You do not need to use Ableton Link to use multiple DJ controllers with djay. This is used when you want to sync multiple software applications together.
You can simply connect multiple MIDI controllers to your laptop or iPad and use them together with djay. You either need a device with multiple USB ports (most Windows laptops have this) or a powered USB hub. If your iPad is has a USB-C port, you will need a powered USB-C hub. There are lots of options out there and there is an existing discussion here: Adapter Advice Please - iPad Air and Hercules Starlight - #3 by Slak_Jaw
So, I purchased a Bluetooth Midi controller, mapped the knobs to the NM crossfader and it seems to work OK, except sometimes when I touch the knob it jumps back to the centre of the crossfader or from one end to the other, so basically sounds terrible and defeats the object, back to square one!
I’ve now procured a wired midi controller but the USB C split adapter I’ve brough for my iPad unless I’m doing something ridicoulsy wrong isn’t working, below is the item I’ve brough but this isn’t “powered” from the mains, is that where I’ve gone wrong?
The Mixon 8 plugs directly into my iPad Pro currently from the USB C cable at the back of the Controller into my iPad (running the Djay software)
I presume the splitter shoudl go inot the iPad and then into the Mixon 8 form the splitter, is the issue because this isn’t main powered, so I need something like the below?
The UGreen USB hub you purchased looks like a good choice and it does have USB-C PD (Power Delivery). One of the USB-C sockets on this hub should be marked with PD or a lightning bolt. Connect your original iPad charging cable and brick to this port. Then connect the hub directly to your iPad and check to see if your iPad is charging normally. Finally, connect your Mixon 8 to the USB hub. Test it out and let me know if that works.
Thanks as always for trying to help but I’m getting nowhere with this and struggling to understand where I’m going wrong
I now have a powered Hub, plugged into the mains however the ONLY way I can gey my Mixon 8 to recognise my ipad and the DJay Pro software is if I connect the ipad USBC directly to the Mixon 8 USB C connector
I can get my iPad to happily charge from the Hub however if I connect the Mixon 8 to the hub, whislt the iPad is connected to the hub nothing happens. I’ve tried numerous permatations but nothing is working I have to go from the iPad to the Mixon 8 directly USB C - USB C for it to work
Does it have to be USB A for this to work? Some pictures below you can see I’ve connected the HUB to the Mixon and the iPad to the Hub but the controller is not recognising the iPad/Software is connected in any capactiy
@Slak_Jaw this video for example shows what I’m trying to achieve, just two wired controllers (MIDI controller and Mixon8) rather than the Hercules Bluetooth, is this possible?
Hi @Cuzer, I would go back to the previous UGreen USB-C hub that you had. That new RSHTECH hub does not look like a good choice to me. Please refer to my photos below.
You need to connect the UGreen Hub directly to your iPad.
Connect your iPad charger and USB-C cable to the USB-C socket on the UGreen Hub marked with PD or a Lightning Bolt. The Blue cable in my picture. Confirm that your iPad is charging before doing anything else.
Now connect your Mixon 8 to the Hub using a USB-B to A cable. The White cable in my picture.
Now connect your second MIDI Controller (in my case the Midi Fighter Twister) to the Hub using another USB-B to A cable. The Black cable in my picture.
EDIT: Also, I am suspicious of those cables you are using. Please note that some USB cables are only for charging and do not transmit data. I highly recommend you use high quality USB cables specifically designed for DJ use. I’m using DJ TechTools Chroma Cables in the pictures above.
I think where I was going wrong was I was still connecting the iPad to the Mixon 8 via the USB C/ios connection in the back of the controller, as soon as I connected via USB A/C and changed the switch on the back from iOs it then worked, not sure if this can be done or not via iOs but no real need now
I’ve a magnitude of cables but it seems to be giving me what I was after for now so thank you
I do have one more quesiton on DJay Pro and Mixon 8 but I’ll give you a few days rest before asking you that one!
Thanks again for your help, always appreciated
If I’m not mistaken, in order to avoid jumps (abrupt switching), it would be advisable for the MIDI controller to receive the signal from Djay Pro and to have the Endless Encoder function (knobs - 360-degree rotation).
I’m not sure if Djay Pro is capable of sending MIDI signals to such controllers, which would allow them to accept program values. If it could do this, it might prevent jumping parameters when the MIDI controller (knobs) is rotated.
