iPad+friends: audio mixing + USB MIDI

The Lounge Other Gear
1

Hey,

My music partner has a simple setup: a powerful iPad (powered by USB-C), a Deluge, and a little Scarlett 2i2.
At home, he has a Zoom LiveTrak L12 that makes it possible to plug its Elektron boxes.
But when he comes at my place, it’s the tiny setup he’s using.

I wonder if the iPad users among us could chime in and recommend me a hub that would make it possible to

  • get the sound of the Deluge into the iPad,
  • the sound of the iPad back into the interface
  • control the iPad from the Deluge MIDI out
  • add another piece of gear in the setup (MIDI keyboard, or even an audi device such as an Elektron)

What are your recommendations?
I of course would like something light and cheap ^^

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2

This is what I use with my iPad:

I’ve had issues with bus-powered interfaces not being detected by the iPad when I use USB-C PD to keep the iPad charged. Specifically, the MOTU M4. The MOTU ULMK5, while not bus powered, also had issues when I try to us the USB-C PD on the hub.

My Steinberg URC-44 works just fine though. It has a dedicated switch on the back to put it into class compliant mode whereas, I think, the MOTUs are not in class compliant mode by default. They wait to see what they’re connected to before going into CC mode and the USB-C PD seems to make them think they’re connected to…not a class compliant device.

That behavior isn’t unique to this hub either. This hub is about the best I’ve found. It’s very well-built and the detachable cable was a big selling feature. Some hubs, their cables are too short and it strains the cable and the port. With this one, I got a longer, right-angle to straight USB-C cable (right angle for the iPad side).

3

Check out iConnectivity

4

Wouldn’t a Digitakt or other Digi box work for this? Its got USB audio & MIDI, an audio input, plus physical MIDI, plus flexible routing options. May have to mess with the settings to ‘only’ get the Deluge audio piped through.

Pretty sure multiple sound cards on iOS is a no go, but the Digi’s can send their audio input over USB. Ok, they’re not cheap but it sounds like you already have one available.

Or maybe I’m misunderstanding :slight_smile:

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5

:man_facepalming:

I own a MIO4 and iConnectAudio4+
Guess I should just get me another PSU to get both working at the same time.

6

Dunno, but I reckon the iConnectivityAudio4+ alone (and maybe a midi merger) can do what you require per your OP.

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7

Arturia Minifuse with 4In/Out and 2 USB + Midi I/O is all you need: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1725675-REG/arturia_800113_minifuse_4_usb_c_audio.html

Since Elektron/Deluge boxes have 2 IN each you have a total of 8 Inputs with this small footprint setup :wink:

The benefit of this box is that it offers 4 Outs for some creative rerouting in AUM and the USB ports give you that flexibility you might want to add additional midi devices down the road like a keyboard or LaunchPad to your setup.

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8

Is that essentially an Arturia version of iConnect Audio 4?

If so my Christmas prospects are about to get considerably better (my iCAudio4 has developed a hardware fault recently and I’m faced with having to replace it).

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9

Not really. You can only connect one iPad/Computer at a time. It’s just your standard audio interface with onboard USB…which all audio interfaces should have in this day and age if you ask me :wink:

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10

Damn! :disappointed_relieved:

11

Hey echo_opera,
Do the usb hub ports support USB audio (as well as USB Midi)?
Thx!

Sidenote:
It looks like there is a bit of a limitation for ipad use: “To preserve bandwidth for all inputs and outputs, these USB ports will only function while the MiniFuse is powered via the external power supply. The USB ports are disabled while the MiniFuse is powered via USB”

12

I don’t have one of these, however, I would assume that the USB ports are strictly for Data since it is part of an audio interface. It’s mostly for connecting USB Midi devices. If you want to send audio thru it, you will do it via the audio jacks.

I also assume that it would require to be connected to the wall wart for power when used with an iPad…but the iPad Pro might give enough power.

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13

For USB Midi, Ay decent powered USB hub will work.

For audio, I have tested both the Tascam Model 12 and NI Audio 10. Both are fully assignable on iPad.

For an app, AUM works well on a budget. Cubasis 3 is also a good solution. Both allow full midi and audio routing.

14

Hopefully this is a good thread to ask this question in:

Yesterday I connected my ipad to my DNII, with some great results (4 instances of Musebud going to 4 midi channels on the digitone - evolving, collage bliss)
However, I now want some audio from the ipad. Can I have (I’m using AUM) another midi app, sending stuff to , say, Nambu, on the ipad, and then have that audio going through the DN? Or would I need to get a mixer and route the ipad audio out of headphone socket into mixer?

15

The DN2 should do both midi and audio via USB (so no mixer needed), open a synth app in AUM and play it, it should go thru the DN main & headphone outs.

You may need to adjust the USB levels (settings for +6/12db etc in the menu somewhere). I don’t have the DN2, but that’s how it works on my DNK and DT.

Lets us know how it goes or someone chime in if I’m wrong so homie can jam.

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16

Thanks!
Am trying that now, but no sound (?)

Hmmm…

17

Just going off memory as I’m not with my Digitone, you should also check the USB/Midi overbridge setting and make sure it’s off (us midi/audio or whatever it is labelled)

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18

Ah! Just found it.
There’s no specific overbridge setting, but in “USB config”, there’s an option to turn on “USB audio/midi”, must be that…
Will report back presently
Thanks again @Suspect_Frequency!

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19

Yep, all good

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