Transfer of MIDI file between Cubasis (IPAD) and Genos

[Darius]

Hello,
my question for today is "how to transfer a MIDI file from an IPAD directly to Genos, without additionnal computer step inbetween?"

I run various music apps on my IPAD Pro, including Cubasis from Steinberg. This MIDI and Audio sequencer is by far more comfortable and more powerful than the sequencer which is integrated in Genos. Therefore I could imagine creating MIDI Songs at home with Cubasis on my IOs-tablet, and playing the files on stage directly on the Genos - without tablet.

To do this I need to transfer a MIDI file from the IPAD into Genos. That´s where I am stuck currently.
It seems that Genos cannot connect to a network for sending/receiving files (correct?). A possible solution would be to use a USB memory stick (formatted in FAT32), save the MIDI file from the IPAD into the memory stick, and then load the MIDI file from the memory stick into the Genos. It sounds easy, doesn´t it?

On the IPAD side (running with IOS12) I can physically connect a USB memory stick using a "Ligthning to USB3 Camera adapter". I use this accessory when I want to connect my IPAD to my computer or to my external Sound Card, therefore I know that it works. But I had never tried this accessory with a memory stick.
For test purpose I have formated a memory stick on my PC in FAT32, copied a MIDI file and tried to upload this file onto the IPAD using the File Explorer : it does not work, the USB stick does not show up anywhere.
So, because all Lightning accessories for IPAD are not simple cables but they integrate electronic circuits, it is very likely that this accessory "analyses" and "filters" what is connected at its end. Apple has designed this one to transfers picture files, so I thought "maybe I could hide my MIDI file into a picture file by changing the file extension, get it uploaded, and re-change the file extension... It is a crazy idea, I agree with you. Anyway I wanted to try, first with a simple picture file. I have copied a JPG Picture on the stick from my PC, and tried to open it on the IPAD using the Photo App. The memory stick is recognized by the IPAD, a new "Import" window shows up, but finally the tablet says "No Picture to import". I even tried the trick discribed on several internet pages (name the picture file with 8 characters maximum, put it into a Folder called DCIM) : same negative result.

File transfer on Ipad is peculiar and restrictive, I knew it. I have not been able to transfer any file onto my IPAD from a USB memory stick.
Has anyone succesfully performed this task?
Maybe using a 3rd party App (file manager)?
Maybe using a "Lightning/USB memory stick"?

Have a good day,
Darius

[Bill]

Hi Darius

The APP that you need is called Yamaha MusicSoft Manager.

With this you can transfer all files from the IPAD to the keyboard and any USB Drives plugged into the KB.  You can also transfer between the Expansion Area and User Area.

It's Free

Bill

[Pino]

Save your file from Cubasis to a SanDisk or similar
Plug the SanDisk into your USB hub on your keyboard
Copy and paste the file to USER or Your Work USB stick

Pino



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[Darius]

Thanks Bill for the tip on "Yamaha MusicSoft Manager"!
I have wondered, why I had not heard about this app yet. On the internet site of Yamaha Germany, it is mentioned in the pages of the PSR Keyboards (S975 etc.), but not in the pages of Genos. Good to know.

Thanks also Pino for the tip about Sandisk USB/Lightning memory stick!
Can you confirm that this accessory works based on your own practice/experience?

Best regards,
Darius

[Al Ram]

I have used succesfully this Sandisk/Ixpand

Sandisk SDIX30C-032G-GN6NN Memoria Ixpand for iPhone, iPad, 32 GB

to transfer files from iPad to Windows computer and back.

works like magic.  On one end, it plugs to the Windows computer via USB, on the other end plugs directly into iPad with lightening connection.   It needs an app for the iPad.   You download the app for free.

thanks 

[Pino]

"Thanks also Pino for the tip about Sandisk USB/Lightning memory stick!
Can you confirm that this accessory works based on your own practice/experience"


Darius
If it did NOT work I would not have spent 30 minutes of my time to take the photo and reply to your question,

Pino

[Darius]

As a summary of all suggestions above for transferring MIDI files directly between IPad and Genos:
* IOs app "MusicSoft Manager" from Yamaha
* flash memory drive with both USB and Lightning connectors (example: Sandisc iXpand + IOs App "iXpand Drive")

Thanks to the contributors,
Darius

[tomsixtwo]

Too bad that this Yamaha app only supports Dropbox and iTunes File Sharing. This is old fashioned. It would be great if WAV and MIDI files could be imported via "Files" or "Open in ..." into the app. 

[Pino]

Yes, I agree with you entirely, why use 'dropbox' on an IOS when 'files and open-in' is more convenient.
As far as 'iTunes' Is concerned, I wouldn't go anywhere near it.

[Pino]

Some members may disagree with me but recording directly on the keyboard is easy and fun, you can record styles and and melodies on top
or
record 16 individual midi tracks (set-up the voice and FX, press record and track number and click to right 1 for each track you need to record on)

Save the song and transfer to other software to edit if required,
It's so easy to delete a track on the keyboard and re-record it
The punch-in, punch-out works perfectly and there will not be any stripping of  'sy*** and fx' as some exterior sequencers do.

The only drawback, no piano-roll.

Pino


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[pjd]

Hi Darius and all --

Thank you for investigating this! I've often wondered if I could get Cubasis working with Genos/PSR. Mainly, I wasn't sure how to get MIDI files out of Cubasis in a direct way, i.e., avoiding multiple transfer steps. It'll be a while before I can try this myself -- too much going on at the moment.

This is one area where Yamaha needs systems level thinking. Yamaha's software apps seem to occupy small islands without a lot of bridges between them. Cubasis would be a welcome enhancement for Genos/PSR users, but would be a terrific enhancement for Montage/MODX users. Montage/MODX has only a "performance recorder" and integration with Cubasis would go a long way toward filling the need for a true sequencer.


Thanks, again, everyone -- pj

[grussell]

I tried using the Yamaha one - very slow.

The ideal option I settled for was using the same method photographers use to transfer files from a camera to their ipad. Basically a SD Card with built in Wifi.

Costs around £40 it total.

After trialling a few different SD cards (not all will see non-image files or allow you to drop the file into the correct folder - I use Cubasis so want to drop midi files in its folder)

You need to buy an SD card, and an SD Card to USB adaptor.

This is what I use:-

Integral INCRUSB3.0SDMSDU2 UHS-II USB 3.0 Card Reader  £9 on Amazon (do not go for one that takes loads of SD card types as each slot shows up as another drive on the Genos, and the Genos can only display about 5 drives so you lose some options off the bottom of the screen)

Toshiba FlashAir W-04 32 GB SDXC Class 10 Memory Card £34 on Amazon (Oddly, the 64 GB version didn't work as expected).

You simply insert the SD Card into the adaptor, then use the adaptor as you would a standard USB key.

This allows you to connect directly to the USB memory drive on the Genos while it is still inserted, from your iPad copy files. It is also very quick - much quicker than the Yamaha one.

I also tried a few other SD cards (e.g. GuDoQi Wireless WiFi SD) but found the software is written only for pictures/images.

You use the Flashair app on the iPad (free download).
the Ipad connects to Wifi of the SD Card
Run FlashAir
Press "device" at top
Press tick (top left)
Choose the files you want to move to your ipad
Press share icon at bottom (paper with arrow), then choose share
Now choose what to do with files - I normally choose "safe to files".



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[pjd]

Very spiffy experiment! I doff my hat! 

-- pj