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Troubleshooting (iPad)

Quick answers to the most common iPad-specific issues. For general DSP / preset questions, see the desktop troubleshooting page — most answers there apply on iPad too.

"I can't load an audio file"

iPadOS sandboxes apps, so Grainulator can only read files that are explicitly handed to it — usually through the Files app.

First, check where the file actually lives. Open the Files app and confirm the audio file is under iCloud Drive, On My iPad, or a cloud provider you've enabled (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.). Files that live only inside another app's private storage (for example, an old voice memo that was never exported) are invisible to Grainulator.

If the file is visible in Files but tapping the Grainulator waveform to browse doesn't show it, try the other route: open Files in Split View alongside Grainulator, long-press the audio file to pick it up, then drag it onto Grainulator's waveform. That drag-and-drop path routes through iPadOS's shared drop region and handles files from more locations than the in-app browser.

Supported extensions are WAV, AIFF, MP3, FLAC, OGG, and M4A.

"No sound from the AUv3 plug-in"

Three things to check, in order.

First, verify the host's audio routing. The Grainulator AUv3 slot has to be on a track that's actually connected to your audio output — in most hosts that means the track isn't muted, its output isn't set to a disconnected bus, and the master output is up. Every host has its own UI for this; check the host manual if you're unsure.

Second, confirm Grainulator is receiving MIDI. Grainulator is a MIDI-controlled instrument, so it only makes noise when notes come in. Play a note from the host's on-screen keyboard or a connected controller. If no grains trigger, the plug-in isn't getting MIDI — check the track's MIDI input routing.

Third, open Grainulator and make sure its own output level isn't muted or turned all the way down on the master section.

"Crackling or dropouts"

This is almost always CPU overload. Check, in order:

  • Buffer size too small. Bump the host's audio buffer to 512 or 1024 samples. 256 is fine on M-series iPads but too tight on older hardware.
  • Too many layers active. If you only need one texture, disable Layer 2 with the power button on the waveform.
  • Resonator enabled with short damping. Short damping times keep the resonator ringing harder, which costs more CPU. Either bypass the resonator or raise the damping.
  • Grain density too high. Density is the largest single CPU driver. Pull it back on both layers.

If the dropouts only appear after a few minutes of playing, you're probably thermally throttling — see the performance page for recovery steps.

"The app crashed"

Most Grainulator crashes on iPad are memory pressure on older devices.

Before anything else, close other apps from the app switcher to free memory, then restart the host (for AUv3) or Grainulator itself (for standalone). If the crash repeats with only Grainulator running, you've likely found a real bug — please file a report.

To send us the crash log:

  1. Open Settings → Privacy & Security → Analytics & Improvements → Analytics Data.
  2. Scroll to find entries starting with Grainulator-.
  3. Tap the most recent one, then the share icon, and email it to support@plasticfactory.com along with a brief note about what you were doing when it crashed.

"MIDI isn't working"

If notes from your keyboard or sequencer aren't playing Grainulator:

First, check the MIDI source in the host. The track containing Grainulator needs a MIDI input routed from either an external device, an on-screen keyboard, or another MIDI track. AUv3 hosts vary on how they express this — look for a MIDI-in dropdown on the track or plug-in slot.

Second, confirm Grainulator is in the right play mode. Grainulator has a play mode control that switches between Instrument (notes trigger grains at MIDI pitch) and Free (grains run continuously regardless of MIDI). If you're in Free mode, incoming MIDI is ignored by design. Switch to Instrument to accept notes.

Third, check the root note. Grainulator pitches grains relative to a root note; if the root is set to something absurd (very high or very low), incoming notes may be pitch-shifted so far they're inaudible. Reset the root note to a sensible value (double-tap the knob for its default) and try again.