Planning to use iphone amplitube as DI/preamp

honestjohnny · #1 06-20-2011, 01:05 AM

My lovely and wonderful wife has let me buy both a custom bass and the iPhone version of Amplitube for Father's Day. Baby is 5 months old btw. Anyway looking at this system from a theoretical point of view, since the iRig hasn't arrived yet, I'm wondering what the potential drawbacks or obstacles could be. It seems a no brained for headphone up to living room jam volume with a good powerful set of computer/stereo speakers. This would get me 95% of time I play now with the munchkin around and allows me to save space, have fun, and multitask. And if I wanted to play with a drummer, I think I'd just need a 1/8" stereo to 1/4" TRS adapter, which I already have and a dual male 1/8" cable of sufficient length, because I have the active Carvin LS1503 cab. Or I could run to a PA if it has sufficient low end potential.

Am missing anything? Thoughts TB'ers?

Electricblue · #2 06-20-2011, 03:41 AM

Sure, all the pro's use an iPhone in their bass rig :P

In all honesty, I think you will be better off with some dare I say it "real" equipment rather than an iPhone.

DI boxes can be picked up for less than 20 quid.

Sure, there's an App for every situation, but nothing does better than the real thing.

dave_bass5 · #3 06-20-2011, 03:51 AM

Good luck with that. I have the iRig and Amplitube but not really keen on it. It sounds very hissy.

You might also look at the free GK version (or the paid for with EQ version), i prefer that myself and find i get a better, cleaner signal.

mtb777 · #4 06-20-2011, 01:31 PM

Besides the GK rig there is also an Ampeg SVT in their section.

There is also a Fender Pro 300 head and 8x10 cab in the Fender section as well. I haven't tried it but saw it yesterday.

father of fires · #5 06-20-2011, 02:24 PM

It won't have much gain. You'll need a preamp to boost the signal. Your PA should work.

nathanhughes · #6 06-22-2011, 07:52 AM

So far I have had the best luck with with Amplitube + the peavey Amplink. Also the GK app sounds nice.

Ampkit: I just can't get a sound I'm happy with, even tho the Amplink is made to be used with it.

Specifically, within Amplitube, I've had far and away the best sound with the modeled '59 fender bassman. I get good lows and some sparkle in the treble without being obnoxious.

tZer · #7 06-22-2011, 08:05 AM

I am always hesitant to throw a computer in a live signal chain - especially a computer that's not 100% dedicated and tweaked to perform as a music component. Your iPhone is an iPhone and as such is only so concerned with being 'gig' reliable as a piece of musical equipment. Latency, crashes, phone calls... Use dedicated gear for music - especially live music. Keep it simple.

But I could be entirely wrong. It could work flawlessly and be the best idea ever.

dave_bass5 · #8 06-22-2011, 08:22 AM

A couple of years ago i used a Netbookand running Guitar Rig, direct in to our PA and it worked ok, although i wouldn't do it again.
It was just an experiment and i had my rig there as well.

dbhokie · #9 06-22-2011, 08:32 AM

Buy something meant for it, all it means that a phone can do everything is that it can't do anything real well.

jgroh · #10 06-22-2011, 08:33 AM

What if you got a call during the gig??? lol

::::BASSIST:::: · #11 06-22-2011, 08:39 AM

Surely you can disable the ringer. Besides the OP did say 95% of the time it would be a private headphone amp. For that other 5% why not just rent something?

SteveC · #12 06-22-2011, 08:48 AM

I love iStuff. Phone, Pad, whatever. I use them all. As cool as some of the stuff is, I am hesitant to use it live. That said, the PA controlling stuff seems to b every cool and work well. I know people who roam the venue with an iPad and run sound. Pretty cool. When amp stuff catches up, I'd be inclined to try it. I'd use my iPad instead of my iPhone though. More screen space and no phone calls.

dave_bass5 · #13 06-22-2011, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgroh

What if you got a call during the gig??? lol

We have had two grooms (so far) using their iphones connected to our PA to use Spotify to stream music between sets. Both had interruptions each tiem a "congratulations" type of text came in as they wouldn't turn the phone part off. Quite funny really, especially as it wasn't down to us.

nathanhughes · #14 06-22-2011, 12:05 PM

Well using your phone to practice and record drafts of new songs is always going to have it's Luddite detractors, but as a fellow with small children and little time to play, I can't beat the speed of setup/breakdown and the sheer portability of the whole business.

And it's cheap.

And it's my phone.

Also when I record something new i can whip it away email style to my twin brother with 3 or 4 button presses. Easy.

It's not ready for primetime, but it's THE best practice setup I've ever had in nearly 20 years of playing solo bass.

And

nathanhughes · #15 06-22-2011, 12:09 PM

I should add that I am using the passive pickups on my Carvin.

BassmanPaul · #16 06-22-2011, 01:25 PM

Nout wrong with J99s. I have them on the five string I built. There's also nothing wrong with practicing as you do if it works for you. If a call comes in nothing is impacted except your time.

In a live situation we've all heard the results of a cell phone call on our equipment. Even though they are not supposed to interfere with other equipment they certainly do. Using an Ipad or other tablet I can see but a phone???? Not so much!

ButtUglyJeff · #17 06-22-2011, 01:26 PM

Expect a decent amount of static. That's what mine does though an iPod Touch...

winston · #18 06-22-2011, 03:08 PM

What's the latency like in an iPhone setup...milliseconds/response/feel?

Gaius46 · #19 06-22-2011, 03:15 PM

iPhone/iRig/Amplitude works well with headphones for practicing when you don't want to bother setting your gear up or don't want to annoy everyone else in the house. It's also super convienent for travelling.

I have my doubts about it's utility for anything beyond that.

pgullo64 · #20 06-22-2011, 03:30 PM

I have the iPhone and both amplitude and the GK app and the iRig as well. I find the GK app more useful. Particularly for learning tunes as it accesses your songs on the iPhone directly as opposed to amplitude where you have to load them. It would be nice if they added looping and slowdown functions to the GK app like amplitude has though. I bought a 1/8" to 1/4" adaptor at radio shack and can plug right into my bass amp or pa. I don't think the unit is suitable for gigging as it is too noisy and quirky as far as things like levels changing and of course phone call interrupting. There is still a bit more to go but I hope that the developers improve upon what's out there. I have to admit it is kind of cool to be able to go wherever I want with my bass and phone and woodshed. I could actually go to a woodshed without electric and woodshed!