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Cypress’s PSoC 3 device connects musical instruments to Apple iOS devices

5th August 2013

Nat Bowers

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Griffin Technology has selected the PSoC 3 programmable system-on-chip from Cypress Semiconductor for four of its music-creation accessories that provide a digital audio interface enabling users to connect musical equipment to their iOS devices. The StudioConnect, StudioConnect with Lightning, MIDIConnect, and GuitarConnect Pro each enable the user to create and edit music on the go. Managing the digital audio interface, the PSoC 3 device handles Apple’s proprietary Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad protocol to communicate with devices using Apple’s iOS operating system via both Apple’s 30-pin and new all-digital Lightning connectors.

Griffin’s StudioConnect combines digital audio and Musical Instrument Digital Interface capabilities to be used for recording and editing music on the iPad. StudioConnect with Lightning adds compatibility with the new iPad (4th generation) and iPad mini. MIDIConnect provides industry standard MIDI input and output ports to an iOS device. Enabling the user to record digital audio while practicing, composing or performing, GuitarConnect Pro connects guitars, violins or keyboards to an iPhone or iPad.

Cypress’s PSoC 3 MFi digital audio solution delivers bit-perfect audio streaming into and out of Apple’s GarageBand and other Core Audio and Core MIDI apps for Griffin’s accessories. PSoC 3 features Cypress’s patent-pending USB audio clock synchronization and recovery scheme. Delivering the highest quality digital audio with minimal external components at multiple audio sample rates (at standard intervals up to 24-bit audio, 48 KHz sampling rate), this ensures that no samples are dropped. The new CY8CKIT-033A PSoC 3 MFi Digital Audio Development Kit for Lightning supports the solution with license-free reference hardware, firmware, and iOS app software, providing the tools to quickly develop MFi digital audio accessories that are fully compatible with Apple’s all-digital Lightning connector.

“Griffin Technology was one of the first companies to create accessories for Apple’s mobile devices, and today we are a market leader in MFi accessories. Our Nashville roots give us strong ties to the music industry, and PSoC delivers a best-in-class MFi digital audio solution that meets the audio-quality requirements of today’s musician,” comments Scott Naylor, Vice President of Product Development at Griffin Technology.

Leon Tan, marketing manager for Cypress’s MFi and consumer solutions, commented: “Griffin Technology’s four music-creation products leverage the PSoC 3 MFi solution to turn an iOS device into a portable recording studio. These products are excellent examples of how PSoC 3 and our comprehensive CY8CKIT-033A reference and development kit provide a flexible platform for customers to quickly develop an entire series of high-performance music accessories, helping to optimize development time and costs.”