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MIDI SysEx Messages limited to 5 bytes only!
I bought this pedal device only to simplify the control of my keyboard, organ and computer synth MIDI programming for live gigs! As it was advertised you should be able to "Send all types of MIDI messages via 5-Pin, USB, Bluetooth output". Sounds fantastic, but:
If you are serious in MIDI programming then you will need system exclusive messages (SysEx), for example to change "Send" or "Receive" MIDI channels or to activate a specific "voice" on a MIDI device.
To program the AIRSTEP controller board you will have to use the corresponding AIRSTEP app, on an Android or iOS device. To my total surprise the maximum length to program MIDI SysEx messages in the app is limited to 5 (five!) bytes.
Any SYSex command I needed during the years hat at least 10 bytes, meaning I cannot get SysEx MIDI programming running due to the limits in the app. So the advertised text is just misleading!
I got in direct contact with the supplier XSONIC and they promised that the needed functionality will be available in app version 2.0. Still waiting for it, for months!
Finally, this controller is build like a tank! If the rating was related just to build quality it would deserve 5 stars. It also comes with lots of more features, but unfortunately the one that I was in need for is not working.
I will be happy to update this text as soon as the product is usable in a sense it was advertised for.
If you are serious in MIDI programming then you will need system exclusive messages (SysEx), for example to change "Send" or "Receive" MIDI channels or to activate a specific "voice" on a MIDI device.
To program the AIRSTEP controller board you will have to use the corresponding AIRSTEP app, on an Android or iOS device. To my total surprise the maximum length to program MIDI SysEx messages in the app is limited to 5 (five!) bytes.
Any SYSex command I needed during the years hat at least 10 bytes, meaning I cannot get SysEx MIDI programming running due to the limits in the app. So the advertised text is just misleading!
I got in direct contact with the supplier XSONIC and they promised that the needed functionality will be available in app version 2.0. Still waiting for it, for months!
Finally, this controller is build like a tank! If the rating was related just to build quality it would deserve 5 stars. It also comes with lots of more features, but unfortunately the one that I was in need for is not working.
I will be happy to update this text as soon as the product is usable in a sense it was advertised for.
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OK Hardware, horrible software
My experience with Airstep (full version) - frankly disappointing. I bought it to control Waza Air and it worked to some extent, but connectivity issues were always present. After upgrading everything (headphones and Airstep) to the latest version (Airstep 1.9.3), there's no way I can connect to it with Boss application anymore. There's either communication error or connection just doesn't happen.
Then I bought Katana Air and although presets generally work, it's impossible for me to actually see using the BTS app what's really going on. You are guessing - the same connectivity issues. BTS app sees Airstep, but connection just can't be established.
I don't know what's worse, using presets and blindly guessing what's going on or going through series of disconnects/reconnects after pushing each button on Airstep and verifying what happened using the app.
Until this gets resolved, this product is a joke and not something you can depend on.
There are plenty of the inconsistencies. XSonic website is joke as well, in recent Chrome you need open and close several times "Katana Air Mode" section for all modes with images to load.
On website there are only 4 modes explained, there are 8 in the app.
When you upgrade firmware to 1.9.3, application says device firmware version is 4.5.
This all looks like a shabby startup with poor quality assurance and not something serious. I'd like to be proven wrong, but there's just a lot of stuff telling me that nobody gives a damn on xsonic end.
Then I bought Katana Air and although presets generally work, it's impossible for me to actually see using the BTS app what's really going on. You are guessing - the same connectivity issues. BTS app sees Airstep, but connection just can't be established.
I don't know what's worse, using presets and blindly guessing what's going on or going through series of disconnects/reconnects after pushing each button on Airstep and verifying what happened using the app.
Until this gets resolved, this product is a joke and not something you can depend on.
There are plenty of the inconsistencies. XSonic website is joke as well, in recent Chrome you need open and close several times "Katana Air Mode" section for all modes with images to load.
On website there are only 4 modes explained, there are 8 in the app.
When you upgrade firmware to 1.9.3, application says device firmware version is 4.5.
This all looks like a shabby startup with poor quality assurance and not something serious. I'd like to be proven wrong, but there's just a lot of stuff telling me that nobody gives a damn on xsonic end.
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