IPad MIDI/Audio Interface

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 6:09 pm

I have been using an iRig MIDI for a MIDI interface and the headphone port for the audio interface. It's ok except it will not charge the iPad as advertised. I don't really blame them since I have to use a 30 pin to lightning adapter and I suppose that could be causing some issue with charging.

In any case I am looking at getting a better solution, specifically one that charges the iPad while in use. I don't really want any battery only gear in my rig as it would get quite inconvenient to have to stop playing just to recharge a device. I am looking at the Griffin Studio Connect with Lightning or maybe the iConnectivity iConnect MIDI2+. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?

namnibor · Post by **namnibor** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 7:46 pm

A little late in this reply but have been quite busy learning new stuff. I just bought the Behringer iStudio iS202 which is pretty much like the former Alesis ioDock but for Behringer, it added steroids to the mix. I have the iPad 2 with the 30 pin connector, which works with this model BUT Benringer have another version that's functionally exactly same for lightening/newer iPads called iStudio iS202L.

Yes, it charges the iPad while it's in the dock, has midi DIN in/out as well as midi in/out over USB, two audio ins TRS/XLR with the option of pushing button for Hi-Z preamp, but both can be line signal as well to get any audio into an app that allows it, has two RCA inputs, two audio outputs, two inputs for expression pedal and foot switch, and even has composite video out, and **can** run on optional batteries, but in that mod it of course cannot charge iPad. The volume levels of inputs/outs, balance and headphone are ALL on the left side of the iPad on top and headphones out.

I learned about this from watching some of Vanderson's YT videos on the Analog 4 then the previous two videos showed what I had been considering, the iStudio....it only costs $149. USD and hve no gripes about it nor quality of build.
Robert

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:43 pm

Thanks for this info namnibor. This interface looks great. I will definitely have to look into it in more detail.

It doesn't look like the lightning version is available yet. I'm amazed at lack of support for lightning at this point.

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 9:38 pm

They're probably waiting for the iPad 5 with lightning which has a different size, so you can throw your (and my) iPad 4 out the window because Apple decided we should upgrade again.

Does the thing do SysEx? That would be a great plus vs the IODock which is still inexplicably lacking it.

csteen · Post by **csteen** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 1:08 am

I am planning on the griffin with lightening connector for my Ipad mini and it should work great indeed. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 3:59 pm

At this point I am leaning towards the Griffin StudioConnect with Lightning. It looks like it has all the I/O that I will need plus it's form factor works well for me.

I really like the I/O on the Behringer iS202L so that's still in the running.

The Alesis iO Dock is also in the running but they haven't even announced Lightning support yet.

I was also considering the iConnectivity iConnect4 but there are no audio ports. It looks like you would have to connect audio through a PC so they may be out of the picture for me.

I suppose which ever one becomes available first will win.

exm · Post by **exm** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 7:37 pm

Bald Eagle wrote:I have been using an iRig MIDI for a MIDI interface and the headphone port for the audio interface. It's ok except it will not charge the iPad as advertised. I don't really blame them since I have to use a 30 pin to lightning adapter and I suppose that could be causing some issue with charging.

In any case I am looking at getting a better solution, specifically one that charges the iPad while in use. I don't really want any battery only gear in my rig as it would get quite inconvenient to have to stop playing just to recharge a device. I am looking at the Griffin Studio Connect with Lightning or maybe the iConnectivity iConnect MIDI2+. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?

I am using the iRig on the iPad3 and it does the charging. I think it is because of the lightning adapter.

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 11:33 pm

I ended up getting the Griffin StudioConnect with Lightning so here's a short review for anyone considering getting one.

The base has a small form factor so it should fit anywhere as long as there is space for the iPad itself. You can dock the iPad in either landscape or portrait mode. The angle is not adjustable but it's comfortable.

It charges the iPad while in use and that was a must for me. But be advised that it will not work at all unless it is connected to A/C power. The power adapter is included along with several types of plugs. Note that no other attached devices can be powered by the StudioConnect so your midi controller must be self powered.

It has 5 pin midi in and out, RCA stereo out, 1/8" stereo in, and 1/4" mono in in the back and 1/8" headphone in the front.

It would have been nice if the stereo input was RCA but not an issue for me since I wont be using the audio inputs (at least for now). I would think that an inexpensive adapter should take care of whatever stereo connections you have available.

I'm using it with iOS 6 but I would think it works fine with 7. You don't have to install anything, just connect everything and you're up and running.

The lack of an XLR jack and phantom power could be an issue if you want to use a mic. But you could connect the mic to a mixer or audio interface and run the outs from the mixer to the StudioConnect.

The bottom line is that I think it works great and I'm very pleased with it. It takes care of everything that I need it for. I think it's a good deal for the price.

cbeeching · Post by **cbeeching** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 11:43 pm

You have the Griffin studio connect with lightning?? I've been waiting for some news on a release for ages, can't find anywhere to buy it though! I am in England so perhaps it isn't released yet. I'd be interested to know where you got yours from?

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 11:13 am

cbeeching wrote:You have the Griffin studio connect with lightning?? I've been waiting for some news on a release for ages, can't find anywhere to buy it though! I am in England so perhaps it isn't released yet. I'd be interested to know where you got yours from?

Yes, I have the Studio Connect with Lightning. Just got it a week ago from Sweetwater.com. I think you can purchase directly from the Griffin website too but you will probably have some added shipping costs.

cbeeching · Post by **cbeeching** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 5:30 pm

Well that's good news, been waiting for an affordable lightning interface that charges while Ipad is in use!! Such an important feature. Apogees the other choice but they are pretty pricey, good quality I'm sure, but pricey none the less!

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 5:58 pm

The Apogee Duet and Quartet looks nice and have a price tag to match (list $649 and $1395). But I would say that they are better suited for using the iPad as the center of your rig. When using the iPad primarily as a synth and/or controller the Apogee is a bit much which is why I went with the Studio Connect.

csteen · Post by **csteen** » Sat Jan 11, 2014 12:32 pm

I ordered a studio connect with lightning yesterday. It will arrive next Wednesday, the day after my birthday. I can not wait to start recording M50 into cubasis and use my strat with amplitube and jamup pro. Griffin announced an advanced model of this coming out but not until November of this year and I did not want to wait that long.. The lightning I found price reduced down to 88 u.s. dollars from the original 149 dollars. The one coming out this fall will be 299 bucks. It does not look perfect but looks more than enough to do what I want it to do I hope.

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Sat Jan 11, 2014 2:47 pm

Congrats on the Studio Connect and great price. Let me know how you like it when it arrives.

That delivery date of November for the new one is a surprise. It's so far out it's definitely not worth waiting for and by then specs could completely change.

csteen · Post by **csteen** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 6:51 pm

If I want to record my M50 into cubasis via audiobus I am curious how that works? Is there an input slot for the griffin ?so no matter what I use for an input goes into the input slot?
I also just purchased jamup pro xt, might I be able to run the korg through jamup for amps and fx?

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