Here is what you'll need to connect your keyboard
There are a couple ways you could go:
Wireless. Super convenient. Charge while playing.
Wired but flexible. Lightning adapter works with other accessories. MIDI adapter works with computers.
Yamaha MD-BT01 Wireless MIDI adapter
This wireless adapter is powered by your keyboard's MIDI ports, so all you have to do is plug in both ends and you're ready to go. You can find it for about $55.
Check under Settings → Bluetooth Settings inside the Synthesia app to pair your keyboard with your iPad. After that it should appear in the music devices list automatically.
Once everything is connected, your keyboard should show up in Synthesia.
Head over to the Musical Devices section on the Settings screen to enable your device for input and output.
Then on the Music Input screen for your keyboard, play the lowest and highest notes so Synthesia knows how many keys your keyboard has.
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Lightning to USB Camera Adapter
The "camera" part of the name is a little confusing, but this lets you plug USB accessories (like cameras or keyboards) into your iPad. You can get it from the Apple Store for about $29.
Do not buy a female-to-female USB adapter for the regular iPad USB cable. It won't work.
This is the most-compatible USB-to-MIDI adapter we've been able to find. It works with everything and doesn't require any drivers. You can find it for about $38.
When plugging this into your keyboard, use the opposite port:
- The In cable goes to your keyboard's MIDI Out port
- The Out cable goes to your keyboard's MIDI In port
Do not buy cheap or generic MIDI adapters. Incompatible and flakey adapters cause more problems for Synthesia users than any other source.
The worst offender is shown on the right. If you're having trouble getting things working and your adapter looks like that one, there is a good chance the adapter is causing the problem.
Once everything is connected, your keyboard should show up in Synthesia.
Head over to the Musical Devices section on the Settings screen to enable your device for input and output.
Then on the Music Input screen for your keyboard, play the lowest and highest notes so Synthesia knows how many keys your keyboard has.
We earn a commission from the Amazon links on this page.