MIDI Mobilizer
MIDI Memo Recorder
Advanced Guide
An in-depth guide to the features and functionality of the
MIDI Mobilizer hardware and MIDI Memo Recorder
application for iPhone and iPod touch
Electrophonic Limited Edition
Line 6®, MIDI Mobilizer, MIDI Memo Recorder, AxSys, AX2, Flextone, HD147®, Vetta, Spider®,
Spider Valve, POD®, POD Pro, Bass POD, Bass POD Pro, PODxt, PODxt Pro, PODxt Live,
Bass PODxt, Bass PODxt Pro, Bass PODxt Live, POD X3 Live, POD X3 Pro, Echo Pro, Mod Pro,
Filter Pro, M13 Stompbox Modeler, and M9 Stompbox Modeler are trademarks of Line 6, Inc.
Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance with safety and
regulatory standards. iPhone is a trademark of Apple, Inc. iPod is a trademark of Apple, Inc.,
registered in the U.S. and other countries
MIDI Mobilizer & MIDI Memo Recorder Advanced Guide © 2010 Line 6, Inc.
MIDI Mobilizer & MIDI Memo Recorder Advanced Guide Page 2
Table of Contents
Overview ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
What is MIDI? ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Getting Started .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Connecting the MIDI Mobilizer ................................................................................................................. 5
Downloading MIDI Memo Recorder ......................................................................................................... 5
Running MIDI Memo Recorder with MIDI Mobilizer ................................................................................ 5
Updating Firmware ................................................................................................................................... 6
Testing MIDI Mobilizer Connections ......................................................................................................... 6
Basic Operation ............................................................................................................................................. 7
Recording MIDI ......................................................................................................................................... 7
Playing MIDI .............................................................................................................................................. 8
Memo Info ................................................................................................................................................ 8
Memos List ................................................................................................................................................ 9
WiFi Access Setup ..................................................................................................................................... 9
System Info ............................................................................................................................................. 10
WiFi Computer Connection ..................................................................................................................... 10
Using MIDI Mobilizer with Line 6 Products ................................................................................................. 11
AxSys 212 & AX2 ..................................................................................................................................... 11
Flextone II, Plus, XL, SE, & HD ................................................................................................................. 11
Flextone III, Plus, XL, & HD147 ................................................................................................................ 11
Vetta I & II, Combo & HD ........................................................................................................................ 11
Spider Valve MkII 112, 212, & HD100 ..................................................................................................... 11
POD 2.0, POD Pro, Bass POD, & Bass POD Pro ....................................................................................... 12
POD xt, PODxt Pro, PODxt Live, Bass PODxt, Bass PODxt Pro & Bass PODxt Live .................................. 12
POD X3 Live, POD X3 Pro......................................................................................................................... 12
Echo Pro, Mod Pro, & Filter Pro .............................................................................................................. 12
M13 Stompbox Modeler ......................................................................................................................... 12
M9 Stompbox Modeler ........................................................................................................................... 12
MIDI Mobilizer & MIDI Memo Recorder Advanced Guide Page 3
Overview
MIDI Mobilizer is a hardware MID interface that allows MIDI communication between an iPhone (or
iPod touch) and the millions of hardware MIDI devices in existence. With MIDI Mobilizer, an iPhone
becomes the easiest and most portable MIDI system there is. It can be used to capture musical ideas,
backup keyboard and effects settings, and more. This guide covers the basics of MIDI, connection of the
MIDI Mobilizer, and operation of the MIDI Memo Recorder application.
What is MIDI?
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is what musical instruments and electronics use to
communicate with each other. Drum machines, synthesizers, digital pianos, samplers and computers
can all communicate via MIDI.
MIDI first appeared on synthesizers in 1983, and every MIDI device from that point to now is compatible
with each other. MIDI is a serial digital interface protocol that sends data that can represent what note
was played (and how hard), controller information (like a knob or button), and parameter settings. This
data is sent out the MIDI Out connection of a device, which can then be received by another device
when connected to its MIDI In connection. The standard connector used for MIDI is called a 5-pin DIN
connector (which looks a lot like the MIDI Memo Recorder icon).
MIDI does not send audio information. Instead, the information can be used by the receiving device to
create audio. For example, when a note is played on a MIDI keyboard, the data sent out MIDI conveys
what key on the keyboard was played (a Note On with a Note Number), and how hard it was played
(Velocity). When the note is released, a Note Off command is sent out MIDI. The receiving device (a
computer, a synthesizer, etc.) determines how this information will be used. If it is a sound generator, it
can create the audio with whatever sound is selected at the pitch and volume determined by the MIDI
message. If it is a device that records MIDI data (a computer, or the MIDI Mobilizer on an iPhone), it can
store the MIDI message so it can be played back to the sending device (or another device) later.
MIDI can send virtually any information about the sending device, depending on what the product’s
manufacturer chose to implement. Data that is specific to a particular device is called Sysex, which is
short for System Exclusive. This type of data is only useful for the specific product it is designed for, and
will be ignored by any other products. Sysex data is a common method of backing up the settings
and/or sound parameters of a MIDI musical instrument or effect.
Using the MIDI Memo Record application, MIDI Mobilizer can record any data that is received at its MIDI
Input. This can include note information, controllers, pedals, parameters, and Sysex data. It can then
play back the MIDI data through its MIDI Output with the same information and timing as it was
received.
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Getting Started
MIDI IN
connect to device’s
MIDI Out jack
MIDI OUT
connect to device’s
MIDI In jack
MIDI IN LED
Lights when MIDI
data is received
MIDI OUT LED
Lights when MIDI data
is being sent out
30-PIN
Connect to iPhone
or iPod touch
MIDI Memo
Connecting the MIDI Mobilizer
MIDI Mobilizer connects directly to the 30-pin connector of an iPhone or iPod touch. It is compatible
with all current generations of iPhone and iPod touch that are using OS 3.0 or greater operating system.
Although some other models of iPods (such as the iPod nano) also include a 30-pin connector, they do
not provide a way to download applications so MIDI Mobilizer cannot be used with these other models.
MIDI Mobilizer comes with two Planet Waves MIDI cables to connect to your MIDI devices. The MIDI
Input of MIDI Mobilizer is the left-most connector, and has an LED indicator shaped as a triangle
pointing towards the iPhone. The MIDI Output is on the right side, and has an LED triangle pointing
away from the iPhone. MIDI Mobilizer’s MIDI Input should be connected to your device’s MIDI Output,
and MIDI Mobilizer’s MIDI Output should be connected to your device’s MIDI Input.
Downloading MIDI Memo Recorder
To use your MIDI Mobilizer, it is necessary to download the free MIDI
Memo Recorder application from the App Store. If MIDI Memo hasn’t
been downloaded when MIDI Mobilizer is connected, you’ll see the
message shown to the right. Clicking “Yes” will open the App Store so
that the application can be downloaded. MIDI Memo Recorder can also
be searched for directly in the App Store by searching for “MIDI Memo”.
Running MIDI Memo Recorder with MIDI Mobilizer
To use MIDI Memo, just press on its application icon. If the
MIDI Mobilizer is not connected, MIDI Memo will display the
message on the right. Pressing “Learn More” will open Safari
to a web page that provides more information on MIDI
Mobilizer hardware. Pressing “Not Now” allows the MIDI
Memo application to run without the MIDI Mobilizer hardware.
Although it won’t be possible to record or play back MIDI files without the MIDI Mobilizer, MIDI Memo
can still be used to rename, reorder, delete, or email any memos that have already been created.
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Updating Firmware
MIDI Mobilizer contains a microprocessor and programming (firmware) that handles all MIDI and iPhone
communication. If this firmware is not the most current version, the MIDI Memo software can update it
for you. Each time MIDI Memo is run, it checks the firmware version in the MIDI Mobilizer. If it is not
the most current, the following message below on the left will be displayed.
Pressing “Not Now” will leave the firmware unchanged. It is recommended that any time this message
appears that “Update” should be pressed. When pressed, the second display above will be shown for a
short time (less than a minute), followed by the third shown display. As indicated, it is necessary to
unplug and re-plug MIDI Mobilizer to complete the update.
Testing MIDI Mobilizer Connections
When MIDI Memo is first run, a memo labeled “C Chord” is preloaded.
This memo simply plays the MIDI notes of a C major chord for a
second. When pressing the large green Play button, the red MIDI Out
LED should light briefly, and if a keyboard or other sound generator is
connected, a C major chord will be heard. If you see the MIDI Out LED
but do not hear the chord, check that the MIDI Mobilizer’s MIDI Out is
connected to the keyboard’s MIDI Input. Next, check that the
keyboard is powered, has its audio connected, has its MIDI In enabled
and set to Channel 1 (or Omni) and the volume is turned up.
The MIDI Input can be tested by playing any MIDI data into the MIDI
Mobilizer. If connected properly, the MIDI In LED should light. If not,
be sure the MIDI device’s MIDI Out is connected to MIDI Mobilizer’s
MIDI In, and that both the device and the iPhone are turned on.
The “C Chord” memo can be deleted at any time if it is no longer
needed. This can be done on the “Memos” page (described later).
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Software Version
and system Info
List all Memos,
select, reorder,
delete, or create
Length of
Memo
Set name of
Memo, send
via email
Number of MIDI
bytes in Memo
Memo name
Play Memo
Record a
new Memo
Basic
Operation
The picture on the right
shows the main
elements of the MIDI
Memo application. The
blue arrows indicate
information fields and
the red arrows point to
buttons with the text
describing the
functions. More details
of operation are
covered in the
following sections.
Recording MIDI
To enable record mode in MIDI Memo, slide the red slider to the right, across where it says “enable
recording”. The display will change as shown below on the left. To start recording, press the large
round Record button. MIDI Memo will wait until MIDI is received before it actually begins recording, as
shown in the middle display, with the Length counter waiting at 0:00. Once MIDI is being received, all
incoming MIDI information will be recorded. The Size counter will count the number of MIDI bytes
being recorded, and the Length counter will show the amount of time passing while in record, as shown
on the right display.
Each time Record is entered, a new Memo is created. This way, there’s never a chance to accidently
record over an existing Memo. If the current Memo is not blank, then entering record will cause a new
Memo to be created that has the same name but with a new number appended to it.
MIDI Memo will record any MIDI information that it receives, along with the moment in time it is
received. All information from all 16 MIDI channels is captured. Whatever comes in is stored in the
Memo. NOTE: the iPhone will not go into “sleep” mode while recording, to insure no data will be lost.
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Playing MIDI
To play back a Memo, press the large green Play button, as shown below on the left. MIDI data from the
memo will be output at the MIDI Out, and an elapsed time counter will be displayed as shown in the
middle display below. At any time the playback can be paused by pressing the round Pause button.
When paused, MIDI will stop being output, the counter will stop elapsing, and the display will appear as
shown on the right. Playback can also be stopped at any time by pressing the red Stop button.
Note that since MIDI data is different than audio data, the sound from your MIDI device may or may not
stop when pressing Stop or Pause. This will depend on the type of sound selected and what data events
were taking place. Additionally, when resuming from Pause, any previously sustaining notes may
retrigger, which can also sound unexpected depending on the type of sound that is selected.
Memo Info
Press the Info button to get more
details on the currently selected
Memo, and to rename or send via
email. This page provides the total
number of MIDI messages (i.e., each
note played is one message, a note
released is another message), the
size of the Memo in bytes (each
message is typically three bytes,
although Sysex messages can be
much more), the length of the
Memo in minutes and seconds, and
the date and time it was created.
Pressing the Title arrow opens a page where the Memo can be renamed (as shown on the right).
Pressing “Send via Email” opens an email message with the current Memo attached as a Standard MIDI
File (SMF). This file format can be opened by most computer sequencing and recording computer
programs.
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Memos List
Press the Memos button to see a list
of all current Memos, as shown on
the leftmost display. The currently
selected Memo has a check mark to
its right. If more memos exist than
can fit on the screen, the list can be
scrolled through by swiping upward
on the screen. To select a Memo
from the list, just touch its name.
The + button is used to create a new
blank Memo. This can be useful if
you want to create and rename a
Memo before entering Record.
Alternatively, Record can be
entered with any Memo currently
selected, and a new Memo will be created with a number appended to the name of the previous Memo,
making it unnecessary to create a new Memo in advance.
Press the Edit button to reorder or delete a Memo, as shown on the right display. To place the Memos
in a different order, drag the right handle of the Memo to the desired location. If the red circle is
pressed, a Delete button will appear to the right of the Memo name. Pressing Delete will permanently
delete that Memo. When finished reordering and/or deleting, press Done to return to the Memos list.
The Delete button can also be brought up by swiping rightward on any memo in the list.
WiFi Access Setup
In addition to email, Memos can also be accessed by a computer
via a WiFi connection. First, WiFi access must be enabled for MIDI
Memo. This is enabled in the iPhone’s Settings application. Scroll
down and select MIDI Memo from the list of applications on the
Settings page. The display shown to the right will appear. WiFi
access can be enabled here. If desired, authentication can be
used in order to prevent others with WiFi from accessing your
Memos. With Authentication enabled, you can enter in a
username and password of your choice, which will be required on
the computer before any Memos can be accessed. This is shown
in the second picture to the right.
To access your Memos via the web, WiFi must be enabled on the
iPhone, and you must be connected to a WiFi network. From any
computer on that network a browser can be used to see the list of
Memos on the iPhone, and to select which ones to download. The
web address for access can be found in the System info page (see
next section).
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System Info
Pressing the Line 6 logo reveals MIDI Memo’s “About” screen. The
version of the MIDI Memo Recorder software and the version of MIDI
Mobilizer’s firmware are displayed.
If WiFi access for MIDI Memo sharing is enabled, the URL address is
displayed on this screen. This address can be entered into a browser
window on a computer to access the Memos via WiFi.
Pressing “Visit Line 6” will open Safari with Line 6’s web page, and
pressing Audiofile Engineering will open our software development
partner’s webpage.
WiFi Computer Connection
Any computer on the same network as the iPhone’s WiFi connection can be used to see the list of
Memos, and to select which ones to download. On the computer, enter the URL provided on the About
page into a web browser application. A screen similar to what’s shown below should appear:
By selecting from the list of memos you can download any of the files directly to your computer.
MIDI Mobilizer & MIDI Memo Recorder Advanced Guide Page 10
Using MIDI Mobilizer with Line 6 Products
(requires software version 2.01 or above)
Most Line 6 products with MIDI connectors can send out the stored settings via MIDI Sysex commands.
The MIDI Mobilizer can be used to store these settings as a backup, so that you can later restore them,
or load them into another Line 6 device. This section briefly explains the MIDI backup process for
several Line 6 products. More detail can be found in each product’s respective owner’s manual,
including how to send individual tones, which products have compatible tones, and more.
AxSys 212 & AX2
1. Press the top edit button so that the LED next to
Aux/MIDI lights
2. Turn the rightmost knob (“Transmit Sounds”) until the
LED display reads “ALL”
3. Press the Store button to begin transmitting all sounds
out MIDI
No setup is required for receiving MIDI Sysex data.
Flextone II, Plus, XL, SE, & HD
1. Hold the Save button, and while holding,
press Manual (then release both buttons)
2. Press the D button
3. Press the Save button
No setup is required for receiving MIDI Sys ex data.
Flextone III, Plus, XL, & HD147
1. Turn power off
2. Press and hold the Tap Tempo, Comp, and
Mod Select buttons
3. While holding all three buttons, turn on the amp
No setup is required for receiving MIDI Sys ex data.
Vetta I & II, Combo & HD
1. Press the Save button
2. Turn the Page knob until the display shows page 7
3. Press the Save button
4. [to restore:] Press "Save"; turn to page 9; press "Save"
(to erase memory); send MIDI data
To receive, Press “Save”, turn to page 9, press “Save”,
then send in data.
Spider Valve MkII 112, 212, & HD100
1. Press the Preset knob ("Press to Edit")
2. Press the” >” button until "MIDI" is in top line of display
3. Press the “^” button until "Dump" is in bottom line of display
4. Turn the Preset knob until "All" is in bottom line of display
5. Press "Tap Tempo" button
No setup is required for receiving MIDI Sys ex data.
MIDI Mobilizer & MIDI Memo Recorder Advanced Guide Page 11
POD 2.0, POD Pro, Bass POD, & Bass POD Pro
(requires software version 2.01 or above)
1. Press the MIDI button
2. Press the Save button –display should show "A" (for All)
3. Press the Save button
No setup is required for receiving MIDI Sys ex data.
POD xt, PODxt Pro, PODxt Live, Bass PODxt, Bass PODxt Pro & Bass PODxt Live
1. Press the Save button
2. Turn the Select knob until
MIDI Dump page
3. Turn the Effect Tweak knob until
display says "All Channels"
4. Press the Save button
No setup is required for
receiving MIDI Sys ex data.
POD X3 Live, POD X3 Pro
1. Hold the Home button for 2 seconds to enter Commands mode
2. Turn the Select knob until SYSEX TONE SEND is selected
3. Turn the knob below the display to choose
which sound to send
4. Press the Select/Save knob
No setup is required for receiving MIDI Sys ex data into the edit buffer.
Echo Pro, Mod Pro, & Filter Pro
1. Press the MIDI/Sys button
2. Turn the Program Select knob until display shows “DU”'
3. Turn the Time knob until the display shows “ALL”
4. Press the Save button
No setup is required for receiving MIDI Sys ex data.
M13 Stompbox Modeler
1. Press and hold the Looper Controls footswitch to enter Setup mode
2. Turn the Model Select knob on fX 4 until display says "Dump All?"
3. Press the Model Select knob
No setup is required for receiving MIDI Sys ex data.
M9 Stompbox Modeler
1. Press 1B & 2B footswitches simultaneously to enter Setup mode
2. Press the Model Select knob repeatedly until MIDI screen is displayed
3. Turn Model Select knob to "Dump All?"
4. Press and hold Tap Tempo and press the Model Select knob
No setup is required for receiving MIDI Sys ex data.
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