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Can I use a KKS 49 with an iPad?

Newold
Newold Member Posts: 3 Sine
edited February 28 in Komplete Kontrol

Can anyone tell me (I’m a complete newbie) if I can use KK S49 with an iPad and earphones? I want to use S49 as a travel/practice keyboard, I don’t need an extensive library of sounds/effects/functions. Just +/- decent piano sound (with earphones) would be fine. Or do I need a laptop or some hardware piece from NI?

Thank you very much in advance!

Best Answer

  • Monochrome
    Monochrome Member Posts: 430 Saw
    Answer ✓

    You would indeed need a laptop as a companion. As it's a MIDI keyboard, you will need software that turns key press signals into sound - like Kontakt (Player or Full) - and a virtual instrument of your choice (e.g. NI's own pianos).

    Also, there is no way to plug in an iPad and/or earphones.

Answers

  • Monochrome
    Monochrome Member Posts: 430 Saw
    Answer ✓

    You would indeed need a laptop as a companion. As it's a MIDI keyboard, you will need software that turns key press signals into sound - like Kontakt (Player or Full) - and a virtual instrument of your choice (e.g. NI's own pianos).

    Also, there is no way to plug in an iPad and/or earphones.

  • Newold
    Newold Member Posts: 3 Sine

    Thank you so much, - so just to make sure I understand - there is no way to plug earphones into S49? Also, I was hoping to connect my iPad with S49 through S49’s MIDI out, is that possible?

    What I wasn’t sure if NI software/libraries are compatible with iPads, so you are saying it is

    not compatible ? Another potential problem is connecting S49 to power. Is there only one way (via USB) to do that?

    Thank you very very much in advance!

  • Seqsual
    Seqsual Member Posts: 30 Tri

    If you have USB-C connector on your iPad, you can connect keyboard to iPad by USB cable. Keyboard will show up on iPad as Midi controller and you can use it to play for example instruments in Apple's Garage Band. For headphones - I think the easiest way is to get some that can work wireless through bluetooth.

  • JesterMgee
    JesterMgee Member Posts: 1,211 Pulse

    If you just need a keyboard for an ipad i'd be suggesting looking around at something else, none of the software will install and the keyboard can be USB powered or PSU (15v powered) but would be an expensive option for that task.

    Having zero experience or interest with connecting keyboards to ipads, not sure if they support USB MIDI protocols or if you have to get a lightning to MIDI and use that method, then you need to power the keyboard somehow.... all equates to a better solution being to invest in a laptop for the task really.

  • Newold
    Newold Member Posts: 3 Sine

    Thank you guys for your help! S49 + iPad doesn’t sound like a happy marriage :-) I’ll do more research.

  • aafanatic
    aafanatic Member Posts: 34 Tri

    @Newold iPad and S49 are not a good match for portable practice. I wouldn’t recommend using bluetooth headphones or keyboard for practice either because the latency would drive you mad. As silly as this sounds I would recommend getting a Casio portable keyboard that is easily powered and will allow wired headphones.

  • Mutis
    Mutis Member Posts: 307 Saw

    iPad will allow to connect to it any class compliant device being via usb with the “must needed” camera connection kit (CCK) or via bluetooth if the device has this option (the keyboard).

    https://youtu.be/L4s8oU0N0iE
    https://youtu.be/xFcTp7dCVCI

    About audio latency via bluetooth I will not recommend this approach. If you needed as a must I will advice “try before buy” visiting an apple store to try audio latency.

    About apps none of the NI software will work with it ATM (who knows in the future) but you can get lots of apps from free to expensive ones.

    Example of free app will be the numa player app.

    https://apps.apple.com/es/app/numa-player/id1601231132


    Example of expensive will be Sampletank with dedicated piano libraries or similar. There are lots so you should dig a bit to find what fit your needs.

    https://apps.apple.com/es/app/sampletank-cs/id464775965
    https://youtu.be/KIgd2M-rWOg
    https://youtu.be/IGPtGmSQZy8

    In the old forum I posted lots of resources but my advice will be check audiob.us forum as trustable source for iPad experienced users and real world “workarounds”. NI forum isn’t the best place to get info on this field IMO.



    Hope it helps.

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