Problem with iPhone 5 and iRig Keys

By SienaT, 28 May, 2013

Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories
Hi all, I'm having a problem getting my iRig Keys to work with my iPhone 5. I was using it with an iPod Touch (4th generation) before, but I sold the iPod and am thinking of getting a 5th gen iPod Touch. Anyway, Here's the deal. I asked the folks at Long and McQuade where I got my iRig Keys if they had the 30 pin to lightning adapter so that I could use it with my iPhone 5, and they didn't have it. I then asked them if I needed to get a specific adapter directly through IK Multimedia, and the guy didn't know. Grrr it's so frustrating when the people selling products don't know how to use them and what works with them! End of rant. So my sister found and bought me a 30 pin to lightning adapter on Ebay and I received it in the mail today. I connected my iRig Keys to my phone via the lightning adapter, and neither ThumbJam nor GarageBand recognized it. At first I thought the adapter was to blame, so I tried plugging my phone into my Mac via a 30 pin charging cable and the lightning adapter, and that worked. Then i thought maybe it's the cable that came with the iRig Keys, so I got my dad to check that and everything looked fine, no broken pins anywhere as far as he could see. Anyway I plugged my iRig Keys into my sister's 3rd gen iPad, and I had no problem there. So I really really have no clue what could be causing this issue. Do any of you who use the iRig Keys use it with any of the newer devices that support the lightning connectors? If so, do you have to buy a special adapter from IK Multimedia? Thanks in advance! Cheers, Siena.

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Comments

By Esther on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 - 11:26

According to the documentation at the iRig Keys pages, you should be able to use Apple's Lightning to 30 pin adapter. What sometimes happens with regular connector cables that develop a break, or for some third party adapters, is that there's a voltage drop that prevents fully functional use. That can result in either a warning message like "This accessory is not supported", or discovering that the i adapter will work for some purposes, such as charging, but not others, such as the full music interface. With other connectors, such as the 30 pin to VGA out connectors that let you project presentation apps or videos to standard displays, the power requirements can change according to the device. (The VGA connectors that were designed for the second generation iPads will not work for the 3rd generation models that use more power, although the newer VGA to 30 pin adapters will work for both second and third generation iPads.)

It's always best to check the manufacturer's specs.  I'll paste in an excerpt from the iRig Keys support web page, and give you the source URL.  According to this document, using the Apple Lightning to 30 pin connector with the iRig Keys will work with an iPhone 5. If you purchase the Apple product, and it did not work, you should try to get a refund on your purchase. You might even show the displayed article along with the adapter to your local Apple Store, where you should also be able to purchase the adapter.  If this is a third party adapter from another manufacturer, that may be the source of your problem. (Note: link is to product in U.S. Apple Store.)

http://www.ikmultimedia.com/news/?item_id=1595

The article is pasted below:

 

Using new Apple’s Lightning to 30 pin adapter18 October 2012 

Owners of the new iPhone 5 can use the new iRig KEYS and iRig MIDI with Apple’s new Lightning connector,the 30-pin adapter to Apple's new 8-pin connector. After extensive testing on both accessories, IK is proud to announce that they are fully compatible with the new iPhone 5 using the new Apple adapter. The lightning connector is available from the Apple Store and selected retailers for as low as $29.99.

Simply connect your IK 30-pin accessory to your iPhone 5 using the Lightning connector, launch your favorite Core MIDI app and start making music!

IK’s universal portable keyboard, iRig KEYS is the first ultra-slim and highly portable universal MIDI controller keyboard for iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and also Mac/PC. 

iRig MIDI is IK’s core MIDI interface for iPhone, iPod touch, iPad. It connects MIDI keyboards, drum machines, drum pads, pedal boards and more to any iOS device - now including also the new iPhone 5 - to control a vast number of Core MIDI apps such as SampleTank or iGrand.

 

By Matthew on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 - 11:26

Is the adapter made by Apple or a third party? Saying it came from eBay makes me a little suspicious. There are a lot of knock-offs out there and I've heard some unofficial lightning cables and adapters will charge but won't do anything else.

By Khalfan Bin Dhaher on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 - 11:26

Hey Siena. This could be an issue with the adaptor itself, not with the cable. I've used my Irig Keys with my iPhone 4S, iPad 4 and the iPod fifth generation. It worked fine with me. I totally agree, it frustrates a bit. Unfortunately most online stores are selling duplicated items which works for a while and then stops working. I whish I was close to you I would give you my adaptor so that you enjoy playing with your Irig keys. I'll be looking for you a solution and keep you informed. Regards. Khalfan.

By Thiago Frezze on Monday, May 5, 2014 - 11:26

Hi everybody! With my Irig Keys has this problem too!! I bought 2 differents adapter 30pin to Lightning and not work!!!! Any solution?