How to Connect USB Keyboards to GarageBand iOS (iPhone/iPad)

You got an iPad or iPhone, and some ideas in Garageband. Grab yourself a USB midi Keyboard and bring back those awesome synth sounds from the 80's you love to rollerskate to. This video shows you how to get that USB keyboard connected without power error messages.
#Garageband #midikeyboard #homestudio
Hey, if you want to subscribe to my email list as well, there will be extra content going to those signed up there, like new music alerts, more personal vlogs, etc.
Just click here to sign up;
mailchi.mp/ef335863bbf6/darkr...
▶Equipment Used in this video:◀
Akai MPK Mini MKII - amzn.to/3HD0VAo
USB to lightning connector with charge port: www.sweetwater.com/store/deta...
Anker 4 port USB 3 Hub: amzn.to/3DxHsQn
Lightning Cables - amzn.to/2JQbkMI
▶Equipment Used in this video:◀
IK Multimedia iRig 2 - amzn.to/3h6hY59
1/4" Patch Cables - amzn.to/3NyUuBV
▶My other pages:◀
Facebook: / darkroastrecording
Soundcloud: / darkroastrecording
Main website: www.darkroastrecording.com/
Instagram: / darkroastrecording
▶My Music:◀
bandCamp: jbauerproject.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: / jbauerproject
Apple Music: itunes.apple.com/us/artist/j-...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/1CsHJ...
Tidal: tidal.com/browse/artist/10712366
▶Some of My Gear:◀
Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO openback - amzn.to/3FCQ8aZ
KRK KNS8400 closedback Headphones - amzn.to/3Ukm8EX
Arturia Keylab MKII 49 midi controller - amzn.to/3SYUYlP
UNO Synth - amzn.to/3DXEUMR
iRig HD 2 - amzn.to/3hbVVdz
IK Multimedia iRig 2 - amzn.to/3h6hY59
IK Multimedia iLoud Monitors - amzn.to/3T4roLE
Positive Grid SPARK 40 Amp - amzn.to/3h9CEt9
Positive Grid SPARK Mini Amp - amzn.to/3fxfyMw
Presonus Studio One Artist v5 w interface - amzn.to/3zFAqbc
Presonus Atom - amzn.to/3sY37fG
Akai MPK Mini MKII - amzn.to/3h613ja
Q1002USB Mixer - amzn.to/3a81Nfu
Focusrite 2i2 interface - amzn.to/3T3KVvY
Behringer UMC1820 - amzn.to/3T7Gb8u
Behringer Control2USB - amzn.to/2IjZM3i
Behringer Compressor/Gate- amzn.to/2TkScMg ko
kali LP6 Monitors - amzn.to/2Tk2NHg
Arturia Minilab MKII Midi Keyboard - amzn.to/3FIgjNE
VoiceLive3 Extreme - amzn.to/2IoOM4B
Guitar Stand - amzn.to/2PLCSpI
Shure SM57 - amzn.to/2IiVLw7
Audio Technica AT2020 - amzn.to/32OnIFv
1/4" Patch Cables - amzn.to/3NyUuBV
XLR Patch Cables - amzn.to/3cwSOG0

[@AELFM]

You won’t need a power hub if you have an iPad Pro or the new iPad air. They have the necessary power needed to power the midi keyboard. If you do not have the new iPad Air or an iPad Pro, you will have to use the hub

[@Mar-nb4ru]

Thanks so much

[@JaejunL]

Is it ok if I have a iPad Pro 9.7 inch? Plssssss answer.

[@AELFM]

@@JaejunL I believe so, try it with a dongle first, and if that doesn’t work, you might need a power hub.

[@XXVIII333]

Is a power hub connected via Bluetooth? And can it connect any instrument plus microphone if it has USB.

[@YourXellency]

I just need to see the feedback between the keyboard and the iPad itself. Videos with full but simple detail is hard to find.

[@PIANOCUMBIAMBERO]

Thank you so much. I was about to throw away my new Launche MK3 and the iPAD all together lol. Thanks for this, really made a difference.

[@pelvinsjamz]

Thanks for showing clearly how the cables are connected 👍

[@MrMixolydian7]

Thank you for adding the He-Man clip. 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾

[@maun7414]

Great video!!! it helps a lot, thanks...Could you make a video explaining how to configure the Akai with the Garageband, where you can use the pads for the drums? And also if you could do another one on how to configure Garageband so that when you open another app, for example the lyrics app, garageband continues to run from the akai?

[@Bordy2023]

Where did you connect your headphones ?

[@TheScripflipNetwork]

Your beat reminds me of Mike Clark 😍

[@livier3970]

Garageband is the most underated musical app

[@marcusdenny3377]

Hey, thanks for this By the way what keyboard are you using on your iPad haven’t seen one where the screen can turn /reverse

[@JThemelis]

This is pretty helpful..I was able to setup my Scarlett to my iPad by using the camera connector with the power plugged into the lightning port and it worked out just fine...I didn't happen to connect my Arturia to my iPad YET, but I did find that I could connect to my iPhone 12 just using that connector. My next project is to somehow connect my controller to my iPhone (because I have a Middle Eastern sounds app on the phone) to my Macbook to record into Garageband... (Controller > iPhone > Macbook)...any thoughts?

[@DarkRoastRecording]

Sure, just connect a cable sending your i 📲 sounds to an input on the scarlett and plug the scarlett usb into your macbook and garageband will see that as the interface

[@xplodingkatz]

Haha nice thanks this was very helpful

[@DarkRoastRecording]

Glad it helped! take care

[@seyfiyilmaz007]

does the physical potentiometers work with the virtual garage band potentiometers thank you for a response

[@alexandergranados1718]

3:32 What kind of keyboard case are you using for the iPad?

[@bestrickie2]

Hello. Great video. Can you please demonstrate using the dials. To use the dials, do they have to be set or does it set automatically via midi?

[@DarkRoastRecording]

To use the dials, some pianos or synths in GB will have some Midi mapping already. I don't know the midi maps for them all, but search online. You would then need to program the knobs to the according midi CC notes for each synth or instruments functions. Process would be the same as my video here mapping pads. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIu3mpWhltFrmpY

[@DylanWOWilliams]

Pulse, nice.

[@ejsrocket]

Is there a way to run it in reverse? To use the iPad Garageband keyboard/guitar interfaces to control hardware synths?

[@mattycraw]

Hey there - great vid. What's the best way to set it so that the pads function as drums, and the keys function as a keyboard? I have a Novation Launchkey25 if that makes a difference

[@DarkRoastRecording]

Garageband won't really let you set the same midi device on different instrument tracks with a different set of midi functions. What you could do is program a setting on the launch key for one instrument (say program 1) for drums and pads, and set another program bank on the launch key for keys normally maybe with a different set of pad midi notes. The açai MPK mini had 4 banks of programmable channels for this type of function. check if the launch key has something similar.

[@jimfischer4703]

Thank you.

[@DarkRoastRecording]

You're welcome!

[@prozay6856]

I was able to connect Arturia’s Microfreak to GarageBand on my iPhone… recorded a bit, but not idea.. good to play around.

[@jamesdean738]

Hey ! Can you tell me how you Did Connect the Microfreak to GarageBand ios ? Any lighting connecter? Or just via usb? Thanks a lot !!

[@DieterLo1]

Thanks! It was very helpful!

[@pakyuscammer5405]

Does the drum pads also work?

[@Sava12242]

Great video, so informative and well presented! I have the exact setup that you demonstrate here only difference is I'm using an Oxygen61 and when I'm in the virtual instrument view (with the keyboard on the screen) and I play on the keyboard it works fine but when I switch to the track/recorded input view, I don't hear anything when I play on the keyboard? Is there a setting or function I'm overlooking? Thanks for any advice!

[@DarkRoastRecording]

I think you may need to arm that track for recording to hear the instrument in track view.

[@Karim-xb4so]

Thanks man 🖤 i have a question ... would the drum pads work normally on GarageBand ?

[@DarkRoastRecording]

not completely. The pads have their own programming out of the box which has a slightly different set of midi CC on each one than what Apple uses for GB drums. Also, different kits in GB have different Midi CC as well. check out this link to help with that kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIu3mpWhltFrmpY

[@myyootube2]

Can you trigger any program change messages with a midi controller? Change scale or change the Key functions specifically? Thank you for the tutorial.

[@DarkRoastRecording]

I'm not sure Garageband has that type of functionality built in, but you would be able to do something like that in a full DAW like Studio One, or Logic Pro

[@YoelDiamante]

No visual feedback of key strokes? Nor midi learning for knobs assignments?

[@cmyk71]

Great video, how do you get the audio out of the IOS device to headphones when your using the lightning port for the USB keyboard ?

[@unknownlegendtx]

I’m here for the same info…if you have figured it out please let me know lol!!

[@johnblackmouth]

The MIDI controller should have an earphone jack.

[@DarkRoastRecording]

This midi controller does not have a headphone jack as it does not produce any sound, it is only a midi controller. The audio is coming out of the 3.5mm headphone jack at the top of my iPad. If you are using a recent iPhone without a headphone jack, you would need to buy a dongle that has a 3.5mm jack with a USB or lightning port like this on Amazon www.amazon.ca/Certified-Headphone-3-5mm-Jack-Audio/dp/B09CYHDYV6/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?crid=1Q5HBVJ7LNVH3&dchild=1&keywords=apple%2Bheadphone%2Bdongle&qid=1635355891&sprefix=apple%2Bheadphone%2Bdongle%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-4-spons&smid=A2JELACNV70VTI&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyRVkySVpaWExEUlBGJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTk1Njg2M0tWMExJS1pHSVYxNiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNzI1ODc0RU05WkJIU0NaT05HJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

[@PaulLamens]

@@DarkRoastRecording To me it seems quite uncertain if the Lightning In part of that dongle would actually work for midi or for power only. Has anybody tried this solution?

[@teala010]

AHHHHHHHHH! I’ve been going in CIRCLES trying to get any of my midi stuff to work for over 10 years.. lol. I have the ipad, I have the lightening connector, I was told that was all I needed, err, the camera connector, I already have the lightening adapter. M-Audio keystation 86es and none of this works for me. If I buy the 4 port hub, please tell me I don’t need anything else? I’m an old lady in my 50s with a visual impairment and I need simplicity. I’ve messed with the Mac and windows, with an actual old Roland midi keyboard, but I’ve been using “Reason” for windows with my m-audio 86es keystation, old, right? LOL. Is there anything else I need to know? Am I seeing this correctly that I won’t need my midi cable? Thank you for this awesome video.

[@DarkRoastRecording]

Hello, thanks for watching. I can't promise it will work if you get the 4port usb hub, but it has worked for every midi controller Ive plugged into it. The issue comes down to power. the iPad won't power the keyboard on its own, but when going through a 4 port USB hub, it can't determine what the power drain is from so it doesn't give the error and it all works. Try it out, get one from Amazon. If it doesn't work, simply send it back for a refund. If al else fails, your keyboard may need to use a power supply. There should be a power supply that came with it, if not, take it into a nearby electronics store and get them to and you one that will work for the keyboard. Once it has its own power, it won't try to use the iPad power.

[@cruxable7254]

I’m not seeing how you’re getting video out with the MPK being the only thing connected to the iPad… was video recorded later? I’d love to be able to do both at the same time.

[@Ginarae]

Anyone know how to hook up a Yamaha YPG-535 to GarageBand on the new MacBook air ? I got the toggle hub for it but it isn’t showing up on either audio or midi

[@DarkRoastRecording]

I dont know what kind of midi programming that uses, but you should follow the manual where it talks about "USB to Host" connectivity. connect usb to your computer and hopefully Garageband can see it. If not, you would connect the Audio Output from the keyboard to the ipad and simply record the keyboard audio rather than midi onto a track in GB.

[@KordaAlen]

Hi there. Is there a possibility to change tracks (and sounds) with your keyboard? Without touching the iPad ... Let's say for live playing? Thanks!

[@DarkRoastRecording]

Im sure there may be, but I haven't tested that out myself. Probably something like a IK Multimedia Blue pedal board may be able to do that, but again, Im not sure.

[@ajaybangi]

How did you record your voice clearly? Just thru your headphone's mic?

[@DarkRoastRecording]

Actually, this video i had to record right off my iphone XS mic and camera. No other equipment. Lol. I was moving and had everything else packed away. Thanks for watching!

[@matthewcollett4181]

What are your headphones plugged into?

[@mattwaters6987]

My keyboard controller doesn't work with the Focusrite iTrack. 😢

[@gopilotmusic]

If you don't use the usb hub but do connect the charging block to the camera adapter, would the keyboard work, I wonder?

[@DarkRoastRecording]

It might, but you'd have to test to find out. I prefer to just use the hub regardless and I can connect multiple devices.

[@Rocco83L]

iPad o iPad pro? For latency...

[@r0bert0lopez]

Where do you plug the headphones? If you plug them to the keyboard you only hear the keyboard. If you Bluetooth connect to iPad you’ll only hear the iPad and not the keyboard. How do you get sound from keyboard and iPad feeding through the headphones simultaneously?

[@MarkPanado]

Did you get the knobs in the controller work with GarageBand? Thanks

[@DarkRoastRecording]

I haven't done that myself, but I do know that certain keyboard instruments within GB will work with the knobs and some won't. its a trial and error thing for sure. Lots of info about it here, www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/assinging-midi-controls-in-garageband.1709222/

[@kingpiano2059]

rather than buying the anker usb thing ..ig we can buy a midi cable whose one side can be connected to the lightining cable{usb port} and the other side enters the keyboard ?? please answer

[@DarkRoastRecording]

There would have to be some sort of midi conversion happening there, so you do need a midi device of some sort.

[@alyssaa.a6648]

On a everything is connected, are you able to connect to a Bluetooth speaker from your iPhone?

[@DarkRoastRecording]

You could, but it would have latency and be difficult to record with. Best to have a wired speaker or headphones.

[@Tenoken]

Using that USB camera adapter, how do you get the audio to come through external studio monitors?

[@DarkRoastRecording]

Hello there! you dont use the usb cam adapter for audio in this case, the headphone output port can send the audio to a set of headphones or speakers with the right cable. The audio recorded in the video was captured with the iOS screen recording feature

[@JaeykFromStatefarm]

this is so helpful!! does it work on iphone as well, or just ipad?

[@DarkRoastRecording]

Works on iPhone as well

[@racheliam8]

hey, how can I map the knobs of the midi to the GargeBand ?

[@DarkRoastRecording]

Hey Racheli, thanks for watching! Pls subscribe if you haven’t already. The mpk mini knobs need to be programmed in the same way as programming the drum pads in my video here kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIu3mpWhltFrmpY. You simply need to know what the midi notes are in GB within the instrument you are trying to play with. You may be able to find that online.

[@mellyiek]

I have a regular keyboard,can I buy an earphone jack to earphone jack wire and connect them? bc my key board has an earphone jack

[@DarkRoastRecording]

Thanks for watching. I suppose you could but you would want to send the audio from the iPad to the keyboard to play along with and using headphones on the keyboard.

[@MrPastafish]

How are you moitoring through the headphones?

[@DarkRoastRecording]

Hey man, if you see at 4:17, I have the "headphone" lit up yellow on each track, that will send the tracks audio out the mains. my headphones are connected to the iPad headphone output 3.5mm jack to hear.

[@FabianASMR]

how do the keys change when you go into ‘scale’ mode

[@DarkRoastRecording]

in "Scale" mode, the keys will only show the notes/chords within the set scale of the song/instrument. It prevents you from hitting a wrong note on the keybed, making it easier to compose without having knowledge of how to play a tradition piano roll.

[@northerngiant2915]

A nice job on some parts, but I don’t understand how you pull up a midi controller if you were starting from scratch, since in this video it looks like you keep going to the track where you already have the correct track already opened up. Would be much more helpful to show this from scratch.

[@DarkRoastRecording]

fair enough, I guess I just started on the assumption that the viewer already knew how to add a keyboard instrument on a track in GB.

[@DemonDontPlay]

Do u need the usb hub, or can u just use the white changing thing🙏

[@suprzena333]

just the white thing

[@AELFM]

But only if you have an iPad that could power the keyboard

[@johnblackmouth]

Connected my iPhone to my midi controller and it powers up but won’t do anything when I start garage band. I’m using the camera connector. What am I missing?

[@DarkRoastRecording]

you'll need to use a USB hub as well, iOS won't power many midi devices without one. check the description of this video, I listed the ones I use for purchase if you need.

[@johnblackmouth]

@@DarkRoastRecording thanks for the feedback! Appreciate it.

[@arizonanixon558]

Mine decides to connect sometimes and not sometimes. It’s a yamaha

[@mojoefelix]

I tried this with 2017 Ipad Pro, Oxygen 8 midi keyboard, a different brand of lightning adapter and a different brand of 4 port powered USB hub and it did not work.

[@DarkRoastRecording]

I believe for the Oxygen keyboard to work, the USB hub MUST be powered. Most older midi keyboards will run into this issue due to the power draw and the iPads only supplying a very limited current out of the usb port to save iPad battery power. Get a powered USB hub with HIGH reviews on Amazon and try it out. If it doesn’t work, return it. Hope that helps :)

[@genesaucekod]

can you plug it on to any computer or is it just apple products

[@javym1431]

Any computer with a USB port works

[@princetonbanks]

How do I plug my headphones into a phone that doesn’t have a headphone jack

[@DarkRoastRecording]

You need the headphone dongle for that phone, whether it be usb-c or lightning cable. They sell them combo adapters with usb to connect the keyboard with as well.

[@Mar-nb4ru]

What ipad case is that also great vid

[@DarkRoastRecording]

Thanks for the watch! The iPad case is a Zagg Rugged Book. Works awesome and very sturdy for gigs n travel. if we ever get to do that again.... :P

[@Mar-nb4ru]

@@DarkRoastRecording yeah I won't covid to be over also last question is the midi keyboard good for beingners on the ipad air 4

[@suprzena333]

can you use any other usb hub?

[@DarkRoastRecording]

Howdy partner, yes you could use any usb hub really, the ones I've used in the video have always worked well so that's why I recommend them if you don't already have one. Thanks for watching!!

[@teala010]

Update: I bought the same midi controller, just a different model. I have a later ipad, iPad Pro. Nothing is working, I’m not using a USB hub. I don’t even know how to get to the preferences in GB for ipad. Something is soooo wrong here, help… thanks. I have everything else you recommended.

[@DarkRoastRecording]

I believe you still need to hub. The power consumption of your midi controller is too much for the ipad when connected straight.

[@teala010]

@@DarkRoastRecording thanks! I bought a power hub and all is working. 😁

[@daftcowboy2990]

Is the anker necessary?

[@DarkRoastRecording]

You need to use the hub otherwise the iPad wont power the keyboard, it will give you a power error. It’s necessary unfortunately

[@DemonDontPlay]

Do u need the 4 usb hub🤔

[@DarkRoastRecording]

You need to use the hub otherwise the iPad wont power the keyboard, it will give you a power error

[@BeatsByGemsmiff]

How u getting audio tho?

[@DarkRoastRecording]

The audio is being heard from the instruments within Garageband in the Screen Recording. The build in iOS screen recording feature captures all audio and video on screen for playback from Photos app.

[@unquestionabletv]

Just grab a usb-b to lightning cable, or for newer iPads usb-b to usb-c. No need for dongles and all that. Simplified to just one cable.

[@ElcanaldeReyesManuel]

👍👍

[@universalmusics8687]

what ipad do you use?

[@DarkRoastRecording]

This was an iPad Pro 10.5 from 2017. I have an iPad 9th Feb now add all works equally the same

[@chokie987]

I came here looking for a solution for the "low power" message after connecting my Akai MPK49 to my iPad; even with an external power source! (??) I just bought the hub, I'll try it. Thank you very much!!!!!!!!

[@DarkRoastRecording]

Thx for watching! Let me know if it worked for you too

[@chokie987]

Yes, it works, sorry for not to share that. It works, thank you!!

[@playingcalm5116]

bro, just charge the ipad while the keyboard is connected lmao

[@DarkRoastRecording]

I normally do that, but in this video I was in between homes and didn't have all my stuff readily around. lol. thanks for watching!

[@chipz861]

This video failed to tell us where to plug the headphones 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@DarkRoastRecording]

The headphones plug into the headphone Jack on the iPad, it’s the only place you can plug them in this video on this equipment

[@jasonknight2887]

Jordan Belfort teaches you how to use a midi keyboard

[@gracebartlett7288]

It doesn't do any of those things. It doesn't recognize my midi at all and I'm literally crying!!!

[@DarkRoastRecording]

Are you using a 4 port usb hub and an apple usb connector? What model ipad do you have?

[@suitableace1028]

dude - 5 minutes in and you have not shown anything about how to connect - just showing off your stuff. instructional videos should be instructional 😢

[@DarkRoastRecording]

Sorry you didnt find it informational. I have to push back a bit however, the video shows the equipment needed to connect the Keyboard to an iPad, and it does all this before the 5 minute mark. everything after 4 minutes is demoing recording midi with Garageband after the connections have been made. Anyway, have a great day and stay safe

[@jacquig8630]

Why do none of these videos explain how to connect the keyboard so it plays in GarageBand? Like it’s plugged in and on but I’m playing the keys and nothing is happening……..Maybe don’t jump into a project you’re already working on? Start from the beginning. It isn’t plug and play…

[@DarkRoastRecording]

Sorry you are having trouble, as long as the keyboard is connected when you open a new project in GarageBand, it will see it. It is plug n play by definition meaning there are no drivers to install to make it work on iOS. Open a new project, add a keyboard to a new track and play the keys, it should work without issue. Try adding just a standard piano instrument track .

[@james9e160]

I get it. Your format is for children under the age of 8

[@DarkRoastRecording]

The format is meant to help anyone who may need it, regardless of age. But I am glad you understood it. :) take er easy