January 18

Beyond Bluetooth MIDI controllers: The WIDI Family

52  comments

Low Latency Wireless MIDI

CME and the future of wireless MIDI

Today there are many musicians and producers that use a bluetooth MIDI controller. Ever since the introduction of the UFv2, CME has been in the game of innovating wireless MIDI solution. After the introduction of the portable Xkey and its successor the wireless Xkey Air, we received many requests for improving the connectivity of MIDI over Bluetooth.

WIDI delivers more than a Bluetooth MIDI controller

That is why we have been working on an entire new range of MIDI over Bluetooth adapters. With over 15 years of experience it is now possible to innovate alongside the technological developments of Bluetooth. With the arrival of Bluetooth 4.0 BLE it is now possible to transmit MIDI over Bluetooth with ultra low latency. Therewith the time has come to make MIDI over Bluetooth as effective as your traditional MIDI cables. It is time to get rid of those wires.

I’ve been spreading the word about the WIDI Master on different forums. I am excited. I may purchase a couple of units at the same time. Do I get a discount for each unit? Quote from registrant as provided by email

Searching for demand in eco-friendly delivery model

Currently we are in the process of validating our product ideas. Therefore we've opened up to you by introducing WIDI Master in such an early stage. We try to locate an exact demand. This way we can unroll an environmental friendly directly from our factory to your studio.

We want to ensure you the best price per unit. And reduce the amount of waste during the production process. That is why we kindly request you to register your interest.

Future applications beyond the Bluetooth MIDI controller

Looking ahead there are multiple applications we consider interesting. Therewith we already show you the direction we are thinking towards. Feel more than welcome to share your ideas, suggestions and concerns with us. In the end you are the one that can make this happen. If there is no interest from you, we eventually will not proceed to the manufacturing stage. Therefore we request you to think with us to move forward with wireless MIDI over Bluetooth.

  • MIDI hardware to MIDI hardware (wireless)
  • Bluetooth MIDI controller to MIDI hardware (wireless)
  • MacOS/iOS device to MIDI hardware (wireless)
  • MIDI USB to MIDI hardware (wireless)
  • Pedals to MIDI (wireless)
  • MacOS/iOS to multiple MIDI devices/hardwares (wireless)
  • MIDI hardware to multiple MIDI hardwares (wireless)

Future applications of wireless MIDI over Bluetooth

Looking at all these applications we have developed the following concepts.

WIDI Master First Design

WIDI MASTER

  • Plug & pair with all new WIDI products and 3rd party standard Bluetooth MIDI devices automatically.
  • Switchable firmware is compatible with both Bluetooth MIDI Master and Slave mode.
  • Smart algorithm for error correction with automatic all notes-off PANIC protection.
  • Powered from MIDI ports.
  • Target retail price: US$ 59
MIDI USB to Bluetooth MIDI

WIDI UHOST

  • USB Host transform MIDI message from any USB MIDI controller to Bluetooth MIDI.
  • Powered from USB and can be used as a standalone device.
  • Compatible with all new WIDI products and 3rd party standard Bluetooth MIDI devices.
  • Target retail price: US$ 59
Bluetooth MIDI Controller Pedalboard

WIDI PED3

  • Convert 3 control pedals to Bluetooth MIDI.
  • Universal pedal detection (switch and continuous). Compatible with most existing pedals on the market.
  • Powered from USB and can be used as a standalone device.
  • Target retail price: US$ 59
WIDI HUB

WIDI HUB4

  • Up to 4 Bluetooth MIDI connections simultaneously with ultra low latency.
  • USB Type-C can be used as computer USB-WIDI interface and USB power supply.
  • USB Host can be used as standalone USB-WIDI interface for USB MIDI controllers.
  • Target retail price: US$ 199

Tags

Bluetooth MIDI, WIDI, Wireless MIDI


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  1. I love the idea of a robust system with nearly zero latency. I have the WIDI bud. There is no latency. Unlike others I start rit to hear latency at 5 microseconds. This is a great deal and priced right for me. Just at the right time because even though I play with a light touch my Air 37 middle c has become unreliable.

    Thank you.

    1. Many thanks for your comment. It is highly appreciated. Sorry to hear about your Air 37. Be sure to register for WIDI Master so we can keep you updated about future developments.

    1. I hope you mean that in the positive sense of the words 😉 We hope we can sell it out as being a successful product!

  2. I have your CME WIDI BUD and it works perfectly to connect all of my BlueTooth instruments with Windows. I also have CME wireless XKEY 25 which works great with iOS and with Windows 10 through the WIDI BUD. Both are solid pieces of equipment. I am looking forward to the same level of quality from your new gear. This is what sets CME apart so please keep that up.

    I am really interested in the WIDI PED3 since my keyboard only has one pedal jack.
    I am also interested in your WIDI Master. I currently use Yamaha’s MDBT01 5-pin DIN adapter with my EWI4000s. It works great except that it sticks almost 3 inches out of the midi jacks and I am afraid that I am going to smack it hard on something and break the instrument or adapter. So your WIDI Master’s low profile will be a big improvement for me.

    1. Many thanks for your kind works and strong believe in our products and company. It is highly appreciated. Please note that we are still in the design phase and the form and size of our WIDI Master can still change. We will keep you posted on the progress of the WIDI project.

  3. Hi!
    I registered, and looking forward to this! I already love my xkey air.
    I’m pretty amazed by the fact that it doesn’t need power. How is it possible?
    Also, there are many compact pieces of equipment that now take midi in/out as 3,5mm TRS jack cables. Do you intend to make a specific version for this case? Or will it work with any adapter?

    Thanks

    1. Dear Adam,
      Thanks for your support. The WIDI Master get power from MIDI OUT DIN connector. Technically it should work with 3.5mm jack to DIN cable for the compact MIDI equipment, but we need to test and confirm after we get final working sample. Let us keep in touch.

      1. I am getting a new midi controller called Studio MIDI Guitar. It has a 3.5mm MIDI out. I hope the WIDI Master works with it.

  4. I’m excited about all these new Bluetooth MIDI devices by CME. Just like the WIDI Bud(I have a couple of them), WIDI X8 (2 pairs), and WIDI XU that I own, these new Bluetooth MIDI devices are all original and unique. Nobody else makes them! I was sort of a “beta” tester for the WIDI Bud. My wind midi controller generates too much midi data on multiple midi channels simultaneously. The WIDI X8 handled it all no problem, but the WIDI Bud was choking. This was a few years ago. I got into contact with CME. CME came up with a beta firmware in a matter of few days, which solved the problem. Also, I introduced a small company in Europe (that makes midi modules) to CME. CME came with a newer firmware as a result for the WIDI Bud. My hats off to CME for coming up with one of a kind in the world types of devices.

    Now, I do have a suggestion. Mainly I am a keyboard player dealing with hardware and software sound sources. There are lots of MIDI foot controllers designed for guitar players, but I can’t find anything designed specifically for keyboard players. CME should look into creating some smart MIDI foot controllers for midi processing, sending PC/CC messages on multiple MIDI channels. Octave/transpose, channel remap/split, and etc. With such a device, keyboard players can come up with monster patches with midi hardware and VST plug-ins (that respond to PC messages). Please seriously look into it.

    1. Thanks Chris for your long time support! We really appreciate.
      Regarding MIDI pedal, within our Bluetooth MIDI pedal interface, we plan to have MIDI assignment feature so that you can connect any pedals and assign the MIDI message as your want.

  5. Hello,
    Interesting but I don’t find what I am looking for : a bluetooth midi loop switcher, something allowing me to midify some of my ‘non midi’ guitar pedals and include them in my midi management.
    Best

    1. Hi Christian, if you are talking about Jamstik Studio MIDI Guitar, it builds in Bluetooth MIDI already. You can conenect it with your iOS/MacOS directly. If you want to use it to play synthesizer sound directly, you can use WIDI Master for your synthesizer, it will pair with Studio MIDI Guitar Bluetooth MIDI automatically.

      1. The idea of WIDI PED3 is coverting any ‘none MIDI’ pedal singal to Bluetooth MIDI, and allow you to set the MIDI CC number for this pedal.

      2. Hi Zhao, it is not so clear for for how to pair a Jamstick Studio Guitar to a CME WIDI Master put on a Synthesizer.
        I got a couple of IN and OUT CME WIDI Master on Synth, and than I have got Bluetooth on Jamstick.
        Is it possible to directly couple guitar to synth, without passing through PC?
        If it is possible how can I pair them?

        1. Hi Filippo, thanks for reaching out. It is Thomas here.

          1. Turn on both the MIDI devices plugged with WIDI Master as well as the Bluetooth MIDI devices.

          2. WIDI Master will automatically pair with the Bluetooth MIDI device, and the blue LED will change from slow flashing to constant light (when there is MIDI data sending, the LED light will flash dynamically).

          If WIDI Master cannot automatically pair with another Bluetooth MIDI device, it may be caused by a compatibility issue. In that case please contact CME for technical support via the form https://www.cme-pro.com/support

          1. Thanks Thomas, but there is non pairing procedure in both devices, neither WIDI nor Jamstik.
            Both of them are associated with PC and they “prefer” that kind of connection instead of pairing by themselves.
            I maybe have to try to follow your step in an ambient without no other bluetooth device (it’s a nightmare: mobile, pad, tv, pc, etc… :)) but I think they are not able to recognize between them.
            There is no way in both instrument to browse and select the device you are interested to pair to.
            It appears that both are “slave” device.
            I will try and then, in case of deeper analysis, I will contact you in the support section.
            I will suggest that could be interesting to develope something through the mobile app, just to permit such a feature.
            Thanks

          2. WIDI is essentially both master and slave. Or as we call it in Bluetooth MIDI language, central and peripheral. It will automatically connect with BLE MIDI controllers like Jamstick. It will not automatically connect with iOS and similar operating system. They will always request manual pairing. If you want to manually set your preferences, please get the latest firmware and read this blog: https://www.cme-pro.com/public-beta-test-ios-widi-app/

            You can then force your WIDI Master in peripheral mode and adjust settings through the latest iOS app.

            If that does not work out for you, it is best to connect with our support. I am pretty sure the solution is not that complex for you. Simply reach out to: https://www.cme-pro.com/support/

  6. Dear Widi Team,

    I am going to ask you sorry for my bad language skill, I hope I would be able to express my opinions someway with this comment…

    First: THANK YOU for your work. I am following the development of your wi-fi midi tools since you wrote something about it on Facebook.

    Why am I so interested?

    I am a keyboarder and I have always been interested in using Midi features to improve my possibility live on the stages.
    I also always loved keytar with critical attitude but about the features they had: marketing, unfortunatly, lead the keytar producers to develop many criticable features and just a few really useful.

    With your WIDI master, playing a keytar will be, finally, like it has to be: wireless, and that’s great but what I am thinking now does not require only keytars.

    Your WIDI HUB 4 -I just read about- will make me able to connect several instrument together at the same time like racks, master, stage pianos, keytar, laptop and so on. Wireless. This is a really a revolution and I think I won’t be the only one waiting for it. (Do it quickly!!! <3)

    Nice idea the WIDI PED3; I hope it would be able to be connected with WIDI HUB4; this would improve control possibility on good stages but beware: a pedalboard with a WIDI master connection would do the same and something more…so, really interesting but it should have several sobsitutes. I suggest CAUTION before starting the production.

    WIDI UHOST is nice, I can only imagine a few application now but my vision should be limited by my own experiences, so, I would just say I like it ^^

    Thank you for everything you are doing; will be waiting the production to buy fast everything.

    MP

    1. Thanks very much for your detailed comments. We got them and will think about them carefully during our development.

  7. I would really hope that the WIDI Hub would not need to be so big and that at some point a WIDI BUD/HUB can connect a Windows computer (for example) to any number of Bluetooth devices.

  8. Hello. Love the ideas. Like I’ve said before, if everyone’s able to use these products, no matter what disability he or she has, I’m fine. I have another idea. You could come out with more versions of the idea with the Pedals and the Hub. My only issue with the hub idea is that it’s too expensive. Maybe just make it $99… just a suggestion…

    🙂

  9. I used to be a midi maniac, back in the 80’s and 90’s. My current rig (6 keyboards) uses NO MIDI at all. That being said, there are times when I need to use one of my many foot controllers, for program changes, controlling the laptop, etc. This product wold allow me to reintroduce MIDI to my setup in a very non intrusive way: No cables, no switchers, no limits. The possibilities seem endless…

  10. Hello, I thought I would say massive respect for the new ideas, I can’t wait to see the widi as I have a digital desk at the other side of my studio that I have never used and I can now do remote work from my table via a controller, hood work and may it continue. I’m a fan

  11. Just preordered 2 WIDI Masters, to complete the setup I want I just need the WIDI Uhost. Looking forward to it! Best regards.

    1. Thank you so much for trusting and supporting WIDI. Our next product is for sure uHOST. There were already many requests for this solution from our community. So this next step is obvious for us. We consider after this the HUB4! Thanks once more. Your comment is much appreciated!

    1. WIDI BUD is a previous product that we released back in 2016. Actually our current WIDI family merges technology from this WIDI BUD and our XKEY AIR into a n ew central role Bluetooth MIDI solution. That is why it will be replaced by the uHOST, with better performance and functionality. That said, you can still use the WIDI BUD and pair it with any WIDI product: https://www.cme-pro.com/wireless-midi-the-legacy-of-cme/

      1. Hi. Thanks for your answer.
        Thing is, I have a USB host midi class compliant (not windows or mac) and want wireless midi.
        So the widi bud seems the thing to use. But is it obsolete now? And does the uHost have the same functionality?
        Thanks,
        Rik.

        1. WIDI BUD is no longer manufactured. It will be replaced by the uHost that delivers the same functionality and more.

  12. Just got my WIDI Masters…so far everything works great! Love them! I’m excited about the ideas you are developing…especially the WIDI PED3 (Looks like I will need several of them as I use 9 to 15 pedals depending on the setup I need for a gig). The WIDI HUB4 also sounds cool, but I need a lot more MIDI connections than that offers. I’m currently using a custom built 8 IN 16 OUT Midi Hub and I’ve run out of outputs! It’s also rather large (6 rack spaces). All in all, though, I am extremely impressed with your products and your ideas for the future. I’ve used my XKEY AIR on lots of live gigs and looking forward to using my WIDI Masters on my remote Keytars. Keep up the good work!

    1. Thank you so much for your ongoing support. Between us, we are considering a solution for pedals that is slightly different. As most pedals are really close to each other, we might be able to manage it with a smaller unit with a less heavy antenna. That is just an idea. We will keep you posted!

  13. I use the Widi Bud along with the yamaha /ud-bt-01 transmitter with the EWI USB Akai wind controller. I get pretty good results for most passages. It does start to lag when I use CC2, CC1, pitch bend, and change notes quickly at the same time. This is a lot of data being sent out of the controller at once and it must be the limit of the transmitter and widi bud combo. When I use a cable this does not occur. Hopefully I can upgrade to UHost and be able to get more range and send more controller data. Can you explain what I would need to go from USB instrument to PC and MAC computer. What part is the receiver on the computer 5 pin din midi or usb widi bud? Thank you.

    1. Thanks for reaching out to us. Both the WIDI BUD as well as the Yamaha UD-BT-01 implement Bluetooth 4. Therewith any member of the WIDI family will be an update as it implements Bluetooth 5 which offers better performance.

      If you want to reduce latency and optimise the jitter (consistency) it is recommended to use two WIDI devices. If you have two USB devices, like on being the EWI USB and the other being a PC or MAC, you’d need 2x WIDI Uhost. One for the USB device and one for your operating system.

      You can also choose to use the implemented Bluetooth MIDI of for instance your MAC. The difference is that WIDI Uhost will bypass the Bluetooth Connection Interval (as set by Apple on MAC) and therefore have a lower latency performance. That is why we can measure a latency as low as 3ms between 2 WIDI devices.

      Hope this helps! We are planning to launch the registration for Uhost soon!

  14. Hello, my Widi Master (updated v0.0.4.6) doesn’t connect with my Keytar Roland AX-Edge.
    If i switch on the Keytar the blue LED indicator change from slow flashing to constant light but the Keytar’s Bluetooth indicator doesn’t show the ‘paired’ status. Also no LED light flash dynamically when i play the Keytar.
    (Note: the Keytar Bluetooth is working perfectly with other Bluetooth-devices.)
    Best Regards !!

    1. Hi Rudi, thanks for reaching out to us. You are right! The issue has been located and will be solved in the upcoming firmware update. Our sincere apologies for this matter and thank you so much for making us aware of this!

  15. I ended up on this page as I tried to follow the path for using Android with WIDI Master. I have a Roland drum/bass machine (DR-880) that I want to control using a MIDI File Player that runs on an Android smartphone or tablet (I’m not an iOS user). Basically, using the tablet to hold a library of backing tracks and playing them wirelessly through the MIDI interface on the drum machine. I can’t tell if this is possible because I didn’t see anything that directly addresses Android’s compatibility here on your web site. Will it work? Is there an Android MIDI playback app that you’d suggest that I work with that is compatible with Android’s support of BLE MIDI? If it doesn’t work, do you accept returns? Another question I have is whether there’s a way sync the tempo with a third device from the setup I just described. I have a BOSS Loopstation that can be slaved for MIDI sync. I’d like to pick up the click track from the Loopstation but I’m not sure if after pairing the Android device to the drum machine if there’s a way for the Loopstation to be another slave on that network. Thanks in advance!

    1. Did you visit bluetoothmidi.com that redirects to https://www.cme-pro.com/support. It tells you all about setting up for Android. Personally I have no knowledge of those apps. I am sure other people have from our community. You can join here: http://www.facebook.com/groups/cmeprofans and ask your question.

      MIDI device to Android is not a problem for WIDI. It is more a challenge for Android devices. As Bluetooth MIDI is not standard integrated. Therefore you will need an app that allows Bluetooth MIDI to run in the background to get this functionality to your Android device. To bypass this limitation you can also register for WIDI Uhost: https://www.cme-pro.com/widi-uhost which functions as a USB dongle to add Bluetooth MIDI to your operating system in this case.

      With WIDI you can add up to 5 devices in a wireless group. But you cannot use an Android device as a central device. You either need to have WIDI Uhost. Or an iOS device to work with multiple Bluetooth MIDI devices in a wireless group setting.

      We have this functionality already available via the iOS app. That said, it means diving into more advanced wireless MIDI: https://www.cme-pro.com/public-beta-test-ios-widi-app/

      In short, what you request is possible. But Android in general does not support Bluetooth MIDI. Therefore you need to be careful with its performance and capabilities to run your solution. To bypass this we will launch WIDI Uhost in April of this year.

      For more information on Android and WIDI Master, reach out to our community or go to bluetoothmidi.com

      hope this helps!

    2. Did you visit bluetoothmidi.com that redirects to https://www.cme-pro.com/support. It tells you all about setting up for Android. Personally I have no knowledge of those apps. I am sure other people have from our community. You can join here: http://www.facebook.com/groups/cmeprofans and ask your question.

      MIDI device to Android is not a problem for WIDI. It is more a challenge for Android devices. As Bluetooth MIDI is not standard integrated. Therefore you will need an app that allows Bluetooth MIDI to run in the background to get this functionality to your Android device. To bypass this limitation you can also register for WIDI Uhost: https://www.cme-pro.com/widi-uhost which functions as a USB dongle to add Bluetooth MIDI to your operating system in this case.

      With WIDI you can add up to 5 devices in a wireless group. But you cannot use an Android device as a central device. You either need to have WIDI Uhost. Or an iOS device to work with multiple Bluetooth MIDI devices in a wireless group setting.

      We have this functionality already available via the iOS app. That said, it means diving into more advanced wireless MIDI: https://www.cme-pro.com/public-beta-test-ios-widi-app/

      In short, what you request is possible. But Android in general does not support Bluetooth MIDI. Therefore you need to be careful with its performance and capabilities to run your solution. To bypass this we will launch WIDI Uhost in April of this year.

      For more information on Android and WIDI Master, reach out to our community or go to bluetoothmidi.com

      hope this helps!

  16. I would like to control manuscript page turns on my Surface Pro 7 tablet (on which I use an app called Mobile Sheets) from MIDI CCs on my Desktop sequencer imbedded in my backing tracks. They both have Bluetooth. The Win 11 PC is connected to other MIDI gear through a Tascam US1800 audio interface. Which of your products is best for that purpose?

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