You can wether set your Infinity to ignore Midi Stop command, or you can set BB to pause without sending Midi stop/start (this way Im going)... The only thing BB wont do, is receiving Midi commands (like PC for Song number or CC for remote…:()
Hey thanks for the comments guys. It’s amazing to hear that you are having success. Perhaps I have a faulty unit…or a faulty brain!!! The issues I have had include:
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[]Certain beats not being able to sync correctly (when I had it working).
[]Infinity creating a SILENT MEASURE. As in, it loops back for one measure, then a silent measure, then it comes back again.
[]Infinity commencing loop recording at the wrong time/cuts off start of the loop.
[]All of these issues have meant the BB & IL have largely collected dust as each time I tried to resolve and understand it, I hit brick walls so I kind of gave up not wanting to open the can or worms, until last night.
[]I tried using the rig and had the silent measure problem going on. If I disconnect the midi cable, the looper works fine. When connected, it records the loop and then playback creates a silent measure. So I thought I’d try and update the firmware on both units assuming some bugs (maybe mine) have been ironed out in the months since I last updated the firmware.
[]I installed the latest updates for both units. The IL now goes into “psycho” mode/flashing lights/nothing working. I read that this issue is caused because the latest BB update is sending “midi notes” to the IL and the IL doesn’t like them. So I figured out how to run the IL app, found the checkbox to ignore midi notes but I couldn’t get the app to save my setting. I looked everywhere for a simple guide as to how I can save in the app and I could not find anything. And that’s when I gave up :-(.
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There is also a member here that seems pretty knowledegable (DAEF or similar I think is the name) and he/she constantly “rolls their eyes” when IL is mentioned as they believe the “Rang” is the only way to go and that all of these IL problems don’t happen with the Rang/take your IL problems to IL/issues not wanted here sort of comments. I know, it’s just that persons opinion but I ended thinking they were right. I’ve spent $600AUD on a looper that just doesn’t work work with the BB.
I don’t want to insult another poster, but I want to comment on what you said about Daef. In my experience he is pretty opinionated, and yes, he has more than once responded to questions about the Infinity Looper with “get a 'Rang,” which I think is terribly unhelpful and unproductive. To the best of my knowledge he has never actually owned an Infinity Looper. So take that, and his opinions, FWIW.
Initially, there were some issues with the Beat Buddy and the Infinity. Firmware updates have eliminated those for me, and it now works perfectly, exactly as I think it should. I know of several other people having success as well. None of the problems I had in the past sound like what you describe. I do suspect something is faulty with one of your units.
Things you can try:
1.Make sure both (Infinity -Looper AND -Application) are on latest FW.
2.Ignore Midi notes (as you tried, you dont need to"safe" this setting. 3.Make sure to use same Beat Meassure in ILApp (if you use 4/4 Beat, You can set Looper to 1/4 or 4/4 (as you prefer)). 3.Be aware that some songs intro don`t fit to the Beat (what causes errors in IL). You can try faulty Beats without Intro, if that helps, You know you have to swap intro (I assume if your IL - Meassure - setting is 1/4 or 1/8 there is no faulty behavior, but then you have to set Loop start/end right in time…)
Where in Aus are you? I might buy that if you’re still selling.
From what I’ve heard, the Rang is easier to use than the Infinity, but the Infinity is more configurable. More options means it’s potentially more flexible, but it also means there is more to get wrong if it’s not configured properly for what you need it to do. For instance, the infinity can sync to a very specific time signature, not just down beats, so if the Infinity configuration doesn’t match the BB time signature of a particular song, problems. There really isn’t a glaring note in the documentation either that informs the user about this, so most people plug it in, press a button and it doesn’t work like they expect and frustration ensues. The Infinity is deep, and a very very good looper, even Deaf would agree, but the learning curve can be pretty steep.
Also, it seems every looper is different. I started with the infinity and learned how to use it (with the BB), and now I have a VL3. I still struggle from time to time trying to do things on the VL3 because it doesn’t work exactly like the Infinity. Seems like vendors like to add their own little touches or innovations instead of just standardizing on how all loopers should work. It’s a double edged sword. Innovation is good, but useability suffers.
In general, if your Infinity, or any device really, is doing crazy things, it’s a safe bet the developer didn’t design it to not work, so you have to think, ok, maybe I’m doing something wrong, and start there. Factory reset. Read the manual several times. Then start really simple and see if you can get simple working first. Most user guides will walk you through recording your first loop. If the basics are working but what you’re trying to do isn’t going right, the device forums like this are a great place to go, but you need to be very specific as to what you’re trying to do so people can help you out. Pick an example and Step 1. Step 2. Step 3… I expect this, but get this instead.
Thanks again all. These comments do motivate me to give it one last try. All I’m trying to do is jam in my own home studio. As in, start a beat with the BB, loop a rhythm riff and then solo over it. The simplest of all tasks. I guess this is why it is so frustrating. Does anyone know how to save a change in the IL App? I can see where to check the “ignore midi notes” option but I cannot save this change to the device. When I re-connect the device to the app, the checkbox is unchecked so I must be missing a save option. I cannot for the life of me see a save button?. Thanks ruairiau, I’m in Melbourne.
OK another hour spent. I have confirmed IL is running 2.0 firmware. I run the app, go to Tools/Global Boot Settings, then check the “Ignore MIDI Notes” box. Hit X to close the Global Boot Settings (as there is no way to save within that box). I then re-open Global Boot Settings window and sure enough the check box for “Ignore MIDI Notes” is checked. I cannot see where I need to SAVE this though? When I power down, close the app, then power up and re-start the app, the “Ignore Midi Notes” checkbox is no longer checked? This would imply I need to save my change but I cannot see where to do it??? Or, does this not matter with Firmware 2.0?
OK. Have confirmed I’m running 2.0 firmware on IL and 1.4.1 on BB. Re-connected, same problem. As soon as I start the BB, the Loop 1 and Stop LED’s on the IL flash in sync with the tempo from the BB. IL will not function while this is happening. Stop the BB, IL stops flashing. Launch App again. Ignore MIDI notes not checked. Recheck it and close app, Reconnect IL and BB. Same problem, lights flashing and IL inoperable.
Another hour spent reading and searching for answers. No closer to a resolution. I’m half blind from staring at the IL app to find a save button on Global Settings. I have updated the PC App. No save button. This is mind numbing. Please heed the inherent warnings in these posts I am making to anyone considering buying a BB and hoping to use it with Infinity Looper. You are quite likely to be in for hours of frustration. AUD $1200 spent on BB and Infinity and I cant play a beat and sync a guitar rhythm. Fact.
I don’t think you’re being fair to “warn” everyone. Because plenty of us are having success. I would happily recommend this combination to anyone. I have, and it’s worked out well.
I hear you Adam. I am not making comments without thought. I understand plenty of people are having success but from what I read there are plenty who aren’t. Sadly, I am one of them. It is therefore fact that anyone considering embarking on this “journey” may well be in for hours and hours of frustration. I wish it wasn’t me. If I had only spent a couple of hundred dollars I wouldn’t bother with all of this but I am seriously angry that I have spent so much money and cannot achieve the SIMPLEST of advertised functions.
Well, I definitely feel bad for you, but I do believe your struggles are—for whatever reason—not indicative of the products. At worst, one of your units is a lemon. I’m just providing a counterpoint because things work great for me and for many other people that I know. So a blanket “caveat emptor” I do not think is warranted. Most of the problems I am aware of for other people have been resolved. YMMV and all that.
After checking the box for Ignore MIDI Notes, close the small Window with the X in the upper right hand corner. Now to Save this change, go to the File Menu in the upper left hand corner of the main application window and select “EXIT”. This will save all changes made during this session. Now start the application again and go to the Global Boot Options and verify that the Ignore MIDI Notes option is still checked. This should work. Let us know if this resolves the issue.
Thanks 19 frets. Yes, this is exactly what I have been doing. To be sure, I just followed these steps again, precisely. Upon restart of the application Ignore MIDI Notes is unchecked. Perhaps this means my IL has a faulty SD card?
Well, that certainly is not the way it is supposed to work. I think this is worth a call or email to Pigtronix. They are pretty good about responding to questions. A bad SD card is certainly possible, but seems unlikely. Have you tried making other changes just to see if they work the same way? Does every parameter you change revert back to the previous setting when you restart?
Just FYI. I too am having problems with getting the two to consistently sync. I have been able to get some songs to sync, but not others. I am still trying to figure out where my problems are.
Great news people. Dogged perseverence has prevailed! Thanks to 19 frets confirming that my method for changing the Ignore MIDI Notes parameter was correct I was left with the conclusion that either the SD card was faulty (seemed unlikely to me too) or the software on the SD card was corrupt. I found a forum post on page 47 of an Infinity discussion on “thegearpage” which described how to re-install the software on the SD card. So I formatted the SD card back to clean. Then followed the steps for re-installing the software. Launched the app, checked the box, closed the app and it STUCK!! Hooray! I then plugged everything back on to the pedal board and it is WORKING exactly as I had hoped. No silent measure, no glitches. It held a rhythm riff to a beat with perfection allowing me to solo 'til my hearts content.
CONCLUSIONS
[LIST=1]
[]My software on the internal IL SD Card had somehow become corrupt. Nothing actually confirmed this other than failed functionality and trial and error.
[]The BeatBuddy and the Infinity when setup correctly are incredibly impressive tools.
[]Pigtronix really need to establish a useful Help/Tech page with all of these issues covered. The videos they have are cute but they don’t help you solve problems.
[]Alternative of course would be for an Infinity/Pigtronix forum where all of these issues could be fleshed out properly with a target audience. Over time, a database of useful information would amass making tech issues so much easier for all users.
[]It seems that the guys at Pigtronix are really good at posting “fixes” in various forums but the trick is trying to find these posts.
[]It would have been good if BeatBuddy had not decided to send MIDI Notes in the first instance as this issue would not have occurred. I guess sending MIDI Notes must be useful to some people.
[*]PC Users are used to executing a SAVE function when they change something. The IL App is a bit weird in that they failed to include an “OK” or “SAVE” button on the Global Settings page. That would at least ease the angst of thinking you are failing to find the save button which is causing the problem. You don’t need to save a changed setting. Who would have thought!
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Apologies to those I offended during my frustrations. I hope however that I have contributed to the hotch potch of forum dialogue that might help others who will come across the same problems. To everyone who tried to help me…thanks!
19 Frets…it might be worth considering a re-format like I did? I also understand that not all beats/songs within the BeatBuddy will sync. Is there a list of those that work and those that don’t anywhere? Perhaps it is a matter of the 4/4 timing issue? If the BB is playing a beat that is different to what the IL is set on, it doesn’t work. Next logical upgrade/bug fix for Infinity maybe.
Cool, you worked it out, now its time for having hours of fun... Yes a Tech page or an IL Forum would be very helpful sometimes (good that here are users very helpful), but they have a very good support... I can see reasons fo BB sending Midi notes, but I dont understand why IL is able to receive those (why is there a check box to ignore incomming Midi notes, and not a default behavior)?
http://mybeatbuddy.com/forum/index.php?threads/some-intros-are-incorrect-length.582/#post-2095
In the second post of this thread is the list of affected songs…
And now, good rock!!!
BTW Do you know, your IL can ignore Midi Start? You can start your IL after Intro…(you can also use count instead Intro with BB, but I think you know that)