Recommended Powered Hub for iPad Pro 10.5" (Lightning)

sharward

I'm about to take the plunge into Stage Traxx 4. I just acquired a gently used iPad Pro 10.5" which uses a Lightning port. I intend to use an audio interface, and I might also combine that with the 3.5mm headphone jack to have multiple output channels for tracks.

I have read that it can be tricky getting interface connections to work properly, including the possibility of needing a powered hub. One of the interfaces I might try to use is a PreSonus AudioBox 96 25th Anniversary Edition which relies on its USB connection for power.

I also need MIDI connectivity to my Roland SPD-SX PRO sample pad.

I'm struggling to find a hub that has Lightning cable connections. I found one that has a male Lightning pigtail and a Lightning female port which: " . . . lets you charge your iPhone/iPad while transferring data and connecting multiple low-power peripherals. No more worrying about running out of battery when multitasking. (Note: The Lightning charging port is only for "charging" and cannot transfer data) . . . Some high-power devices, such as 3.5mm external disks, printers, Super Drives, etc., may not boot due to the power limitation of the main device." I therefore believe it will not supply power to the interface.

I found others USB hubs lacking the Lightning pigtail (some have USB-C pigtails), but I don't know if the peer USB-A ports would allow the iPad to see the Interface if I use one of the USB-A ports to connect to the iPad using a genuine Apple Lightning cable.

Recommendations greatly appreciated!

AnthonyB

You don't necessarily need to go down the Hub route. If you just get an audio interface that also has MIDI ports then all you need is an adapter with 2 ports - 1 for power and 1 for USB connection to the audio interface. You could separate the audio interface and MIDI interface function (I do this) if you like as well.

I've been using these $5 adapters for years without any issue - https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BZRYQJV4
I keep 3-4 of them in various bags in case I break or lose one. Don't get me wrong, if you want a greater degree of certainty, feel free to spend 10x the price on official Apple adapters. nothing wrong with that and everyone has had mixed experiences with 3rd party adapters.

Just for reference, the adapter I linked above I have connected to my iPad and provides me 3 ports:

USB-A (1) - connects to my CME H4MIDI WC MIDI hub
Lightning port - I use for powering the iPad
USB-A (2) - connects directly to my Behringer X32 mixer's USB-B port for audio connection

I also have an SSL 2+ MkII (4 outputs and MIDI) that I could substitute into that setup in an emergency. I also have a PreSonus Studio24c which is similar to the AudioBox you mentioned. If you only want stereo audio (or 2 mono) outputs + MIDI, then that interface is fine.

You could get away with an Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter (https://www.apple.com/shop/product/mx5j3am/a/lightning-to-usb-3-camera-adapter) or 3rd party equivalent as I mentioned.
That would give you a Lightning port to power the iPad and a USB-A port to cable connect to the AudioBox. From the AudioBox, you then connect MIDI to your Roland SPD via standard 5-pin DIN MIDI cable, and your audio outputs to your mixer.

peter

When dealing with the Lightning connector, I can only recommend using the original Apple adapters. I always had issues with 3rd party adapters and never any issue with the original Apple adapters. Go with the lightning to usb-3 adapter that @AnthonyB linked. The power supplied via the lightning power port on that adapter is also passed down to the usb devices so that even devices that usually would require an active hub work out of the box.

sharward

I appreciate the advice, gents! I especially appreciate the clarity around the fact that the juice flows both ways on the connections, "up" towards the iPad and "down" towards the audio interface and/or whatever else I have connected. I also forgot that my Presonus AudioBox USB 96 25th Anniversary Edition audio interface includes MIDI ports, so yeah, I probably won't need a hub at all.

I just ordered the Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter as recommended. I encountered similar "only use the expensive Apple doodad" advice when studying how to use my Apple MacBook Pro with my Behringer X32 Rack mixer in my studio, so I was fully prepared for that if necessary. (I'm aware I could connect directly to my digital mixer in my studio, I will not be doing so, as I need to replicate my gigging setup with Stage Traxx, and the X32 never leaves the studio.)

Thanks again for the clear and thoughtful replies. 🙂