3 iOS devices I own without any issue.

Hacks almost never work for 100% of people 100% of the time so you might be stuck with the stock mapping for now.

Did you use the midi file with its native file extension?

Yes, I left the file extension as I found it.

How did you get it to work?

Does precueing work on the Xone:K2?

Yeah, works perfectly

Just bought a K2, you literally rock!
Those headphone outputs working for ya?
The one on the ipad? how about the K2?

Working fine! Tempted to set it up to work with my Xone23C/K1/K2 setup at some point

although i am new to this forum. i have a bit of experience. my dream is using xone:k2 w. my pro 9.7. i dont have a mac. the beta version of pro doesnt appear to have the midi learn feature. any advice or a point in the right direction as far as mapping, this would not only be appreciated by a human whose mental health would be occupied, will also receive riches seldom rewarded by the most endowed egyptian prince this side of dial up during summer in the fertile crescent soil. scored an immaculate mc6000 i am trying to get to work. its cool. i just want 4 unput faders, 3 band eq and to program latch layers.

You're welcome to my mapping, but it doesn't sound like you'd be happy with it. I have two volume faders, a cross fader and a cue/mix fader, and no latching layers. I made my map using the desktop app and its learn feature. I then transferred it to the iPad using the iTunes method described by a few people in this thread. Works perfectly. Mapping the LEDs was much more complicated though!

The desktop app for mac? A place to start would be very kind. Welcomed. Loved. Mutated. Just tell me how high to jump. Thank you for replying.

Rephrase. Yes I would.

PM me your email and I'll send you what I have. The LEDs weren't bad actually, I'm misremembering. They were a nightmare with Mixvibes, not DJay Pro

wow! congrats on the K2 with the ipad!! are you using 2 decks or 4? and how is the output? I've heard some people say its a bit low?? thx for any info...

It would be just as easy to map 4 decks as it is to map 2. Midi learn on the desktop app is very straightforward.

Haven't tested the output on a big system yet, due to in May though with three gigs over two weekends. Seems fine on my home system, but not really pushed it as I like my neighbours!

grt- thx for that!! good luck in May with it!

Here's my mapping. Fairly unconventional I suspect!

http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?...