Community member Richard Sanchez has put together this 'proof of concept' demonstration showing the Free Pro Tools Control App on an iPad working using EuControl via an Ethernet Connection with the Wi-Fi disabled.  The Avid Pro Tools control app is on an iPad connected via a Apple Camera Connection Kit, a generic powered USB 2.0 hub and Apple USB Ethernet Adaptor to a Mac running EuControl. As you can see on the videothe WI-Fi at both the Mac and the iPad has been disabled.

We have not tried this out yet to confirm this but at first look this is very interesting. You can see from the video that the iPad is recognised by the EuCon App and runs fully functional without any dropouts.

Much More Responsive

Richard has told us that in his view the connection seems to be much more responsive in comparison to a connection over an Ad-Hoc or a Wi-Fi Router (Apple TimeCapsule, no WAN connected), which is somewhat confirmed by these tests checking these times in milliseconds, (faster is better) showing minimum, average and maximum round-trip times.

Camera Connection Kit & USB-Ethernet Adapter
min: 0.645 avg: 0.709 max: 0.771

Wi-Fi Router
min: 2.110 avg: 40.281 max: 118.158

Ad-Hoc
min: 25.801 avg: 31.991 max: 31.933

Test Setup Spec

Here are the details of Richard's test setup...

• Apple iPad (Gen. 3, iOS 8.4)
• Apple Camera Connection Kit (Gen. 1 Model-A1358, 30-Pin)
• 7 Port USB 2.0 Hub (Powered)
• Apple USB-Ethernet Adapter (Model-A1277)
• Apple Mac Mini (Late 2012, i7 Quad-Core, OS X 10.10.5)
• Avid Pro Tools HD 11.3.2
• EuControl 3.3.1

Richard points out that this connection is particular useful for studios running a machine room separated from the Mixing Room, where a Wi-Fi Connection may not be stable or just too far way and so the signal is too weak. There is the added benefit that it's a connection with a much lower latency, making the app much more responsive.

So community, who is up for testing this on your own systems and reporting back with your experiences? Please note, you undertake any tests at your own risk. Neither Richard or ourselves can be responsible for any damage to any of your equipment. As Richard has tested it on Pro Tools 11.3.2 it would be very useful to test it with Pro tools 12.4. If you are up for having a go, then please do let us know how you get on.