Ongoing ThumbJam and iRig Keys saga

By SienaT, 11 April, 2013

Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories
Hi all, Here is what I hope will be the final installment of my iRig Keys saga, and that everything will be working as it should within the next few days, as i've only got a few more days to return the unit if it doesn't work. The ThumbJam developer give me the step by step instructions to set up the iRig Keys: Go to Prefs/Midi Control/Midi Input Connections, but when my dad went there, ThumbJam wouldn't recognize my iRig Keys. The blue light that the manual said was supposed to turn on won't turn on at all. Of course, the manual doesn't mention ThumbJam from what my dad read of it, but it did say that when I had the unit plugged into my iDevice (which in my case is an iPod Touch 4th gen running iOS 6.1.2), and when IK Multimedia's SampleTank app was installed and running, the blue light would appear and I would be able to play the instruments on SampleTank right away using the iRig Keys. But of course, when I installed SampleTank and ran it (and by the way it's not all that accessible from what i could see), it didn't recognize the iRig Keys either!!! Part of me doesn't have a clue what I'm doing or what I need to do, and part of me is under the impression that either my unit or the cable that connects the keyboard to the doc connector may be defective. I don't want to judge without knowing the facts, but there are a couple of weird things going on: First, when the iRig Keys is plugged into the iPod Touch, I do not hear any sound whatsoever from the iPod, whether it be from VO or any other system sounds. Even when i use headphones or external speakers, no sound whatsoever. Also, my dad showed me how to connect the round end of the cable to the port at the back near the left hand side of the keyboard, and I was able to gently and carefully fit it in to the port. But that round end feels very loose, but my dad says none of the pins seem to be broken or bent. But anyway I'm wondering if that might be causing the issue? Also, do I have to register my iRig Keys? I'm just worried that I won't be able to return it if it's registered, and it said something in the manual about registering the product, but I didn't quite understand if it is necessary in order for it to work? The folks at the store where I bought it from are not familiar with ThumbJam nor SampleTank so they weren't able to help me. I suppose that's what I get for buying something without trying it first! Also, I was wondering what the 5 buttons along the top of the keyboard do, as well as the knob and the two weels? I presume that the knob is a volume nob and that one of the wheels is a pitch bend wheel, but I'm not sure if that's what they're for and what the five square rubber buttons are for. Perhaps someone could give a physical description and explain what all the controls are for, that would be a great help! Anyway, if any of you could give me any tips and suggestions, that would be great! I appreciate your help! Thank you in advance! Please pardon my rambling and run-on sentences, I'm just very confused and a bit afraid that I bought something that is beyond my level of technological know-how. Take care all, I look forward to hearing from you soon! Cheers, Siena.

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Comments

By Joseph Westhouse on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 - 19:32

I can't offer any help, but was wondering if you'd made any headway - I'd love to hear from anyone who uses the iRig keys with Thumb Jam. Can you use the octave shift buttons on the keyboard to change octaves on the fly in Thumb Jam? Can you still use the tilt and shake controls with your phone when playing on the keyboard? If you, or anyone else, have gotten the iRig keys working and can answer, I'd appreciate it. :)

By Khalfan Bin Dhaher on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 - 19:32

Dear Siena. I'm so sorry, I've might missed this in my podcast. The description of these keys are missing. I do appologize for the inconvenience. I am currently running ThumbJamb on my iPad 4, I'm sure since you and the AppleVis guies recommended this app I'll love it so much. Unfortunately the iRig keys does not work with ThumbJam at all! I whent to the preferences, it shows the input, whenever I press a key it doesn't work. It works fine with GarageBand. So, here is a description of the iRig Keys and buttens. We got a volume controler at the top left of the unit. Nex to it are 5 square rubber buttons, the first button is called set. This button is for controling the device on SampleTank, I was unable to figure out how it is used, nothing happens. The second and third buttons are the pluss and Minus, these are the octave keys, next to them are the previous and next buttens. These are used to change sounds and instruments, works only on SampleTank. You can transpose by pressing both midle keys, the pluss and minus and then hit the second black key on the top right, then press any white key. I was frustrated at the beginning, now i'm used to it. I think your iRig keys are ok. Have you tried it with the free version oF SampleTank? The app isn't worth to pay for, but the keys works fine. I haven't explore enough ThumbJam. Please feel free to send me your feedback. Regards.

By Joseph Westhouse on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 - 19:32

Khalfan: I'm inclined to believe that you're incorrect - I've seen on the ThumbJam forum users who specifically say they are using ThumbJam with the iRig keys, and post a guide of how to do so. I'll try to find that link when I'm able and share it here, but it seems to me that one can indeed use the iRig Keys with Thumb Jam.