June 24

Tell Us! What Should We Do Better?

132  comments

Community of MIDI Enthusiasts

Thank you for being here and taking the time to contribute to the optimization of WIDI. The fact that you visit this page and intend to tell the truth allows us to become a better manufacturer with satisfied customers as top priority.

It's as simple as it is. Without satisfied customers, our future is very short. We simply don't want that. Our international team works hard every day to make a difference. Ultimately, our goal is to build a sustainable business based on delivering innovative technology to the active community of music lovers.

That is why your feedback is very important to us. It is your opinion and experience that enables us to do a better job and focus our resources on the right objectives and priorities.

Let's start with a simple survey consisting of 10 simple questions.

What's up next?

After we successfully launched the first 4 WIDI products, you will soon have the opportunity to add WIDI to your own DIY project with WIDI Core (X). This is more or less the less is more solution for WIDI. It is the Bluetooth MIDI chipset with WIDI firmware installed.

What happens next depends on your wishes and the situation in the market. That said, together with the community, this shortlist had already been created. In addition, the community also started sharing their experiences in this open source compatibility list

Feel free to add your compatible and validated MIDI device to the list for the convenience of others. Or check if your MIDI instrument is already listed to make a better decision about which WIDI device you really need.

Share your story

If the survey wasn't enough for you, you can share your story in the comments section below.

Please take the time to tell us what you liked or disliked about your experience with WIDI. Let us know right out of the box if it worked for you, what nice collection of MIDI devices you have connected together, and anything else you want to share.

If you've contacted us for support or even if you've returned your products, please share with us. The more information you give us, the easier we can improve our products and services for you and your fellow music creators.


Tags

crowd creation, customer care, WIDI


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  1. Good products, but I would like to underline a point: owner's manuals are really very basic and without any image or diagram, that would be very useful to deeply understand how to manage the units. There should be a dedicated section in CME website where download good multi linguage manuals for all products

    Another point is the total lack of manuals and YouTube tutorials in languages different from English (i.e. Italian, Franch, German), and this is a barrier for not english speaking people.

  2. I think an overview of all your products with references to common uses (like OnSong and BeatBuddy in my case) would help. I bought the wrong product (master) based on an onSong video and I still don't really know if master can be an 'invisible cable'. Some YouTubers have done a better job than CME on explainer videos I THINK. I may be missing something but the learning curve should not steep at all. And you could maybe bundle more so folks would buy 2 or 3 products at once instead of one at a time as they learn. It doesn't seem do complicated now that's I've done all this reading, asking questions in the FB group. One well-done video, even if lengthy, might help. Again, maybe I've missed something but the support has been fantastic and fast. I also feel the products are a priced a little high and I think if you sold more you could lower them and sell even more.. But that all starts with educating. Maybe I'll make a video.
    I was a a huge point to learn that your Bud Pro can out-perform Apple devices and any professional should START with that. This is like the 3rd line down on the Bid page but it should be THE tagline mentioned anywhere Bub is mentioned: "Bypass the limitations of built-in Bluetooth of Apple devices and enjoy optimal performance between WIDI devices and other Bluetooth MIDI controllers. " Go ahead and explain splitter cables instead of pretending they don't exist and point out the fallibility so they buy a hub. Things like that.

    1. Thanks for all your advise. It is much appreciated. What we offer is the online start guides, they explain every step of the process. Did you manage to find them and did it help? You can locate them here: https://www.cme-pro.com/support/#tve-jump-183c593fe0d

      For bundles, we can never know what your setup is, so having the option to purchase one by one has proven to be the better option over time. Nevertheless, we do offer bundles via our local Amazon pages. You can check this for instance via https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F8F57JX and scroll down a bit to see the special bundles.

      For pricing, of course, everything should be more affordable. It is funny you mention this on Black Friday. You can find the special deals here: https://www.cme-pro.com/product-category/cme-black-friday-2023/

      For emphasising unique selling points, I think what you ask is already available on the product page of WIDI Bud Pro: https://www.cme-pro.com/widi-bud-pro/

      Not sure what you mean with your comment on splitter cables, but the better option is thru boxes to avoid troubles with current over the MIDI ports. You can find it here, it uses opto-couplers to avoid ground loops and other current issues that might occur, following all MIDI standards: https://www.cme-pro.com/midi-thru5-wc-midi-split-thru-box/

      Also, all our videos are available in the online start guides of each independent product. You can also find them all listed here: https://www.cme-pro.com/support/#tve-jump-18391de21d9

      This support page also offers a learning section to understand better what your options are https://www.cme-pro.com/support/#tve-jump-1839cb86749

      That all being said, on this blog post, you also find the Buyer’s Guide: https://www.cme-pro.com/widi-which-device-will-you-connect/

      It helps you to decide which product you will need. In the end, this is MIDI and opportunities are endless. Based on feedback like yours we try our best to improve our information, support and products.

      Hope this helps!

  3. I described the following issue in a support ticket. I didn’t expect a solution, but I also didn’t appreciate the curt response. I think the information might prove useful to you.

    I used a WIDI Master and WIDI Jack to connect a midi foot controller to my Plethora X5. When sending a series of 5 program/control changes only the first message took effect. The Plethora worked correctly when I replaced the WIDI devices with a cable.

    I suspect a data rate limitation in the Plethora, so I tried interleaving messages on another channel:

    CC -> Plethora
    PC -> Other device
    CC -> Plethora
    etc …

    This sequence was successful, proving that the Plethora has a data rate limitation.

    There are likely other devices that have a similar problem. Is it possible to implement some kind of data rate ‘throttle’ in WIDI devices?

    Thanks!

    1. Thanks for taking the time to provide this feedback. And apologies if the reply by our support wasn’t on point for you. I reported your comment internally to look further into it, I’ll report back as soon as possible. What you can try is set your WIDI device to “prefer low jitter” mode. This adds a tiny bit of delay that might help to deliver the messages as intended.

  4. The products I purchase are ingenious. They seem to be very reliable. What I am dubious about however is the the WIDI app. I think it should be more robust and helpful. For example I think it would be helpful to tell it you want to create a virtual Wire where you connect two WIDI devices together, and if that wire should be visible to an IOS device or a Computer or an iBud Pro. Also it might ask if we want to connect that virtual wire to a WIDI router etc. If you could automate the process more and tell us what we should expect to see in settings it would be extremely helpful. Not to mention the ability to show traffic between two nodes. By the way, you have the best support of any company I know of. After a while, there are many instructional situations where firmware updates get applied and the methodology changes. That's why I think the app functionality can make a real difference to the user. So something like this:

    What do you want to do:
    [ ] Create a Virtual WIDI Wire
    [ ] Connect a WIDI device to an IOS device
    [ ] Create a Standalone WIDI Network

    Have the app set the parameters up automatically.

    WIDI MASTER {TRAFFIC FLOW} WIDI JACK

    1. Thanks for sharing this valuable feedback. It seems like an interesting approach for upgrading the app experience. Let me share this internally and see how we can work together to improve this and explain it better via an online start guide and tutorials.

      That said, did you manage to find our online start guides? It more or less explains in detail how to set up different scenarios: https://www.cme-pro.com/widi-master-start-guide-bluetooth-midi/#tve-jump-1834a7cce4f

  5. Ok, so my problem was that my widi master was not connecting to my widi jack, and support helped me out by saying that I should switch bluetooth on my phone off. While this solved the problem, it is rather bizarre that the bluetooth on my phone becomes such a problem for my connections: if anything, having the phone on and the app running should be of great help! Why isn't there a function that detects masters and jacks and so on, appropriately named by the app owner, that allows simple "connect WIDI device 1 with WIDI device 2"?
    All the best!

    1. Thanks for reaching out and sharing your experience. You have to distinguish that there are multiple ways to use WIDI. You can pair two WIDI devices, you can create groups of multiple WIDI devices, you can connect WIDI with the built-in Bluetooth of your operating system and with 3rd party Bluetooth MIDI controllers.

      At first, when you power on two WIDI devices, they will pair automatically to each other. When you connect one or multiple WIDI devices to an operating system, your operating system takes the “central” role and your WIDI devices will act as its peripherals. One central Bluetooth device can have multiple peripherals, but a peripheral can only be part of one central device.

      So, if you connect your WIDI device to an app, it will occupy its connection and the MIDI messages will run through the central operating system. This can be done by using routing apps like iMIDIpatchbay or similar.

      WIDI App is only for updating your devices. It is not a device for making connections. Most operating systems, like iOS, macOS and Windows will connect automatically after initial pairing, meaning you have to validate the pairing request. After this, they will connect automatically to your WIDI device.

      Although both auto-connection scenarios are useful, when you want to switch between the two, it becomes slightly more complicated. As the auto-connectivity can conflict with what you actually want. That was assumably the case with you, after updating, and validating the pairing request in WIDI App, your mobile device could connect automatically. This occupies the connection for auto-pairing between your WIDI devices.

      That is why you encountered this challenges and were recommended to turn Bluetooth off. Another option is to delete your WIDI pairings from the general device list of your mobile device. This will have the same result and you can keep Bluetooth turned on.

      This is more or less a limitation, as well as a convenient feature, of Bluetooth technology. Keep in mind, Bluetooth is used in many other ways on the consumer market, so convenience is chosen over our prosumer approach.

      Nevertheless, within WIDI App you can create groups, even with 3rd party Bluetooth MIDI controllers and macOS. This way you can create fixed pairs and so on, and after you’ve downloaded this setting to your central device, your WIDI devices will connect exactly as you configured. Still, you will have to remove the pairings from your mobile device or turn Bluetooth off to avoid the above mentioned conflicts.

      There are some interesting blogs that might help for a better understanding of what WIDI can and cannot do. This one is about the central and peripheral roles: https://www.cme-pro.com/bluetooth-midi-basics-central-peripheral/

      And this one on group connectivity: https://www.cme-pro.com/public-beta-test-ios-widi-app/

      Hope this helps!

  6. I had some questions about the functionality of WIDI Uhost and WIDI Bud Pro after I got them. I couldn't find the answers from the user guide, but Zhao answered them himself. Very quickly and to my satisfaction. Solid guy.

  7. I recently purchate the Widi Thru6 BT device intenting it to be on my pedal board as the midi hub controller with BT back to ipad/computer. I ran into an issue due to the fact that the HW Midi in goes to both the BT AND all Thru ports . This caused some devices that are connected to the HW Thru ports for inputs (that recieve messages from ipad via BT) and their midi OUT is connected to the HW Midi in (intending to send it to ipad via BT) – to recieve their own messages again due to the fact the ALL inputs (BT+HW) get sent to the HW thru ports .. So for my use case I get and infinite loop situation on my midi devices .

    I contaced CME about this and suggested that they consider adding a software config option to control if the HW Midi in is repeated to the HW thru ports or not. This would fix my use case and also keep the device as is for other users . I did not know if this was possible as it cauld be a hardwired implemenation .

    I was pleasantly delighted when Zhao the CEO who was fielding my support request wrote this …..
    "Our CTO will update the firmware for allowing the HW midi in only go to BT in and not the through ports. It may take about 2 weeks because he is busy on another project currently. "

    Well that is what I call "listening to your customers !!!!"

    I am excited to see the Firmware update in the near future. I am a customer for life !!!!!!

  8. I bought a WIDI Jack to enable me to play my freestanding synths using a basic MIDI EWI wind controller that I received as a Christmas present. Although I found the WIDI Jack app confusing and so far have been unable to update the firmware, the WIDI Jack connected effortlessly to the EWI.

    I have so far tried this setup with two synths. The first of these was my Korg MS2000 virtual analogue synth. The latency was very high, though I appreciate that there may be a way to improve this that I haven't learned about yet.

    However, I also tried it this evening with my Macbeth M3X, which is an analog synth. The latency was much lower and the result was very satisfactory. The Macbeth is hooked up to two effects processors so thanks to the WIDI Jack I am now able to use the WIDI EWI to trigger a storm of other-worldly sounds!

    I must also comment here on Zhao's excellent personal customer support. Many thanks!

    1. Thanks for your feedback. I am pretty confident that updating your WIDI Jack will solve your latency issue at the MS2000 side too. If you have troubles connecting with WIDI App, make sure you follow these pointers:
      1) Ensure your WIDI Jack is available for connection and the blue LED indicator is blinking slowly, indicating your WIDI Jack is not connected to another device: https://www.cme-pro.com/widi-jack-start-guide-bluetooth-midi/#tve-jump-18349eea4cb
      2) Ensure your Bluetooth connection cache is cleared on the device that runs WIDI App: https://www.cme-pro.com/cme-widi-app-online-start-guide/#tve-jump-18c76018443
      3) Make sure that you power your WIDI Jack via USB-C: https://www.cme-pro.com/cme-widi-app-online-start-guide/#tve-jump-18c760e0e6b
      4) And follow the exact instructions for updating as explained in the online start guide: https://www.cme-pro.com/widi-jack-start-guide-bluetooth-midi/#tve-jump-183689af8c6

      Hope this helps!

  9. Great product. Although, when going from midi to midi, Roland Vaccordion to arranger, I get rare dropouts. Otherwise, using it for my AirTurn pedals and iPad, connection is perfect. Even with using the iPad Bluetooth.

    1. Thanks Larry, I think you are the first who has a better experience with WIDI to 3rd party Bluetooth compared to WIDI to WIDI. I am sure you have taken the time to investigate this issue as I know your contributions towards our community. What pops in my mind is that one of your MIDI hardware devices is not providing sufficient or constant power to your WIDI devices, causing a rare drop-out. As the problem does not occur from WIDI to your other devices, I think we need to consider the issue comes from the power source. Also, I know for instance with the Akai EWI devices, that if they are set too sensitive as a breath controller, the system easily overloads causing dropouts. This can easily be solved by setting your hardware to less sensitive, and dense data streams, without a negative effect on its performance. Maybe you can check out your hardware settings and see if you can reduce, limit, or simplify the data stream to improve reliability. Hope this helps.

  10. Been using a Yamaha WX5 for a while. Then WIDI Master let me go wireless to Mac OS and iOS and WIDI Jack to a Korg N1. WIDI Bud lets me bypass Mac OS!

    The latter died inexplicably, but Zhao replaced it for me. Plus, I got a free WIDI Master for a short demo on my WX5 that I’ll use on my Yamaha MU80. Thanks again!

    Only one hitch with a now spun off product, the XKEY 25 USB model. Mine touched a properly wired metal lamp that shorted it and my old Mac mini. Watch out!

    1. Thanks for your reply. CME originally developed the Xkey, but this division was sold the ESI Audio in Europe and Artesia Pro in US a couple of years ago 😉

    1. Thanks for reaching out. I am sorry to hear this. Although we developed MIDI keyboards for years that division was sold about 3 years ago. So, the replacement was not shipped by CME.

      This should be taken care of by Artesia Pro in the US or ESI Audio in the EU. I am not familiar with your specific case, but this was simply not processed by us.

  11. I was pleasantly surprised with how quickly Zhao responded to my support question regarding updating the firmware in the Widi Master. This helped me resolve the issue I was having promptly.

  12. CME were very prompt and helped me in every way.

    I have now re ordered the Widi Jack and Bought the CMe Widi Bud Pro.

    i was cranky at first but CME were understanding and helpful.

    Sorry for my crankyness.

  13. Perhaps you could improve your app to provide more WIDI status data?

    I’ve not been able to tell IOS to forget my Bluetooth WIDI devices and successfully access my WIDI masters from my Widi Bud Pro.

    I have one Widi Bud Pro USB in a Windows 11 laptop and it successfully sends midi messages to my Apple iPad Pro (6th Generation) executing iPas OS 17.2 and at the same time, Widi Bud Pro USB also successfuly sends midi messages to my five WIdi Master devices.

    My configuration is as follows:
    Widi Bud Pro ===>
    ===> iPAD Bluetooth
    ===> Widi Master in Boss RC-600 Loop Station
    ===> Widi Master in Roland SPD-SX Sampling Pad
    ===> Widi Master in Roland GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer
    ===> Widi Master in CASIO CDP-100 KEYBOARD
    ===> Widi Master in TC HELICON VOICELIVE 2

    My support question (which no one answered after a week) is…

    Is there anyway to get the benefits of using Central Group & Autolearm without limiting the number of devices that my Widi Bud Pro can send to 4?

    (as I need it to send to my iPad and all 5 of my Widi Masters)

    In advance, Thank you very much for your support!
    Joe Arrigo

    1. Hi Joe,

      We received your support request, but the reply bounced and there was no other way to reach you. For your reference I copy the answer that we tried to submit to you:

      Dear Joseph,
      Thanks for your email.

      The WIDI group has limitation to connect up to 4 peripherals with 1 central, you could not connect 5 peripheral at the same time. But you can connect 1 WIDI Master to the bulti-in Bluetooth of your WIndows 11 laptop directly by using Korg BLE MIDI driver. Please check our start guide to understand how to do it: https://www.cme-pro.com/widi-master-start-guide-bluetooth-midi/#tve-jump-1834ac15cc6

      For your iPad, you can add another WIDI Uhost on your Windows 11 and use it to connect the built-in Bluetooth of iPad. Your iPad’s built-in Bluetooth cannot be part of a group. Only macOS can do this.
      —-

      From my point of view, you can also consider WIDI Thru6 BT and use wired and wireless to reach more devices in your setup.

      Hope this helps!

  14. I watched all your videos and found them very useful.
    However my problem remained. I thank you for your help showing that the problem was not WIDI but the Ampero controler.
    I had difficulty understanding the problem just using the App but your support was fast and top class.
    I now have a WIDI jack and a WIDI Master and the system works perfectly.

    1. Thanks for sharing. We are trying our best to explain all possibilities in the best possible way. It is not perfect, but with our support, I am happy to see we have helped you out!

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