I’ve been following the courses for a few months now and I’m really liking it so far. I use my laptop, AD2 standalone, and a Esi Xjam pad controller. I have a bit of a technical question gear-related question:
In a few weeks I’m going on vacation and since the Xjam is so small, I want to bring it along with me. My plan is to use Koala sampler (already added some decent samples on here) on my iPhone, bring my headphones and my Xjam with me. To avoid latency, I want to plug the headphones into my phone in some way whilst still allowing for the midi signal to go through as well. I was thinking of using some sort of USB C to USB C & AUX splitter, but I am not sure if this would work. Anyone have any experience with a setup similar to this?
Hi! I don’t have experience with the wired splitters, but I use the exact same controller (welll, two xjams) for a mobile standing rig and have a wireless solution that works perfectly. I think it could be adapted for your case.
To go computer-free, I use a CME WIDI Uhost Bluetooth MIDI Interface. Because it only transmits MIDI data (not audio), there’s virtually zero latency.
To set it up:
Power the WIDI Uhost with a standard portable battery (I use an Anker 10,000mAh Power Bank).
Connect the WIDI Uhost to your Xjam with a USB-C to USB-C cable (the Xjam will bus-power from the Uhost).
Connect your Xjam to your iPhone over Bluetooth.
This leaves your iPhone’s physical ports completely free to plug your headphones directly into the phone. It might feel like a little bit of overkill, but I use this exact wireless chain for my own drumming and it’s rock-solid (at least with a macbook).
Ugreen CM806 + Apple USB Type-C - jack 3.5 works for me perfectly. But I’m connecting it to an iPad with a USB-C port. If I had an iPhone, I’d definitely try the Satechi ST-HXRAJM. Its headphone output isn’t outstanding (judging by the reviews), but it’s such a compact and convenient solution!
I use an Acer USB-C hub with Power Delivery and it works great with my iPad. Sound either from USB-C wired earbuds or through Apple USB-C adapter. At about 9$, the USB-C to headphone adapter works great!
I am not sure why, but it doesn’t work with my older Ligthning iPhone, with an adapter L to USB-C adapter to the hub. The xjam is not even powered.
For Travels, I take my Ableton Move, which also includes a decent enough audio interface (ASIO), is a standalone groovebox and doubles as a MIDI controller for DAWs. I built a decksaver box around it with thin plywood. But I gotta admit that the Ableton Move pads are not my favorite pads for finger drumming.
