The latest multifunctional and inexpensive interface for iPad

swiperrr

Hi, there. Now I would like to associate my iPad with various external equipment.

Play mood or shape synth with USB-MIDI keyboard,
I would like to sync Polyend Tracker and Sunvox with a standard MIDI cable.
I need stereo line-out through a proper D/A converter while power charging the iPad.
So I'm looking for an interface for iPad Gen7 that can do all these at the same time.

Korg's plugKEY is nice. But It doesn't have only USB-MIDI.
And It is already 4 years old.

Could anyone please tell me if you knows the latest suitable equipment?

Thank you in advance;)

audiblevideo

What you need:

Powered USB hub
Phone battery charger
Class compliant usb interface
Camera connection kit
Midi hub (preferably but not necessarily a host)

All your stuff

Questions? LMK

swiperrr

Addendum:
I also would like to input Polyend Tracker's 3.5mm stereo out to my iPad and record it to ableton Live while doing real-time effects processing with Moebius Lab and Dedalus-Delay.

swiperrr

@audiblevideo said:
What you need:

Powered USB hub
Phone battery charger
Class compliant usb interface
Camera connection kit
Midi hub (preferably but not necessarily a host)

All your stuff

Questions? LMK

Thanks alot:)
I would appreciate if I could do them on one or at least two devices if possible.
Do you know such equipment?

celtic_elk

Let me ask the same question in a different way: is there another single-unit device that functionally replaces the Novation Audiohub 2x4 but costs less than the Arturia AutoFuse?

Kandavu

@celtic_elk said:
Let me ask the same question in a different way: is there another single-unit device that functionally replaces the Novation Audiohub 2x4 but costs less than the Arturia AutoFuse?

👍🏼 Novation Audiohub 2x4

DatGood

Hi @swiperrr

SYNC TO IPAD
Connect your iPad to the main host cable of the powered USB hub via Apple's camera connection kit. Plug the tracker into any slot of the USB hub via the USB-c to USB-a cable.

AUDIO
Get any USB Audio or Audio/MIDI interface. I have the M-Audio Air 192/6 which is both Audio and Midi. Plug the Tracker's audio into the input of the interface and plug the interface's USB cable into any slot of the USB hub

This hardwire setup syncs the iPad and Tracker and sends audio into the iPad for realtime recording and fx.

swiperrr

@celtic_elk said:
Let me ask the same question in a different way: is there another single-unit device that functionally replaces the Novation Audiohub 2x4 but costs less than the Arturia AutoFuse?

Thank you:) Novation Audiohub 2x4 is nice. The price is not high if used. But unfortunately it doesn't seem to have MIDI in/out. Arturia AutoFuse looks so good, but it's too expensive for my iPad

swiperrr

@DatGood said:
Hi @swiperrr

SYNC TO IPAD
Connect your iPad to the main host cable of the powered USB hub via Apple's camera connection kit. Plug the tracker into any slot of the USB hub via the USB-c to USB-a cable.

AUDIO
Get any USB Audio or Audio/MIDI interface. I have the M-Audio Air 192/6 which is both Audio and Midi. Plug the Tracker's audio into the input of the interface and plug the interface's USB cable into any slot of the USB hub

This hardwire setup syncs the iPad and Tracker and sends audio into the iPad for realtime recording and fx.

Thank you. M-Audio Air 192/6 is looks good and nice price . If I have this, a USB hub, and a camera connection kit, the system may be realized.

By the way,USB MIDI keyboard was not recognized when I used a Lightning/USB-A conversion connector of about $3 to play iPad with M-AUDIO KEYSTATION MINI 32 in the past. Should the camera connection kit be an expensive product from Apple?

MadGav

Third party CCK alternatives have a reputation for flakiness - Apple is more expensive but not that large a portion of the whole pie.

FWIW I’m looking for a combination of audio and MIDI interfaces, not bought yet but tending towards an ESI M4Uex MIDI interface (which integrates a hub, 8 ports which can be in or out) and Audient Evo 4 audio interface (2 in, 2 out, the 8 model doubles this). If I wanted less MIDI I’d be tending towards the MOTU M2/M4.

swiperrr

Thank you. First of all, I try to get a third party CCK which doubles as USB hub. I use Scarlett 2i4 for Mac as The audio interface now, so portable ZOOM U-24 also looks good for iPad. I also would like to apply Koala FX to Tracker

swiperrr

@MadGav said:
Third party CCK alternatives have a reputation for flakiness - Apple is more expensive but not that large a portion of the whole pie.

FWIW I’m looking for a combination of audio and MIDI interfaces, not bought yet but tending towards an ESI M4Uex MIDI interface (which integrates a hub, 8 ports which can be in or out) and Audient Evo 4 audio interface (2 in, 2 out, the 8 model doubles this). If I wanted less MIDI I’d be tending towards the MOTU M2/M4.

@swiperrr said:
Thank you. First of all, I try to get a third party CCK which doubles as USB hub. I use Scarlett 2i4 for Mac as The audio interface now, so portable ZOOM U-24 also looks good for iPad. I also would like to apply Koala FX to Tracker

swiperrr

書損

dendy

recently bought iRig Pro Duo and i'm very satisfied.

• it has audio inputs
• it has audio outputs (including headphones jack)
• it has midi in / out
• it's battery powered (eg. you don't need usb powered hub)
• it has packed cables with lightnig and usbc connector - so you don't need camera connection kit
• works with both iphone and ipad
• it's small, portable

For me absolute winner, best all-in-one solution for iPad/iPhone

Deskscape

I'm going to put in a good word for the MOTU M4 which I have been using: class compliant (but works with optional drivers as well), MIDI plus 4 audio in/out. Super quality audio and works well with iOS (but needs powered hub to do so.) The MOTU site has details and videos for setup.

https://motu.com/en-us/products/m-series/m4/

espiegel123

@swiperrr said:
Thank you. First of all, I try to get a third party CCK which doubles as USB hub. I use Scarlett 2i4 for Mac as The audio interface now, so portable ZOOM U-24 also looks good for iPad. I also would like to apply Koala FX to Tracker

Many 3rd party CCK alternatives don't work for MIDI devices. I tried a few and realized the time trying to get them to work then returning them was not worth the effort. The Apple CCK worked where others didn't. There is a 3rd party one I later found on Amazon that was less expensive than Apple's that works -- but it wasn't super cheap.

I don't remember the "brand" but there were a number of reviewers that mentioned using it with MIDI.

mojozart

TC-Helicon Go Twin looks interesting.

MadGav

@mojozart said:
TC-Helicon Go Twin looks interesting.

Costs more than an Evo 4...

mojozart

@MadGav said:

@mojozart said:
TC-Helicon Go Twin looks interesting.

Costs more than an Evo 4...

But less expensive than the iRig Duo Pro.

A potentially significant difference in features between these "portable" devices:

TC-Helicon Go Twin, iRig Duo Pro, M-Audio Air, etc. all have (TRS) MIDI I/O for connecting old school MIDI devices, while Audient Evo 4 does not do MIDI at all.

M-Audio’s new Air 192 6 shares the two-in/two-out configuration of the EVO 4 but adds good ol’ MIDI I/O into the mix too. MIDI may be bordering on ancient technology but it’s still relevant and useful so this gets a big thumbs up.

For a small (stationary) studio, I recommend a Focusrite 4i4, or greater if you need more I/O connectors. It is USB class compliant, has MIDI DIN connectors, and has excellent preamps.

rs2000

@Deskscape said:
I'm going to put in a good word for the MOTU M4 which I have been using: class compliant (but works with optional drivers as well), MIDI plus 4 audio in/out. Super quality audio and works well with iOS (but needs powered hub to do so.) The MOTU site has details and videos for setup.

https://motu.com/en-us/products/m-series/m4/

Is it true that inputs 3+4 have no gain control at all?

wim

@dendy said:
recently bought iRig Pro Duo and i'm very satisfied.

• it has audio inputs
• it has audio outputs (including headphones jack)
• it has midi in / out
• it's battery powered (eg. you don't need usb powered hub)
• it has packed cables with lightnig and usbc connector - so you don't need camera connection kit
• works with both iphone and ipad
• it's small, portable

For me absolute winner, best all-in-one solution for iPad/iPhone

If you want to charge or power the iPad at the same time though, then you need the CCK with the USB cable on the iRig. That's how I use my older iRig Pro, even though it comes with a lightning cable. It is nice to have the no-dongle option though.

MadGav

@mojozart said:

@MadGav said:

@mojozart said:
TC-Helicon Go Twin looks interesting.

Costs more than an Evo 4...

But less expensive than the iRig Duo Pro.

A potentially significant difference in features between these "portable" devices:

TC-Helicon Go Twin, iRig Duo Pro, M-Audio Air, etc. all have (TRS) MIDI I/O for connecting old school MIDI devices, while Audient Evo 4 does not do MIDI at all.

M-Audio’s new Air 192 6 shares the two-in/two-out configuration of the EVO 4 but adds good ol’ MIDI I/O into the mix too. MIDI may be bordering on ancient technology but it’s still relevant and useful so this gets a big thumbs up.

For a small (stationary) studio, I recommend a Focusrite 4i4, or greater if you need more I/O connectors. It is USB class compliant, has MIDI DIN connectors, and has excellent preamps.

I’m eyeing an ESI M4Uex MIDI interface, so I see MIDI on an audio interface as almost undesirable.

audiblevideo

@MadGav said

I’m eyeing an ESI M4Uex MIDI interface, so I see MIDI on an audio interface as almost undesirable.

What makes this a desirable product for you at $140

• a total of 8 MIDI ports
• Each port can be used as input or output
• Automatic input and output detection
• Multicoloured LEDs for status display
• Additional functions allow the interface to be used as a thru or merge box
• Powered via USB or via the AC adapter included
• Class-compliant - without drivers under Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 and Mac OSX (32/64 Bit)

the wood veneer?

To be less sarcastic, what is this units killer feature?

swiperrr

@mojozart said:
TC-Helicon Go Twin looks interesting.

Thank you @mojozart . I also attach importance to portability, so I'm paying attention to TC-Helicon Go Twin and iRig Pro Duo. Go Twin isn't selling in the region where I live for some reason (just released?) but the price is not so high.

By the way, I often see MIDI cables with 3.5mm plugs on one side, but do you know where can I get MIDI cables with 3.5mm plugs on both sides? If I had it I would be able to make a direct MIDI connection between Polyend Tracker and Go Twin.

But I didn't know the point. Can Dedalus, Moebius Lab, and Koala FX process and output the audio signal input from an audio interface such as Go Twin in real time? (I'm paying attention to these APPs, but have not purchased them yet )

mojozart

@swiperrr said:
By the way, I often see MIDI cables with 3.5mm plugs on one side, but do you know where can I get MIDI cables with 3.5mm plugs on both sides? If I had it I would be able to make a direct MIDI connection between Polyend Tracker and Go Twin.

But I didn't know the point. Can Dedalus, Moebius Lab, and Koala FX process and output the audio signal input from an audio interface such as Go Twin in real time? (I'm paying attention to these APPs, but have not purchased them yet )

A cable with TRS on both sides is just a TRS cable 😀 but there are actually two different wiring schemes for MIDI: Type-A and Type-B

https://www.midi.org/midi-articles/updated-how-to-make-your-own-3-5mm-mini-stereo-trs-to-midi-5-pin-din-cables

And then there's the difference in connector sizes: 2.5mm vs 3.5mm

Fortunately, Polyend Tracker, Go Twin and iRig Duo come with breakout cables, so you can connect them using standard MIDI cables.

Regarding audio performance, it doesn't take much horsepower to keep up with an audio interface. As you add more and more FX, though, you'll start to run out of CPU, and you may need to increase the size of the buffer, too, which will add millis of latency.

swiperrr

@espiegel123 said:

@swiperrr said:
Thank you. First of all, I try to get a third party CCK which doubles as USB hub. I use Scarlett 2i4 for Mac as The audio interface now, so portable ZOOM U-24 also looks good for iPad. I also would like to apply Koala FX to Tracker

Many 3rd party CCK alternatives don't work for MIDI devices. I tried a few and realized the time trying to get them to work then returning them was not worth the effort. The Apple CCK worked where others didn't. There is a 3rd party one I later found on Amazon that was less expensive than Apple's that works -- but it wasn't super cheap.

I don't remember the "brand" but there were a number of reviewers that mentioned using it with MIDI.

Thank you @espiegel123 I'm in trouble if the iPad doesn't read MIDI, so I'm worried that there are fewer USB ports than third-party CCKs, but I'll buy Apple's CCK.

@mojozart said:

@swiperrr said:
By the way, I often see MIDI cables with 3.5mm plugs on one side, but do you know where can I get MIDI cables with 3.5mm plugs on both sides? If I had it I would be able to make a direct MIDI connection between Polyend Tracker and Go Twin.

But I didn't know the point. Can Dedalus, Moebius Lab, and Koala FX process and output the audio signal input from an audio interface such as Go Twin in real time? (I'm paying attention to these APPs, but have not purchased them yet )

A cable with TRS on both sides is just a TRS cable 😀 but there are actually two different wiring schemes for MIDI: Type-A and Type-B

https://www.midi.org/midi-articles/updated-how-to-make-your-own-3-5mm-mini-stereo-trs-to-midi-5-pin-din-cables

And then there's the difference in connector sizes: 2.5mm vs 3.5mm

Fortunately, Polyend Tracker, Go Twin and iRig Duo come with breakout cables, so you can connect them using standard MIDI cables.

Regarding audio performance, it doesn't take much horsepower to keep up with an audio interface. As you add more and more FX, though, you'll start to run out of CPU, and you may need to increase the size of the buffer, too, which will add millis of latency.

Thank you again for your kindness.

I'm wondering, but if two of the five MIDI electrodes are NC and only need to transmit the three electrodes of the TRS, is a breakout cable necessary?

In other words, can the Polyend Tracker and Go Twin, or iRig Duo MIDI connections be made with a cable that has typical 3.5mm TRS at both ends?

mojozart

@swiperrr said:

@mojozart said:
A cable with TRS on both sides is just a TRS cable 😀 but there are actually two different wiring schemes for MIDI: Type-A and Type-B

https://www.midi.org/midi-articles/updated-how-to-make-your-own-3-5mm-mini-stereo-trs-to-midi-5-pin-din-cables

And then there's the difference in connector sizes: 2.5mm vs 3.5mm

Fortunately, Polyend Tracker, Go Twin and iRig Duo come with breakout cables, so you can connect them using standard MIDI cables.

I'm wondering, but if two of the five MIDI electrodes are NC and only need to transmit the three electrodes of the TRS, is a breakout cable necessary?

In other words, can the Polyend Tracker and Go Twin, or iRig Duo MIDI connections be made with a cable that has typical 3.5mm TRS at both ends?

I recommend using real MIDI cables with the breakout adapters that are included with the devices.

If both devices use the same TRS wiring scheme (TRS Type-A vs RTS Type-B) and they have the same size connectors (2.5mm vs 3.5mm) then a simple TRS cable will theoretically work. If not, which is probably the case given the odds, you'll need a TRS to RTS adapter and one or more connector adapters. And then you still might have to deal with line noise.

swiperrr

@mojozart said:

@swiperrr said:

@mojozart said:
A cable with TRS on both sides is just a TRS cable 😀 but there are actually two different wiring schemes for MIDI: Type-A and Type-B

https://www.midi.org/midi-articles/updated-how-to-make-your-own-3-5mm-mini-stereo-trs-to-midi-5-pin-din-cables

And then there's the difference in connector sizes: 2.5mm vs 3.5mm

Fortunately, Polyend Tracker, Go Twin and iRig Duo come with breakout cables, so you can connect them using standard MIDI cables.

I'm wondering, but if two of the five MIDI electrodes are NC and only need to transmit the three electrodes of the TRS, is a breakout cable necessary?

In other words, can the Polyend Tracker and Go Twin, or iRig Duo MIDI connections be made with a cable that has typical 3.5mm TRS at both ends?

I recommend using real MIDI cables with the breakout adapters that are included with the devices.

If both devices use the same TRS wiring scheme (TRS Type-A vs RTS Type-B) and they have the same size connectors (2.5mm vs 3.5mm) then a simple TRS cable will theoretically work. If not, which is probably the case given the odds, you'll need a TRS to RTS adapter and one or more connector adapters. And then you still might have to deal with line noise.

Thank you. I could understand

MadGav

@audiblevideo said:
@MadGav said

I’m eyeing an ESI M4Uex MIDI interface, so I see MIDI on an audio interface as almost undesirable.

What makes this a desirable product for you at $140

• a total of 8 MIDI ports
• Each port can be used as input or output
• Automatic input and output detection
• Multicoloured LEDs for status display
• Additional functions allow the interface to be used as a thru or merge box
• Powered via USB or via the AC adapter included
• Class-compliant - without drivers under Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 and Mac OSX (32/64 Bit)

the wood veneer?

To be less sarcastic, what is this units killer feature?

I’ll treat this as a good-faith enquiry 😂

For me - iPad compatible, 8 switchable ports (I’m likely to use 2x6, my dead Mac has total 3x5), integrated powered USB3 hub (Novation AudioHub in reverse!)

Downsides - not (1/2) rack, ugly (!), USB host support would be a bonus.