Bluetooth MIDI Adapters

[Franz Schiller]

Hey there! I'm thinking about using some iPad sequencers with my Kurzweil PC4-7. I'm considering trying a bluetooth MIDI adapter, such as the Yamaha MD-BT01. If that works out well, I'd likely try using it for controlling iPad synth apps, too.

 

Anyone have any experience with these? Is latency an issue? Not so bad? Thoughts, opinions?

 

Thank you! 

[D. Gauss]

get the 11 dollar one from aliexpress.

[ElmerJFudd]

I believe they got latency down with Bluetooth v4 which is what the Yamaha MD-BT01 is based on.  It has a lot to do with distance - so the further away you need to transmit from the greater the delay.  

[D. Gauss]

forgot the link:

 

 

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805388086678.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.15.6c371decrDt9Ki&algo_pvid=88edf242-fbe1-43f6-ae7b-4f43f7bdd7bf&aem_p4p_detail=202404150750352254074347547210007943985&algo_exp_id=88edf242-fbe1-43f6-ae7b-4f43f7bdd7bf-7&pdp_npi=4%40dis!USD!21.88!11.38!!!158.00!82.16!%402103011017131926351385304e1177!12000033606935637!sea!US!895263882!&curPageLogUid=AoQtJ7VRDeII&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch|query_from%3A&search_p4p_id=202404150750352254074347547210007943985_3

 

 

[HSS]

1 hour ago, D. Gauss said:

forgot the link:

 

 

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805388086678.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.15.6c371decrDt9Ki&algo_pvid=88edf242-fbe1-43f6-ae7b-4f43f7bdd7bf&aem_p4p_detail=202404150750352254074347547210007943985&algo_exp_id=88edf242-fbe1-43f6-ae7b-4f43f7bdd7bf-7&pdp_npi=4%40dis!USD!21.88!11.38!!!158.00!82.16!%402103011017131926351385304e1177!12000033606935637!sea!US!895263882!&curPageLogUid=AoQtJ7VRDeII&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch|query_from%3A&search_p4p_id=202404150750352254074347547210007943985_3

 

 

Thanks for the heads-up. I just ordered it.  I don't have an immediate need for it but it'll be in my gig bag just in case.  I'm also a sucker for a potentially good deal because I'm a cheap old fart. I've been burned a few times but all-in-all I've come out ahead with my cheapness.

[MartinLeo]

I’m using this:

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTCXK3C2?ref_=cm_sw_r_mwn_dp_VQTEHQ462AAXYFH7RD8V&language=es-US
 

No latency at all 👌

 

[Jose EB5AGV]

CME WIDI devices work perfectly for me:

 

https://www.cme-pro.com/widi-premium-bluetooth-midi/

[D. Gauss]

Can't speak for the others, but the cheapie aliexpress one also acts a pseudo host. E.g. I use one to send wireless sysex commands from an ipad to a zoom fx floor pedal.

[AnotherScott]

My inclination would be to stick with the CME WIDI devices rather than the no-names. They're not expensive, and CME actually provides online support and firmware upgrades, and they have a whole ecosystem of related devices that you know have been designed/tested to work properly together.

[Mike Martin]

Agreed with AnotherScott. The CME line-up is great and so is their support. 

[Franz Schiller]

Thanks everyone! Super useful info. Much appreciated!

[ElmerJFudd]

3 hours ago, AnotherScott said:

My inclination would be to stick with the CME WIDI devices rather than the no-names. They're not expensive, and CME actually provides online support and firmware upgrades, and they have a whole ecosystem of related devices that you know have been designed/tested to work properly together.

And the CME WIDI is built on Bluetooth v5!  Even better. 

[Mike Kent]

On latency: The choice of devices does influence the overall latency. Some combinations are better than others.

A CME device to another CME device has 3-5 ms latency. Very good.

These stats are a few years old and I hope I remember them correctly, but I think are still valid:

Any device connection to an iPhone or iPad has 14ms latency, based on the service interval provided by iOS.

Any device connection to a Mac has 11.5ms latency, based on the service interval provided by MacOS.