iPad Air Connection Question

[Electro Fan]

So my wife and I decided to purchase a refurbished iPad Air as both a Christmas gift and as in-flight entertainment for our 7 year old, as we are currently getting ready to travel to China to adopt our new son.

 

Now with this new toy sitting in front of me, I want to experiment with some music applications. I am not sure on the best way to connect the iPad to my midi keyboards. I have an Alesis Nano that that standard Midi DIN ports on one end a USB plug on the other. The iPad has a lightning connection so I want to make sure I purchase the right connector.

 

I Googled the forum, but most of the posts talked about Apple's CCK kit.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC531ZM/A/apple-ipad-camera-connection-kit

 

But is this what I want? I also saw this on the Apple store:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD821ZM/A/lightning-to-usb-camera-adapter

 

I could also connect to my Kronos or a future controller by USB midi, but would I need a different connector?

 

Sorry, if this was more clearly answered on a previous thread.

 

Thanks,

 

Bill

[Joe Muscara]

I know I have the Lightning to USB Adapter for my iPad Air and I'm 90% sure that's what I use when I connect my iPad with my PX-5S, but it has been a while.

[Sven Golly]

Do yourself a favour and get a specific iOS-MIDI-compatible connector; Yamaha, IK Multimedia, and others make these devices. All you need to do is make sure you select one that has a Lightning connector instead of the older 30-pin connector.

 

Also, I'm not sure what you're referring to by "Alesis Nano" ... they have a line of modules from back in the day... is that what you meant? Or do you mean the Alesis MIDI-USB adaptor cable, like this:

 

http://alesis.com/stuff/contentmgr/files/21/112a2deab622ce4bb6f5d7bf7fb92add/medium/usb_midi_cable_460x288.jpg

 

 

If it's the latter (even though it's not called the Nano?), then it should work with the CCK (Lightning version), your second link above, as it is class compliant.

 

 

[Electro Fan]

Joe and Sven,

 

Thanks for your replues. I was mistaken about the Alesis device, it is actually the UNO and I don't believe it is class compliant.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/keyboards-midi/m-audio-usb-uno-1x1-midi-interface

 

Would I just need the Lightning to USB connector and a cable with a USB type B connector. Maybe it would be best to purchase a Lightning equipped IOS midi interface as Sven suggested.

 

 

[Sven Golly]

If it's not class compliant, it will not work.

 

It's also an M-Audio UNO, not an Alesis Nano. It's important to be accurate in your posting, so we don't waste time giving you completely irrelevant advice.

 

You can get, for example, the IK Multimedia iRig MIDI 2, which will work with not just your iPad, but any computer you might have, and allow you to use existing 5-pin MIDI cables you might already have in your rig.

 

There are other options, of course, and undoubtedly dozens of forumites will swarm in here telling you why the one they bought is the best one.

[DulceLabs.com]

Congrats on your new iPad!

 

According to THIS LIST the M-Audio UNO 1X1 should work fine with your iPad. IDK - I tend to side with Sven, it doesn't list the iPad in the compatibility chart, but there's really only one way to find out...

 

You will want to pick up the Apple Lightning Camera Connection Kit. Give that a try with your Uno. You will want the CCK anyway to use with your Kronos and any other USB MIDI keyboards you pick up in the future. It won't go to waste.

 

Now to connect to the Kronos or other USB keyboard use a USB "A" to USB "B" Cable, aka a printer cable. Looks like this:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41SSFTGYDXL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

 

If the UNO doesn't work with your non-USB keyboards, then you will want to look at one of the manufacturer specific cables.

 

BTW- If you want to have a keyboard to take with you to China, check out the CME Xkey. It travels very well and beats playing the iPad's on-screen keyboard.

 

One final word: DO NOT go cheap and get a knock off CCK - get the genuine Apple model.

[therealvicz]

If you want to connect a midi controller or keyboard that has a Midi over USB capability then you can connect it using Apple's Camera Connect Lightening adapter Lightening CCK

 

You may need to go via a powered USB hub with some keyboards ( usually older ) or the iPad will complain about too much power being drawn.

 

If you are connecting your keyboard's Midi DIN connectors, some of these cheap and cheerful interfaces will work in conjunction with the lightening CCK Cheap USB to Midi

 

Or to be really sure something like this iRig Midi in which case you will not need the Apple adapter.

 

[Electro Fan]

Yes Sven, sorry for my error. I originally bought the M-Audio UNO for use with my Alesis Micron, hence the confusion with associating the UNO with Alesis.

 

Thanks DulceLabs for your helpful post. I found a USB printer cable at the house. I guess the Lightning to USB Apple connector is the most economical solution, but I am leaning towards the iRig MIDI 2 interface.

 

Thanks also to therealvicz for your feedback as well.

[DulceLabs.com]

Thanks DulceLabs for your helpful post. I found a USB printer cable at the house. I guess the Lightning to USB Apple connector is the most economical solution, but I am leaning towards the iRig MIDI 2 interface.

 

 

The iRig is a nice interface and will play nice with your 5 pin MIDI DIN-only gear in the studio. You will probably want to get a CCK eventually anyway: The nice thing about the CCK and a small USB keyboard is you can play just about anywhere without worrying about power needs. I play iPad synths in the car line while I wait for my son to get out school. While waiting for an appointment, I use an XKey and iPhone synth with headphones

 

http://oi62.tinypic.com/2lwuemr.jpg