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Best way to integrate the iPad into a desktop DAW setup?
I know there are at least three ways to bring iPad audio into your desktop DAW:
- using an iConnectivity interface that can create numerous virtual IO channels between devices: obviously you need to buy an interface (that isn't cheap)
- using IDAM (Mac only): only a single stereo input and a single stereo output
- using SideRack (Mac Only for now, but the developers said they are looking into making a Windows version)
Is there anything I've missed?
Comments
Not ideal, but a simple analogue connection between iPad and an interface connected to your desktop works. Really looking forward to a windows version of Siderack, if they make one.
The olsdchool hardware workflow where you record the outputs of your mixer and import the audio into your DAW. You can do this on steroids within AUM. It records to bars length which means that it's easy to create audio loops from sequences.
Ideally you'd have Audioshare, a Mac to use Airdrop, or cloud storage you can move the files to and access from inside your DAW.
iDAM audio is only one-way, from the iPad to the Mac. It does 2-way MIDI though.
One other Mac+iPad option is using continuity to drag and drop audio between devices. You can drag out of Ableton on the Mac, and into Koala or Loopy Pro on the iPad. Works in reverse too with some apps. Drambo lets you drag audio clips from the iPad to the Mac.
Another option is ADAT. If you have an ADAT-capable audio interface, you can connect a USB-ADAT adapter to the iPad, and connect that to your audio interface.
Was interested in your topic and stayed for the siderack page.
Can't understand how I missed that possibility because ive been searching for a while for a better integration of iPad and DAW!
Thank you!
I was thinking of real time options (as in my case the iPad is basically an fx unit first and foremost), but yeah there are different ways of recording and then exporting.
Same! I'm using a 4x4 interface for now, but would like to have a direct connection with more channels.
Thanks, didn't know that.
I've been on the lookout for options in this regard for a couple of years now. Was aware of the iConnectivity interface option but have since found a few competitive options on the market to consider: On the higher end you'd have the Rodecaster and the Mackie DLZ. On the lower end the JOYO MoMix & Icon Duo22. Also just found out about the Topping E2x2 OTG which spec-wise is capable at the higher end and comparable to those 2, but is cheaper than both and has a really nice headphone driver. I think it's safe to assume we'll continue to see this become a more common feature.
You can add the Lewitt Connect 6 to that list.
So looks like if your computer interface has ADAT I/O this is a great affordable solution: https://www.minidsp.com/products/usb-audio-interface/mchstreamer-box
I tried a couple of the iConnectivity 4x4 (Audio & MIDI) but found them to be too fiddly and sold them.
Not to derail this thread, but I think audio isn’t too hard to get into a laptop, if the goal is to take audio loops from an iPad to a laptop DAW and them finish the project in the laptop. That seems to be “how to be import audio into a laptop.” The hard part seems to be how to truly integrate laptop and iPad with both audio and MIDI and a workflow that goes in both directions. This is different from what the OP asked, so please forgive me for making this more complex. Our iDevices really have just one port (Lightning or USB-C) through which we need to charge and get audio & MIDI transferring both directions. Does anyone have success with such a workflow?
I am looking for a MIDI & Audio Interface that would have a decent amount of standard audio & MIDI jacks as well as multiple USB-C ports. I’m thinking along the lines of a home studio solution more than a portable solution. Anyone using something that fits that description?
On a side-note, I recently got a Roland Gaia 2 which has a USB-C port. I was delighted that when I plugged it into my 2018 iPad Pro via a USB-C cable, everything just worked. The Gaia 2 is MIDI Class Compliant, so no need for any sort of interface. MIDI and Audio are seamlessly transferred to the iPad. I hope USB-C becomes standard on hardware synths. It will be a feature I will be looking for.
This is exactly what I asked haha.
I've come to a conclusion that ADAT is the best platform-independent way of routing audio between the iPad and a desktop computer. Less wires, less latency. Just get two interfaces with ADAT I/O, and you have 8 channels going from the iPad to the desktop and 8 channels from the desktop to the iPad. You can even use the MCHStreamer on the iPad side, it's cheap and it only has ADAT, no extra analog I/O.
Oh! I misunderstood because you didn’t mention MIDI. So did you find an interface that works well?
As a long time producer, Mac and iOS enthusiast I have found the most stable way to integrate iOS and Mac is to use an Audio Interface with MIDI ports and SPDIF digital in/out on both your iOS and desktop devices. The SPDiF ensures sample accurate clockbsync of the audio, and you will have a robust cabled bidirectional MIDI connection. I’ve invested a fair amount of time into dozens of possible workflows and it is the route I would most recommend.
@Mouse_SF
What hardware/cabling/hub etc. do you recommend to connect to an iPad from an SPDIF interface (Focusrite)? Sounds like the way to go.
One of the workflows I really like is to keep iPad and desktop DAW separate, run them in sync over LINK, then only transfer properly cut audio loops from iPad to desktop over WebDAV.
I already have the transfer automated, now if anyone knows how to write a Python script to add any new recorded loop as a clip Ableton session view, that would be fun.
@musikeer
I use Focusrite as well as a few other sound cards and have great results. My iPad Pro 10 connects via lightning camera connector to a powered 7 port Best Buy Essentials USB hub. I use several controllers from Nektar Impact GX to ORBA to APC40 and APC Key25, sometimes the Axiom 61 mk2 from my main Mac rig, and of course TouchOSC the best goddamn touchscreen control surface software ever. One neat trick I have learned is not only do you get multiple outputs from something like a Focusrite 6i6, but you can also set up Input chancels and pre-process your mic/guitar/whatever before bussing it to your audio channel in AUM. I always connect my iPad sound card to my Mac sound card via SPDIF now and if you try it you won’t have to ask why. I will be posting a new version of my AUM/TouchOSC Template v0.6 this week on the Patch Sharing Page here on Loopy Pro Forums so keep an eye out. Here’s a preview of it:
https://youtu.be/X9aU9ieca0Y
@Mouse_SF
Thanks for the info, but still confused by "connecting via SPDIF". So you don't use the SPDIF output of the Focusrite, but use the LCC to a hub? That's how I currently do it, with an 18i8, but wondering how and if you actually connect using the SPDIF out of the Focusrite.
Nope, I ran out of money and sold most of my studio. Hopefully one day I'll be back to it.
Having changed computer at home for my music creation, from Mac (which was too old) to a Win laptop, I was very pleased to learn that my iConnectivityMidi4+ still worked as I had hoped, for bringing my iPad in to my desktop DAW (having changed from Logic on the Mac to Bitwig on the laptop), both for Audio and Midi.
As stated above, the iConnectivity stuff can be a bitch to configure (at one point in the beginning I was 99% ready to give up...I'm glad I didn't) and they aren't cheap either, but once you've done the configuration it is pretty much plug-and-play forever after. Today I am happy I have kept the device, it is The Solution for me in bringing midi/audio to/from my iPad/Bitwig.
Sorry, didn't bring anything new to the thread, but still, wanted to confirm that the iConnectivity stuff might be worth it, failing all else.