Sunday, July 29, 2012

Sescom Audio Adapter Cable For iPad 3


I finally got an iPad 3 and, of course, instantly began looking for ways to connect it to audio. Sescom is a very reliable manufacturer of audio problem solvers. I discovered them years ago while writing my first gear reviews for Radio World. I wouldn't mind having one of everything they make just for those  situations where you need to get from here to there and can't.

I don't have an immediate need to get audio into my new iPad 3. I got it so I could use it as a teleprompter. It does have an onboard mic for simple things, but what about things that aren't so simple? Maybe an interview for broadcast or podcast. Because the iPad 3 has a surprisingly good camera; maybe audio for an online video. What about connecting professional mics with XLR connectors? While specs on the 30-pin connector on the iPad 3 show both USB and Fire Wire, I'd still need an easy connection and a USB or Fire Wire adapter. Enter this handy little Sascom cable, the Sescom IPHONE MIC 1RA.

The IPHONE MIC 1RA's mini TRRS plug goes into the iPad 3 headphone jack. That jack is actually bi-directional, so you can input audio and monitor at the same time. (There was a slight delay on the audio app I was using.) The cable has a DC blocking circuit to keep unwanted low voltages from running back up into your microphone.  If the app you choose has a monitor out, you can plug in some headphones and monitor while you record and playback. I'm still looking for the perfect app for this sort of recording; one that has input meters, allows some form of basic editing and takes advantage of the iPad 3's 24-bit recording. Maybe one that also does stereo recording. But, for now, the IPHONE MIC 1 RA is a handy addition to my kit.

Technique, Inc. © Copyright 2012 All Rights Reserved

10 comments:

  1. Thanks for the review Ty, I just ordered one from BH so I can test it out. Do you know if any of the ios products use decent A/D converters? I've been researching the iAudiointerface2 for bringing sound in, it's pretty impressive:
    http://www.studiosixdigital.com/iaudiointerface2/

    It's $400, which is much more expensive than all of the other ios audio interfaces I've looked at, but the representatives I met at AES said it uses a very nice preamp. I'll let you know when I get it and test some recording.

    Regards,

    Joe Pfeil

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joe,

      That looks like a very neat box! Yes, please do let me know what happens with the studiox.

      Delete
    2. I am told that the Mix Pre D can be used as a iOS audio device

      Delete
    3. DC,

      Yes, I saw that video. The Focusrite UCX also looks like it works. They wrote a Class Compliant driver and included it in the UCX menu. I guess Sound Devices did the same.

      Both are good companies. I reviewed the Mix Pre D, but before I got my iPad.

      Ty

      Delete
    4. OK, I saw this adapter with 30-pin and USB,

      http://www.miniinthebox.com/3-port-usb-hub-for-ipad-iphone-ipods_p237614.html

      but apparently you need a powered hub capable of +5V to run something like a Centrance Mic Port Pro.

      Delete
  2. Hi Joe,

    Recorder+ HD was a disappointing iPad app; just not exactly right, but I have asked them to change/add a few things. You can only export @ 16-bits, which is weird because it supposedly records 24-bit. The above cable rig delivers some low level noise, but I don't know where the problem is, the iPad A/D converter or the Recorder+ HD app.

    I'm trying to get answers now,

    Regards,

    Ty

    ReplyDelete
  3. USB may be the way to go if they can't get the TRRS quieter than it was in my test above. Still checking, but this may be a solution...http://www.miniinthebox.com/3-port-usb-hub-for-ipad-iphone-ipods_p237614.html

    ReplyDelete
  4. We developed this product to solve the problem with underwhelming audio quality in the iPhone and iPad:

    http://www.tascam.eu/en/ixj2.html

    On sale soon.

    We now have 2 models which have built in Mics as well.

    Tom (TASCAM Engineering)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tom,

    Send me one when they get real so I can check this out. I knew someone would be able to figure this out. Makes sense that TASCAM might. Did you use the USB or firewire I/O in the multi-pin connector?

    What recording software does it work with? Can I use it while recording with the iPad video recording software to get proper sound (feeding from a location audio mixer or mic?)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi, I was recently searching for this kind of good post to improve my skills and I am very much satisfied to read this article.

    I-Adapters

    ReplyDelete