For people like musicians who use more sophisticated 30-pin devices, Apple's switch to a new dock connector could potentially be devastating. Luckily, initial reports indicate much of this hardware will work with the new Lightning connector.
Just because a $30 adaptor will allow the new iPhone to work with an old iPod dock doesn't necessarily mean the MIDI devices and other input interfaces music producers use will be compatible. Create Digital Music spoke with experienced music hardware maker Line 6:
Line 6 is still testing their accessories with iPhone 5, but founder Marcus Ryle tells CDM, "Based on what's been announced, for audio products that operate using USB Host mode and follow Apple approved methods such as CoreAudio and CoreMIDI, I would not expect there to be any technical issue."
In other words, as long as hardware makers stuck to Apple's protocols, all your old gear should be fully compatible. That's still not 100% confirmed, but it's a relief to know that at least some—if not all—old gear will work with future iOS devices. [Create Digital Music]