Audio input for Garageband on iPad 2?

[Travisimo]

I'm hoping to take full advantage of Garageband on my new iPad 2. While it will be fun using the built-in instruments, I'd really like being able to use my own. I've done some searches, only to come up with mixed results.

I'd like to know the best solutions for recording from an external mic and from a digital piano? I have the camera connection kit, but I've read that there are specific requirements due to usb power, etc. Specifically,

What is the best way to hook up an external mic for recording voiceovers and stereo sound from an instrument like a digital piano? I'm no so much concerned about MIDI input, but I would like to do multi-track audio recording using my piano and a vocal microphone.

Solutions? Thanks!

 

[Bluemeanie1976]

There is a dongle you can buy to connect your instrument to.

http://www.gizmag.com/apogee-jam-guitar-ipad2-interface/18056/

 

[jclardy]

What outputs does your piano have?

I am also wondering what inputs garageband will allow. Hopefully the iRig will work since I already have one. That would be mainly for electric guitar though.

I'll find out about the iRig later today since GB is supposed to be released today.

 

[tomandshell]

Says it's for electric guitar or bass. That doesn't help me.

 

[ZZ Bottom]

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The adapter will work for a line out from your keyboard, however you will obviously only get mono.

As for a microphone solution, I have been searching for one myself. Ideally a 30-pin to XLR will become available, but you may have to settle for a XLR to 1/8" which won't work in all microphone situations, and impairs your ability to monitor your recordings via headphones.

 

[BrennerM]

This First Look at GarageBand doesn't have all the answers but it does mention plugging a mic into USB via camera connector kit, and using a keyboard through USB as well:

http://www.macworld.com/article/158451/2011/03/garageband.html

 

[Travisimo]

There is a dongle you can buy to connect your instrument to.

http://www.gizmag.com/apogee-jam-guitar-ipad2-interface/18056/

This one looks great but guitar or bass. But will it work for a keyboard's line-out? It might, but probably mono, right?

Are there any stereo ones out there? Regarding mics, I see that the there's the upcoming iRig Mic:

http://www.crunchgear.com/2011/03/10/video-hands-on-with-ik-multimedias-irig-mic-and-vocalive-app/

It says it will work for line-out instruments, but it too appears to be mono-only.

I downloaded Garageband today and installed it on my iPad 1. It's great! I can see myself spending a lot of time with it. Being able to record from my piano/keyboard would really be a killer feature, though.

Also, it doesn't appear you can get the audio output from Garageband to play through the Bluetooth connection... which means either headphones or a long headphone cable to hook up to my stereo system. I wish you could get the audio to play via Airplay - that would be cool but I guess there would probably be a delay...

 

[Virtute]

I was thinking that something with a couple XLR inputs, phantom power, a nice little preamp, and maybe an EQ would be great, add a couple 1/4" inputs on there and you're laughing.

But then I realized how ridiculous that would be. Working with something that big (and likely expensive), why wouldn't I just stick with my high-end gear, as I don't expect to get anything more than quick on-the-spot sketches or demos out of the iPad anyway?

That said, something with a single XLR (+phantom) input and a single 1/4 input would be nice, perfect for guitar and voice––getting an idea down on the spot or recording a live solo performance. I think I'd really like that, actually.