How to split iPad audio for DJ apps cueing

So, in my last post we have uncovered that the 2 audio outputs from the neat looking Alesis StudioDock are not suitable for cueing purposes with DJ apps on the iPad.  Therefore what are the options for the DJ who wants to have the master output separate to the headphone cue (as you know, this is vital when lining tracks up before hitting the cross-fader)?

I have posted some detail on the blog before, but it is probably worthwhile revisiting what the options are.

Stereomusik Systems
This company appears to have seen the gap in the market and have produced several components specifically for DJ apps and the audio output limitations of the iDevices.  They have an ebay store where you can purchase the goods needed.

What do you need?  As mentioned on my previous post, you will definitely need one of these;



Stereomusik Systems Audio Split Cable

It's a custom audio splitter, with labels (which is useful) and a tiny 30cm cable.  This plugs directly into the headphone output of your iDevice and gives you 2 female 3.5mm connection points. 

Price for this is currently £3.65 from ebay (plus shipping).

Initially I thought that this would be sufficient, I could plug my headphones and a mono to stereo lead into it and get DJing.  However, you may have noticed that the space between the 2 female connectors is very small...meaning that both of my leads wont fit.  So this is where Stereomusik Systems step in and provide their own custom mono to stereo lead to fit (1.5m);

They also do a 5m cable and a bundle with a whole bunch of their cables and a splitter in a bag.

Prices (excluding shipping) on ebay are currently as follows;

• 1.5m cable = £3.98
• 5m cable = £5.27
• Bundle = £18.59

Alternative
In order to use the DJ apps split cueing functionality, you need to take the single stereo headphone output from the iDevice and split it into 2 separate MONO channels.  This can be done easily by using a 3.5 mm stereo to mono splitter, like this one from Maplins;


3.5mm Stereo Plug to Two 3.5mm Mono Sockets Adaptor

That means now you have a single channel for headphone and a single channel for master.  Of course this is still on a MONO single output, so you will need to acquire 2 x MONO to STEREO adaptors so that you will end up with headphones (L+R = MONO) and master (L+R = MONO);

3.5mm Mono Plug to 3.5mm Stereo Socket Adaptor

Pricing for the Maplins pieces is as follows;
1 x at £2.24
2 x at £2.09

Total cost = £6.42 (plus shipping)

I've tried both with my iPad feeding into my amp.  Of the 2 options, the Stereomusik Systems splitter sounds much better, I'm guessing because there's fewer points to connect.  The Maplins alternative did sound crackly and was a little flaky if the adaptors were moved - even slightly.

I'm still feel there is a better solution out there to the audio splitting.  Most of my audio connections are gold plated and carry the audio very well...I'm not sure of the quality behind Maplin option.  It would be nice to see someone come up with a really rugged, quality audio splitter for this situation (consider it a challenge!).

Ideally Apple would open up the use of the connection point at the base of the iPad and allow CoreAudio to deal with 2 separate stereo channels - one via headphone socket and one via the base connection - via the Camera connection kit maybe to give a USB audio out?  Or maybe even a 30-pin connector to stereo cable output?  One can but dream.  However with this ultimate solution comes its downfalls...your iPad could easily run out of power whilst DJing since you can no longer charge it if you're taking audio out from the main connection point.