Elantric's iPad / iPhone Music Blog

Started by Elantric, January 07, 2016, 10:19:35 AM

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Elantric

Just wanted to have a thread to keep track of my evolving  iPad / iPhone Music setup.

For background don't forget to read these earlier threads that remain relevant ( but pay attention to the posting date!!)

How to configure iPad to use USB Audio / USB MIDI + TriplePlay on Battery power
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=10323.0

John Walden's IOS Music Blog
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=10050.msg121477#msg121477

Today I own quite a few IOS devices, and find the older members of my collection still offer too much value to re-sell, instead I re-purpose these older devices as test gear, or MIDI controllers or Strobe tuners, or Media players

Remember if you buy an IOS application, you only need to buy it once, and then you are allowed to re-install it on every IOS device you own. 

I was a bit underwhelmed with 2015 iPad Pro, and know that 1st generation Apple hardware should be avoided, because the 2nd generation typically resolves many bugs and typically is much faster.

Back in 2013 I wanted to get a faster iPad than my 2011 iPad 2, so I got an iPad Air 128GB Wife+LTE and paid full retail ($940) within the 1st month of release   but  I  keep it on IOS 8.4.5 to avoid the well known higher overhead of IOS9

During the recent 2015 holiday I located  iPad Air 2 64GB Wifi  with IOS 9.1.2 at www.Cowboom.com (a BestBuy company where lately Ive been finding the best deals for high end "open box / refurbished" computers most 50% discount compared to "new"   )

iPad AIR 2  runs all my music apps MUCH Faster with lower latency than my iPad AIR. But i quickly discovered 64GB is too cramped for me.

So I stumbled upon another yet another deal,  iPad Air 2 128GB Wife+LTE for $450, on Ebay and it just arrived - very clean, probably never used since it still has IOS 8.1.1 

So today I have two iPad AIR 2's (which I view as being far more useful than one iPad Pro) and as luck would have it  - I can now compare IOS 8 vs IOS 9 on essentially same hardware for audio latency , pops , clicks, lowest buffer settings in Aurai Pro DAW, BIAS FX, Yonac ToneStack. (Stay tuned for a report)
   

     

Elantric

#1
For my iPad AIR 2, I'm using this specific model case/ keyboard and its been the best  - and easy to snap the iPad AIR 2 out when i want to use iPad in my Focusrite iTrack Dock.

Belkin QODE™ Ultimate Pro Keyboard Case for iPad Air 2 (App enabled) F5L176ttBLK

http://www.belkin.com/us/F5L176/p/P-F5L176/

http://www.frys.com/product/8492928






whippinpost91850

Cool thread. Well I was going to wait for an iPAD Pro as well and was looking at iPad AIR 2 on cowboom also, but as Luck would have it I received an Ipad Pro 128gb form work for Christmas.
So far I've mostly used it for Set List Maker. I can actually read the Pro on Stage without my glasses (Hu ;DRay)
I'm finally going to have a couple of days off, and plan on putting Bias etc through there paces. I'll report back soon

whippinpost91850

I like this case. I've been looking for one that will do portrait as well as landscape

Elantric

QuoteI like this case. I've been looking for one that will do portrait as well as landscape

That was a big deal for me too.

if you order direct from Belkin you get $15 off your 1st order
http://www.belkin.com/us/F5L176/p/P-F5L176/

whippinpost91850


Elantric

Cant wait to hear more about your iPad Pro experience !

Quoteas Luck would have it I received an iPad PRO 128gb . .  So far I've mostly used it for Set List Maker. I can actually read the Pro on Stage without my glasses (Hu ;DRay)
I'm finally going to have a couple of days off, and plan on putting Bias etc through there paces. I'll report back soon

Elantric

#7
Many here work with IOS Music apps, and I have been comparing the performance of

2013 iPad AIR

vs

2015 iPad AIR 2


When using the 2015 iPad AIR 2 with IOS 9.2 and running latest versions of Positive Grid's  BIAS, BIAS FX, or Yonac Tonestack and  Fender Fishman Tripleplay Strat's built in 24 bit Audio USB interface + Apple lightning to USB Camera Adapter - I can run with a 128 buffer, and "ultra low latency, Stereo Mode, and have no problems  - no pops.

If I remove the Fender Fishman Tripleplay Strat's built in 24 bit Audio USB interface, and instead use the IK Multimedia iRig PRO DUO   I can run with a 128 buffer, and "ultra low latency, Stereo Mode, and have no problems  - no pops.

Meanwhile my 2012 iPad AIR IOS 8.4.2   I can run with a 128 buffer, and "ultra low latency, Stereo Mode, and have no problems  - no pops.

But forget about 2012 iPad AIR on IOS 9 ( or newer)  - I must run with audio with buffer set to "256" , anything smaller I get pops and crackles.

Conclusion: (no surprise) Use the latest Apple IOS hardware for best results


the chart below rather sums things up



Elantric

#8

VanceG wrote>
QuoteSide note:  I use this device all the time with my iPAD and iPhone and have never had it drop out even once.


Update: After reading Vance's report above - i re-ordered another one of these these Hubs  - it now has better packaging and i suspect its a bit updated compared to the version I tested two years

IT DOES NOT CHARGE the IPAD / IPHONE - But it is a handy IOS Lightning Hub for USB class compliant Audio / MIDI devices
http://www.amazon.com/Lanfeld-Adapter-Reader-Connection-White/dp/B00N00YBJS?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00






Includes the DC Power Cable, to make a Powered USB Hub


And you can extend the Lightning cable with this extension cable
CableJive dockXtender for Lightning 
http://www.amazon.com/Lightning-Extension-Through-dockXtender-CableJive/dp/B00KH09Q5S/ref=sr_1_2?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1460400985&sr=1-2&keywords=lightning+extension+cable

Elantric

#9
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=17658.msg125820#msg125820





It works with iPhone 6 Plus and ipads

Anything that worked before with older Lightning USB Camera Adapter still works with the new USB 3 version, with benefit that the new Lightning USB3 adapter allows the iPad  / iPhone 6 Plus to be charging during use. 

So far these all work

Fender Slide (Audio)
Fender FTP Strat (Audio) and FTP Dongle (MIDI)
Roland US-22 Duo Capture EX (Audio and MIDI)
Roland UM One MK2 (MIDI)

Sadly the Focusrite Scarlet 2i4 still requires the special USB Power Y cord and additional power supply. https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=9581.msg74428#msg74428

http://createdigitalmusic.com/2016/03/tested-apple-finally-lets-you-charge-and-use-usb-on-ipad/

Elantric


vanceg

Thanks for making a good clear post about this.  Yes, I've had very good luck with this item so far.  That said, I'm actually switching to something closer to your rig, Elantric:  I'll be using the new USB3 Camera Connection Kit which DOES allow me to charge the ipad while running audio.  I will connect a standard powered USB hub to that.  Then I'll connect my VG-99 or my RME as my audio interface, a Softstep (10 switches), two Audio Front MIDI Expression boxes (which allow a total of 8 volume pedals to be connected as MIDI controllers), and a iConnect USB to MIDI 'cable' (this is necessary only if I am using the VG-99 as it won't send MIDI over USB when it's connected to the ipad as an audio interface). 
It's amazing how much "support" gear these "tiny" guitar rigs require ;-).  Still, at less than 10lbs this is a pretty amazing size to power ratio.  If/when I end up with an iPad Pro, it's going to even get more interesting.

Back on subject:  I hope (and trust) that someone will come out with a USB hub product like this which actually powers the iOS device as well as acts as a USB hub.  That would be super slick... but it's barely a hardship to have to bring along a USB hub and the new USB 3 CKK and a couple small power supplies.

Elantric

QuoteThat said, I'm actually switching to something closer to your rig, Elantric:

Might have to remind me what that is? )

or rather my rig changes like the weather , Which way is the wind blowing today?

Elantric

I reported last week that IOS 9.3.2 was giving me grief on my 2014 iPhone 6 Plus.

I decided to Reset the iPhone and purge its memory of older IOS apps I rarely use, and now my iPhone is working really well
(Battery life is Much better now and the whole phone runs faster now and than it was before when I had 8 pages of apps installed   

I still have an issue with syncing via iTunes on my 2011 iMac 27" running OSX Mavericks. (I Hate iTunes)

I have a Macbook Pro 17" with OSX Yosemite and hope I have better luck there.   

Elantric

#14
Yesterday my "refurbished" iPad Pro 12.9" 128GB arrived, and its working great on IOS 9.3.2
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=3207.msg130231#msg130231

I have it installed in a Zagg SlimBook Keyboard, and the net result is it looks like a 12" Macbook Air. 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AWGYT0I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Great keyboard



I prefer it over the  Apple Fabric keyboard, as the Zagg provides the upper row of media keys, and more protection for the iPad Pro 12.9" during transport , and can be easily separated for handheld use.

I avoided the Logitech Create keyboard due to numerous reports its prone to scratch the Ipad screen when closed. 
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/HJDW2VC/A/logitech-create-backlit-keyboard-case-for-ipad-pro-black


 

Back to installing my IOS apps (Auria, BiasFX, Bias Amp, Bias Pedal, Tonestack , AUM, Holderness FX, AudioBus, Sampletank, etc.

Elantric


Codeseven

Quote from: Elantric on April 11, 2016, 01:38:06 PM
Might have to remind me what that is? )

or rather my rig changes like the weather , Which way is the wind blowing today?

Hey Elantric, so, what does your 'current' iPad rig consist of?


Elantric

Quote from: Codeseven on December 09, 2016, 06:00:58 PM
Hey Elantric, so, what does your 'current' iPad rig consist of?

Still using my "refurbished" iPad Pro 12.9" 128GB , and its working great on IOS 9.3.2
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=3207.msg130231#msg130231

lifereinspired

Hello!

I'm new to iOS music making and I'm desperately trying to understand what's we're going to need and, in particular, which DA converter interfaces will allow the iPad to charge while in use.

It seems that the upper level iRig Pro I/O and the iRid Pro Duo both allow this with the added AC adapter. The Apogee Jam/Jam 96 do not as most of the other similar ones in this class also seem to not. It appears if you go up to the Apogee One (for iOS) you can get it to charge the iPad.

However, in asking this on another thread here, I was directed to this thread. I'm trying to understand how you use the converters/interfaces that you use with the newer USB 3 Camera Adapter? From what I can gather, you can indeed use a few of those interfaces, via the USB 3 Camera Adapter and charge them while in use. Is this correct? If so, are you plugging these interfaces in via their USB cable and charging the iPad via lightning? Or are you plugging the interfaces in via lightning and then using the USB to charge the iPad? Sorry if this is a really basic question but I just don't know and I'm truly trying to learn. It's hard as there is very little info in one place for how to get started on this. Lastly, can ANY USB DA converter interface be used with an iPad via the USB 3 Camera Adapter or just some? Meaning, does it need specific drivers to work (or something similar) or will nearly any just work with the iPad? I cannot imagine that would be true but need to ask all the same. We have a Behringer UCS 202 USB audio interface (which I don't expect will work with iOS) but with the Camera Adapter, I just thought I'd ask so I can learn and understand.

Any information you can share in this regard would be truly brilliant. Thank you so much in advance! Best to all!

myksara

The Alesis IO Dock 2 is extremely good with many IO options for the ipad and allows the ipad to be charged while being used for music.
be sure to check what models it supports. I use an ipad air 2 with it. I don't think it will support the large ipad pro.

With alesis iodock 2 + Bias Fx + cubasis+ loopy HD + drum apps, the ipad is a killer rig for live performances (with bluetooth pedals like irig blueboard and volume pedals), one man band stuff and hobby recordings. Very inspirational if you want to quickly jam to certain loops or drums. Bias Fx has a tone cloud where tons of tones/presets of almost all artists are available that can be used as-is or with a bit of tweaking. Run it through a flat response/FRFR type speakers and its superb!
Before using your ipad as a guitar mfx, make sure, you  turn off the wifi/internet, reboot and use it that way. Internet in the background can cause apps updates to hamper the performance.
Guitars: Ibanez Prestige S5470, Ibanez Jem 7v, Ibanez JS2410, PRS SE Custom24, Cort  Ltd G16, Ibanez RG370Ahmz,
MultiFX: Roland GR55, Zoom 1on, BOSS GT00
Loopers: Digitech trio+, Line 6 JM4
MIDI:, MAudio Axiom24 keyboard, Alesis IO Dock with iPad air 2