The 2014 iPad Air 2 is now the oldest model that supports Apple’s new iPad operating system, iPadOS. A lot of people keep asking me; should I get myself one of these and is it any good for GarageBand? Find out in the video below! Apple GarageBand 1.3 (for iPad) remains a stunner, with excellent sound quality, expressive string instruments, and just enough note editing to be truly useful for composing and recording music.

Garageband To Midi
Ipad Air Garageband Midi Player
Midi Controller For Garageband
Garageband Midi Input
Ipad Air Garageband Midi System

Garageband To Midi

Start by getting the Lightning to USB Camera Adapter. (For older iPads, the 30-pin to USB Camera Kit also works.)

Get a SMALL USB-based MIDI controller, e.g. 25-key. Some MIDI controllers have batteries to power them, or larger professional keyboard controllers/synthesizers/pianos have their own AC power supply.

Get a CoreMIDI-compatible app, e.g. Garage Band, Tabletop, NanoStudio, MusicStudio, Thumbjam, etc. IMPORTANT: Launch the app.

Connect you USB cable to the keyboard and the Lightning adapter.

Plug the Lightning adapter into the iPad. IMPORTANT: Always launch the app first before connecting the Lightning adapter! If the keyboard isn't working, unplug and re-plug.

Tap some keys on the keyboard or the control buttons to make sure power is getting to the device.

Ipad Air Garageband Midi Player

Troubleshooting: some apps require you to tell them your keyboard is used for input.

Midi Controller For Garageband

Troubleshooting: some apps have 'Learn Mode'. Enter Learn Mode, tap on the part of the screen to 'learn', then press your keyboard or twist a knob to assign it. Exit Learn Mode and play around!

Garageband Midi Input

Supplies

Ipad Air Garageband Midi System

1	iPad
1	Lightning to USB Camera Adapter
1	Small USB MIDI keyboard
1	CoreMidi-compatible app