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Send midi code from iPad to Window laptop

I'm trying to figure out if it's possible to send a midi code from my iPad to my lighting software on my WIndows laptop? If so, then how would I set it up? Do I need a midi dongle for my laptop? My software is ShowXpress, and under Midi in it has options for Device, Channel, Type, Data, and Control. Any guidance would be appreciated as I have never used Midi before.

4 replies

Z

Hello Brock
great that all works now !!
I made a long message and answer as your first original message was that you could not get it to work...
but now all is okey !! :)
just by curiosity : what was the problem ?? firewall ? ports ? manual settings ?
as I usually use MacOS and not iOS I am curious to know what might be different... (and do not have any Windows-Computer here to test)

B

Thanks for taking the time to help me. Unfortunately, I have no idea what fixed it. I just restarted my computer and iPad and opened Mix16 and my iPad showed up under participants in rtpMIDI.

B

Thank for the advice. I downloaded rtpMedia and got it working. ShowXpress scenes are triggered by a midi command in the format: Device, Channel, Type (program, note, control), Data). How do I specify that in MIX16? I see that I can see under edit for the cue that I can set the midi message, but am not sure of the format.  Here's what the midi logger receives as the message from another program I have working correctly.Screenshot 2025-10-12 142150.png

Scroll down to MIDI Output Command - Play Cue, tap in the field and enter: pc,2,0 and app will automatically prepare text to PROGRAM_CHANGE, 2, 0.
Or tap on pencil icon to see available MIDI commands - popup window will be displayed on screen, tap on command icon and select desired MIDI command.

B

Got it working, thanks!

Z

Hello
You can do and achieve this very easily with Chataigne (free software) and without any other hardware... just install Chantaigne on your Comuter... when you send messages (MIDI or others !) by UDP or TPC from the tablette to the Computer, Chataigne can receive them and than translate and mapp them to whatever you want... and send it further on the way (to ShowExpress or where-ever !!)

rtpMIDI that Grega is talking about works marvelous also; I use that a lot for MIDI wireless communication between computers (including Mac and Windows etc) it works native on MacOS and iOS !! I mostly used id to send Midi Triggers from iPad or Makbook to a Windows computer and for example Resolume and VPs etc...

as this workes flawless with Resolum it should work the same with ShowXpress !

and as Grega said : >>Maybe after rtpMIDI is installed, it will appear under MIDI devices.>>>
yess, thats the way it works; rtpMIDI is a virtual MIDI-Device for Windows !

I have never tried this as well, because i am working with Apple devices only, however i know there is a Network MIDI Driver for Windows called rtpMIDI:
https://www.tobias-erichsen.de/software/rtpmidi.html

Install it on your Windows computer and follow the instructions:
https://www.tobias-erichsen.de/software/rtpmidi/rtpmidi-tutorial.html

Just make sure both iPad and Windows computer are on the same local area network.

In MiX16 Show Cue open MIDI/OSC tools (keys icon in the main top toolbar) and make sure MIDI Network Session is turned ON (MIDI Devices section inside tools window).

Then configure desired MIDI actions, for example MIDI Output Command - Master Volume. Change master volume in the main bottom toolbar and check your Windows computer if you receive any MIDI messages.

How to configure ShowXpress i really don't know, because i never used it. Maybe after rtpMIDI is installed, it will appear under MIDI devices.

Regards,
Grega