Apps by Alex

MidiPaddy user manual

Everything you need to connect, configure and play MidiPaddy.

1. What MidiPaddy does

MidiPaddy sends MIDI messages from your iPad to instruments, computers and compatible apps. It does not contain a synthesizer and produces no sound on its own.

For the first test, keep the receiving instrument at a low volume and keep the Panic button within reach.

2. Connect a MIDI destination

  1. Tap the MIDI button in the top bar.
  2. To pair a Bluetooth MIDI device, tap Bluetooth MIDI… and connect it in Apple’s connection panel.
  3. Return to MidiPaddy and enable the device under output routes. Pairing alone does not select it as an output.
  4. Close MIDI Connections. The top bar should now name the destination or show the number of selected outputs.

Midi Learn input selection is independent of output selection. Incoming Learn messages are not echoed automatically.

Inter-app MIDI

When Virtual Output is enabled, select MidiPaddy as a MIDI input inside the receiving app. Seeing the virtual source does not prove that another app is listening to it.

3. Choose a profile

Open the profile menu in the top bar.

  • Generic MIDI is ready with common assignments.
  • Blank has no generic assignments; controls remain muted until assigned in Edit mode.

You can duplicate, rename and delete user profiles. Editing a factory template creates a user copy.

4. Choose a layout

  • Studio centers on the piano keyboard.
  • Performance provides large note pads and expressive controls.
  • Control exposes the densest set of assignable controls.

Held notes and momentary controls are released safely before the layout changes.

5. Set the MIDI channel

Choose channel 1 through 16 in the top bar. Assignments set to Profile Default follow this channel; explicit channels do not.

6. Play the Studio keyboard

The keyboard initially spans C3 through C5. Use the octave controls to move the visible range.

Velocity

Choose fixed velocity or two-level Impact velocity. Impact mode uses local iPad motion and falls back to the soft value if motion is unavailable.

Polyphonic Aftertouch

When supported by the receiver, vertical finger movement sends MIDI Polyphonic Key Pressure independently per key.

7. Use controls

  • Drag knobs and faders to send continuous values.
  • Use pitch and modulation wheels for configured messages.
  • Tap buttons according to Momentary, Toggle or Trigger behavior.
  • Drag the X-Y pad for independent X and Y messages.
  • Tap the program number to enter 1 through 128 directly.

Unassigned controls appear muted and send nothing.

8. Edit assignments

  1. Enter Edit from the profile menu.
  2. Tap a control.
  3. Choose message type, label, channel, number, range and interaction settings.
  4. Use Test carefully; it sends the draft immediately.
  5. Save, or cancel to discard the draft.
  6. Tap Done to return to performance.

9. MIDI Learn

  1. Enter Edit and open a control.
  2. Arm MIDI Learn.
  3. Move the corresponding external control.
  4. Review the captured compatible message and save.

Learn times out and can be cancelled. Messages are not echoed to outputs.

10. Program and bank changes

The program section sends a program change and can optionally send bank select first. Human-facing programs are numbered 1 through 128.

11. Panic and interruptions

Tap Panic if a receiver retains a note or momentary state. MidiPaddy releases tracked notes and resets surviving selected routes.

12. VoiceOver and assistive access

VoiceOver exposes individual piano keys, full labeled knob and fader regions, buttons, profile actions, routes, channel selection, Panic and octave controls.

13. Troubleshooting

There is no sound

MidiPaddy sends MIDI only. Confirm a receiver is selected, listening on the expected channel and connected to audio.

Bluetooth is paired but receives nothing

Enable it under output routes; pairing and output selection are separate.

A control does not transmit

It may be unassigned. Edit it or begin with Generic MIDI.

The receiver has a stuck note

Tap Panic. If it disconnected before note release, reconnect it and use its own reset if needed.

14. Privacy

MidiPaddy requires no account and transmits no analytics or personal data. See the MidiPaddy Privacy Policy.