Android Sampler needed: User Samples + MIDI PC directly from BandHelper (Native API / No Bridge)

[Schulti]

Hi everyone,

I am looking for a reliable sampler app for my Android live setup, but I keep hitting technical roadblocks regarding inter-app MIDI communication on the same device. I’m hoping someone here has a solution.

My Setup:

• Android Tablet Lenovo M11

• BandHelper as the "Master" (manages setlists and sends MIDI commands)

• External USB MIDI Controller (to play the samples live)

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My Requirements:

• User Samples: Must allow importing own WAV samples and mapping them to pads/keys.

• USB MIDI: Must be playable via the connected USB controller.

• MIDI Program Change (PC): The app must handle incoming PC commands to switch songs/presets/scenes.

• Direct Connection (Native Android MIDI API): The app must receive PC commands directly from BandHelper running on the same device.

Crucial: I do not want to use an extra "Bridge" app (like MIDI Router/Connector). The app must utilize the modern Android MIDI API (Virtual Ports) so BandHelper recognizes it as a destination directly.


What I have already tried (and why it failed):

Koala Sampler:
The sample import is perfect, but the Android version suffers from background audio issues (it mutes when I switch focus to BandHelper). Additionally, its MIDI PC implementation for switching entire projects is limited compared to iOS.

G-Stomper Rhythm:
Very powerful, but it simply does not show up as a MIDI port inside BandHelper. It likely relies on legacy MIDI drivers that are invisible to other apps without a bridge.

Flip Sampler:
BandHelper detects the port immediately (so it uses the correct modern API) , but Flip does not seem to support MIDI Program Changes for switching patterns or songs.


Audio Evolution Mobile:
The app is recognized via Virtual MIDI, but the workflow for loading user samples (hidden inside the "Evolution One" synth or "Multi-instrument" drum track) is too clunky for my live needs.


The Question:

Is there an app (e.g., G-Stomper Producer, Zenbeats, Cubasis?) that definitively uses the modern Android MIDI API (visible to other apps), plays audio reliably in the background, and accepts PC commands for preset changes?

Thanks for your help!

[planeth]

Hi Schulti

G-Stomper Rhythm:
Very powerful, but it simply does not show up as a MIDI port inside BandHelper. It likely relies on legacy MIDI drivers that are invisible to other apps without a bridge.

Actually, all G-Stomper apps use the modern Android MIDI API.
To use G-Stomper apps as midi peripheral/extender, you must set the USB connection to MIDI.
Walkthrough can be found in the docs at https://www.planet-h.com/gstomper/docs/ ... part15.htm.

Regarding background playback:
G-Stomper apps are run properly in background, if the stop-lock feature is turned on (see https://www.planet-h.com/gstomper/docs/ ... /part7.htm) and the sequencer is running (even if no sequence is set up). With stopped sequencer, the background playback is not optimized.

Let me know if that solves your problem.

[Schulti]

Hi Schulti

G-Stomper Rhythm:
Very powerful, but it simply does not show up as a MIDI port inside BandHelper. It likely relies on legacy MIDI drivers that are invisible to other apps without a bridge.

Actually, all G-Stomper apps use the modern Android MIDI API.
To use G-Stomper apps as midi peripheral/extender, you must set the USB connection to MIDI.
Walkthrough can be found in the docs at https://www.planet-h.com/gstomper/docs/ ... part15.htm.

Regarding background playback:
G-Stomper apps are run properly in background, if the stop-lock feature is turned on (see https://www.planet-h.com/gstomper/docs/ ... /part7.htm) and the sequencer is running (even if no sequence is set up). With stopped sequencer, the background playback is not optimized.

Let me know if that solves your problem.

Hey planeth!

Thank you very much for trying to help me. In fact, G Stomper is my favourit choice, when it works. Your post made me try it again:


What I found this time:

Playing the app with a midi keybaord works perfectly fine (even) in usb charging mode - thats like last time i tried.

Background playin with stop-lock and running sequencer works very well too.

I found something new while trying this time:
When lauchning G Stomper Rhythm the app asks if it should use certain connection from connected keyboards or other apps. For testing i click on ok for bandhelper and flip sampler. on the attached screenshot you can see, that it says "Supported Direction(s): None"

Screenshot 2026-01-15 182652.png (571.42 KiB) Viewed 788 times

I think this is the problem. Have you an idea, what I can do to fix this?

Best
Christoph

[planeth]

Hi Christoph
It all depends on how you want to hook G-Stomper up with your hardware.

Typically, when you hook up a kb to G-Stomper, then G-Stomper is the host, and the KB is the peripheral.
In this case the MIDI kb must provide the virtual port over USB.
Unftunately, it looks like Bandhelper does not publish and communication ports. Therefore I think it's acting as a host software.

Try to use G-Stomper as a peripheral, as a MIDI extender, and the Bandhelper as the host.
This can be achieved by following this guide https://www.planet-h.com/gstomper/docs/ ... part15.htm to set the USB connection as MIDI once connected.
To avoid unnecessary connections when you physically connect the USB cable, first just cancel all incoming peripheral connections from the devices in your MIDI network. Once all cancelled, swipe down from the top and change the USB connection to MIDI, as shown in the above guide.
Once you did that, G-Stomper acts as peripheral, and Bandhelper is the host software. Means, the G-Stomper ports in and out should then be visible in the Bandhelper software. You could do the same with Logic, Cubase, Ableton for example. G-Stomper would in this case just appear as MIDI in/out ports in these DAWs.

The "inter-app MIDI" tickbox that you have activated just scans for virtual MIDI ports on the same device, when running multiple apps on your tablet.

From what I see, Bandhelper is a mobile app, correct?
Looks like it's available for Android. Is this the one? https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... bandhelper

I ran a quick test. I was able to hook up the G-Stomper device as peripheral.

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Then in Bandhelper, I see the G-Stomper Android device (it shows the device name, not the app name), and I can at least create a MIDI device. But I have no idea how to send MIDI from Bandhelper.

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