Midi-USB-Galaxy s8 phone?

[Melanie]

Hi there,
I'm really excited to get my midi shortly.
Just wondering if a midi-USB cable would work if I attached it to the mid sprout, and then to the USB port on the galaxy s8 (there's an adapter for USB on s8's). Then if I download a midi synthesizer app....... would that work??

Very new to this! Would appreciate your advice.

Thanks, Melanie

[Nicola Alexandra Hajdu]

That's a good question Melanie and as i don't have an Iphone (Android User here) i'm not qualified to answer but what i can say is that the best way to avoid headaches is to get yourself the iConnectMIDI1. It really covers everything you need while your attempted workaround may work or not. You should contact Sam. He seems to be knowledgeable with most adapters.

Much Love
Nicola

[sam]

Hello Melanie.   Yes 'most' usb-MIDI devices will work with this setup.  It is very easy with a USB OTG (on the go) cable to attach any USB device to your android phone.  Don't cheap out and get some $4 USB-midi device as they are electronically crap !!!

And most android MIDI enabled apps will work.  Its fairly easy, and has nothing to do with the Sprout (it is all MIDI capable USB devices and compatibility with apps).

I'd suggest focusing your research on USB MIDI devices and OTG cables which work specifically with phone, I'm certain the sprout will work fine!  Stay tuned for my BlueTooth BLE devices!

[Nicola Alexandra Hajdu]

Melanie i have to apologize to you as i obviously didn't notice you to be an Android User as well. I had too much going on on my part lately, ...having a lot to read and write, so thanks to these exhausting days it caused me to read over the most critical part of your post. I feel so ashamed about this, really! I hope you didn't buy the iConnectMIDI1 yet, as this isn't a solution for Android devices!

This has been a great lesson for me, will never try to answer questions related posts again during days with great overload of work. I agree with what Sam has said and maybe my following roundup (copied from a posting on my Google+ account) will help you to spare from more brainstorming. I had the same situation as you and so asked Sam about his opinion as well a few months ago, via Email.

Dear Everyone!

The following brainstorming is about if MIDI-Sprout connected with an Android device (Tablet, Smartphone) is possible. Since i don't own an Iphone/Ipad i'm eager to find an alternative workaround. Before i'm going to introduce the required components i would like to remember, that Data Garden's Summer Sale with $250 will not last forever - > http://store.midisprout.com. Just in case if you can't take advantage of this special right now then don't worry, they will continue to make MIDI-Sprout available - > https://squareup.com/store/electricityforprogress.

Check Your Phone for USB On-The-Go (USB OTG)

Because of a technology called USB On-The-Go (USB OTG), your Android device might even be more powerful than you thought. This allows you to connect other devices to your smartphone or tablet using a $5 adapter that plugs into your charging port, and the possibilities are almost endless. But not all phones support USB OTG, and there's a bit more to learn about the tech, so we'll cover it all below.

What Is USB OTG?

USB OTG is a hardware and software standard that allows you to connect a device to your smartphone or tablet through the USB Type-C or micro USB port. Almost anything that uses a USB connector can be plugged into your Android device with USB OTG, at which point you would be able to control the second device using your smartphone, or vice versa.

Source: https://android.gadgethacks.com/how-to/android-basics-check-your-phone-for-usb-go-support-connect-flash-drives-control-dslrs-more-0174182

Examples:

My Android device is a smartphone called Motorola Moto G2 (2nd) gen. It is known for having a micro USB instead the modern USB type-c port. Don't worry, both types will work but will require a different USB OTG cable:

OTG Cables (Devices with micro USB Ports)

Here are some regular OTG cables with good reviews on Amazon for devices that have a micro USB port.

Ugreen USB OTG Cable (currently $4.79)
Cable Matters USB OTG Cable 2-Pack (currently $6.99)
C&E USB OTG Cable (currently $4.99)

OTG Cables (Devices with USB Type-C Ports)

If you own a newer Android device that uses the USB Type-C port, you should make sure to get an OTG adapter that will fit your phone or tablet. Here are some of the best options on Amazon.

RAVPower USB-C On-The-Go Cable (currently $7.99)
VicTsing Type-C USB OTG Dongle (currently $6.55)
Jelly Comb Type-C USB 3.1 OTG Dongle (currently $11.70)

Source: https://android.gadgethacks.com/how-to/android-basics-check-your-phone-for-usb-go-support-connect-flash-drives-control-dslrs-more-0174182
...

Powered OTG Cables (Devices with micro USB Ports)

If you'd like to be able to charge your phone while another device is connected to it, you'll need an externally-powered USB OTG cable. This is basically a splitter that connects to three things at the same time: Your Android device, the external device, and a power cable.

AtomicMarket Externally-Powered USB OTG Cable (currently $9.99)
Elipsis 7 Powered USB OTG Cable (currently $3.99)
Pocketgames Self-Powered USB OTG Dongle (currently $9.98)

Source: https://android.gadgethacks.com/how-to/android-basics-check-your-phone-for-usb-go-support-connect-flash-drives-control-dslrs-more-0174182
...

Testing OTG ability with the OTG Tester:

1) Install USB OTG Tester

To find out if your Android device supports USB OTG, start by installing a free app called USB OTG Tester.

Install USB OTG Tester from the Google Play Store

Source: https://android.gadgethacks.com/how-to/android-basics-check-your-phone-for-usb-go-support-connect-flash-drives-control-dslrs-more-0174182
...
2) Check OTG ability with a file-manager:

. )

. )

...

Purchase an OTG Adapter to Connect Other Devices

Now that you're sure your phone or tablet can take advantage of USB OTG technology, it's a safe bet to go ahead and buy a USB OTG adapter. There are two main types of OTG cables, one is powered and one is not. Most uses will not require an externally-powered USB OTG cable, so a regular OTG cable should fill all of your needs.
...

MIDI to USB Interface Cable Adapter:

The next important component is a MIDI to USB Interface Cable Adapter. This makes it possible to stream MIDI-Sprout's data to your Android device. As i haven't tried yet an USB Interface Cable Adapter so far i can't provide you with a full-bullet-proof recommendation. Make use of the following links and use discernment during your dissension making. The overall evaluation and the reviews might indicate the right choice. The shown examples might be available as well on Amazon, Ebay, AliExpress or in a local store:

. ) http://www.ebay.com/itm/MIDI-to-USB-Interface-Cable-Adapter-for-Keyboard-Electronic-Drum-Music-Create-/252468442079?hash=item3ac84ab3df:g:AfsAAOSwIgNXjzaL
. ) https://www.thomann.de/gb/search_dir.html?bf=&sw=midi%20usb

Last but least Music software, to make MIDI-Sprout's stream audible. Google play has a market for Virtual Synths & MIDI-Sequencers which will enable you to record your memorable moments with Mother Nature and share it with Family & Friends:

. ) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rockrelay.synth.dx747
. ) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xewton.musicstudiolite
. ) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rockrelay.synth.dx7.piano
...

Conclusion:

Once i get all these components it means to have found a light-weight and flexible solution helping me to extend my hikes in the future. I want to thank Sam Cusumano for his suggestions via Email support.

Let Mother Nature in your heart
Nicola

Much Love
Nicola

[Melanie]

Hi Nicola and Sam!
Thanks for your replies.
(Don't worry Nicola, I haven't bought the iconnect midi cable. I appreciated your reply!!)

I'll look for a good quality cable, thanks.

Looking forward to any further developments too.

Melanie 😊

[Nicola Alexandra Hajdu]

Your reply gives me peace as i really worried about me leading you to a wrong product, thanks to the most-recent faux pass. I thank you for your kind words and i'm looking forward to read about also your experiences with MIDI-Sprout. Perhaps you could share with us your recordings either as MP3, Soundcloud or Youtube uploads. It is always interesting to listen of how Plants sound like according to their mood, their environment & daytime!

Much Love
Nicola