MIDI options for the lightning port

Waveform

Hi all, I bought my first iPad recently, the iPad Air and I'm amazed at the potential with audiobus and IAA.

I would like to explore the midi options available with the lightning port.

Anyone using 3rd party cables, extenders, camera connection kits or adapters?

I had a bad experience today with a 3rd party CCK that I will put in my 2nd post.

What I would like to avoid is having an adapter sticking directly out of the iPad i.e. - adapters that lack a cable,
as they can break easily.

So the official Apple CCK is in as it has a short cable:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD821ZM/A/lightning-to-usb-camera-adapter?find=Camera+

I have an E-mu Xboard 61 usb midi keyboard I can use this with.

The IRig MIDI is another option provided I use it with the official lightning to 30 pin cable:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD824ZM/A/lightning-to-30-pin-adapter-02-m?find=Lightning+

Does anyone know if the IRig MIDI works this way for sure?

I've an Alesis Ion and Novation KS4 i can use with iRig midi.

The iConnectMidi 2 seems like the granddaddy of midi interfaces for the iPad but it also means you need somewhere to rest it!

I like how the iRig and iconnectMIdi both allow you to charge iPad while in use.

Is there any sort of adapter that let's you charge the iPad and use a CCK?

Would really appreciate your thoughts!

funjunkie27

Have you considered wireless? There are a number of ways to set up an adhoc wifi network. Bluetooth LE is also another possibility.

Waveform

So this is the 3rd party CCK that came today:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00CUF57DS/ref=pe_385721_37038051_TE_dp_1

(I know the generic usb midi adapter on the right is not recommended but I said I'd try for the price, and it is handy to have for use with the PC.)

So anyway after trying out the CCK I noticed that the iPad blue screened a few times and restarted while connecting storage devices.
After a while I was able to playback a video stored on an SD card I inserted, but half way through an error came up saying it could not connect to the camera kit.

This was all fine until I actually tried removing the device from the iPad and this happened:

I could not believe that after a minute of use the connector came apart!!!
I noticed that the lightning connector is very tight when you push it in compared to the official usb cable that came with the iPad air. I have since demanded a refund.

Anyway I tried hooking up the E-mu Xboard to the USB port and the Xboard powered up fine.

Launched synthesia, no device appeared in the list, no response from the keys.
I also tried Sample Tank free, Magellan, MiniSynth 2 and no joy, no response from the keys.

I powered the xboard with batteries and still no luck, and even tried powering it with a 5v dc adapter.

I also tried it via the usb midi adapter, and the Alesis ion via the usb midi adapter.

Still no response, all keyboards were set to midi channel 1, and midi output was enabled on both.

I can conclude that this 3rd party CCK does not support midi via usb.

Another thing worth noting, the Alesis ion and the usb midi adapter worked fine on my PC, however the Xboard failed to work via the usb midi adapter on the PC - xboard midi out connected to usb midi adapters midi in.

E-mu sell their only midi interface, so maybe they don't want you using a generic one.

Waveform

@funjunkie27 said:

Have you considered wireless? There are a number of ways to set up an adhoc wifi network. Bluetooth LE is also another possibility.

Thanks for the response! I would like to avoid having to rely on using a PC or laptop to be able to use midi on the iPad, as I would prefer a direct connection. While I'm waiting on a solution I might try this out though.

I did not know that Bluetooth was another option, will look into it thanks!

SpookyZoo

Hi @Waveform I absolutely love my E-mu Xboard 61...not seen many other members using it.

As for your question. I've been using the irig midi with the apple lightning adapter. It works very well. The only thing with the irig midi is that since iOS 6 (previously used it with the iPhone on iOS 5), is that it sometimes needs to be taken out and plugged back in when opening an app that wasn't awake in the background.

Maybe some other users can back this up? I know a few others over at IPad Musician facebook group had encountered it.

But I still think it could be a great option for you.

SpookyZoo

Need to check for sure, but I've been having issues trying to charge iPad via iRig Midi. iPhone still charges ok that way.

[Deleted User]

Apollo is the future

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/apollo-midi-over-bluetooth/id720942905?mt=8

I connect my Samson Carbon 49 to my iPhone 5 using Apple CCK adapter and connect this wirelessly via Apollo to my ipad..works great with no noticeable latency and no wires into ipad

SidewaysGrin

I use one of those cheap silver USB to midi cables from amazon and it has always worked fine for me with the CCK.

Waveform

Thanks a lot for the responses guys!

@SpookyZoo said:

Need to check for sure, but I've been having issues trying to charge iPad via iRig Midi. iPhone still charges ok that way.

It's great to hear about the issues. I wonder is the charging issue specific to the newer iPads with lightning connectors, maybe the lightning to 30 pin adapter doesn't support charging this way?

@SidewaysGrin said:

I use one of those cheap silver USB to midi cables from amazon and it has always worked fine for me with the CCK.

Great to hear the cheapos are working fine!

You know I think I might just go ahead and order the official CCK and use it this way! It's certainly the cheapest way, and it also allows me to connect the Xboard 61 via usb which I can't do with the irig midi.

It's a shame ik multimedia have not released an irig midi for the newer iPads yet.

SecretBaseDesign

@DaveMagoo said:

Apollo is the future

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/apollo-midi-over-bluetooth/id720942905?mt=8

I connect my Samson Carbon 49 to my iPhone 5 using Apple CCK adapter and connect this wirelessly via Apollo to my ipad..works great with no noticeable latency and no wires into ipad

I sure hope so! Lots of stuff happening at the base over the winter break. Good times, good times!