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Our theme for this month on the blog and podcast is iPads, and in today’s episode, I’m going to talk about some of the useful accessories and adaptors that you and your students can use with iPads in order to expand their capabilities in the music classroom.
In my new GarageBand for iPad course, I’ve put together a whole module on this topic of accessories and extras that you can use with your iPad. In this episode, I share just a few of things that I cover in that module.
How to connect:
- Microphones
- Guitars
- Keyboards
In the episode, I also cover:
- Hands-free control of your iPad so your can turn sheet music pages or control apps
- Ways to share iPads among multiple students
- Options for mounting your iPad on mic stands and tripods
- Tips for displaying your iPad on screen and why Apple TV is not the best option
- Ways you can amplify your iPad
Must-Have Tools mentioned in this episode:

My favorite microphone – the Audio Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Studio XLR Microphone!
Check out the Audio Technica here.

My other favorite is the Blue Snowball. This is great for recording ensembles! There are also different settings in place for different types of recordings.
Check out the Blue Snowball here.

The Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic is a USB/XLR microphone and uses a cardioid polar pattern, this means background noise is extremely reduced.
Check out the Audio-Technica Cardioid Dynamic here.

The IK Multimedia 3 Universal Tablet Mount can be used for microphone and music stands. An absolute must-have!
Check out the IK Multimedia 3 Universal Tablet Mount here.


The Apogee Duet USB Audio Interface gives you a “direct digital connection to iPad and iOS devices”!
Check out the Apogee Duet USB Audio Interface here.

The Xkey Air 25-key Bluetooth MIDI Controller is amazing; I discovered some new tricks using it recently that I mention in this podcast episode!
Check out the Xkey Air 25-key Bluetooth MIDI Controller here.
Links mentioned in this episode:
- New course and lesson plans for GarageBand on iPad
- iPad Accessories Pinterest board – contains links to many of the products mentioned during the session
- How to use lightning to USB adapters with iPads (Playlist of videos by Pete Johns)
- Audio recording gear and tutorials (Playlist of videos by Pete Johns)
- How To Record Students in a Noisy Classroom
Want to learn more about GarageBand for the iPad?
The Music Teacher’s Guide To GarageBand is a full course AND a collection of lesson plans which has been created just for music educators. By accessing the full course and lessons you will be able to earn a professional development certificate for your learning time.
For details about what’s covered in the course modules, and a list of the included lessons, head over to the course information page here.






