This section will guide you through how to set up your iPhone as a MIDI controller for your Mac.

You can connect your phone to your computer using cables likethe Line6 MIDI Mobilizer II (as an example), or wirelessly if your phone and computer are connected to the same network. There are a number of ways to do this and we will outline the various advantages and pitfalls of each one.

Cables

The iMoov is compatible with the iRig MIDI and the Line6 MIDI Mobiliser II. The setup process is a lot simpler with a cable, you just need to attach the cable and start learning your moovments. Your external program (i.e. Logic Pro, Traktor, etc.) should recognise the iMoov as a MIDI device once you've attached the cable. Note that you'll need a MIDI coupler so you can connect to a MIDI -> USB cable if you want to connect the iMoov to your computer with an iRig MIDI or Line 6 MIDI Mobiliser II.

You can also attach the iMoov with a normal iPhone charger cable, however you'll still need to go through the wireless set-up process.

Same Network WiFi

If your computer is already connected to a WiFi network then you can simply connect to the same network on your phone. This is often the simplest solution, but the more people that are using the network, the slower (and less responsive) the controller will be.

     

If you do not have an external router at your disposal then you will need to set up a Personal Hotspot. This can be done over a WiFi or Bluetooth connection. Make sure you have 3G enabled for this work (Settings -> General -> Network -> Cellular Data). A Personal Hotspot turns your iPhone into a router and creates its own network.

VPN

If there's no WiFi network available you can create your own one on your computer. Click on the Airport symbol on the menu bar and select Create Network. You will be prompted to enter a name and add some security, which is up to you, but we recommend having a WPA password to stop others connecting.

     

Next, connect the network you just made on your iPhone by going to Settings -> WiFi and selecting the appropriate network.

If neither of these options will work for you then you will need to set up a Personal Hotspot. A personal hotspot can be setup over a WiFi or Bluetooth connection and turns your iPhone into a router and creates its own network.

Personal Hotspot WiFi

You will need to have 3G enabled for this work (Settings -> General -> Network -> Cellular Data).

Make sure you have WiFi enabled on both your computer and phone. On your iPhone you will need to go into Settings and turn on Personal Hotspot. Give the network a password. Now, on your computer, click the airport icon in the menu bar and you should see your phone name listed as a network. Click on it and enter the same password that you entered on your phone.

You can tell if you are connected because you will see a blue bar across the top of the iPhone saying Personal Hotspot.

     
If it doesn't work first time then it is usually worth turning your airport off and then on again.

Personal Hotspot Bluetooth

Make sure you have 3G enabled for this work (Settings -> General -> Network -> Cellular Data).

Make sure your bluetooth is turned on on both the phone and computer. The first time that you set this up you will need to pair the devices together, which can be done in the Bluetooth section of System Preferences on your Mac. Click the plus arrow and follow the instructions to set up a new bluetooth device.

Once the devices are paired, you should see your phone name on the drop down list when you click the bluetooth icon in the menu bar. Select it and click Connect to Network. Again a blue Personal Hotspot bar should appear across the top of your iPhone.

Bluetooth vs WiFi / VPN

So which connection should you use?

If you are in a crowded space with lots of people using WiFi then the connection can become a little slow. Also WiFi uses slightly more battery power than Bluetooth. However, Bluetooth has a range of about 10 metres and the further away you are the slower the connection will be. On the other hand, WiFi will still work at much larger distances with less of a drop off in performance. In terms of security, Bluetooth is slightly more secure, but since the devices have to be paired in both cases on the computer, you shouldn't have any problems with either.

When your computer is linked to your phone you now need to turn your phone into a MIDI device.

Tips

It is usually best to turn off the connections that you are not using on both devices. For example, if you are using a Bluetooth Personal Hotspot connection, then you should turn off Wifi on your iPhone and Airport on your computer. This will stop the computer from trying to connect in a way that you didn't intend.

Sometimes you may need to keep the Personal Hotspot screen open on your iPhone for your computer to find the connection. This is also true of the bluetooth connection when you first pair the devices.

If in doubt, turn your connection and Personal Hotspot off and then on again.

If you're still having problems, send an email to support@tangiblefx.com or use our support forum.