Now for the results of my home test. I think it’s important to note first of all that this test has taken place at home, not in a busy venue. For the last two days I’ve tried three different routers with more or less the same configurations and running MixPad on just one iPad2.
I start MixPad, connect to the MixRack, and then simply set up some aux mixes. Every few minutes I double-tap a mix to see if the faders change position. With each router the results have been the same: Everything works fine until I set the iPad down for a while. I come back to the iPad (which is set to stay awake) about an hour later, and it no longer responds to the double-taps.
I then switch iPads (still only one running MixPad at any given time), and the problem repeats itself. This suggests to me that the problem does not lie with the routers or the iPads, but with MixPad itself.
Now, here is the interesting part: If I turn off Metering in the iPad Settings, the problem goes away. Even after two hours of no activity MixPad responds to my double-tap of the mixes. This suggests that turning off metering will keep MixPad active during a show. My next job is Thursday, so that will be my next test.
If it turns out that turning off metering fixes keeps MixPad going, that’s further evidence that the problem may lie with MixPad. However, it could be the iPad2. Perhaps MixPad works better on iPad1?
I will do the same same test at home today and report back.
I used the ipad last sunday on two events and only lost connection when i set the ipad in standby. which i suppose is normal.when coming out of standby the ipad recovered ok.
At one moment i lost connection due to going to far ( 5GHz need a better line off sight than 2,4Ghz). Mixpad could not recover and i had to restart mixpad which was instant.
I use the DIR815 an meters,multicast and RTA peak are on.
Alan, I suspect your issue may be related to a power save feature, where the wifi will power down after 30 minutes of inactivity regardless of the sleep mode being set to ‘always on’.
The way to tell, is in the failure state, press the home button, and drop back to the home page and quickly check the wifi signal strength. If the icon is missing the wifi has been turned off by the OS - it then restores very quickly. Anyone else running tests, it would be good to know if your iPad’s exhibit this behaviour.
I’m only hypothesising, but I’m wondering if the power save profile varies between iPad 1 and 2, as we see far less issues with iPad 1. We’ve also seen more issues with iOS 4.3 and greater, and this seems common if you google “iOS and 4.3 and wifi”.
Anyway were working a programmatic solution for the wifi power save, but it would be nice to know if this is the cause of many of the issues you’re experiencing. Let me know if you’re wifi icons have disappeared after 30 minutes.
I just tested my setup and after more than 2 hours i came back and everything worked as suspected. I could choose and change mixes. to be sure i changed the PAD on a channel and i could hear the pad relay clicking in my IDR48.
I have a ipad1 an use OS 5.1.1
i post all my IDR815 settings here:
wireless:
2.4Ghz disabled
SSID: FUN5
auto channel selection: enabled
transmission rate: best
wireless mode : 802.11a only
enable hidden wireless: ON
security mode : disabled ( i should do the same test with WPA mode enabled)
Network settings:
DHCP enabled ( range 100-110) router is on 50
lease time 1000 minutes
no mac reservations
Advanced network:
enable multicast streams: ON
wireless enhanced mode: ON
on all my 2 IDR’s multicast is enabled ( with a different IP adres off course)
to setup ipad wireless , choose other, type your SSID ( because i don’t send out the SSID i have to enter manually) on mine security is set to none
I must say i only use the ipad for mixpad, no other wifi connections are enabled, no 3G stuff
Interesting that iPad1 seems to fare better, I’ve been using my iPad1 with MixPad for shows since it came out, and while I do have occasional lock ups and drop outs, I’ve mainly experienced them since switching to the Belkin router (which, at the time, and for about 5mins after I bought it, was the recommended one)… I’ve now got a TP Link to try & will install it this week, but maybe the difference is that I use it instead of a surface so not only does it never go into sleep mode during a set, but it never goes without some sort of input from me for long enough to let iOS kick it off?
Just a thought, maybe the sitting it down for half an hour & then trying it is indeed why it doesn’t stay connected, I use metering on mine and it doesn’t seem to cause issues - I did note that someone early in the thread mentioned checking that multicast is enabled - remember that’s within the rack, not just in the iPad settings (go into Editor & make sure you check the multicast option there too, this might be stating something you’ve checked from the start, but if you’ve overlooked it then maybe there’s your issue?).
I often use the 2.4GHz & 5GHz bands on my iPhone (using Splashtop to control effects parameters & tap tempos in Editor) & iPad, and that doesn’t seem to cause issues either… sorry, I hate to be the one saying I’m not having major issues - not very helpful I know! I will agree that the app needs an update to address all the things we’ve collectively pointed out, and while it’s not perfect I wouldn’t want to do a show without it (I did to start with, and if it’s driving you nuts there’s always the Editor with a midi controller option)…
Adam Biggs
iDR48 & IDR32 mixracks
T80 surface
MixPad for iPad & Tweak for iPhone apps
Asus N61 Laptop (x2 wireless)
Windows 7 Pro 64bit
with Belkin PlayMax N600 HD router
Dante card tracking into Reaper with playback via FooBar
I didn’t see a change in the wifi icon with my home test, since I’m not around when the failure first occurs. However, I can see what happens Thursday night.
During a show I usually have no more than 5 minutes of inactivity, though. Interesting that iPad1 users have fewer complaints!
I will set up my DR 815 with the same settings as yours and run the test again. The only difference is that I will be using an iPad 2. Will let you know how it goes.
Also, I’d like to pass the following along in the hope that it may shed some light on the problem.
We use Yamaha’s Stagemix on our LS9. A few months ago there were some connection issues that have since cleared up with the latest update of the app. Here is what Yamaha said on its Facebook page:
“We acknowledge that some users have been experiencing connection difficulties after upgrading their device to iOS5 and we have been investigating this for the past 2 weeks. Our development and testing teams have not been able to replicate this problem nor find any issues with StageMix which would cause a disconnection. At the same time, there appears to be many WiFi related bugs that people are reporting to Apple since the release of iOS5, just take a look at the Apple Support Forums. For now we are inclined to believe that this is an Apple problem and if you have not already done so, we strongly recommend against upgrading to iOS5 until Apple can release a maintenance update to hopefully resolve these issues. Obviously this doesn’t help those of you who have already updated, so we will continue to investigate as a matter of urgency. The only suggestion we can make at the moment is to experiment with different routers and to ensure the 3G data connection is switched off for 3G enabled iPads.”
ipad 1 here - it has to be a apple issue,(i know its impossible[ ])
usually it logs off (connection lost - back to work when i minimize the app/window and restore it ,the messgae “connection retored” appears and then it works again randomly with not working meters).
so it is definetely not a 30 minutes issue here.
i believe (going mystical here) it has to do with the fact that even if one is logged in, the pad continues scanning for networks (that fancy wheel keeps turning).
i have evrything possible turned off - even autocorection (when writing) search functions e.t.c.
ps: i “boot” into the show - i turn the i pad on once my ilive and editor are running
if we really want to “narrow” it down we have to make a common setting for all the pads (1 2) and the way we connect em - therefore we talk about the same thing EXACTLY
the first step would be the the “best” working settings are posted here as a starter,
and of course “common laws” like simple stuff-no other apps open and so on
We have this same issue as well. Mid show the mix pad stops controlling the mix rack and only a power cycle regains control. Fortunately we have a big touch screen computer on stage to use.
The first thing that I’d like to see is MixPad actively SHOWING if it is no longer receiving data from iDR.
Disconnect can never be ruled out. You can also just be out-of-reach of the WiFi-router. There might be still a connection but quality might have deteriorated to a level that the correct functioning of the app can no longer be guaranteed.
That indication is what I would like to see on screen at all times.
I used to work with iPad 1 for last few years, but it felt bit slow, so now have purchased the New iPad. Today will try to mix on both and see if there is any difference. Report to follow.
The app is highly unstable yes, and in no way reliable enough for me to rely on it. It is a GREAT tool. Absolutely. But it is not alright to pay 100$ for something that does not really work as advertised.
I have an iPad 3 by the way. It does not work at all, crashes as soon as I open mixpad. Still using my iPad 2 for this.
My ipad1 is working perfect without craches or lost connections. So don’t only blame the mixpad app. Sure there can be improvements how the app handles occasionally lost connections by restoring or indicating a problem. I wouldn’t rely on it 100% to mix a show an have always a laptop on hand but i did some low profile bands without a glitch.
There are so many protocols and settings that it’s CRITICAL to setup the combination IPAD router right.Some settings work better than other. Just browse through the internet for WIFI problems : you basically can conclude that wifi sucks [ ]
Maybe for now the Yamaha and sort apps handle lost connections better.
But i am confident A&H will come up with a solution
])
]