Reply to New iPad app - MIDI Touch by iOS MIDI

I figured that you guys would have already beaten me to this post, but I guess not. The release of iOS4.2 for the iPad promised us MIDI over USB cable, and more robust MIDI overall. There have been a few app updates to take advantage of this so far, but a wholly new and extremely interesting app has been released called MIDI Touch.

http://iosmidi.com/apps/

Imagine TouchOSC, but sending MIDI instead. Very cool stuff.



At $17, it's not cheap, but the functionality it seems to deliver is pretty cool. First of all, it has a layout editor built into the software itself. So no relying on an external computer and app to generate layouts. VERY COOL, and the messaging possible is pretty comprehensive. It looks like you can do everything except SYSEX, although there seems to be some interest from the developer for implementing it. Also, did I mention that this app also supports MIDI FEEDBACK? Windows TouchOSC users who are tired of dealing with PD's limitations might want to give this app a shot.

This gives you an idea of the configuration possibilities. You also have a layout/preset changer available, so you can create several pages and switch between them. There are multiple themes, although there's basically 2 different "main" themes, each with a couple variations. Still, gives you some high contrast stuff (believe Lemur-ish) and some Mac-esq layouts.

Also, I want to point out some small behaviors that the guys at iOS MIDI have added. If you use your finger on a fader, it will of course move to the updated location. But if you want fine control, you can "rub" anywhere off the "hot spot" on the fader and it will give you a fine value change. If you double tap on a fader, it will jump to the new value instead of sliding. Nice touches.

I would of course like to see support for relative CC messages (come on everyone - why is it these aren't widely supported by all of these apps?), but it's impressive so far.

I'll give you more info later in the week, but right now this is looking like a great competitor to the venerable TouchOSC.