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Launchpad X with iPhone SE2020?
Hi,
If I were to get a Launchpad X as a portable midi controller to use with my older iPhone SE2020 with lightning port, would I be able to connect directly out from USB-C on the Launchpad X into the lightning port on the iPhone SE2020, would that work in a straightforward way? I already have the cable, but I don't have the Launchpad X yet.
There will be other uses for it too, and of course, with my iPad as well, but not with my Mac, as I have the larger Akai APC64 with Ableton.
My main concern is will the Launchpad X work happily via USB-C to Lightning with my iPhone SE2020. Or will I need a hub, or a powered hub. I have an Apple USB-A to Lightning adapter, for my iPhone, so could connect from USB-C to USB-A then in through the adapter, but I still don't know if that would work. My ideal would be if I can use a direct line in from the Launchpad to the iPhone.
Also, would I need a genuine Apple USB-C to Lightning cable, or would any brand work?
Sorry, I think I'm waffling at this point. Help!
Comments
3rd party adaptors are just fine.
here we go:
Hi! You described my setup. You definitely need a powered USB hub.
Thanks, are you sending from the Launchpad X with USB-C to USB-A, then from the adapter into the iPhone via Lightning port? Have you ever tried a direct cable? I'm not clear from the photo, is this going through the hub too?
Hi, thanks. Darn it. Carting a powered hub around for my mobile setup isn't going to cut it.
Carting a powered hub around for my mobile setup isn't going to cut it. Does anyone know a way without a powered hub?
Or, how about something like the Akai Pro MPC218? As it's mostly for samplers which follow the 16 pad grid. If I can't run a launchpad without a powered hub, then what are my alternative options?
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4DFZTxRJgC/
I was looking to have a setup that was simple like this, but I'm guessing this guy's phone is UBS-C in. I don't know if it's an iPhone with USB-C or an Android.
Launchpad x and pro need power help. At least on lightning based devices , a powered hub or power source more powerful than Apple chargers are needed.
Okay, thanks. So I would need to cart a powered hub, and a power bank plus the cables with me to achieve this. Not quite the simplicity I'm looking for.
So it sounds like I need to carry a powered hub, plus a power bank to power it from, plus the cables for this set up option.
How about the ESI Xjam or the AKAI Professional MPD218? Is anyone using these with an iPhone with Lightning port successfully?
I don't think direct cable would work like you think it does. Basically, the direct cable can work if you're attaching the iOS device as a peripheral to a USB host. This occurs most commonly when you're connecting iOS device to a Mac or Macbook, where the computer is acting as a host device and the phone is seen as a peripheral. This is the typical setup for IDAM, direct cable Lightning to USB.
However, if you're trying to connect a controller to your phone, then your phone has to act as a host. In this case the wiring of the direct cable (USB to Lightning) will be incorrect, since the wiring establishes that the Lightning device is a peripheral. This won't work in the case of controller connecting to iPhone, where the iPhone needs to act as USB host, and the controller is the peripheral. That's why you need something like the Apple Camera Kit adapter, or a third party equivalent, connected directly to the iOS device; this reverses the wiring of the standard cables so the iOS device can act as a USB host.
With the setups that you've seen that work with hubs connected to the Lightning device, the crucial thing is not that there is a hub, but that there is an adapter attached directly to the Lightning device that reverses the pin connects in a standard USB cable.
@andowrites . We need to make clear that a USB-C to Lightning cable is no more capable than a USB-A to lightning cable. You can use it for charging, or for syncing and IDAM with a computer. You cannot use it to connect a USB-C peripheral device directly to the Lightning port. That still requires the "Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter" which you already have.
Thanks, I'll read that over a few times and wrap my head around it. It might well not be the solution I'm looking for.
By way of a followup question… would the scenario change if/when I had a newer USB-C iPhone, or used it with my USB-C iPad, or would that also still require a powered hub?
I'm just watching this, having finally found a video on the subject.
I believe USB-C solves the peripheral/host issues that were part of USB-A and Lightning connections. So you can connect directly.
However, the issue of whether you need a powered hub is a different issue. It's determined by whether the iOS device can provide enough power to the peripheral you're attaching. If the iOS device can provide enough power on its own you won't need to use a powered hub. If it can't then you'll need a powered hub (unless the peripheral has its own battery or can be powered directly in some way other than through the USB port that connects to the iOS device).
The USB-C iOS devices can provide more power to peripherals than the Lightning devices could, so it might bew worth testing out. You wouldn't want to jump straight to powered hub just because someone told you that a Lightning device couldn't provide enough power. A USB-C iOS might have enough for a Launchpad. I think Launchpads also have a low-power setting, which would be something to check. . .
Regarding "…You wouldn't want to jump straight to powered hub just because someone told you that a Lightning device couldn't provide enough power. A USB-C iOS might have enough for a Launchpad. I think Launchpads also have a low-power setting, which would be something to check…”
Not sure is this is directed at me, someone else, or NY in the video, but to clarify, not all Launchpads have the low power setting.
The OP was asking about the LP X and a lightening iPhone in particular. The LP X model does not have the low power setting. Nor can the iPhone SE provide enough power to the LPX. This I know for certain.
As for the USB-C iOS devices, I wouldn’t know.
With the camera connector adapter, I’ve been able to run my Launchpad x on my iPhone 11 without the need for external power, it’ll flicker occasionally but never drop the connection
My comment wasn't directed at anyone in particular. Just alerting that there are differences; it sounded like OP was considering a USB-C iOS device, and not everyone is aware that USB-C iOS devices are able to pass more power than the Lightning ones.
Again, nothing directed at you. Regarding Launchpad X, it does have settings to reduce LED brightness, or, I think, to turn LEDs off completely. I believe lowering brightness is the main feature of Low Power Mode in other Launchpads, though maybe they do something beyond that to help reduce power draw.
My old Launchpad Mini (the pre-RGB one with very limited colors) will run off an iPad, but only in its low power mode, IIRC.
i have not ever tried direct cable for one reason: 2020SE battery capacity is nowhere near high, and any external USB device would drain it really quickly.
so lightning to USB adapter that allows simultaneous charging is your best friend.
Thank you. I'll explore the options today.
I did test my Akai APC64 with my iPad Air 4 and it ran happily last night. But I'll have to see how it all goes when I get a Launchpad X.
Remember that, while a USB-C iPhone may supply more current to a bus-powered device, it still has an iPhone battery. So powering the device will shorten run-time.
Thanks, yes, that's not such an issue for me. This is for short runs when around the house and garden, throwing in a backpack at the beach, plus I always have a power bank with me too, tucked away in my backpack.