Developer Geert Bevin has introduced MidiWrist, a WatchOS app that turns your Apple Watch into a wireless MIDI controller.
Any CoreMIDI application or device can be controlled by MidiWrist. This includes Virtual MIDI, Network MIDI, Bluetooth MIDI and Physical MIDI Devices through a supported MIDI hardware interface.
In the above video, Bevin demonstrates using MidiWrist to wirelessly control the transport functions in his DAW, allowing him to overdub guitar multiple guitar tracks without needing to touch his computer.
Here’s an example of using MidiWrist to wirelessly control settings on an Eventide H9:
Features:
- Four knobs can be controlled with the digital crown
- Macro control over multiple synth parameters from the digital crown
- Remotely Play / Stop / Record / Rewind your DAW from your Watch
- Knobs can be controlled individually or simultaneously
- Knobs can be linked to preserve their offsets
- Four buttons can be toggled by tapping the Watch
- Buttons can either be stateful or momentary
- Program changes through the digital crown or by tapping the Watch
- Transport control over Midi Machine Control (MMC)
- XY pad with individual messages for each axis
- Optional haptic feedback for all Watch interactions
- Optional value display on the Watch
- Configurable colors for all knobs and buttons
- Configurable MIDI channels and CC numbers
- Save your configurations to preset for easy retrieval
- MIDI learn for easy controller configuration
- MIDI input to sync the state of the controllers with the controlled synths
- Advertise as a Bluetooth MIDI device
- Connect to other Bluetooth MIDI devices
- Monitor the MIDI values on the iPhone
- Low latency and fast response
Bevin also has shared a preview of an upcoming voice control feature, coming in version 1.1:
Pricing and Availability
MidiWrist is available now for US $4.99. An Apple Watch Series 4 or later is recommended for best performance.
The voice feature shown at the end looks very interesting. I could see that being especially useful for people with handicaps, but really for anyone working in a studio.
It seems like something that could eventually be included in all DAWs!
I agree! I plan on doing a lot more work on this in a variety of solutions! 🙂
hey, Siri, delete my voice over “hey, Siri” on my recordings…
This is cool, but I feel it’s a bit awkward for a guitar player. Pedals already do this in a much friendlier format.
Emperors new clothes
So useful. I need only six watches to control my 24 channel mixer levels effortlessly!
Well, if you have enough limbs to record 24 tracks at once, then there should be more than enough room to wear 6 watches ?
Well played sir, well played.
Wow, something even less visually compelling than watching someone play an iPad/iPhone on stage.
No need for this since I’ve already stapled six midi DIN jacks to my forehead. (MidiHead)