Topic by paronym

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  • Registered: 06-05-2023
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Topic: Hub to use for iPhone and Pianoteq

Is there such a thing as a hub with a downstream lightning port that simply passes through the lightning port capability from the iPhone? It seems that most hubs only allow charging through their single lightning port. I simply want to connect my MIDI keyboard and wired earphones (either lightning or 3.5mm as I do have the Apple lightning to 3.5mm adapter) to my iPhone 12 Pro.

I already have the Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera adapter, which works great to connect my MIDI keyboard to my iPad 5th generation. Of course, that iPad has a 3.5mm audio output so connecting wired earphones at the same time is no problem. But it's not clear how I can achieve the same thing with my iPhone, considering that there is no separate audio output.

Reply by TimN

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  • Registered: 29-07-2015
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Re: Hub to use for iPhone and Pianoteq

I understand your desire to find a minimal kit of keyboard, iPhone and earphones, but I'm not aware of a way to do this with the current iPhones that lack an audio out separate from the Lightning port. I think you'll need at least a small USB hub connected to your USB Camera Adapter, to which you connect your MIDI-over-USB keyboard, and a small USB audio interface for your earphones. I do this with a MOTU Microbook IIc, which is quite small, but there are also tiny USB DAC's like the AudioQuest Dragonfly series, with superb audio quality. You might not need a powered USB hub with a Dragonfly DAC...the iPhone should power it through the USB connection.

Reply by kanefsky

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Re: Hub to use for iPhone and Pianoteq

This one perhaps:

https://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Charge-Ro...B074WDWVX1

Reply by hesitz

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Re: Hub to use for iPhone and Pianoteq

I have no experience with it, but I did notice that the maker of a wind controller instrument (the Warbl) has recommended this adapter to his users with iPhones:

https://www.amazon.com/USB-Camera-Adapt...B07P94PB7Z

Last edited by hesitz (07-07-2023 06:35)

Reply by paronym

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Re: Hub to use for iPhone and Pianoteq

Thanks TimN and hesitz, I'll look at the devices you mentioned.

kanefsky, the Belkin product you mentioned isn't suitable as there is no USB port for the MIDI keyboard, and its lightning port supports charging only.

Last edited by paronym (07-07-2023 19:45)