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Maschine plus and USB-LAN Adapter

Discussion in 'MASCHINE Area' started by Noiseproject, Feb 25, 2021.

  1. Noiseproject

    Noiseproject NI Product Owner

    Messages:
    100
    Hello,
    I would like to know if there is a USB-LAN adapter that works with Maschine Plus.

    Why I want such a thing?
    Well, because sometimes in live situation Wifi can be not reliable and I need Ableton link.
    Also we need to think about other devices, that use Ableton link but have no wifi or usage of wifi can be very limited...

    I tried to run a generic LAN-USB dongle, but no luck...Maybe I need a switch/router in between???
    I will try with a PC and with a Router/switch in between soon.

    If this is considered to be implemented still in the programming...? Please make it happen, this is very useful feature to have.
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2021
  2. ntula

    ntula NI Product Owner

    Messages:
    2,318
    you could try to use a managed switch like by Cisco.. but I am not sure it that will help as the capacity you seek may not have been implemented yet.

    I do not have that device but you usually need to connect to a switch unless you use a special ethernet crossover cable to connect 2 computers, devices of the same type, directly via ethernet. some MDI devices like switches do this automatically... but I would just try a switch with your regular cable before going out and buying a crossover cable as you can use any ethernet cable that way.

    one other trick you could try is to use an usb external wifi device with an antenna and then put that on a cable and fix it on or close to the MK+


    there are these: https://www.audinate.com/products/devices/dante-avio, you can route the audio via a switch and then link via midi.
     
  3. Noiseproject

    Noiseproject NI Product Owner

    Messages:
    100
    I have a crossing adapter, switches, routers and access points as well. Just was curious if there is any official statement about the LAN-USB adapters for Ableton link - not really much network capacity is needed for that.

    The whole trick is to avoid Wifi, when I will use my Maschine + in places where wifi is not allowed, possible, bad quality due to jamming because of many networks etc...
     
  4. ntula

    ntula NI Product Owner

    Messages:
    2,318
    have you been able to get the device to be seen by a router or on a network? I was not sure if NI had implemented that yet..... that is something I would like to do as well if I get one... I am not a huge fan of wifi for audio use..... I do not have the MK+ so I have not read it's manual... I am in the process of going full on Dante networked audio...
     
  5. Noiseproject

    Noiseproject NI Product Owner

    Messages:
    100
    I will try that today, yesterday I had very limited time, so I just grabbed the dongle, fast connect with some devices around to see if Ableton link will run, but nothing happened. I will check today with a router, switch and some other devices...
     
  6. maxmatteo

    maxmatteo NI Product Owner

    Messages:
    25
    i have a working lan-adapter with my maschine plus.
    see last comment here: https://www.native-instruments.com/forum/threads/maschine-internals.428627/page-2

    it basically has to be a linux supported USB-Lan Adapter.

    and yes it needs to get an IP address provided by a router. any cheap one should do.

    the documentation also says:
    "Instead of using Wi-Fi, you can also connect MASCHINE+ to a network using a USB ethernet adapter."
     
  7. ntula

    ntula NI Product Owner

    Messages:
    2,318
    I am not sure what kind of access it gives to the network settings for the mk+, but one could also enter a static IP address instead of using one generated by a DHCP router as long as it is within the range specified in you router table. if you want a direct connect for live use, enter a static ip for both devices on the same subnet and network, generally for ease you want to be in the same range as you would with DHCP.... xxx.xxx.1.1 - xxx.xxx.1.255. I usually set my desktop for static and my mobile devices as dynamic, the reason is so I always know what the exact IP address of my desktop without logging into the router in case I want to connect remotely or say even using an iPad Pro for file sharing. if you have to use a router, which could be annoying in live use as it is one more thing to plug in, there are many portable/travel routers and some of these you can even power with a usb battery charger battery that you would use with a cell phone, but they usually only have one wired port and the rest is wifi.... if you find a router that uses a usb charger, you can use a cell phone charger external battery a usb battery charger batter to have one less plug device and simple rubber band or tape the battery pack to the portable router... I use this method when traveling to protect my mobile devices from public wifi.

    I am planning on getting the mk+ in the near future....
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2021
  8. maxmatteo

    maxmatteo NI Product Owner

    Messages:
    25
    there is no way to setup a manual ip address on the maschine + ! it must get a dhcp ip
     
  9. ntula

    ntula NI Product Owner

    Messages:
    2,318
    it seems like that could be accessed if one is able to get access directly to the system... as is the system is probably set by default to DHCP.... lol, there is probably some secret startup mode that lets you access and configure the system... secret as NI tech support does not want to deal with it if you "break" it... though it could require "jailbreaking" methods to unlock...
     
  10. ntula

    ntula NI Product Owner

    Messages:
    2,318
  11. D-One

    D-One Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    10,075
    It's supposed to be implemented but might need more refinement to work with more dongles.

    Some USB ethernet dongles work, some don't, I doubt a Switch will fix anything.
    Someone from the NI office confirmed that the Apple dongles work, those are rather expensive being Apple and all but user maxmatteo confirmed here his dongle works in #post 30.
    That one costs between 5 and 10 bugs where I am from.
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2021