⚠️ This guide is for drums, keys, and pads on iPad.
On Mac or Windows? See our guides for electronic drums, keyboards, or pad controllers.
On iPhone? Use our iPhone drums guide.
Before you start: check with your manufacturer that your instrument works with iPad. If it does, it'll work with Melodics. Some instruments, like Native Instruments Maschine, don't work on iPad.
Get connected
There are three ways to get your instrument talking to your iPad. Pick the one that suits your setup.
Method 1: USB MIDI
Works for most instruments.
Connect your instrument to your iPad with a USB cable and an adapter that fits your iPad (Lightning or USB-C). An adapter with a headphone jack as well as USB is ideal, so you can plug in your headphones at the same time.
Not all adapters carry MIDI. Some USB connections are for charging only. If you're not sure, try one of these:
Method 2: Bluetooth MIDI
For instruments with Bluetooth MIDI built in.
Bluetooth MIDI lets your instrument talk to Melodics wirelessly. No cables, no fuss. It's different from Bluetooth audio, which is what headphones and speakers use.
Make sure Bluetooth MIDI is turned on in your instrument's settings. On many instruments it's off by default.
In Melodics, go to Settings, tap Bluetooth Connect, and follow the instructions.
⚠️ Don't pair your instrument in your iPad's Bluetooth settings. That sets up an audio connection, which won't work for MIDI.
Method 3: USB audio and MIDI
For instruments that can send sound and MIDI over one cable.
Some instruments can send both MIDI and sound over a single USB connection. Connect with a USB cable and adapter, as in Method 1, then plug your headphones into your instrument instead of your iPad. Check your instrument's manual to see if it can do this.
Using Roland V-Drums?
Using Roland V-Drums?
Newer V-Drums 3, 5, and 7 Series modules work with iPad as they are, audio over USB included. On older modules, change the USB Mode from VENDOR to GENERIC before connecting. Check your module's manual for how.
Then choose your instrument
Tap the instrument icon in the top left corner of Melodics and choose Drums, Keys, or Pads.
Go to Settings and pick your instrument from the Input dropdown. For drums, set Instrument type to E-drums first.
Instrument not showing up?
No stress, we've got you. If your instrument isn't in the Input dropdown, you can set it up yourself. Some instruments won't appear until you've done this, so if yours is missing, start here.
Go to Settings.
Tap Configure MIDI instrument.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
Still not showing up?
Connect in this order: USB cable into your instrument, cable into your adapter, adapter into power (if it's a powered adapter), then adapter into your iPad. Give it 5 to 10 seconds.
Try a different cable or adapter. Not every adapter carries MIDI, so try one of our recommended adapters above.
Seeing "Accessory Unavailable. The attached accessory uses too much power"? Use a powered USB adapter.
Alesis drums: if you're having trouble connecting, try a USB 2.0 hub.
Using Bluetooth? Disconnect other Bluetooth devices to avoid interference.
Restart your iPad, and close other apps running in the background.
Factory reset your instrument. Here's how for popular instruments.
Notes, pads, or drums not playing right?
Let's sort it. If your instrument is connected but notes don't trigger, or the wrong ones play, try these in order:
Reset to default. If your instrument is in our supported list, go to Settings, tap Reset all MIDI settings to default, then reselect it from the Input dropdown. If Melodics tells you your instrument is already set up, keep the current setup.
Factory reset your instrument. If its settings have been changed at some point, it may no longer send what Melodics expects. A factory reset puts it back.
Still not right? For drums, our advanced e-drum mapping guide walks you through it, hi-hats included. For keys or pads, chat with us and we'll help.
More tips
Hearing a delay when you play?
Bluetooth headphones and speakers add a noticeable delay, so use wired ones. Check out our iOS sound setup guide for more.
Still stuck?
We've got your back. Chat with us using the chat button on this page. Our chatbot knows the fixes for lots of specific instruments and setups, and it can pass you to the team if you need a hand.