6th Gen iPod Touch External Mic?

Question

6th Gen iPod Touch External Mic?

I've spent a few hours searching, but can't find anything definitive that adequately answers my question, so thought I'd run it by you guys.

I just picked up a late generation iPod Touch, mainly for the purpose of using it as a tuner. There is a 3rd party clip that will allow me to tune the instrument, but the input into the device requires a 3.5 mm jack. The iPod Touch, as you know, has a Lightning port. It also, unlike the iPhone, has an audio jack for headphones.

So my question is.. Will this external mic clip work if I just stick it into the iPod Touch's headphone jack? Like, will that work as an input as well as output? Or will I need to use some sort of 3.5mm to Lightning adaptor? Unlike the iPhone, it doesn't come with such an adaptor included.

Thank you!

iPod touch, iOS 10.1.1, null

Posted on Jun 15, 2017 11:15 AM

Reply

Answer 1

AppleJoe

Community Manager

Jun 16, 2017 3:03 PM in response to Oatmealsavage

Good afternoon Oatmealsavage,

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities!

I understand you are looking for an input source for your iPod touch. The 3.5mm jack is for output only to connect to speakers and headphones. So, you would need an audio interface to connect an external microphone or device to your iPod touch.

iPod touch technical specs

The iPod touch has a built in microphone, and there are many tuning apps on the App store, so you wouldn't need to plug a tuner into it for this purpose.

Here are a couple of examples from the App Store:
GuitarTuna - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/guitartuna-tuner-for-guitar-bass-and-ukulele/id5 27588389?mt=8
Ultimate Guitar - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tabs-chords-hd-by-ultimate-guitar/id404167616?mt =8

If you do need an audio interface for your iPod touch - here is one of the many options on our website:
IK Multimedia iRig PRO Universal Audio-MIDI Interface for iPhone, iPad and Mac

The iRig PRO comes with Lightning and USB connection so you can connect to your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac with no need for adapters.

Enjoy making music with your iPod touch!

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Answer 2

Jun 16, 2017 7:30 PM in response to AppleJoe

Hi Joe.

Thanks for responding! Unfortunately, the built in mic isn't what I want to use.. there's a clip on device that I want to use to tune with: http://blairtuners.com/product/iphone-ipad-clip-microphone-adapter/

Unfortunately, the adaptor pictured in the link above was designed for the 3.5mm port on the iPhone/iPad. And from your answer to one of my questions, the jack on the iPod Touch is outgoing only.. no input. If that's the case, I'd need to purchase a 3rd party adaptor dongle similar to this. And just hope that it works! It says it's for headphone, so hopefully it'll work for a mic, too.

Thanks again,

Bill

Reply

Answer 3

sterling r

Community Specialist

Jun 16, 2017 8:00 PM in response to Oatmealsavage

Good evening Oatmealsavage,

I didn't realize you were trying to tune bagpipes in a loud environment. How cool! If the manufacturer is stating the device will work with the 3.5mm jack, then you can give it a try. If it doesn't, you can return the product or resort to your backup plan of purchasing the lightning adapter.

Enjoy!

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