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DSMI combines open-source client code with a server application to allow applications to send MIDI messages wirelessly. Developed initially for the Nintendo DS, it has branched out in recent years to other platforms, and is one of the most popular technologies for wireless MIDI on the iPhone.
The key advantage DSMI has over OSC and Pure Data is the ease of installation for the user, and when running on your PC or Mac shows only an unobtrusive dialog box.
The main disadvantage that DSMI has over OSC is down to its latency. In our tests we found DSMI to be far more likely to introduce latency or, worse: drop notes or leave a note hanging. Whereas Network MIDI, OSC and Pure Data run quite happily via a Wi-fi router setup, in our tests DSMI required the setup of a computer-computer network to be usable.
INSTALLATION
IMPROVING LATENCY
Whilst MIDI via DSMI can have a very low latency, when sending large amounts of data over wifi via a router some latency can occur, depending on your local network setup. To reduce latency (and also to allow you to use wifi MIDI when you do not have a router network - for example performing with just a laptop and iPad) you can create a 'Computer-to-Computer Network' (sometimes called an 'AdHoc Network').
[Modifying your network settings will require some knowedge of wireless networking, for which we cannot provide support]
On a Mac, you create a Computer-to-Computer Network by-
There are many tutorial videos on the Internet for setting up Ad Hoc networks on both Mac and PC, should you need further support.
More information on DSMI is available here.
[Tapping this link will close Pianist Pro and start Safari]
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The key advantage DSMI has over OSC and Pure Data is the ease of installation for the user, and when running on your PC or Mac shows only an unobtrusive dialog box.
The main disadvantage that DSMI has over OSC is down to its latency. In our tests we found DSMI to be far more likely to introduce latency or, worse: drop notes or leave a note hanging. Whereas Network MIDI, OSC and Pure Data run quite happily via a Wi-fi router setup, in our tests DSMI required the setup of a computer-computer network to be usable.
INSTALLATION
- Go to the following page (on your Mac or PC):-
http://code.google.com/p/dsmi/downloads/list - Download either dsmidiwifi-v1.01.zip (Windows) or dsmidiwifi-v1.02.dmg (OSX).
- Install the application.
- For OSX, you can just start up the DSMIDIWifi app.
- For Windows, you will first need to set up a 'MIDI Loopback' driver to allow DSMIDIWifi to communicate with other applications via MIDI. See the DSMIDIWifi documentation for how to do this if you have not already set one up (Loopback Drivers are required by most MIDI apps in Windows).
- DSMidiWifi should now automatically show up in your MIDI applications as a MIDI port.
IMPROVING LATENCY
Whilst MIDI via DSMI can have a very low latency, when sending large amounts of data over wifi via a router some latency can occur, depending on your local network setup. To reduce latency (and also to allow you to use wifi MIDI when you do not have a router network - for example performing with just a laptop and iPad) you can create a 'Computer-to-Computer Network' (sometimes called an 'AdHoc Network').
[Modifying your network settings will require some knowedge of wireless networking, for which we cannot provide support]
On a Mac, you create a Computer-to-Computer Network by-
- Click on the wifi symbol at the top right of the screen.
- Select 'Create Network'.
- Enter a name for your network.
- Tick 'Require Password'.
- Enter a password for the network.
- Press Okay.
- Now, on your iPad, under Settings / Wi-Fi you can join this network.
- Note that if you normally connect to the Internet via wifi then you will need to switch your Mac back to your normal network after you have finished your MIDI wifi session. And also you will most likely want to set your iPad back to your normal network too.
There are many tutorial videos on the Internet for setting up Ad Hoc networks on both Mac and PC, should you need further support.
More information on DSMI is available here.
[Tapping this link will close Pianist Pro and start Safari]
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