Latency and scalability of MIDI Translator Pro with Launchpad Pro MK3 Programmer Mode

[ddebeul]

Hello,

I am currently evaluating Bome MIDI Translator Pro for a project based on a Novation Launchpad Pro MK3.

The idea is to use the Launchpad in Programmer Mode, with Bome MIDI Translator Pro acting as the MIDI processing layer between the Launchpad and different DAWs, initially Logic Pro.

The system could eventually include several MIDI controllers simultaneously (Launchpad, MIDI keyboard, pedal controller, etc.) and use bidirectional communication with the Launchpad for real-time LED feedback.

Before deciding whether MIDI Translator Pro is suitable for this project, I would like to better understand its latency and scalability.

1. Does MIDI Translator Pro itself typically add measurable latency when translating MIDI messages and routing them through a Bome virtual MIDI port?
2. Are there any official or recommended latency/jitter measurements for a setup such as:
   Launchpad → MIDI Translator Pro → virtual MIDI port → DAW?
3. Does the number of translators, presets, rules or connected MIDI controllers have a significant impact on latency?
4. Can MIDI Translator Pro comfortably handle bidirectional MIDI traffic with a Launchpad Pro MK3 in Programmer Mode — button presses going to the DAW and frequent LED updates coming back to the Launchpad — without introducing noticeable latency or jitter?
5. Are there particular recommendations for achieving the lowest possible latency on macOS and Windows?

The objective is eventually to build a fairly large and evolving control surface, so low latency and long-term stability are important criteria for us.

Thank you very much for your help.

[SteveC (Steve)]

Hi and welcome to the Bome community and thanks for your questions. I’ll do my best to answer them.

@ddebeul

1. Does MIDI Translator Pro itself typically add measurable latency when translating MIDI messages and routing them through a Bome virtual MIDI port?

Usually very little latency, if any unless you introduce delays purposely in the translator.

@ddebeul

2. Are there any official or recommended latency/jitter measurements for a setup such as:
   Launchpad → MIDI Translator Pro → virtual MIDI port → DAW?

Best way is to test it with free trial download of Bome MIDI Translator Pro . You can download a trial copy of Bome MIDI Translator Pro here. It is fully functional but times out every 20 minutes.

@ddebeul

3. Does the number of translators, presets, rules or connected MIDI controllers have a significant impact on latency?

Translators optimize parallel paths whenever possible. Of course you could always set up rules that introduce latency if you set them up correctly but the rules language is usuall pretty simple to understand.

@ddebeul

4. Can MIDI Translator Pro comfortably handle bidirectional MIDI traffic with a Launchpad Pro MK3 in Programmer Mode — button presses going to the DAW and frequent LED updates coming back to the Launchpad — without introducing noticeable latency or jitter?

Yes.

@ddebeul

5. Are there particular recommendations for achieving the lowest possible latency on macOS and Windows?

For local MIDI ports, I would say be careful with routes and rules to make sure you only send the traffic to where you want to send it and not to everything else. Always keep your eyes out for MIDI loops and uncontrolled timers.

For remote connections, it is always good to use Bome Network Pro . To send things across the network. If you are also processing audio and video over the network, they should probably have independent network paths as they can sometimes take a lot of bandwidth compared to MIDI.

Again, feel free to experiment with the trial copy. If it times out, you can restart and continue for another 20 minutes.

Steve Caldwell
Bome Customer Care

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