Getting started

TouchMe

Playtron

Synths & Software

Troubleshooting

If your Playtron device is not working, please go through all the steps described in this tutorial: check the set-up and Midi monitor settings. It helps in 98% of the cases. If your Playtron is still not working after the check-up, please send us 2 videos to support@playtronica.com (see below, how to record them), and we will resolve this problem.

How to quickly set up the Playtron?

1. Using an alligator clip, the user should connect a conductive object to one of Playtron notes connectors;

2. Repeat the process on 1, but this time connect the conductive objects to one of the two ground connectors of Playtron

3. Connect the USB cable to the Playtron and to the computer;

4. Open Google Chrome and navigate to synth.playtronica.com

Note: Chrome is the only browser at the moment that supports the type of messages that Playtron sends (MIDI messages), other browsers will not work.

It’s also important that the user only opens Google Chrome after connecting Playtron via USB to the computer. Google Chrome system just scans for connected MIDI devices once the page is opened.

5. Once in synth.playtronica.com, pick a synthethizer of your fancy, we recommend Dots Piano .
6. To play a note, the user should have his skin interacting simultaneously with both objects connected to the note and to the ground pins of Playtron.

For simplicity purposes, the user should use one hand holding the object connected to the ground and another touching the object connected to the note.

Extra step: make sure that the user uses a conductive object! Check this tutorial to learn more about conductive objects. Check this and this tutorial to learn more.

Playtron is not working. What to do?

1. Make sure that the browser used is Google Chrome (the only one at the moment with MIDI support);
2. Make sure that the user connected the Playtron to the computer and just after opened Google Chrome and loaded any of the online synths;
3. Most of the synths in our online library have a dropdown menu on the top right corner labeled as “MIDI”. Make sure that on this menu Playtron is listed and selected.

4. The user should have the hands and body well hydrated

For that, they should wash their hands and do not dry them too much. Another option is to use hydrating cream on the hands immediately before using the device.

5. Make sure that the user is grounding properly the device.
6. If the Playtron doesn’t light up when connected, it’s normal behavior, it’s only supposed to light up when played. TouchMe is different, it lights up when connected.

Playtron works like the switch that turns on the lamps in our house. To play a note, you need to create a flow of electricity that triggers that specific note.

That’s why Playtron has two extra connectors for alligator clips in the bottom with no note label.

These connectors are the “ground points” and you must be interacting with them while interacting with the object connected on a specific note.

Learn more about it here.

Playtron always requires two cables to work, one connected to the note and another to the ground pins. Make sure to have both connected.

How to test Playtron?

1. Make sure that the browser used is Google Chrome (the only one at the moment with MIDI support);

2. Make sure that you connected the Playtron to the computer and just after opened Google Chrome and loaded any of the online synths;

3. Most of the synths in our online library have a dropdown menu on the top right corner labelled as “MIDI”. Make sure that on this menu Playtron is listed and selected;

4. You should have the hands and body well hydrated. For that, you should wash hands and do not dry them too much. Another option is to use hydrating cream on the hands immediately before using the device.

5. Make sure that you're grounding the device properly. Playtron works like the switch that turns on the lamps in our house. To play a note, you need to create a flow of electricity that triggers that specific note.

That’s why Playtron has two extra connectors for alligator clips in the bottom with no note label.

These connectors are the “ground points” and you must be interacting with them while interacting with the object connected on a specific note. Learn more about it here. Playtron always requires two cables to work, one connected to the note and another to the ground pins. Make sure to have both connected.

I checked all the points above, but the device is still not working. What to do?

Check the connection of the device with the computer.

If the computer is a macOS/Apple computer:

1. Push simultaneously cmd+space, which will open Spotlight;

2. Type “Audio MIDI Setup” there;

3. With Audio MIDI Setup open, push cmd+2 or go to Window->Show MIDI Setup;

4. On the window that pops up check if TouchMe is listed with a brighter color.

If the computer is a Windows computer:

Go to the Devices Manager (you can access it on your Control Panel or by typing “Device Manager” on your search bar);

2. On the device manager, open the sublist labelled as “Sound, video and game controller;

3. If the device is being properly recognized by the computer it should appear on this list as you can see in the following images:

I can't find the device on the MIDI Studio (macOS) or Device Manager (Windows), what to do?

Disconnect and connect again both sides of the USB cable;

Try a different USB cable;

Make sure that the cable used transmits data and it’s not only a power cable;

With a different cable re-check if the device is listed in the MIDI Studio (MacOS) or in the Device Manager (Windows);

If you still can’t connect the device, try with a different computer;

Check with a MIDI monitor.

Checking with a MIDI monitor

Before trying a MIDI monitor, make sure to have Playtron connected before opening the application or website. If you use a website, make sure that the browser supports MIDI inputs (at this moment only Google Chrome supports MIDI).

There are multiple software, applications, and web pages to monitor if a computer, smartphone, or tablet is receiving MIDI messages. Below you have a list of applications and websites to monitor MIDI inputs:

MIDI Monitor from Snoize (only for MacOSX)

Pocket MIDI (for MacOSX, Windows and iOS)

Morning Start (online MIDI Monitor)

When you interact with Playtron with software like this open you must start seeing a list of messages appearing on your screen saying the type of message (on Playtron only Note On and Note Off), the MIDI channel, the number of the note played, and a number for Velocity (on Playtron always 127).

Let’s use Morning Star (an online MIDI monitor) as an example:

1. To use Morning Star online MIDI monitor we should have the device (Playtron) connected to the computer before opening the website;

Note: preferentially have the device connected before opening Google Chrome;

2. With the device already connected and the Morning Star website already opened, follow the normal procedures to play a note on Playtron;

3. When you interact with the device, the MIDI message (in the case of Playtron a MIDI Note On and Note Off messages) should be listed on the screen, as in the video below:

4. If up to here everything happens as described, the device should be working correctly.

If the notes are not listed as described above

1. Start by clicking the button “Devices” on the top right corner of the Morning Star page and check if the device is listed correctly there;

2. In case it is not listed, close Google Chrome, wait 5 seconds, and launch it again loading the Morning Start website;

3. If the device is correctly listed on this pop-up window, close it and open the menu “Settings”: on this pop-up window, make sure that the option to list at least "Note On" messages is selected;

Note: it’s ok if more types of messages are active as well. TouchMe only send "Note On" and "Note Off" messages anyway.

4. If everything seems correct up to this point, but messages are not being listed, the device may be faulty or something may be wrong with the website. In this type of case try another MIDI monitor from the list above on this page.

Note: other MIDI monitors normally have exactly the same way to operate as the Morning Star website even if they are a standalone application.

5. If using another MIDI monitor there are no messages being listed try another computer if possible.

6. If even with another computer, there are no messages being listed the device is faulty. Send us 2 videos to support@playtronica.com and we will send you a new device or make a refund (check the video instructions below).

How to record videos for support?

Please record and send us 2 videos.

Set-up for the first one:

1. Find a stable place to set up a camera (it can be a phone camera);

2. The camera should capture clearly the device (Playtron) and preferentially the screen of the computer where the device will be connected;

3. The video should start with setting up the device by following the steps described above on “How to set up Playtron?”;

4.  After setting up the device and opening all the software, show how you're interacting with the device;

5. Send this video to the support team to support@playtronica.com.

Set-up for the second one:

1.  Load a MIDI monitor (like the online MIDI monitor, Morning Star).

2. With the MIDI monitor and the device connected,  show what appears on your computer screen while interacting with the device.

Note: If using the Morning Star you should have the device already connected via USB to the computer when you open Google Chrome and accesses the Morning Star website.

3. You should continue the recording by showing the screen while following the steps described above in the “I can't find the device on the MIDI Studio (macOS) or Device Manager (Windows), what to do?” chapter;

4. Send this video to the support team to support@playtronica.com.

The user checks all the points above, but the device is still not working. What to do?

Note: These steps are the same for both Playtron and TouchMe.

1. Check the connection of the device with the computer
1. check if the device is recognized on the computer

If the computer is a macOS/Apple computer:

1. Push simultaneously cmd+space, which will open Spotlight.
2. There the user should type “Audio MIDI Setup”

3. With Audio MIDI Setup open, push cmd+2 or go to Window->Show MIDI Setup
4. On the window that pops up check if Playtron or TouchMe are listed with a brighter color

If the computer is a Windows computer:

1. Go to the Devices Manager (you can access it on your Control Panel or by typing “Device Manager” on your search bar)

3. On the device manager, open the sublist labelled as “Sound, video and game controller.
4. If the device is being properly recognized by the computer it should appear on this list as you can see in the following images:

If the user can't find the device on the MIDI Studio (macOS) or Device Manager (Windows), what to do?

1. Disconnect and connect again both sides of the USB cable;
2. Try a different USB cable;
3. Make sure that the cable used transmits data and it’s not only a power cable;
4. With a different cable re-check if the device is listed in the MIDI Studio (MacOS) or in the Device Manager (Windows);
5. If you still can’t connect the device, try with a different computer;
6. Check with a MIDI monitor.

Checking with a MIDI monitor

Before trying a MIDI monitor, make sure to have the Playtron or TouchMe connected before opening the application or website.

If the user uses a website, make sure that the browser supports MIDI inputs (at this moment only Google Chrome supports MIDI).

There are multiple software, applications, and web pages to monitor if a computer, smartphone, or tablet is receiving MIDI messages.

Below you have a list of applications and websites to monitor MIDI inputs:

• MIDI Monitor from Snoize (only for MacOSX)
• Pocket MIDI (for MacOSX, Windows and iOS)
• Morning Start (online MIDI Monitor)

When you interact with Playtron or TouchMe with software like this open you must start seeing a list of messages appearing on your screen saying the type of message (on Playtron and TouchMe only Note On and Note Off), the MIDI channel, the number of the note played, and a number for Velocity (on Playtron and TouchMe always 127).

Let’s use Morning Star (an online MIDI monitor) as an example:

1. To use Morning Star online MIDI monitor we should have the device (TouchMe or Playtron) connected to the computer before opening the website.

Note: preferentially have the device connected before opening Google Chrome;

2. With the device already connected and the Morning Star website already opened, follow the normal procedures to play a note on Playtron or TouchMe;
3. When you interact with the device, the MIDI message (in the case of Playtron and TouchMe a MIDI Note On and Note Off messages) should be listed on the screen, as in the video below:
4. If up to here everything happens as described, the device should be working correctly.

Note: this is not the best troubleshooting tool in cases like the Playtron triggering multiple notes, for example, since all the notes will be listed anyway.

If the notes are not listed as described above

1. Start by clicking the button “Devices” on the top right corner of the Morning Star page and check if the device is listed correctly there:

2. In case it is not listed, close Google Chrome, wait 5 seconds, and launch it again loading the Morning Start website;
3. If the device is correctly listed on this pop-up window, close it and open the menu “Settings”:
1. On this pop-up window, make sure that the option to list at least "Note On" messages is selected

Note: it’s ok if more types of messages are active as well. Playtron and TouchMe only send "Note On" and "Note Off" messages anyway.

4. If everything seems correct up to this point, but messages are not being listed, the device may be faulty or something may be wrong with the website. In this type of case tell the user to try another MIDI monitor from the list above on this page.

Note: other MIDI monitors normally have exactly the same way to operate as the Morning Star website even if they are a standalone application.

5. If using another MIDI monitor there are no messages being listed ask the user to try another computer if possible.
6. If even with another computer, there are no messages being listed the device is faulty. If the user is not able to try another computer, it’s ok to give the device as faulty (the probability that it is faulty at that point is extremely high)

Hope this tutorial helped you to start playing on Playtron! If you can’t find the answer to your question in this tutorial, feel free to ask on the “Playtronica Friends” Facebook group.