How to plug a MIDI chanter to an iPhone or an iPad (updated 30/08/15)

30/08/15 : behringer istudio is202 added to review.

You'd like to plug your MIDI chanter to your iPhone or iPad to use a virtual instrument such as Universal Piper - Bagpipe Lab or Pocket Bagpipe and explore new sounds.

But the first question you probably ask yourself is:

How to plug

or

into this

or

The answer lies in using an adapter such as iRig, Midi Mobilizer, io dock, camera kit, puc,...

Before reviewing in detail those adapters, here are a few reminders on MIDI and suggested considerations to be taken into account for your choice.

MIDI

If you're not interested in MIDI, you can jump straight to the synthesis table to see how to plug your chanter to a MIDI compliant adaptor.

MIDI standard appeared in the 80's and is still used nowadays. It allows two MIDI compatible devices to exchange information such as note number, control message. No sound is transferred through a MIDI link.

A MIDI cable is used to transfer information in a single way from an emitter, a MIDI chanter for our purpose, to a receiver, an iphone or ipad with an adapter for our purpose. To establish a bidirectional communication, two cables are therefore required (useless for our purpose).

MIDI connector are 5 pin DIN plug:

• either male

• or female

Emitter and receiver plugs are not distinct such as USB plug. Therefore you need to be careful when you plug your devices. The information is usually indicated on the device such as MIDI OUT (emitter), MIDI IN (receiver), MIDI THROUGH (another type of emitter we won't deal with). MIDI chanters usually have only one emitter plug.

MIDI devices should be equiped with female plugs so that they can be linked together with MIDI cable (male-male plugs). A MIDI cable can be extended using a MIDI extension cable (male-female plugs).

In practice, some devices can be equipped with male plugs. There are therefore different combination to linking two MIDI devices. The table hereafter sums up the different combinations :

Theoretical max MIDI cable length is 15 meters (49 feet).

Consideration to be taken into account

To take advantage of most audio application on your iPhone/iPad, it is recommended to use a CoreMIDI compatible adapter. The evry first adapters that were released (such as MidiMobilizer version 1) were not and should be avoided. The adapters discussed here above are all CoreMIDI compatible.

Power supply

If you intend to play a long time, powering your iPhone/iPad should be considered.

Most adapters are plugged to your iPhone/iPad and are either powered by the iPhone/iPad or powering your device. In the first case, the adapter will slightly reduce your battery length but mostly your iPhone/iPad will unload while playing music. You'll need to stop playing to load your device. Using an adapter powering your device prevents those interruptions.

Connection evolution

The 30 pin plug has been replaced by the lightning plug. Some adapters provide both plugs. If your adapter just supports 30 pin plug, you'll probably have to replace it when changing your device.

Common hardware with PC/MAC

You'd like to use your MIDI chanter both on your PC/MAC and iPhone/iPad. You might already own a USB/MIDI adapter. Some adapter provide this versality.

Comparison table

The following table sums up different solutions and their answers to the criteria mentioned before.

Note *1 :Camera Kit allows you to plug on your iPad an USB device such as a camera, a USB key of a USB/MIDI adapter (which requires no specific driver). You can use this type of USB/MIDI adapter that can also be used on your PC/MAC:

Note *2 : l'IO Dock I and II and istudio have an additional interesting feature : they provides TRS plugs for audio output as well as a dedicated headphone plug. Those plugs better suits live performance constraints.

Note *3 : This adapter communicates wireless with your device, therefore your device plug is available for other use.

Note *4: The istudio features an expression pedal and footswitch input that can be used to control your app.

Examples

Here are three connections examples.

Plugging a technopipe to an iPad:

Technopipe => jack/MIDI adapter provided with the technopipe (male ouput) => female-female MIDI adapter => male-female MIDI extension cable => MIDI (male input) / USB adapter => Camera Kit => iPad

Plugging a redpipe to an iPad:

Redpipe (female output) => male-male MIDI cable => IO DOCK (female input) => iPad

IO DOCK power supply needs also to be plugged.

Plugging a degerpiper to a 30 pin iPhone plug

Degerpipe => jack/MIDI cable provided with the degerpipe (male output) => female-female MIDI adapter => iRig 1 (male input) => iPhone

As an option the iRig 1 can be plugged to the iPhone power supply using the micro USB/USB cable provided with the iRig.

Have a good choice !

If you have any comments or questions, you can contact us here : support@universal-piper.com

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