Skip to main content

AeroCaster: Recommended iPad Adapters and Cables

  • Updated

Quickstart

This guide contains detailed information on how to connect your iPad to the AeroCaster hardware.

But if you want to quickly get up and running, click the following links to jump to the wiring diagram for your setup:

To determine whether your iPad has a Lightning or USB-C connector, please use the chart in our quickstart guide.

 

Introduction

There are a few ways to connect the hardware controller for AeroCaster to an iPad. The included cables allow you to:

  • Connect an iPad with Lightning to the hardware controller
  • Connect the hardware controller to an AC adapter (not included)

A data cable for USB-C iPads is not included.

If you want to do the following, you will need additional cables and adapters, which are covered in this guide with diagrams and important notes:

  • Charge any iPad while using AeroCaster
  • Connect an iPad to the hardware controller without an adapter (USB-C models only)
  • Add HDMI output to an iPad (USB-C models only)
  • Connect the iPad to the Wi-Fi router with an Ethernet cable (USB-C models only)

 

 

Included Cables

AeroCaster includes 1 Lightning to USB-C data cable and 1 USB-A to USB-C cable in the box.

 

mceclip0.png

  • Data Cable: Lightning to USB Type-C (included)
    • This is a special data cable for a direct connection between the iPad and hardware controller
      • Third party charging and data cables will not work
      • If you lose this cable, please contact product support
      • As a backup, use an Apple Lightning adapter (MK0W2AM/A or MD821AM/A) with a USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable

    • If you have an iPad with USB Type-C, use an USB-C to USB-C cable (not included)
      • A USB-C to USB-C cable will also power the hardware controller
        • But separate power is required if using Phantom Power on Mic 2

 

mceclip1.png

  • Power Cable: USB Type-A to USB Type-C (included)
    • Use this to connect the hardware controller to an AC adapter (not included)
      • This can also be used with an Apple adapter (not included) to either:
        • Connect any iPad to the hardware controller
        • Connect the hardware controller or any iPad to an AC adapter (not included)

    • Depending on your configuration, you may need an additional USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable (not included)

 

Note: The following examples describe the cables by listing the connector on each end. These USB cables are bi-directional, so if you see "USB Type A to USB Type C", it is the same as "USB Type C to USB Type A".

 

 

Direct Connection: Lightning

mceclip4.png

  • AeroCaster includes 1 Lightning to USB-C data cable and 1 USB-A to USB-C cable in the box.
    • The included Lightning to USB-C cable cannot be used for charging, only data.
    • The included USB-A to USB-C cable can be used to power the AeroCaster with an AC adapter.
      • The AC adapter used with AeroCaster should be 5V, 1.0A or higher.
      • Note that the hardware controller will not connect to the app without an AC adapter in this configuration.
    • The following items are not included:
      • Apple iPad
      • 5V AC adapter

 

 

Direct Connection: USB-C

mceclip5.png

  • AeroCaster includes 1 Lightning to USB-C data cable and 1 USB-A to USB-C cable in the box.
    • The included Lightning to USB-C data cable cannot be used with this configuration.
    • The included USB-A to USB-C cable can be used to power the AeroCaster with an AC adapter.
      • The AC adapter used with AeroCaster should be 5V, 1.0A or higher.
      • Note that the hardware controller will connect to the app without an AC adapter in this configuration, but Phantom Power for Mic 2 will be disabled without one.
    • The following items are not included:
      • Apple iPad
      • USB-C to USB-C data cable
      • 5V AC adapter

 

 

Charging iPad During Use

If you want to charge the iPad during use, you will need the following:

  • An iPad adapter with a USB Type-A port to connect the iPad to the hardware controller, and a Lightning or USB Type-C port to connect the iPad to an AC adapter.

    • Apple MK0W2AM/A for Lightning iPads
      mceclip2.png
    • Apple MUF82AM/A for USB-C iPads
      mceclip5.png
    • Satechi ST-UCSMA3M for USB-C iPads (adds Ethernet)
      mceclip0.png

 

  • Additional cables are required and not included, see the next two diagrams for more information.

  • Apple recommends different AC adapters for charging, depending on your iPad model. More information is available here: About Apple USB Power Adapters
    • If your iPad's battery level goes down even while charging it, You will need a power adapter with more output. For example, an iPad Pro with 4 phones connected may require the Macbook Pro's 95W charger, as that iPad's included 20W charger is not powerful enough.

 

 

Charging Connection: Lightning

mceclip6.png

  • AeroCaster includes 1 Lightning to USB-C data cable and 1 USB-A to USB-C cable in the box.
    • The included Lightning to USB-C data cable cannot be used with this configuration.
    • The included USB-A to USB-C cable can be used for data (Device port) or power (DC In 5V port).
      • The AC adapter used with AeroCaster should be 5V, 1.0A or higher.

  • The following items are not included:
    • Apple iPad and Apple “Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter” (MK0W2AM/A)
    • Lightning to USB-C or Lightning to USB-A charging cable
    • USB-C to USB-C cable or additional USB-A to USB-C cable
    • 5V AC adapters

 

 

Charging Connection: USB-C

mceclip7.png

  • AeroCaster includes 1 USB-A to USB-C cable and 1 Lightning to USB-C data cable in the box.
    • The included Lightning to USB-C data cable cannot be used with this configuration.
    • The included USB-A to USB-C cable can be used for data (Device port) or power (DC In 5V port).
      • The AC adapter used with AeroCaster should be 5V, 1.0A or higher.
      • Note that the hardware controller will connect to the app without an AC adapter in this configuration, but Phantom Power for Mic 2 will be disabled without one.
  • The following items are not included:
    • Apple iPad and Apple “USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter” (MUF82AM/A)
    • USB-C to USB-C cables or additional USB-A to USB-C cables
    • 5V AC adapters
    • HDMI Display and HDMI Cable

 

 

iPad Adapter Comparison

 

Apple "Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter" (MK0W2AM/A)

mceclip2.png

  • For iPads with Lightning
  • Adds charging, but no HDMI out
    • HDMI output requires an iPad model with a USB-C connector

 

Apple "USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter" (MUF82AM/A)

mceclip5.png

  • For iPads with USB-C
  • Adds charging and HDMI output
  • This adapter is also compatible with the standalone AeroCaster Switcher app

 

Satechi "USB-C Slim Multi-Port with Ethernet Adapter" (ST-UCSMA3M)

mceclip0.png

  • For iPads with USB-C
  • Adds charging, HDMI output, and Ethernet
  • This adapter is also compatible with the standalone AeroCaster Switcher app

 

 

Not Recommended Adapters

 

Apple "Lightning Digital AV Adapter" (MD826AM/A)

mceclip3.png

  • For iPads with Lightning
  • This will not work with the AeroCaster hardware controller, the adapter's Lightning port is for charging only
  • This adapter is recommended for the standalone AeroCaster Switcher app

 

Apple "Lightning to USB Camera Adapter" (MD821AM/A)

mceclip1.png

  • For iPads with Lightning
  • No charging or HDMI out
  • Use the included Lightning to USB-C cable instead of this adapter

 

Apple "USB-C to USB Adapter" (MJ1M2AM/A)

mceclip4.png

  • For iPads with USB-C
  • No charging or HDMI out
  • Use a USB-C to USB-C cable (not included) instead of this adapter

 

 

Related articles