Hey, anyone have a link to a resource for a good explanation about how to implement Network MIDI into my rig with my BomeBox?
Yes, I've Googled and have some resources and will happily slog through them, but there really is no substitute for *actual* real experience and opinion. Thx!
Hi Jim,
Not sure what you are looking for but with Bome Network, it should be quite simple. Your computer will recognize the Bome Network automatically and expose the BomeBox as just another pair of MIDI ports. One for input and one for output.
Can you elaborate on how you want to set up your MIDI network? If you are using rtpMIDI on other devices, you would need to create MIDI routes between your rtpMIDI network connections and BomeBox using Bome MIDI Translator Pro essentially making your computer as a gateway between the two MIDI network architectures.
At some point, I expect Florian to release “unlimited virtual ports” where you should be able to do MIDI routing outside of Bome MIDI Translator Pro. Of course, Florian does not pre-announce any potential release dates but I’m hoping this would be pretty soon. Maybe he will also firmware update for BomeBox so that it can support rtpMIDI natively.
I’m sure he will chime in on this if he feels it is appropriate.
In the meantime, I can help with what is currently available.
Steve Caldwell
Bome Q and A Moderator and
Independent Bome Consultant/Specialist
Thanks for your response, Steve.
I avoided posting too much explanation because you know my questions go on soooo long that no one can actually find the question part. LOL
Compartmentalising the system that I envision will use Network MIDI
Sequencer -> USB Hub -> BomeBox -> MT Pro script for any translation -> Laptop/DMXIS lighting software that responds to MIDI input
I’m using the DIN on the Box for DIN only MIDI device (Octatrack), so for connections I’m left with available ports on the USB Hub or Ethernet. Hey, let’s try Ethernet!
I don’t use Apple products and i think rtpMIDI is specific to Apple, right?
Is it as easy as:
– Connect the Ethernet cable to the BomeBox and the computer
– Configure the output port alias on the BomeBox
– On the computer, load Bome Network
– Open up the software and tell it to respond to the MIDI input from Bome Network?
My inner Occam wants to keep it simple because I’m neither bright nor patient. I have a different hardware configuration I can try if it seems like it’s going to be too complex, but I don’t really want to make that change if I can avoid it.
Yes, your BomeBox will show up on your computer with the name you gave it when setting it up. And BomeBox will see the Computer Name for Bome Network running on your computer.
There are tutorials available for setting up BomeBox.
Let me know if you have any questions if you still can’t figure things out. It is usually quite simple.
Steve Caldwell
Bome Q and A Moderator and
Independent Bome Consultant/Specialist
Thanks Steve!
I’m finishing up a new routine on my script and tackling this is impending (doom! LOL)
So, you have a reprieve until I start freakin out asking crazystupid questions. 🙂
THANKS!
I’m here when you need me.
Steve
Hi Steve. I am thinking that my problem from the other day may be solved with a Bome Box.
I have 2 Rane Turntables with standard USB out over which MIDI data from the turntables travels. They are motorized “controllers” not turntables with a stylus. I would like to plug those in via a powered Belkin USB Hub into a Bome Box along with a mixer also using MIDI over USB and then send all 3 signals via the Ethernet from the Bome Box Ethernet Out to an Ethernet Switch or Hub, depending on which is more appropriate. I currently own a switch. I will then buy a license of Bome Network and run that on my notebook where I am running Serato, Houdini, and Bome MIDI Translator so that I can create a virtual MIDI Port to distribute the MIDI signals to Serato and Houdini simultaneously. My intent is that I am hoping Bome Box will circumvent Serato from stealing the MIDI signals from the turntables exclusively. Currently because of this limitation I cannot get MIDI data into Houdini because Bome Midi Translator cannot open the port that Serato is using for audio control from the turntables. I need Houdini to read the MIDI during my Serato music performance from the turntables at the same time so that I can drive animation with the MIDI in sync.
Is the Bome Box the right device for me and would I need an Ethernet Hub instead of my Ethernet Switch in order for the network to properly read all the MIDI signals simultaneously?
any help is greatly appreciated and I hope I have been thorough in my question.
I see a few possible issues. First BomeBox will not pass through any audio data from the BomeBox as it will not process audio signals over USB. Secondly, anything plugged into BomeBox and networked to a given device will only have 1 MIDI stream. Each MIDI USB port is not separately exposed over the network. I think there is a way to overcome this issue by either making sure each device is on a different MIDI channel or doing some fancy conversion of MIDI to Sysex to help encode MIDI routing information within the MIDI stream. But I think the audio stream issue will be a show stopper if you still want audio. If you don’t care about the audio getting from your turntables, then there may be a chance.
Steve Caldwell
Bome Q and A Moderator and
Independent Bome Consultant/Specialist
bome@sniz.biz
hi. yes it sounds confusing from me when i mention turntables. conventional turntabkes and even many controllers pass audio data in the form of timecode tone. however these turntables provide strict MIDI data and since Bone Box is suited for MIDI i figured it might work. i have already ordered a unit which will hopefully artive this week so i can test out my idea and see if it will actually work. i appreciate your reading my question and responding. thanks.
and yes, each MIDI device even though they are identical devices i think might be on a separate MIDI channel. on my older turntables which have 2 outs and work for my purposes with my idea, you can set the MIDI channel in the device preferences. the new turntables do not have a graphical user interface but they appear uniquely in the MIDI Translator Tool and also each make individual responses in Houdini and Serato both when i run the softwares independently without sinultaneous MIDI feedback. i will update you once i test things out
OK, fingers crossed. If you can put each of your MIDI devices on a separate MIDI channel, that would be ideal so the receiving end can determine by MIDI channel which device the message are coming from. If not, we will need to use Bome MIDI Translator Pro to encode/decode the MIDI messages into and out of Sysex and then embed source and destination information thee in the MIDI stream. More to follow if necessary. I have other ideas if this doesn’t work that I can try out.
Steve Caldwell
Bome Q and A Moderator and
Independent Bome Consultant/Specialist
bome@sniz.biz