wireless iPod interface

Justice C. Bigler

Justice C. Bigler

Senior
Jan 11, 2011
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Tulsa, OK
www.justicebigler.com
Does anyone know of a wireless iPod interface? Something like a wireless DI box that I can plug in an 1/8" plug for an iPod or laptop, or any other .mp3 player? Prefer something with just an 1/8" stereo plug on a short three or four foot cable that connects tot he transmitter. Distance is maybe 60-ish feet or so. I'm looking to use this for instances of talking head or preshow lecture set ups where someone may be giving a talk and want to play some music examples from an .mp3 player or laptop without having to string XLR cable all the way across a lecture room.
 
Re: wireless iPod interface

The first thing that comes to my mind is hideously expensive (the expense, not the idea...)

You coud use a Lectrosonics transmitter and receiver (TM400? Not current with model numbers) with the necessary mini plug to XLR adapter. Just be sure the phantom power is off! And keep lots of batteries.

Past that, I don't know.

Geri O
 
Re: wireless iPod interface

Brian jojade said:
The Apple Airport express will do exactly what you want. Works with iPod touch or iPad or iPhone. Also works with iTunes to airplay stream your audio to the express.
Click to expand...

Does it work with non Apple .mp3 players? or just from the regular headphone/audio output of a laptop? That's kind of the point of having something with an 1/8" input rather than the i/device dock connector.
 
Re: wireless iPod interface

Justice C. Bigler said:
Does it work with non Apple .mp3 players?
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Yes, it's just a 3.5mm jack.
airtunes-ports.gif
 
Re: wireless iPod interface

Philip LaDue said:
Yes, it's just a 3.5mm jack.
airtunes-ports.gif
Click to expand...

It's a 3.5mm jack for the output, the input is from Airplay over WiFi, it will only work with iPod Touch, iPad, or a Mac. AFAIK there is no Windows version of Airplay.

There may be a Bluetooth adapter that will work, but I'm not aware of it.

Mac
 
Re: wireless iPod interface

stumbled on this a few weeks ago...

http://www.creative.com/emu/products/product.aspx?category=902&pid=18609

E-mu Pipeline. it's about 200 bucks for 2 of them but i think it would suit your purpose perfectly...


[edit:] - on looking around the inter webs it appears this product has been discontinued. bummer as i think it would have suited your need perfectly...
 
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Re: wireless iPod interface

Justice C. Bigler said:
Does anyone know of a wireless iPod interface? Something like a wireless DI box that I can plug in an 1/8" plug for an iPod or laptop, or any other .mp3 player? Prefer something with just an 1/8" stereo plug on a short three or four foot cable that connects tot he transmitter. Distance is maybe 60-ish feet or so. I'm looking to use this for instances of talking head or preshow lecture set ups where someone may be giving a talk and want to play some music examples from an .mp3 player or laptop without having to string XLR cable all the way across a lecture room.
Click to expand...

A very cheap alternative would be to keep the ipod connected to the mixer via DI, and create a playlist and use an iPod remote control... of course this will only work on the apple brand units... $35.

http://underbid.com/merchant/learni...ireless_Remote_Control_For_Ipod.html?ref=base
 
Re: wireless iPod interface

Guys, I think you're waaaaay over thinking this. Get a wireless bodypack and wire up an 1/8" to mini-XLR (or whatever) cable for it. Stereo doesn't matter. You can even include a passive summing circuit, but laptop and iPod headphone jacks are designed for ... wait a minute... headphones! So they already expect to drive a low-impedance load, the output impedance is likely higher than the usual pair of headphones, so if you just wire the two channels together it won't be an issue. Just make sure to check the transmitter gain with the source you have in mind!
 
Re: wireless iPod interface

Silas Pradetto said:
Guys, I think you're waaaaay over thinking this. Get a wireless bodypack and wire up an 1/8" to mini-XLR (or whatever) cable for it. Stereo doesn't matter. You can even include a passive summing circuit, but laptop and iPod headphone jacks are designed for ... wait a minute... headphones! So they already expect to drive a low-impedance load, the output impedance is likely higher than the usual pair of headphones, so if you just wire the two channels together it won't be an issue. Just make sure to check the transmitter gain with the source you have in mind!
Click to expand...

Wiring the two channels together can and will cause trouble with some devices. I know for certain than on the 2nd generation iPod, it caused a real mess in the sound if you did that. Distortion city. The problem is not the load as much as it is the signal coming back on the output from the other channel.

If you're looking for something for any old devices, take a look at the Sonos Connect. A little bit pricey, but allows some great flexibility. Want to send your signal to 2 different destinations? No problem. These things are true hi-fi sound, all digital, so much better than a cheap body pack system.
 
Re: wireless iPod interface

Brian jojade said:
Wiring the two channels together can and will cause trouble with some devices. I know for certain than on the 2nd generation iPod, it caused a real mess in the sound if you did that. Distortion city. The problem is not the load as much as it is the signal coming back on the output from the other channel.

If you're looking for something for any old devices, take a look at the Sonos Connect. A little bit pricey, but allows some great flexibility. Want to send your signal to 2 different destinations? No problem. These things are true hi-fi sound, all digital, so much better than a cheap body pack system.
Click to expand...

Anything other than installing Apple software on my computer is an acceptable solution. I +1 your idea.
 
Re: wireless iPod interface

+1 to Philip. I don't mean to sound naive but how many people actually own a non apple MP3 player. I don't recall the last time i saw a non apple MP3 player other than a new android phone. Owning an iDevice does not limit you to the iTunes store, you can add MP3s from any source.

With that said I believe the most practical and economical solution would be to utilize an Airport Express, Create a Wi-Fi network, then stream wirelessly via AirPlay. If you want to get a little more crazy you can get an Apple TV2 and steam audio/video to a projector/smart-board.

Also, I know with an iPad, another iDevice, and Keynote you can download a keynote remote app. You can connect the iPad outputs, audio/video via what ever means and control the output with the iPhone/keynote remote app. Keynote is also backwards compatible with MS Powerpoint.
 
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