Apple iPads are turning up in the audio booth as a new sound source.
Much like my article on using different types of smart-phones as audio sources, iPads are something you need to consider.
Let’s look a how to get the audio out.
The iPad uses a common 3.5mm stereo plug. Either you or the user should have a cable with the 3.5mm plug on each end.
The back of your sound board, of course, is filled with 1/4-inch TRS plugs and RCA plugs.
A 3.5mm stereo plug and a TRS plus look the same in that they have a tip, a ring, and a sleeve.
You must understand, however, that they can be used in two different ways. One is to carry a stereo signal and the other is to carry a balanced signal.
In the case of the iPad, it’s got a headphone (stereo-out) plug and the audio mixer channel inputs are for balanced signals. Therefore, while it might be easy to think the cables work the same way because the plugs look the same, it’s like having two plastic pipes where one is used to carry drinking water and the other is to carry…umm…the other stuff. Both might be PVC pipe but with different contents.
Time to Convert
There are a few ways you can convert that 3.5mm stereo plug into something usable. You can go the route of an RCA cable which is naturally two different plugs or you can use two dual TS (unbalanced) plugs. You can even go into two XLR connectors.
—For the 1/4-inch plug, go the route of a 3.5mm stereo jack to dual 1/4-inch mono plugs.
—For the RCA plug, you can use the standard RCA adapter.
There are a few ways you can go with cable conversions. You can use an adapter, like I just mentioned, or you can buy a cable that does the conversion for you. Plug one end into the iPad and the other into the mixer channel plug.
The Best Route
Using adapters such as I’ve listed is an effective way to get the signal into the mixer. However, there is a direct box that will help you with your signal levels as well. That’s where the Radial ProAV2 DI box comes into play.
Simply plug that 3.5mm plug directly into the Radial DI and it will convert the signal to the right type as well as convert the signal to the proper line level as pro and consumer-grade electronics usually output at different levels. The DI plugs into your board using a right and left XLR cable.
Summary
Converting audio from an input device, like an iPad, to your board can be easy when you have the right tools at hand… and you know the type of signal that’s coming out of your equipment and the type of signal that’s expected to come in.
Ready to learn and laugh? Chris Huff writes about the world of church audio at Behind The Mixer. He covers everything from audio fundamentals to dealing with musicians. He can even tell you the signs the sound guy is having a mental breakdown.
