Easel iprogram app download

[underthebigtree]

Tying a piece of niche hardware to the ecosystem of a gargantuan company that makes their own rules may not be the most optimal course of action for the long-term viability of the iProgram card. It might be interesting to consider releasing it as Mac/Windows executables, or even open sourcing it so that it can be kept alive through the Buchla community.

[SonicAdventurer]

For those who haven't noticed yet: the original Buchla Easel Remote Control App has re-appeared in the Apple App Store ... at least I've seen it today.

It's not a new updated version, therefore you should observe the following warning/advise from the Buchla site:
"11/21/2020
iProgram Card app users: we recommend not upgrading to IOS 14 for the time being. We are looking into an issue with IOS 14 and the iProgram Card app. Our tests indicate that the iProgramCard app works to up to IOS 14.1, so if you’ve already upgraded IOS to 14.1, the app may work – however we still recommend avoiding the upgrade to IOS 14 until further testing has been done. The app is not working on 14.2."

(For my musical work I've preserved a dedicated iPad with iOS 10 since a long time, in order to avoid such sort of problems ...)

[Sinamsis]

If someone successfully downloads this please comment. I’ve been waiting to set mine up, would love to know when this is available on the Apple store.

[kylverstone]

If someone successfully downloads this please comment. I’ve been waiting to set mine up, would love to know when this is available on the Apple store.

Just successfully downloaded and installed on my iPad mini with iOS 14.2, so it does run on the latest OS. As soon as the battery charges I'll actually test it with my iProgram card.

**edit**

Patch saving/recall and all onscreen controls are working great on 14.2, but for me, the onscreen keyboard is not. The iProgram card shows activity when pressing keys but it's not actually triggering the 218e. This could be a config issue with my Easel though, and honestly the lack of onscreen keyboard is not a problem for me.

It's good to have it back

[bcomnes]

Well prAise the Lord, I just downloaded it. Happy 2021.

Ps I have an older iPad mini at iOS 12

[SonicAdventurer]

@kylverstone: do you have the latest firmware (version 66) on your iProgram Card? It corrects the keyboard issue (and -- as far as I remember -- you have to put the 218e in remote mode).

[kylverstone]

@kylverstone: do you have the latest firmware (version 66) on your iProgram Card? It corrects the keyboard issue (and -- as far as I remember -- you have to put the 218e in remote mode).

Yes, I have version 66 installed, and I've tried the switch in all three positions. I'm going to try a few other things later (USB as opposed to WIFI, etc.), as I think I remember it working at one point. I appreciate the suggestions though!

**edit** Just re-read what you said. What do you mean by 'put the 218e in remote mode'?

[SonicAdventurer]

Sorry, I was not precise enough: yes, the switch of the 208 must be in both or remote mode, but I meant a volatile configuration of the 218e, named "remote enabled" ... according to documentation:

"How to REMOTE ENABLE the 218e:** To remote enable, press and hold preset pads 3 & 4 until they flash. Quick flashes indicates turning on remote enable; slow flashes indicates the turning off of remote enable. Note: The 218e will not be remote enabled upon boot up. This is a temporary setting.

Now that you have remote enabled your 218e, MIDI input on channels 1-4 will be turned into internal bus messages on bus channels A-D, respectively. For instance, to send a MIDI message to the AuxCard on bus C, you can send a MIDI message on channel 3."

Maybe this helps.

[kylverstone]

Maybe this helps.

Thanks, I had forgotten about that. Unfortunately, it didn't make any difference! I think I tried every combination of MIDI bus channels but I'll cycle through them again later to double check. I tested the regular 5 pin MIDI input, and all is well there.

[SonicAdventurer]

Oh, what a pity. I just checked it in my environment again and here it works with the described configuration, both with iOS 10.3.3 as well as surprisingly also with iOS 14.3; but as you already said: the keyboard is not so important in the App, the ability to store presets is the main purpose.

[misa]

... The app is not working on 14.2.

I don't have an iProgram card, but I downloaded the app out of curiosity and it starts up and feels like a working app on my iPad Pro with iOS 14.2.

It might not connect to any iProgram cards -- I don't know since I don't have one.

Maybe this helps

[bcomnes]

HEADS UP FOLKS! iProgram Firmware Rev66 and the Easel208pad app do not like each other, especially on an early BEMI Easel.

Yesterday I was on original Rev46 firmware for my iProgram card. Also iOS12.5 and all was more or less well. That rev46 and the app got along fine. local was local , remote was remote, the middle position on my unmodded Easel allowed some local tweeking over the preset loaded, but now with rev66, the app keyboard does NOTHING and the switch shows "both" in the lowest position, sometimes shows "local+" in the middle, sometimes nothing and the upper position sends often times sends the preset into who knows what, some presets work others are just FUBAR.

I opened a ticket with Buchla, I'm asking for the Rev46 hex so I can't get back to where I was, maybe someday this will resolve it but I don't want to wait, I don't care about a formal "both' mode.

Will update this as things resolve themselves. Remember If it ain't broke don't fix it.

[bcomnes]

UPDATE
OK things looking better now. First, hats off to Joel Davel of Buchla for a quick response to my pleas for help. Joel was kind enough to send me the Rev46 firmware for my iProgram card. I installed it and am now back to being happily where I was. Everything works and labels correctly. It ignores the card with switch down, it uses the card when the switch is up. In the middle position I have some control of some of the sliders so its sort of a a renegade BOTH mode..

Here are some comments Joel made that may be of interest of others with an early BEMI and an iProgram card.

If you haven't modded your Easel for Both Mode, version 66 may be a bit confused when you are using the sequencer. Version 66 does fix some scaling issues present in version 46, but I don't mind if you prefer to go back to version 46. The modification for both mode is not as simple if you have a very early BEMI 208 that makes it more difficult to do the mod. If it's not "broken", no need to fix it.

Version 66 works well with the last version of the app but I didn't test if with the earlier version of the app. You may be using the original app too? I'm not sure if the previous/original version of the iPad app works in iOS 13 or iOS 14, but the latest one did until recently. As you may know, even the latest app fails with iOS 14.2 (Thank Apple for breaking our MIDI code.)

Another thing to take note of is that sometimes when the app isn't interfacing very well with the 208, closing the app rebooting/reopening the app often fixes the issue. It's not intuitive though because it'll LOOK like it communicating fine, but it'll be sluggish and some controls will work while others won't. For instance it often won't load presets even though it'll control faders. So keep re-booting the iPad in mind when trying to solve communication issues.

[honeysmack]

Might be a little off-topic, but is there any way to run the iProgram app from a Mac computer, rather than an iPad? thanks

[SonicAdventurer]

No, not the current Easel208Pad App for iOS.

[mestlick]

Darn it, I apparently missed the opportunity to get this downloaded.
I'm on iOS 16.1.1 on my phone. I don't see the app in the store.
Does anyone have the iProgram app working on newer iOS versions?

[canola]

Darn it, I apparently missed the opportunity to get this downloaded.
I'm on iOS 16.1.1 on my phone. I don't see the app in the store.
Does anyone have the iProgram app working on newer iOS versions?

I've been working on a webapp to control the iProgram card from a browser. More details here.

The official app doesn't show up in the app store search anymore, but you can find it if you go to its page in apple's web store.

That being said, I never got it to work very well on my iPad. When I was trying to figure out the midi protocol, I had to buy an iPad 2 and downgrade it to iOS 6 to get it to work over USB.

You used to be able to run the app on macOS too provided you have a mac with Apple silicon. Ever since I upgraded to Ventura, however, the app crashes as soon as it opens. I also never had it working over USB on a mac, just wifi.

[mannypol]

Buchla Easel Remote Control just downloaded on iPad (if you search by iPhone doesn't appear). On iOS 15.7.1 it works pretty fine over USB and WiFi, sometime crashes but rarely. Only problem: virtual keyboard doesn't respond, also "remote mode" activating on 218e. iProgram card firmware v66. With old firmware version v46 also remote keyboard worked but now I upgraded and I don't find v46 on internet for dowgrading. Somebody knows where can I find it? From Buchla no replay at all. Waiting for new (already announced) firmware to link iProgram card to new PC software. Again no news from Buchla.

[bcomnes]

Ask Buchla for a copy of V46 ..I did and they sent it to me , with instruction on how to back rev...It was Mac only

[mannypol]

Thank you! I do!

[mannypol]

UPDATE: Buchla sent me new firmware v73 to activate new Mac/PC software and iProgram link. No more Midi over USB from iPad app, just wifi.
Testing

[synthi]

UPDATE: Buchla sent me new firmware v73 to activate new Mac/PC software and iProgram link. No more Midi over USB from iPad app, just wifi.
Testing

NIce!eager to use my iprogram card again!!! so its available for download or must be requested to Buchla??

[mannypol]

Buchla sent me on request but they even told will be on website for download shortly. Mac/Pc software (1.0.5) now works perfectly with iProgram card on USB. Even Buchla Easel Remote Control app is ok (only Wifi, no more USB, only iPad, iOS 15.7.1 in my case). Some app setting are requested on iOS "general setting". Always just 24 memory slot on card. I notice also better management on "5th sequencer step issue" on Easel not "Both Mode modified". My Easel is rev 3 - 2016. Better "local - both - remote" management on card display. Only bug is remote keyboard still not working on iOS app, probably I have to update 218e firmware but I'n not sure about procedure... may be by Firmware card 225/m and Card Doubler? Do someone know how? Thanks!

[bcomnes]

so Mannypol ..nice update but....does your Easel have the BOTH mode modification? Mine (very early BEMI) doesn't

[mannypol]

negative, no BOTH mode modification on my Easel. With v73 iProgram card firmware it seems the only problem is using 5th sequencer step (sometimes Easel freezes, not every time like before) but switching in local mode it defreezes very easy, easier then before. At the moment remote virtual keyboard not working seems last issue to fix. Buchla support just texted me confirming card 255 and card doubler procedure for 218e updating. Anyway remote virtual keybord is not my favourite feature… I can do without…