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61 Note Full Size Keys USB Keyboard For iPad Pro 12.9
Hi - Newbie here -
I am a professional Jazz saxophonist and pianist. I bought my first Apple product, the iPad Pro 12.9", for reading sheet music and want to utilize it as the sound source for a portable 61 note, full size keys keyboard.
So I bought the Korg Module and Gadget....
I have a Nektar Impact iX61, which has USB over MIDI - not 5 pin MIDI connector.
The Nektar Impact does NOT work at all with my iPad. I'm using a lightning to USB cord with a female to female adapter. Apple said this is the same as their so-called "camera kit." It didn't get said "camera kit" since I don't like the thick, heavy 4" cord that looks like it will ruin my port. Apple said there is no electronics in their "camera kit" that would be needed for my application.
I bought Midi Bridge since that was advised on another forum. Same thing, the Nektar Impact does not work.
My application is busking - meaning street musician. I'm in NYC, and take the subway, so weight is super critical. I'm bringing saxophone, amp, etc., and of course everything is battery powered.
So....
Is it possible to use my Nektar Impact with my iPad Pro 12.9"?
I also have a Roland Aerophone (Star Wars looking electronic saxophone) that is also MIDI over USB - can I possibly use this with my iPad?
The eighty buck devices that Korg and iKeys sell are useless without a true MIDI port (unless I'm missing something....).
If I can't use my Nektar Impact, any suggestions for keyboards? Again, must be 61 full size keys - this is for playing piano.
Thanks,
- Jeff
Comments
By no means a cheap solution, but the Apogee Duet is a tip-top audio interface with direct connection to iOS devices via lightning as well as a USB port for MIDI over USB devices.
Don't have an answer for you here except that I recorded along w Chris Potter on his VERY FIRST recording date along w Bob Belsen and Dave Kikoski . (Red Rodney. Chris was all of 19.(only because u said u play saxophone ).
As far as I know and from experience, the only way I can get external USB Midi devices to work with the iPad is to use the Camera Connection Kit. I can see USB Midi devices either directly or if they are connected to a USB hub.
From he Nektar page...
CONNECTIVITY & APPLE iOS
As a low powered USB device, Impact GX works with all USB devices that feature a Class compliant MIDI driver. That includes all version of Windows from XP and higher, Apple OS X 10.5 and higher plus Linux (as long as a USB MIDI driver package is installed).
And if you are often on the move you can easily hook your Impact GX keyboard to an Apple iPad using the iPad’s optional USB camera connection kit (optional). Of course the Impact GX is powered by the iPad so you can work away for as long as your iPad remains charged.
I have an Lx49 which works fine for me with a powered USB hub or the cck with the USB and lightning port socket to add power to. I also sometimes use a Yamaha bluetooth adaptor udbt01 plugged into a USB battery so the LX is powered but connects to the iPad via Bluetooth.
It is probably power. Does the red display come on when you plug it into the cck?
I am using the Korg PlugKey and I just love it. It is drop dead simple to use. No cables - it just plugs directly into the iPad.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PlugKey?campaigntype=dsa&campaign=aaDSA&adgroup=984185277:DSA%20-%20Product&keyword=DSA%20-%20Product&placement=google&adpos=1t1&creative=175866237996&device=c&matchtype=b&network=g&gclid=CjwKCAjww9_MBRAWEiwAlaMJZq9nQdL3gynYAM55gTv2Yf0BYGnlRcmoYtTytT6eyJfoMqanfi8BxRoCcMIQAvD_BwE
Oops... I see from your post that you have only USB and no midi port? This won't work then...
You can use this (connected to your iPad):
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-lightning-to-usb-camera-adapter-white/7006933.p?skuId=7006933
connected to this cable:
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=5438
Connected to the Keyboard USB B port
Co
It will.
That won’t work.
It isn’t. The camera connector has internal electronics, firmware & all.
That’s the one you need. It won’t break the iPad Lightning port - those things are built insanely tough. Your cable will break long before the iPad does.
Your going to need the camera connection kit more likely than not. I can report that neither of my keyboards will connect without one. On the bright side they are not expensive and I have been using this same one for a couple of years now.
Whoever told you that nonsense from apple was lying. There definitely is hardware in the camera connection kits. You need them to connect class compliant usb midi devices.
None of these direct female to female adapters will ever work. And even if they did apple has patched out support for 3rd party cables over the years. At this point you need either the camera connection kit or the usb3 camera connection kit. I recommend the latter since you can charge your iPad as well. My m-audio keystation 88es and countless other midi devices work perfectly with it.
WoW! That's one hell of a line-up !
What instrument did you play with them?
I met Chris Potter last year. I asked him about living and practicing in NYC apartments. He said even HE wouldn't want to live next door to him! So I live in a house in NJ near NYC and can practice all I want. Great player, that Chris. One of the very few younger players that doesn't just play athletically.
-------------- >>> OK, I'll try the camera connection kit / USB3 version (I didn't know the latter existed). If there are special electronics in it, then it's mandatory. I'm not sure why Apple sees fit to only offer a short, thick cord with a heavy dongle on it - sounds like a recipe for port disaster, but apparently not? I do own their Thunderbolt - USB adapter, which looks identical to the CCK. It DOES put too much stress on the USB port. I'll have to buy a new, longer USB cable now as well - what good is a 4" cord for anything?
--------------->>> 30 bucks IS a lot for such a short cord, especially since a 12 foot USB cable will be 20 bucks.
Thanks everybody for the comments! Since this is my first Apple product, many things are like stepping into an empty elevator shaft! Good to know this forum has so many knowledgeable and helpful members! - Jeff
I connect and use both Nektar 49 and 88 directly (no hub) using cck all the time. Don’t know how long it would take to use up the iPad battery though.
I'm using ther iPad Pro 12.9 in portrait mode - so I'll have to use velcro to pin the CCK and a USB cord connected to it to the back of the iPad, as it will be sticking straight up in the air.
Not sure why you're worried about it. Been using the cck for over a year and it's not damaged at all. The cable part isn't extremely flexible so bending it might actually damage it. I'd just leave it hanging.
Get the cck USB 3. It charges at the same time as using the USB. I use it with a non powered USB hub also and can run many different keyboards/midi devices and my interface at the same time. It's worth it to only use apple cck's. Knocks offs are hit and miss whether they will last or work at all..
In portrait mode the cables will hang down from the iPad, no?
You can get the USB A to USB B cable to connect to the CCK from here:
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=5438
They have various lengths and are cheap and good quality.
The CCK will stick straight up into the air, thus requiring Velcro on the back side of the iPad. It can't hang straight down, as that is where the base is - I'm using Otterbox. It would be OK on a mic stand with a tablet holder, but I'm not bringing all that outside to busk. And for my grand piano, of course the iPad just sits on the music stand, so again, the CCK will be straight up in the air,. How can it not cause stress on the port? (in addition to looking totally ridiculous!) Of course, an actual CABLE (not a 4 inch weenie thingy) will be hooked up to it, and THAT will hang down, causing lots of stress. I view this as Apple's way of ginning up repairs or iPad sales once the port fails. Remember, I'm a Windows user, and every single USB port on every computer I've ever owned has gotten weak over time.
Yes, I have USB A to B, but now I'll need a new, longer (12 foot) one. Remember, this is for live performance, with the keyboard hanging on me keytar style, with moving around.
I'm off to Microcenter for that Apple CCK. Thanks everybody for the responses!!!!!
Drum Roll......... THE CCK WORKS!!! Yeah! Thank you all!
I also bought a 15 foot USB A to USB B. The Korg module and gadget sounds are excellent!
Now... I AM worried about the iPad Port. Does anybody make a male lightning to female lightning cord so that I can get the CCK farther away from the iPad?
Thanks again - the Apple techs did NOT know this...
FOLLOW -UP: I field tested the new rig tonight in NYC, and the Korg sounds rocked! NO LATENCY!