New WIDI feature: group auto-learn

As of today, you can access the latest version of the WIDI app via the App Store and Google Play. With the improved WIDI app you can update all your WIDI devices to the latest firmware versions. Next - with group auto-learn - you can experience the joy of automatically adding new members to the WIDI group.

The new feature has two major advantages over the previous WIDI groups. On the one hand, you can now automate the process of adding new members to your wireless MIDI group. On the other hand, you can also start working with standard Bluetooth MIDI devices as group members.

This means that in addition to all your WIDI devices, you can also add other standard Bluetooth MIDI controllers as peripherals. Think of the Roland AX Edge, Korg MicroKey Air, Roli Seaboard, CME Xkey Air, Jamstik+ Guitar, etc.

Let's take you on a small tour.

Update WIDI App (iOS/Android) & WIDI firmware

You can update WIDI App to the latest version via Google Play or App Store.

• Android: CME WIDI app v1.4.18
• iOS: CME WIDI app v1.4.20

Next update the firmware of your WIDI device and activate “group auto-learn”

• BLE firmware v0166 (or higher)
• USB firmware v2.8 (or higher)

Please note these firmware versions are compatible for the current line of WIDI products. Including WIDI Master, WIDI Jack, WIDI Uhost, WIDI Core and WIDI Bud Pro (not the legacy WIDI Bud).

Activate group auto-learn via WIDI App

Enable "Group Auto-Learn" for the central WIDI device via the latest version of WIDI App. This will allow the central WIDI device to automatically scan all available BLE MIDI devices (including WIDI) in its environment.

1. Set all WIDI devices as "force peripheral" to avoid automatic pairing of WIDI devices with each other.
2. Enable "Group Auto-Learning" for the central WIDI device. Close the WIDI application. The WIDI LED will slowly flash blue.
3. Turn on up to 4 BLE MIDI peripherals (including WIDI) to automatically pair with the central WIDI device.
4. When all peripherals are connected, press the button on the central WIDI device to store the group in the memory of the central WIDI device. The WIDI LED is green when pressed and will turn turquoise upon release.

Add macOS to WIDI groups. Limitations for Windows, Android & iOS

Unfortunately, iOS, Windows 10 and Android cannot be part of WIDI Groups as peripherals. For macOS, click "Advertise" in MIDI Studio's Bluetooth configuration to advertise it as a peripheral for WIDI Group. You can see that in the video above.

This is because many operating systems change the Bluetooth address every 15 minutes for security reasons. Therefore, it is not possible to add these devices to a group at this stage. Simply because there is no fixed address that can be stored in the memory of the central WIDI device.

We can do a lot, but not change the architecture of these operating systems. To get around this, it is recommended to add WIDI Bud Pro or WIDI Uhost to your operating system. This delivers convenience with auto-pairing, optimal jitter and latency performance, and the fun of group machine learning.

Always use WIDI as a central device for WIDI Groups

Please note that standard Bluetooth MIDI controllers can only be part of WIDI groups and group auto-learn as peripherals. This means that you always need a WIDI device that acts as the central device of the wireless MIDI group.

In short, when creating 1-to-4 or 4-to-1 wireless connections, the 1 central device must always be a WIDI device. For example, you cannot make your AX Edge the central device and play 4 different sound modules. This is because you cannot store or execute group learning commands from this Bluetooth MIDI controller. This is strictly a WIDI feature.

You will have to be able to save the group settings in this central WIDI device. Then you have the convenience of automatic pairing on reboot. This means that your group will always automatically pair from the memory of your central WIDI device on startup.

That is also why the legacy WIDI Bud (not WIDI Bud Pro) cannot be part of WIDI Groups. The legacy WIDI Bud can only act as a central device, but does not have the Bluetooth 5 technology to automatically learn the group. If you own a WIDI Bud and want to delve into WIDI Groups, you need to purchase WIDI Bud Pro.

To conclude, you now can create groups on the fly with all current WIDI devices and even add macOS and other standard Bluetooth MIDI controllers as peripherals to those groups.