Starting from scratch!

[fenechy]

Ok, let me reply to myself in case anyone else sees this.

Excellent introductory article centred around Midi and Garage Band - MacJams.com - Article: MIDI Basics for Apple GarageBand Users

Now for a simpler question. I have a Midi - USB cable. Can I go direct from the Acuna into my Mac or do I need to go via an interface box of some description?

I can't get Garage band to play a note via Midi - USB. It sees the input and in Audio Midi set up it sees the device as well as in GB preferences. It just won't play any notes. Works ok direct in from USB to USB though.

Any guidance? Thanks

[AndreBenoit]

The USB cable should be enough on its own, you would only need the midi to USB if you had no USB on the keyboard.
I'm not too clued up with GarageBand but check the settings to make sure it's picked up the keyboard when plugged into your MacBook (maybe even try another USB port). If its anything like logic then next thing to do would be to load up some sort of synth, a piano or whatever, then make sure you've clicked on the track so it's all live & ready to go.
If you still can't get a peep out of it then I'm not too sure, if it was logic then I'd say check there is a little button labelled 'out' with a 5pin symbol on it that's highlighted somewhere near the top of the piano roll....iv never played with garageband though so I'm not sure if it's on there or not

Andre

[AndreBenoit]

After reading your post again it makes more sense, just use the USB cable. The midi in/out on the keyboard is more for connecting further external midi sources to be triggered from the keyboard, I'm sure the midi to USB cable is for sending midi data to an external synth rather than information from your keyboard to the computer.
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong tho!

Andre

[Heyclown]

After seeing this video I aint too impressed with the functionality of the iPad implementation into the Acuna.
Acuna88 Cpanel - YouTube
My suggestion is to use the Acuna just as a normal Midi keyboard and then use iPad in different ways. One way is to use a control app for garageband on the iPad like this one
Entrackment - iPad Control Surface by Talkative AB

You should be able to connect the Acuna to the Macbook Pro with the USB cable. If it doesn't work just troubleshoot a little. Here is what the Acuna manual says about connectivity

For MIDI data transmission via USB, connect the acuna88 to your computer with a USB cable. The first time you switch the acuna88 on, it will be recognised by your computer automatically and the appropriate driver will be installed by the OS (class compliant). For attaching an Apple iPad to the acuna88 you need a Camera Kit for your iPad. Directly connect the USB port of the Camera Kit / iPad with the acuna88 using a USB cable.

Best of luck.

[fenechy]

Hi Andre and Heyclown.

Thanks so much for your replies. I have successfully managed to get the keyboard playing in garage band via USB. That bit was always OK. Why then am I trying to use the MIDI cable you may ask? Well as Heyclown points out, the iPad app needs to be connected to the keyboard via USB. This only leaves the Midi cable for connecting up my MacBook Pro. In the video that Hayclown references the guy seems to imply that he goes from the keyboard into the iPad via USB and from the keyboard into the computer via Midi into a control box and from the control box into the computer. I can't see why you need a control box though?

Anyway, I'm going to try the entrapment app that Heyclown has suggested and hopefully that will work much better. I will post back to let you all know. Thanks again for your help.

[fenechy]

Entrapment is nice but it is just a touch sensitive remote for Garageband where as the Acuna app is a full blown midi controller which enables you to play with 8 different parameters and allows you to assign different functions to up to 8 pads etc. I think where I'm going wrong is in trying to use the App with Garageband? I'd love to know if anyone has used the Acuna app with a Fatar keyboard and a Mac. And before you ask, yes I have tried speaking to Fatar but they don't answer their phone and the app and website have no manual or forum. Quite baffling. Starting to think I'm the only person to have ever tried using the Acuna 88 with the App etc... surely not?

Thanks to Andre and Heyclown though. At least I can do what I bought the keyboard for - playing the piano. I'm just a sucker for wanting to get things working the way they should - even if I don't need to use their functionality. I think its called being a Geek?

[Heyclown]

There is also an App out named "Air Display" that lets you use your iPad as an extra monitor for you Mac.
I´m running it as a 3rd monitor in Logic. Wireless off via wifi. Works flawlessly. Brilliant to keep for example the plug-in windows on.

[v3recording]

Hi! I'm joining the discussion because i would like to buy the Acuna88 too.

Does the Acuna midi out/in funcion as an additional midi interface when connected to USB? How many USB ports do you see in your DAW? I'm asking that because i would need to send midi clock and program change from Ableton Live to a midi expander connected to the Acuna midi out (m-audio and edirol keyboards have this feature)