iOS, iPhone, iPad and music 101

[adambomb]

There are interfaces for the iPad; the Griffen one and Alesis one. It is just that Apple changes the connector and adapters are needed. My guess is that for the Alesis at least, the snug fit is compromised. Maybe with the Griffen, because the iPad is vertical, it can still sit relatively well in the base.

thats the only major complaint that i have about ios devices the only way to connect is through the 30 pin or now the lightning port .... or .... the stupid headphone jack. how about just making the headphone jack a headphone jack. and not implement a mic jack into it.

or how about this... i know that for marketing purposes they want to continue to say, " the new iPad is now .002 millimeters slimmer than the previous iPad." You know what ..... no one cares about how slim it is... to me slimmer means easier to break.

i say have the thing to be a little more thick and sturdy and give us two usb jacks an in port and an out port and a fire wire port and scrap the 30 pin / lightning port and put in a power connector port for charging.

wouldnt that get rid of a mountain of problems....
and being thicker would allow for more battery.
and pluging the thing in would allow for those usb port to be powered 2.0 ports.

 

[Rip Topaz]

I would be happy if there was simply a headphone jack (for people who don't use the device like we do!!), two USB ports, maybe FireWire but that's a bit extreme, and maybe a digital out.

As long as everyone gets on board and makes a UNIVERSAL way to get audio in and out of iOS devices, it'll be fine.

The problem is that the technology is so new that there isn't an accepted way of doing things yet.

We need Apogee to add digital output to the Jam, and then it's game on!!

 

[Rip Topaz]

Oh, and charging.

So here's what we need:

A 30-pin interface that has audio in AND out, that doesn't take a million adapters to make it work, an allows you to charge your device while using it!

 

[DeltaPhoenix]

I want a Lightning interface with 2 1/4"audio ins, 2 XLR w/preamps, Midi in and out and USB 2.0, 2 balanced 1/4" outputs that charges my iPad 4 too.

 

[adambomb]

I want a Lightning interface with 2 1/4"audio ins, 2 XLR w/preamps, Midi in and out and USB 2.0, 2 balanced 1/4" outputs that charges my iPad 4 too.

The problem is that apple changes the only I/O on the thing making the interfaces like the Alesis I/O dock people and other developers go aghghggghgggg!!!!!!!

And me too because all the developers and products to now be made are going to stop with 30 pin development. Which means only working on lightning port devices.

So us that have the 30pin devices are just out of luck with out upgrading to a lightning device. So even though my iPad2 has the capability I won't be able to use any of the new devices to come out that has a lot of the great features that we all want.

 

[Duke21]

Dunno. Are we talking iPod or iPad? I don't have either, so I can't help there, but Duke has an iPad so he may be able to help you there.

Or try emailing Positive Grid's support: [email protected]
I am sure they'll have an answer for you very quickly.

Sorry I can't help more. Hopefully you'll get the answer soon.

No blank pages on iPad.

 

[DeltaPhoenix]

The problem is that apple changes the only I/O on the thing making the interfaces like the Alesis I/O dock people and other developers go aghghggghgggg!!!!!!!

And me too because all the developers and products to now be made are going to stop with 30 pin development. Which means only working on lightning port devices.

So us that have the 30pin devices are just out of luck with out upgrading to a lightning device. So even though my iPad2 has the capability I won't be able to use any of the new devices to come out that has a lot of the great features that we all want.

I am sure it makes some manufacturers weary of developing hardware for this platform. I don't care about the Lightning port at all, I just wanted the A6 processor...

 

[Rip Topaz]

Apple just needs to pick a connector and stick with it!!

Or better yet, stop trying to reinvent the wheel and stay with industry standards.

I realize that the size is a factor but the 30-pin was just fine. I mean, how thin do we really need our devices? I have an iPhone 4S, and when I got it I thought that was thin.

With the 30-pin, it wasn't perfect but at least it left room for other manufacturers to develop compatible connectors. The 30-pin to USB cable should've been where it stopped for connections. The only reason for the lightening connector is that Apple wanted to keep making their devices thinner.

I'm still going to be replacing my Irig (yup, I'm still using the Irig) with the Apogee Jam. Even though it doesn't have audio outs and I'm stuck using the headphone jack, I'm still getting a much better tone than I was even with my real amp.

 

[adambomb]

Apple just needs to pick a connector and stick with it!!

+1

The 30-pin to USB cable should've been where it stopped for connections. The only reason for the lightening connector is that Apple wanted to keep making their devices thinner.

They should have just used a standard connector to begin with. That was an IK move to get an extra few more bucks out of everyone for the "new connector" so you have to buy something else.

I'm still going to be replacing my Irig (yup, I'm still using the Irig) with the Apogee Jam. Even though it doesn't have audio outs and I'm stuck using the headphone jack, I'm still getting a much better tone than I was even with my real amp.

If you love your tone now...When you do finally go 30 pin.......you will lose your mind about how much better it is. Don't get me wrong the irig is a very functional tool that CAN be used live. I did it for quite a while. ....but you will hear angels sing """"Lahhhhhhhhhh"""""" when you hear the difference. And the trying to get the hiss to back off will be gone and you will never have to put the noise filter in front of your chain ever again. Dude you will love it the most.

 

[Rip Topaz]

See now you got me all excited about it again, and I still gotta wait for tax time to get my Jam!!!

Time to hit the basement and annoy the neighbors.

 

[BigBeatNut]

i say have the thing to be a little more thick and sturdy and give us two usb jacks an in port and an out port and a fire wire port and scrap the 30 pin / lightning port and put in a power connector port for charging.

wouldnt that get rid of a mountain of problems....
and being thicker would allow for more battery.
and pluging the thing in would allow for those usb port to be powered 2.0 ports.

Sounds a bit like a macbook air.

I would be happy if there was simply a headphone jack (for people who don't use the device like we do!!), two USB ports, maybe FireWire but that's a bit extreme, and maybe a digital out.

Macbook Air ?

I want a Lightning interface with 2 1/4"audio ins, 2 XLR w/preamps, Midi in and out and USB 2.0, 2 balanced 1/4" outputs that charges my iPad 4 too.

Macbook Air again ?

I could be wrong but I suspect that Apple would think that the combo of Macbook Air thickness, connectivity, and flexibiity in combination with the iPads screen size might be a bit niche.

 

[SteveC]

anyone still using their 'old' ipad 1? My wife got the newest Ipad version for christmas and I got her old one .

I'm just lookin at using it for charts, real books, etc. No music production or bass input, just strictly researching all the igigbook, irealb, onsong, etc. programs discussed here on tb. Mainly need real books and be able to add some of my paper charts, I'm assuming I'd scan to pdfs then import into one of these programs (?)

would these programs work fine on the original ipad?

I used an iPad 1 for all of this. I have real book pdf's, I have iRealb which is fantastic. I use Good Reader, Music Stand for church, etc. Works fine. I did go to an iPad 3 because the display is so nice.

Apple just needs to pick a connector and stick with it!!

I mean, how thin do we really need our devices? I have an iPhone 4S, and when I got it I thought that was thin.

I think they did.

We need them as thin as possible...at least that's what Apple thinks according to what people ask for, right.

Thinner, lighter, sexier...that's what we all want.

The connector thing is an issue, but Apple and others will always look for ways to make stuff smaller. We plan on buying new iPads and iPhones in March - at least if the rumors are true. We have iPhone 4's and iPad 3's right now. We don't want multiple connectors around the house so if the new iPad is significantly lighter and faster than what we have we'll get one and an iPhone 5 at the same time. All the same connectors. Just like Apple wants us to do.

 

[Kubicki440]

thats the only major complaint that i have about ios devices the only way to connect is through the 30 pin or now the lightning port .... or .... the stupid headphone jack. how about just making the headphone jack a headphone jack. and not implement a mic jack into it.

or how about this... i know that for marketing purposes they want to continue to say, " the new iPad is now .002 millimeters slimmer than the previous iPad." You know what ..... no one cares about how slim it is... to me slimmer means easier to break.

i say have the thing to be a little more thick and sturdy and give us two usb jacks an in port and an out port and a fire wire port and scrap the 30 pin / lightning port and put in a power connector port for charging.

wouldnt that get rid of a mountain of problems....
and being thicker would allow for more battery.
and pluging the thing in would allow for those usb port to be powered 2.0 ports.

+1

 

[AaronMB]

The problem is that apple changes the only I/O on the thing making the interfaces like the Alesis I/O dock people and other developers go aghghggghgggg!!!!!!!

And me too because all the developers and products to now be made are going to stop with 30 pin development. Which means only working on lightning port devices.

So us that have the 30pin devices are just out of luck with out upgrading to a lightning device. So even though my iPad2 has the capability I won't be able to use any of the new devices to come out that has a lot of the great features that we all want.

Proprietary-esque connection(s) are nothing new. It just sucks for the user and sometimes makes it trickier for product developers but it works for them all: we must spend [more] money. This won't change. Because of market saturation, though, I think it would suit them (developers other than Apple) to implement 30pin and Lightening connection options into new devices, at least for a while longer, as long as it makes them money.Then they'll hold out with the Lightening adapter as long as they can, until that gets replaced with the next best thing...

But accessories are sometimes a good thing. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. And here's what they say about it, and the original adapter, on their page:

The iO Dock is fully certified by Apple to work with iPad, iPad 2 and iPad (3rd gen). If you’re using the iO Dock with the original iPad, you don’t need an adapter.

Currently, the iO Dock comes with a black iPad 2 adapter in the box. This new adapter, pictured above, is gray and fits both iPad 2 and iPad (3rd gen). With this adapter, your iPad 2 or iPad (3rd gen) will fit seamlessly into your iO Dock.

 

[smeet]

This is on my "Wish List" from the hardware companies as well.

Think about it. The Apogee Jam right now is the flagship iOS interface (for iPhone, anyway), and it ONLY handles input.
We need Apogee to step it up a little, and add OUTPUT to the Jam.

What good is a pristine digital input when the signal coming back out of the iPhone/iPad is coming through the headphone jack?!?

There needs to be some focus on this.

There are interfaces for the iPad; the Griffen one and Alesis one. It is just that Apple changes the connector and adapters are needed. My guess is that for the Alesis at least, the snug fit is compromised. Maybe with the Griffen, because the iPad is vertical, it can still sit relatively well in the base.

With both the Griffin and the Alesis, there is a D/A in the interface, correct? Is one of these boxes better than the other in terms of fidelity?

I was nervous about the Griffin because it's vertical, and it looks like it might fall over on stage.

The Alesis control surface looks nicer, and the I/O looks nice. Does it not fit/work properly with an iPad2? It's now available for $149.

Or should I hobble along with an adaptor connected to the headphone jack for now?

 

[Duke21]

With both the Griffin and the Alesis, there is a D/A in the interface, correct? Is one of these boxes better than the other in terms of fidelity?

I was nervous about the Griffin because it's vertical, and it looks like it might fall over on stage.

The Alesis control surface looks nicer, and the I/O looks nice. Does it not fit/work properly with an iPad2? It's now available for $149.

Or should I hobble along with an adaptor connected to the headphone jack for now?

Ii use both Apogee Jam and the Focusrite iTrack. Both are easy to work with. The Apogee Jam is the simplest and have good A/D converter. The iTrack have both A/D and D/A plus headphone amp and line out. Simple box which is quite compact and less dependent if it is 30pin or lightning the Alesis.

 

[AaronMB]

Smeet - looking at their site, the Link Removed?

As linked a few posts above, the Alesis comes with an adapter for the iPad2 and one can be purchased that fits the iPad2/3 so the fit should be good.

 

[Gadgetjunky]

The Limited Addition White IoDock comes with the newer grey ipad2/3 adapter, FYI

 

[archtop2]

With my iPad2 I use the Apogee Jam too, it´s noiseless and high fidelity input.
Beside this I.ve bought Garage Band and Ampkit

I only use Ampkit as it´s the closest from the regular equipment : pedals, amp, cabinet, audio pickup. Peavey stands behind the app it´s noticeable in the design, straight and intuitive.
Ampkit also works in background so i play along with guitar pro, youtube or backing track.

The level reached by a multi purpose mobile item is really impressive, i get better result than my Korg Pandora that followed me for a decade.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Smeet - looking at their site, the Link Removed?

As linked a few posts above, the Alesis comes with an adapter for the iPad2 and one can be purchased that fits the iPad2/3 so the fit should be good.

Read the Alesis reviews on amazon before purchasing. There were some major issues that needed working out. Not sure if they've yet been addressed.