There are several ways to get audio into an iPad for the AudioTools app. You can use the Apple Camera Connection kit, which is compatible with some USB audio devices, or you can use a dock-connector audio interface.
We make iAudioInterface2, and have designed it to work closely with our AudioTools (and our other) apps, as a pro test & measurement interface, and for maximum portability and field use.
Camera Connection Kit
Apple makes an adapter for both 30-pin and Lightning dock connector iOS devices that allows you to connect some digital audio devices. The main limitation is the the connected USB device cannot take any power from the iPad, so generally you have to power it with an external USB hub. A good list of generally compatible devices is maintained on the Auria website. (Note that we have not yet provided them with one of our interfaces to test).
In general, AudioTools will take input from any device that works with iOS.
MFi Devices
The other option is to use an Mfi (Made For iPad) device. Theses devices have passed Apple testing, connect via USB digital audio using the dock connector, and have the ability to either run from iPad power, or to charge the iPad.
This table summarizes the devices that we have tested with AudioTools.
| Feature | iAudioInterface2 |
Alesis IO Dock |
Focusrite iTrack Solo |
Tascam iU2 |
Apogee Duet iOS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phantom Power Microphone Input |
Yes -- One channel |
Yes - 2 channels |
Yes - One channel |
Yes - 2 channels, uses 1/4" - XLR adapter |
Yes - 2 channels |
| Line Input |
Yes, balanced, +50 dBu maximum |
Yes, shared with mic inputs, 0.0 dBu max |
Yes, guitar input, 0.0 dBu maximum |
Yes, -1.0 dBu maximum |
Yes, share with mic, max input +20 dBu |
| Portable operation |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes, w/o phantom |
No |
| Phantom Works Without External Power Supply |
Yes |
No - Requires AC adapter |
No |
No |
No |
| Charges iPad |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Fixed Input Gain Settings |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Impedance Test* |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Digital Audio Output for 5.1 Signals* |
Yes - Toslink |
No |
No |
SPDIF out, does not work for 5.1 signals |
No |
| Measure Loaded Output Signal* |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
|
*using AudioTools app |
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We will be adding more devices as we test them