I’d like to use an iPad as a touch-surface controller for MIDI CC messages during live recording in Cubase 14 on macOS. Is this possible via a wired connection, and what combination of software would be recommended? I’ve looked into software like TouchOSC, but I think this might be too much. I just want to be able to record automation and pitch bends at low latency (not with bluetooth or wifi).
I’m open to trying different things.
Would Spacedesk fit in your needs? It not for MIDI, but simply a screen extension. It is free, it works very well, even with wifi and it allows cable connection, although I still haven’t tried that way.
I was hoping to have some actual slider or wheel UI on the ipad, so probably not. Maybe TouchOSC IS what I’m looking for? The thing is I think that I really just want an application on the ipad that relies on midi through usbc.
TouchOSC sounds like it would do what you’re asking for. But there are alternatives. Metagrid Pro e.g.
I find Metagrid Pro the easiest, most feature rich, and nicest to look at.
Oh interesting. What are some of the tradeoffs between touchOSC and Metagrid then? To clarify, I am hoping to control CC automation for (fake) guitar plugins or synths, so latency/resolution are important. It looks like both use a wireless server though. I see Metagrid also supports a usbc connection, so I wonder if this will get the lower latency I’m looking for.
It’s long seemed crazy to me that it’s so difficult to pass MIDI messages over a simple wired iPad connection.
The way I first got around it was to use a pair of MIDI/USB cables, connected back-to-back with DIN couplers (using the camera connection dongle to the iPad). Later I discovered a company called Sevillasoft who sell a device that essentially does the same thing, but it’s neater, and it presents 4 separately addressable virtual midi ports at each end.
With this connection I use MIDI Designer Pro to create my own control panels.