All Collections
Piano & MIDI Setup
MIDI Setup
Connect your instrument with your iPad
Connect your instrument with your iPad

Having trouble being heard by your device? Connect your instrument to your iPad via cable or BT for a more reliable recognition of notes.

Julian avatar
Written by Julian
Updated over a week ago

Does your iPad have trouble properly hearing you? In some instances, your iPad microphone won't reliably detect the notes you are playing. Connecting your instrument directly to your iPad will help detect your playing more reliably.

To connect your instrument to your device, you can use:

MIDI via cable connection

You will need:

Your setup will look something like this:

iPad connected to digital piano via USB-C to USB adapter and USB to USB-B cable

Step 1: Connect the USB-C to USB adapter to your iPad's USB-C port (or Lightning to USB camera adapter to your iPad's Lightning port older models):

Please note: If you have a USB-C to USB-B cable, you can plug it directly into the USB-C port of your iPad.

USB-C to USB adapter connecting to iPad Pro with USB C port

Step 2: Plug the USB end of the USB to USB-B cable into the USB-C to USB adapter: 

USB cable connecting to iPad Pro with USB C port via USB-C to USB adapter

Step 3: If your piano has a USB-B output (often labeled "TO HOST"), plug the USB-B end of the cable into it. You need a USB 2.0 cable for this.

If your piano has a 5-pin MIDI output, plug the IN and OUT ends of the cable into it.

USB to USB-B cable connecting to digital piano USB TO HOST (USB-B) port

That's it! Open flowkey and play away with a flawless recognition of notes!


MIDI via Bluetooth

You will need:

  • iOS app

  • MIDI Bluetooth adapter

Your setup will look something like this:

iPad connected to digital piano via MIDI Bluetooth adapter

Step 1: Connect your MIDI Bluetooth adapter to your keyboard. Depending on the outputs of your keyboard, you will need either a 5-pin MIDI adapter.

MIDI Bluetooth adapter connecting to keyboard's MIDI ports

Step 2: Turn on Bluetooth from your iPad's Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen and tapping on the Bluetooth icon. (This can also be done under Settings > Bluetooth.)

iPad turning on Bluetooth functionality

Step 3: Open the flowkey app. In the player, tap on the "Settings" symbol (⚙) in the top right corner, select "MIDI / Bluetooth Setup," tap on "Configure Bluetooth MIDI" and select your MIDI device.

flowkey app connecting to MIDI instrument via Bluetooth

That's it! Your device will connect and start communicating with your instrument via MIDI. Enjoy a much smoother note recognition through a more convenient, wireless connection.

Did this answer your question?