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MIDI & Devices

Android: Bluetooth MIDI Guide

Connect your Bluetooth MIDI keyboard to your Android phone or tablet. This guide covers pairing, Android-specific quirks, and tips for reliable wireless connections.

The Short Version

Open Crescendo → Tap MIDI button → Tap "Scan for Bluetooth MIDI" → Tap your keyboard.
Important: You may need to reconnect each time you open the app.

On This Page

1. What You Need

Requirements Checklist

  • Android 6.0 or later

    Bluetooth MIDI requires Android's MIDI API (introduced in Android 6.0 Marshmallow).

  • Bluetooth-enabled MIDI keyboard

    Must support BLE MIDI (Bluetooth Low Energy MIDI). See the list below.

  • Bluetooth enabled on your phone

    Crescendo will prompt you to enable Bluetooth if it's off.

  • Bluetooth permissions granted

    Android 12+ requires granting Bluetooth scan and connect permissions.

No extra apps needed. Crescendo has built-in Bluetooth MIDI support. You don't need third-party pairing utilities like "MIDI BLE Connect" - just pair directly within Crescendo.

2. Keyboards with Bluetooth MIDI

These keyboards have built-in Bluetooth MIDI. You don't need any adapters - just put them in pairing mode and connect.

Brand Models with Bluetooth MIDI
Roland FP-30X, FP-60X, FP-90X, GO:PIANO, GO:KEYS
Yamaha P-515, P-525, CLP Clavinova series, CSP series
Kawai ES520, ES920, CA series, CN series
KORG microKEY Air, nanoKEY Studio, G1 Air
Casio PX-S series (PX-S1100, PX-S3100), CT-S series

Don't see your keyboard? Check your manual for "Bluetooth MIDI" or "BLE MIDI" support. Note: Regular Bluetooth audio is not the same as Bluetooth MIDI.

3. Step-by-Step Pairing

Important: Pair within Crescendo

Do not pair your Bluetooth MIDI keyboard in Android's Bluetooth Settings. Bluetooth MIDI uses a different protocol than regular Bluetooth. Pairing must happen inside the Crescendo app.

1

Put your keyboard in Bluetooth pairing mode

Consult your keyboard's manual. Usually involves holding a Bluetooth button until an LED flashes. The keyboard should be discoverable for about 2-3 minutes.

2

Open Crescendo and tap the MIDI button

The MIDI button is in the top-right corner, or you can access it through Settings.

3

Tap "Scan for Bluetooth MIDI"

The scan runs for 30 seconds. Stay within 10 feet (3 meters) of your keyboard.

Android 12+: You may be asked to grant Bluetooth permissions. Tap "Allow" to let Crescendo discover nearby devices.

4

Tap your keyboard when it appears

Your keyboard should appear in the list. Tap it to connect. You'll see a green checkmark when connected.

  • Green indicator = connected
  • Latency estimate shown (e.g., "10-30ms")
5

Calibrate your keyboard (first time only)

Crescendo will ask you to play your lowest and highest keys to detect your keyboard's range. This helps display the correct notes for your keyboard.

Test it: Play a few notes - you should see them highlighted on the score and the cursor should advance when you play correctly.

4. Reconnection (Android Limitation)

You may need to reconnect each session

This is a known Android limitation. Unlike iOS, Android's Bluetooth MIDI doesn't always auto-reconnect to previously paired devices. You may need to tap "Scan" and reconnect each time you open Crescendo.

Why this happens

Android's Bluetooth MIDI system keeps "bonded" devices in its list even when they're powered off or out of range. However, these devices can't actually connect until they're rediscovered by an active Bluetooth scan.

How to reconnect quickly

  1. Open Crescendo
  2. Make sure your keyboard is on and in range
  3. Tap the MIDI button
  4. Tap "Scan for Bluetooth MIDI"
  5. Tap your keyboard when it appears

Tip: Crescendo attempts to auto-connect to your last-used keyboard when the app opens. If your keyboard is already on and in range, this often works - but not always on Android.

"Ghost devices" in the list

You might see your keyboard listed even when it's turned off. This is normal on Android - previously paired devices remain visible but show as disconnected. Just turn on your keyboard and tap to reconnect.

5. Latency Expectations

Bluetooth MIDI on Android has more variable latency than iOS or USB connections. Here's what to expect:

Connection Type Typical Latency Notes
USB (with OTG) 5-10ms Best option for Android
Bluetooth (Android) 10-50ms Varies by phone and keyboard
Bluetooth (iOS) 5-15ms More consistent
Perception threshold <20ms Delay feels "instant"

Factors affecting Android Bluetooth latency

  • • Phone model: Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy S phones typically perform best. Budget phones may have higher latency.
  • • Keyboard quality: Premium keyboards often have better Bluetooth implementations.
  • • Distance: Stay within 10 feet (3 meters) for best performance.
  • • Interference: WiFi routers, microwaves, and other Bluetooth devices can cause issues.

If latency feels too high: Consider using a USB OTG connection instead. USB is more consistent on Android and doesn't have the reconnection issues.

6. Troubleshooting

My keyboard doesn't appear in the scan

Try these steps:

  1. Verify Bluetooth is on - Check your phone's quick settings.
  2. Re-enter pairing mode - Your keyboard may have timed out. Put it in pairing mode again.
  3. Move closer - Stay within 10 feet (3 meters).
  4. Check permissions - Go to Settings > Apps > Crescendo > Permissions and ensure Bluetooth is allowed.
  5. Restart Bluetooth - Turn Bluetooth off and on again in your phone's settings.
  6. Restart the app - Close Crescendo completely and reopen it.
Connected but keyboard doesn't respond

If the green indicator shows "connected" but playing notes does nothing:

  • Check keyboard's MIDI output setting - Some keyboards need MIDI output enabled in their settings menu.
  • "Ghost device" issue - The connection may be stale. Disconnect, tap "Scan" again, and reconnect.
  • Power cycle the keyboard - Turn it off, wait 10 seconds, turn it back on, then reconnect.
  • Restart your phone - Sometimes Android's Bluetooth MIDI gets stuck in a bad state.
Keyboard disconnects during practice

Random disconnections can be caused by:

  • Distance - Move closer to your phone.
  • Interference - Move away from WiFi routers, microwaves, or other Bluetooth devices.
  • Keyboard battery - Check if your keyboard needs to be charged or batteries replaced.
  • Phone's power saving - Some phones aggressively kill Bluetooth connections. Check Settings > Battery and exclude Crescendo from optimization.
  • Android 13 bug - There's a known issue where Android 13 can't properly disconnect/reconnect BLE MIDI. Restarting your phone is the workaround.
Bluetooth permission issues (Android 12+)

Android 12 and later require new Bluetooth permissions. If you denied them:

  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Crescendo Piano
  2. Tap Permissions
  3. Find Nearby devices (or "Bluetooth")
  4. Set it to Allow

Without this permission, Crescendo can't scan for or connect to Bluetooth MIDI keyboards.

Samsung phones: reconnection issues

Samsung devices have a known issue where BLE devices can't reconnect after disconnecting.

Workaround:

  1. Turn Bluetooth off on your phone
  2. Wait 5 seconds
  3. Turn Bluetooth on
  4. Open Crescendo and scan again

If issues persist, consider using USB OTG instead - Samsung phones generally have excellent USB MIDI support.

7. Bluetooth vs USB: Which Should You Use?

On Android, USB (with an OTG adapter) is generally more reliable than Bluetooth. Here's when to use each:

Use Bluetooth if...

  • You want a wireless, clean setup
  • Your keyboard has Bluetooth MIDI built-in
  • You don't mind reconnecting occasionally
  • You have OnePlus/Xiaomi (OTG timeout issues)

Use USB (OTG) if...

  • You want the lowest, most consistent latency
  • You want reliable, "just works" connections
  • Your keyboard doesn't have Bluetooth
  • You have Samsung/Pixel (great USB support)

Our recommendation for Android: If you're having Bluetooth issues or want the best experience, USB with an OTG adapter (~$10) is more reliable. See our Android USB Connection Guide.

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Still Need Help?

If you've tried everything above and still can't connect, we're here to help.

Email: support@crescendopiano.app

Please include: your phone model, Android version, keyboard model, and what happens when you try to connect via Bluetooth.

Response time: 2-3 business days