MIDI & Devices

Quick Diagnostics: MIDI Not Working?

Answer a few questions to diagnose your MIDI issue. We'll guide you to the right solution.

Quick Fixes

Try these common solutions first:

1. Unplug and reconnect the USB cable (forces re-detection)
2. Bluetooth? Tap "Scan for Bluetooth MIDI" in Settings → MIDI
3. Check power — keyboard lights on? Some need powered USB hubs
4. iOS "too much power" error? Use Lightning to USB 3 adapter with charger

Still not working? Use the diagnostic tool below.

Does your keyboard appear in the device list?

Tap the MIDI button (top-right during practice) or go to Settings → MIDI to see available devices.

Can you connect to it?

Tap your keyboard in the device list. You should see a green "Connected" badge and the MIDI button turns green.

Are notes detected when you play?

Start practicing a piece and play some notes. The cursor should advance when you play the correct notes, or you should see wrong-note feedback (red notes) if you play incorrect ones.

Is there noticeable lag or do notes drop out?

Does there seem to be a delay between pressing a key and seeing the response? Do some notes get missed or does the connection drop during practice?

Everything is working!

Your MIDI keyboard is connected and functioning correctly. If you're having a different issue, it may not be MIDI-related.

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Device Not Detected

Quick Checks (iOS)

1. Is your keyboard powered on? Check that lights or displays are active.
2. USB connection: Make sure the cable is firmly connected at both ends. Try a different USB port on your adapter if available.
3.
Using the right adapter?
- iPhone/iPad with Lightning: Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter ($29)
- iPad with USB-C: USB-C to USB-A adapter or direct USB-C cable
4. Bluetooth keyboard? Tap "Scan for Bluetooth MIDI" in the device picker. Bluetooth devices must be scanned before they appear.
5. Unplug and reconnect the USB cable. This forces the device to re-enumerate.

Common iOS Issue

"This accessory uses too much power" — Your keyboard needs more power than the iPhone/iPad can provide through a basic adapter. Use the Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter (with power passthrough) and plug in a charger.

Quick Checks (Android)

1. Is your keyboard powered on? Check that lights or displays are active.
2. Do you have a USB OTG adapter? Most Android phones need an OTG (On-The-Go) adapter to connect USB devices. Look for "USB-C to USB-A OTG" adapters.
3. Check cable connections — Make sure the USB cable is firmly connected at both ends.
4. Bluetooth keyboard? Tap "Scan for Bluetooth MIDI" in the device picker. Bluetooth devices must be scanned before they appear.
5. Unplug and reconnect the USB cable. This forces the device to re-enumerate.

Common Android Issue (Xiaomi/MIUI)

Some Xiaomi phones require enabling Developer Options and setting USB Configuration to MIDI. Go to Settings → About Phone → tap "MIUI Version" 7 times → Developer Options → USB Configuration → MIDI.

Connection Fails

The app sees your keyboard but can't establish a connection. Here's what the error messages mean:

"[Device] not responding"

The keyboard didn't respond within 10 seconds. The app will automatically retry up to 3 times.

Fix: Make sure the keyboard is powered on and in range (for Bluetooth). Try unplugging and reconnecting.

"[Device] rejected connection"

The keyboard actively refused the connection.

Fix: Unplug and reconnect the USB cable. For Bluetooth, try forgetting the device in your phone's Bluetooth settings and pairing again.

"[Device] is no longer available"

The keyboard was detected but disappeared before connection completed.

Fix: Make sure the keyboard stays powered on. For Bluetooth, ensure you're in range and tap "Scan for Bluetooth MIDI" to rediscover it.

Bluetooth-Specific Tips

Always tap "Scan for Bluetooth MIDI" first. Even if your keyboard is paired in system Bluetooth settings, Crescendo needs to discover it via MIDI-specific scanning.
Stay close to your keyboard during connection. Bluetooth range is typically 30 feet, but walls and interference can reduce it.
Put keyboard in pairing mode if it's the first time connecting. Check your keyboard's manual for how to enable Bluetooth pairing.

Notes Not Being Detected

Your keyboard shows as connected (green indicator), but playing notes doesn't do anything. Here's what to check:

1. Check keyboard calibration

If your keyboard's range hasn't been calibrated, Crescendo may not recognize notes outside the expected range. Go to Settings → MIDI → Calibrate and play your lowest and highest keys.

2. Make sure practice mode is active

Notes are only detected during an active practice session. Open a piece from your library and make sure the cursor is visible on the score.

3. Check hand mode settings

If you're practicing "Right Hand Only" and playing left-hand notes (or vice versa), the cursor won't advance. Check which hand mode is selected in the control bar.

4. Try disconnecting and reconnecting

Go to Settings → MIDI, tap your device, and choose "Disconnect". Then reconnect. This resets the MIDI stream.

5. Check keyboard's MIDI output settings

Some keyboards have MIDI output disabled by default or can be set to "Local Off" mode. Check your keyboard's settings menu to ensure MIDI output is enabled.

Latency or Dropouts

Expected Latency

Connection	Typical Latency	Notes
USB	5-10ms	Fastest, most reliable
Bluetooth	5-15ms	Slightly higher, but still good

Latency under 20ms is the target and should feel instant. If you're experiencing noticeable delay or missed notes, try these fixes:

Switch to USB if using Bluetooth

USB connections are more reliable and have lower latency. If your keyboard supports USB, try connecting via cable instead of Bluetooth.

Close other apps

Apps running in the background can compete for system resources. Close unused apps, especially music apps, video players, or games.

Reduce Bluetooth interference

Stay within 10 feet of your device. Move away from WiFi routers, microwaves, and other Bluetooth devices that can cause interference.

Use a powered USB hub (if dropouts occur)

Some keyboards need more power than a phone can provide. A powered USB hub ensures stable power delivery and can prevent connection dropouts.

Try a different USB cable

Cheap or damaged cables can cause intermittent connections. Try a different cable, preferably a shorter one (under 6 feet).

Note: If your keyboard disconnects completely during practice, you'll see a full-screen yellow warning with options to reconnect or continue without MIDI.

Quick Reference

Where to find MIDI settings

During practice: Tap the MIDI button (top-right corner, says "MIDI")
In Settings: Go to Settings → MIDI section

MIDI button colors

Green — Connected and working
Gray outline — Not connected (tap to connect)

Supported connection types

USB MIDI — Any class-compliant USB MIDI keyboard
Bluetooth MIDI — BLE MIDI keyboards (most modern wireless keyboards)

Still Need Help?

Tried everything above and still having issues? Send us your device info and we'll investigate.

Please include:

Your phone/tablet model and OS version
Your keyboard make and model
Connection type (USB or Bluetooth)
The exact error message (if any)
What you've already tried

support@crescendopiano.app

Response time: 2-3 business days