I used Surface app from 4Pockets to create a button with program change and I get the BOMEbox to see it and the MIDI hits the Studio Quad, but no programs change.
What am I doing wrong? This should be simple.
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Hi and welcome to the Bome community!
How do you know that the MIDI message is getting to your Studio Quad? How do you know it is the correct message.
Here are some steps you should try.
On your iOS application, open Bome Network. If you place your finger near the bottom of the screen, you should see a green line. Drag it up so that you can see the MIDI log as shown in the below illustration. In this illustration I’m using my iphone and my BomeBox name is “Stage”. You should see MIDI messages here. If you don’t then your application probably a settings adjustment to route to the proper MIDI port.
Then on your BomeBox, go to MIDI Routes and set up a route similar to the below:
This ensures everything coming from your iOS device is routed to you MIDI output port.
Then make sure you MIDI cable is plugged into the MIDI OUT connector of your BomeBox and the other end to the MIDI IN connector of your Studio Quad. When the MIDI port is plugged in you should see a flashing LED when there is MIDI activity, however it will not signify whether it is the correct MIDI message.
If you want to Monitor MIDI activity through your BomeBox to another device you can add an additional route for monitoring. For instance, if you have a PC connected you could route to your PC and then use Bome SendSX or Bome MIDI Translator Pro to monitor your activity to ensure the right MIDI messages are being sent.
For PC messages they should look similar to below
C0 00
The above message is PC0 on MIDI channel 1
C0 is MIDI CH 1, C1 would be MIDI CH 2 etc.
Steve Caldwell
Bome Customer Care
Also available for paid consulting services: bome@sniz.biz
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Hi Steve,
Thanks for getting back to me!
I know that MIDI is hitting the Studio Quad via the BomeBox as the LED on the BomeBox lights when I hit my program change button from the surface app AND the Studio Quad has on the display a flashing ‘MIDI’ meaning that the iPad is successfully transmitting my surface app (Surface is an app by 4 pockets) button pressing through the Bome Box to the Studio Quad.
Is the Bome Box a passive handoff via wifi of the MIDI data such as CC# and/or Program Changes. Or is there something I need to set up in MIDI Translator Pro to transfer to the BomeBox.
All I want is to be able to control my Studio Quad via WiFi from an ipad. (program changes and CC changes). I am pretty tech savvy, but there is something I am missing about this programming environment.
Thanks!
I am still trouble shooting, and I employed your setup, the best I could understand, but have not achieved what I am looking for.
I will keep trying to make it work regardless.
John
Thanks for the clarification!
Since we know that a MIDI signal is getting through, here are the possible issues.
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Wrong MIDI message being sent. Open the MIDI monitor window on your IOS device as I described earlier to view the MIDI messages. Make sure you are actually sending Program Changes and the right program changes. You may take a a screenshot then upload and post it here if you wish.
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There may be a project file running on your BomeBox that is converting the MIDI messages to the wrong ones. Make sure that no project is running on your BomeBox
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You devides is not properly interpreting or processing the incoming MIDI messages. Make sure its settings are set to accept the MIDI signal and on the correct MIDI channel. Review you product documentation if necessary.
Edit: I guess the electrical interface of the BomeBox have a problem as well so you might want to test sending MIDI messages to another device connected to the MIDI DIN out of the BomeBox to see if you have problems with other devices as well.
With a project file, your BomeBox may indeed be modifying the message which is why I suggest that any projects running on BomeBox should be disabled.
If you purposely run a project on BomeBox it is best to set up a development environment where you test your project on Bome MIDI Translator Pro and then disable projects on BomeBox and turn on the necessary routes. In Bome MIDI Translator Pro, you may want to change your ports and then when running on BomeBox, change the ports again. This is primarily where aliases come in handy.
You can learn more about aliases from this tutorial.
Steve Caldwell
Bome Customer Care
Also available for paid consulting services: bome@sniz.biz
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Okay, I stripped out any project files, and tried using TouchOSC, switched to a different iPad, configured it according to your above instructions. Here are all the screenshots of the config. The CalCreedDT is my studio desktop with which I am not using the Bomebox, so it is disconnected. No midi monitor populates in the Bome Network app, so I routed MIDi out of the BomeBox 5pin DIN out to a UMC1820 MIDI in and monitored the MIDI using MIDIview on my PC. Here is the MIDI being transmitted. I don’t know what I may be doing wrong, and I really want this to work. This is driving me nuts!
Well the message “FC” is MIDI Start command. The message “F8” is timing clock and the message “FF” is MIDI reset so there are no program changes in your MIDI messages from Touch OSC.
In essense, if you don’t see MIDI messages in the Bome Network monitor window that you pulled up within the Bome Network app on your iPad, it isn’t sending anything. There may be a setting in Surface App for output port. Usually Core MIDI or maybe OMNI.
Steve Caldwell
Bome Customer Care
Also available for paid consulting services: bome@sniz.biz
I bought this BomeBox on Amazon, brand new in the box. It looks like the 5pin DIN port is defective. Fortunately, I had a USB to DIN I/O laying around. I plugged it in and it works like a charm with Surface from 4 Pockets and TouchOSC. Surface is a far better product for those who need quick surface creation, but I am happy to play with TouchOSC. Disappointed in the BomeBox defective DIN port, but I can do without it.
Sorry to hear about the DIN port. How are you powering the BomeBox. You might try powering using a POE adapter if you are currently powering via USB. POE adapters have higher voltage and sometime make other connections more stable.
Steve Caldwell
Bome Customer Care
Also available for paid consulting services: bome@sniz.biz
Thanks Steve. I’ll give that a try and see how it goes.
Hi @howifeel ,
thank you for purchasing a BomeBox! Regarding the broken MIDI INPUT port: all our BomeBoxes leave the factory after full functional tests, and we see very very few defects in the market at all, also after years of usage.
Furthermore, we do not sell on Amazon, so you have bought your unit via a reseller. In general, warranty issues are the responsability of the dealer, so please contact them and ask for a repair or replacement.
On a voluntary basis, we also offer to repair broken units, if you cover insured shipping to and from our headquarter in Germany. Please inquire with us directly if you’d like to pursue this: Contact – Bome Software
Best regards,
Florian
Hi Florian,
Thanks for the offer. Yes, it was a reseller. I have used Translator Pro to configure timed video launch and splash screen between songs via Ableton, which was done well in a live performance, and I love Bome products. I have had my eye on the BomeBox for a few years, and finally took the plunge. It is not worth the money to send the box back, since the desired outcome has been achieved. I am going to see if the POE resolves the problem. If it does, that would be great. Nevertheless, if it doesn’t, I am still happy with my box and may be getting another one. I have used CME products extensively, but the limitation on distance has always been an issue. The BomeBox fixes this, and, for this box, the USB to 5pin DIN accomplishes what I need for use with synths and effects. I still love the StudioQuad for live, even though it was made in the '90s.
Just an update.
I am happy to say that the use of POE instead of the included power supply has made the 5 pin DIN work perfectly! Thanks Steve! This should be something included in the manual for those that are using the 5 pin DIN port. I struggled night and day for several days trying to make this work.
The ending is a happy one! Thanks so much to you guys Florian and Steve!
I’m glad you got it working. The issue is likely your USB device did not provide enough power or it was not consistent power. Fast charging USB devices often have this type of problem. Maybe a powered USB hub without fast charging would also work.
For me, I also like using POE because of the locking tab mechanism of the ethernet connector. It is less suseptible to “accidents” in the cord coming out.
Steve Caldwell
Bome Customer Care
Also available for paid consulting services: bome@sniz.biz
That is correct. It was a fast charging device to which the cable was hooked. That is good to know. The POE seems to have this box working extremely well. Again, thanks so much! I love this thing!
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