Whilst learning some new secret handshakes at the NADJ Yorkshire branch meeting I discovered a brand new pro audio interface and dock for the Apple iPad.
Whilst most people would say that the iPad is perfect for games such as Angry Birds for example it’s also quite an accomplished device for use by DJ’s. Algoriddim’s djay for iPad app is a perfect example of this.
The biggest problem with the iPad is that there is a real shortage of “professional” ways to connect it up to your stuff. At the minute your best option is to use the 3.5mm headphone jack but it’s not very pro and probably won’t last very long. This is where the Alesis iO Dock comes in.
The iO Dock is made of plastic, meaning it’s reasonably lightweight but could be subject to damage if you’re not careful. It includes a multitude of ports for a docked iPad or iPad 2. These ports include MIDI In and Out (the traditional 5-pin connectors), USB MIDI, headphone, stereo main outputs (for connecting to an amplifier, mixing board, or powered speakers), two guitar/XLR microphone inputs, a composite video out, and a footswitch port. It supports both line-level and guitar input and offers phantom power for those microphones that require power to work. It also powers an iPad plugged into it (provided the iOS Dock is connected to power and switched on).
Which of the dock’s ports function depends entirely on the app you’re running on the iPad. The iPad supports CoreMIDI and as long as the app you’re using does as well, you should be able to play the instruments available within that app with a MIDI keyboard. Apple’s GarageBand for iPad app, for example, accepts MIDI input. It doesn’t, however, support MIDI output so you can’t then play sounds on your MIDI synthesizer using the iOS Dock’s MIDI out connection. Similarly, GarageBand doesn’t support an external footswitch so that port likewise does you no good.
I’m currently trying to get my hands on one for review purposes so will put a proper review together at some point, but it looks like a great little piece of gear for iPad owners and DV247.com have it listed currently at £139.00.
Alesis.com