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PadBridge 0.5.0

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@ThrowingSnow ThrowingSnow released this 21 Oct 01:03
· 7 commits to main since this release
v0.5.0
7a7591e

Turn a game pad (Xbox, DualShock 4) into a MIDI controller, a keyboard/mouse, or a network game pad for another computer. macOS 10.13+, Linux and Windows 10/11.

New in 0.5.0

  • Windows as a receiver: a peer's pad becomes a virtual Xbox 360 controller that games recognise (needs the free ViGEmBus driver). Rumble goes back to the pad in your hand.
  • The peer's pads, live: the monitor and the MIDI picture view show the pads another computer sends here. Optionally the receiving side turns them into MIDI with its own mapping.
  • Status page for your phone: switch it on in the Netzwerk tab, scan the QR code, and see pads, link, latency and MIDI devices live. Open in the home network; from outside (e.g. Tailscale) it asks for a PIN.
  • Easier pairing: copy the network key on one machine and paste it on the other ("Übernehmen"); no more editing files.
  • Service and window together (Linux): a window opened next to the background service takes over receiving and shows everything; the service resumes when the window closes.
  • One window: a second start brings the running window to the front.
  • Linux package for Ubuntu & co.: now runs on Ubuntu 20.04 and newer, Debian 11+, Mint, Zorin, Pop!_OS, Arch and Fedora (the 0.4.2 package only started on very new systems).
  • Windows: a MIDI device held by another app is picked up as soon as it is free.

All changes: CHANGELOG.md. Setup guide (German): DOC.md.

Downloads

Windows (padbridge-0.5.0-windows-x86_64.exe): put it in a folder of its own (e.g. C:\PadBridge) and start it. Not signed: if SmartScreen warns, click More info → Run anyway. Allow it in the firewall prompt for private networks. For MIDI install loopMIDI and create a port named exactly PadBridge (optional PadBridge In for MIDI clock), then start PadBridge. For a virtual pad from another computer install ViGEmBus.

macOS (PadBridge-0.5.0-macOS.zip): unzip and move PadBridge.app to Applications. Intel build for macOS 10.13 and newer; runs on Apple Silicon via Rosetta. Not notarized: on the first start, right-click → Open → Open. For keyboard/mouse output allow PadBridge under System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility.

Linux (padbridge-0.5.0-linux-x86_64.tar.gz):

tar xzf padbridge-0.5.0-linux-x86_64.tar.gz
install -Dm755 padbridge-0.5.0-linux-x86_64/padbridge ~/.local/bin/padbridge
padbridge

Pads need the input group, the virtual pad and keyboard/mouse need /dev/uinput; the udev rules are in DOC.md, part 2.

Network: both computers need the same key: "Schlüssel kopieren" on one, paste it on the other in the Netzwerk tab and click "Übernehmen". Use it in your LAN or over a VPN such as Tailscale only, never open the ports to the internet.

The user interface is in German for now.

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