Troubleshooting Camo Studio for iPad
Working with audio
Currently, iPadOS 17 only permits audio through a single source. This can be the iPad’s own microphone or one connected via a USB cable or USB hub. However, if you want to capture multiple audio sources, e.g. a gamer who needs gameplay sound mixed with their commentary, a musician who uses separate microphones for voice and instrument, or an interviewer who wants to capture both sides of a conversation, you have a couple of options to capture both sound sources for your stream or recording.
The first is to use an audio interface that has at least two input ports. If you're using two microphones, you can simply plug both into the interface, and connect the interface to a powered hub that also leads into your iPad (we recommend a powered Thunderbolt hub to ensure it has enough power). You can adjust your audio levels according to the instructions for your interface, and then select it as your audio source within Camo.
If your sound setup consists of a microphone plus a video source like a laptop or gaming console, you may need a 3.5mm to XLR cable that runs from your device's headphone port to the interface. If your interface accepts other types of input in addition to XLR, you may be able to use a different cable.
Note that some devices may introduce electrical noise like buzzing or humming when connected to your interface. The most common cause of this is interference created by a ground loop, which introduces a small electrical current into the low voltage signal path. To fix it, you may need to add an inexpensive ground loop isolator to the setup.
A second, more portable option for enabling multi-source audio on the iPad is to use a wireless microphone setup. This consists of the following:
- Wireless microphone with two transmitters and a receiver - something like the DJI mic, Rode Wireless GO or Neewer CM28. Note that at least one transmitter needs to have a 3.5mm audio jack
- Capture card
- Powered USB hub
- iPad running Camo Studio for iPad
- USB-C cables, a HDMI cable, and a 3.5mm TRS audio cable
Here’s how to set it up for streaming a gaming session on the Nintendo Switch: First, connect your iPad to a powered USB hub, and open Camo Studio for iPad. After placing the Switch into its dock, plug the dock in to power, and connect it with an HDMI cable to a capture card which is then plugged into the hub. Next, take the two wireless microphones, attaching the first to yourself - for capturing your voice - and connecting the second to the Switch’s headphone jack using a 3.5mm TRS audio cable. Finally, connect the microphone receiver to the powered hub and select it as our audio source in Camo Studio. After adjusting the gain settings to achieve a nice balance between the two audio sources, you're ready to stream or record with multi-source video and audio.
This configuration also works if you’re using a mirrorless or DSLR camera as your primary video source. In this case, you can use the 3.5mm audio cable to connect your mic receiver to the camera’s sound input, and simply select the capture card as your audio source.
We anticipate that future updates of either the iPadOS or Camo Studio for iPad will permit multiple audio sources to be connected more readily.
Connecting devices to your iPad
The best way to connect multiple devices to your iPad is through a hub or dock. To keep the iPad from being overtaxed, it’s helpful to use ones that’s powered, and - if you’re connecting more than a couple of peripheral - that uses the faster Thunderbolt standard. This will also enable you to keep your iPad charged while you use it.
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