The iOS bass player thread. (Jamup XT, Audiobus, Multitrack DAW and more)

[steve_rolfeca]

Originally Posted by adambomb

Maybe so.......but why do they offer an extension cable for 30 separately on their site. It's digital.....why would the length of cable introduce noise?

There's more than one kind of noise, and Apple has to worry about being a source of interference, not just keeping it out. Any length of wire connected to your device, can act as an antenna.

[Rip Topaz]

PrietoBass has a new clip up, and his tones are coming along nicely!! Good definition, very clear midrange. Keep em coming!!

[PrietoBass]

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

PrietoBass has a new clip up, and his tones are coming along nicely!! Good definition, very clear midrange. Keep em coming!!

I'm still finding it too boomy... yeah, I'm playing that lower in the neck vs higher up but I'd like to have more punch/tightness in the lows vs the boom.

I just played to that (Switchfoot) track and was going to upload everything to SoundCloud when I realized that I'd break the license agreement... so I uploaded my line only.

[adambomb]

Originally Posted by steve_rolfeca

There's more than one kind of noise, and Apple has to worry about being a source of interference, not just keeping it out. Any length of wire connected to your device, can act as an antenna.

True.....but we are talking about ones and zeros into and out the ad/da converter if there's that kind of horrible noise gonna be introduced to the I track into more than a 6inch digital cable what about your bass cable being a 20 foot cable if they are that concerned that It would be that bad I couldn't trust that device any further than I could throw it.

[Rip Topaz]

Originally Posted by PrietoBass

I'm still finding it too boomy... yeah, I'm playing that lower in the neck vs higher up but I'd like to have more punch/tightness in the lows vs the boom.

I just played to that (Switchfoot) track and was going to upload everything to SoundCloud when I realized that I'd break the license agreement... so I uploaded my line only.

What are your EQ settings, which amp, effects and whatever else in the chain?
Certain amp models really react like their real counterparts, especially the Ampegs. I find I get better definition and less boominess by cutting the lows and boosting the mids instead. One thing to remember is the limitations of the real thing. A 1960's amp didn't have the crushing lows that today's solid state amps have. If you try to force massive lows into them, they get ugly.
I'm not sure which amp you were using in your clip so I could've just wasted a few minutes typing that!

[steve_rolfeca]

Originally Posted by adambomb

True.....but we are talking about ones and zeros into and out the ad/da converter if there's that kind of horrible noise gonna be introduced to the I track into more than a 6inch digital cable what about your bass cable being a 20 foot cable if they are that concerned that It would be that bad I couldn't trust that device any further than I could throw it.

You're missing the point. Apple sets the standard for MFI devices, and their engineers and lawyers are not just concerned about your audio project. There are clock signals in there, Bluetooth and cellular radios, etc., and strict RF noise emissions regulations for portable devices.

[PrietoBass]

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

What are your EQ settings, which amp, effects and whatever else in the chain?
Certain amp models really react like their real counterparts, especially the Ampegs. I find I get better definition and less boominess by cutting the lows and boosting the mids instead. One thing to remember is the limitations of the real thing. A 1960's amp didn't have the crushing lows that today's solid state amps have. If you try to force massive lows into them, they get ugly.
I'm not sure which amp you were using in your clip so I could've just wasted a few minutes typing that!

I'll post screen caps shortly...

[PrietoBass]

Originally Posted by PrietoBass

I'll post screen caps shortly...

Here is my signal chain in JamUp.

[adambomb]

Originally Posted by steve_rolfeca

You're missing the point. Apple sets the standard for MFI devices, and their engineers and lawyers are not just concerned about your audio project. There are clock signals in there, Bluetooth and cellular radios, etc., and strict RF noise emissions regulations for portable devices.

No I got it and your right......but have you seen the length on the special connection cable for the itrack it's like 6 inches or smaller. its much shorter than the 30 pin to USB cable that come with their own Idevices in the box. And super thick. I'm not putting down the itrack I just don't get why they would put such a short cord except to sell you an extension cable from their site is all. I'm sure the itrack is a great device. And quiet and all that. But a special cable connection really gets to me when it could have been a standard USB to 30 pin cable. Like the one that comes in every box of any IDevice. This is a the main complaint of the owner reviews.

[adambomb]

this is the itrack own words about their cable on their web site:

"Why is the iTrack Solo device cable so short?
The cable supplied in the box with the iTrack Solo has been designed to ensure that iTrack Solo meets Apple's 'Made for iPad' standards for noise interference resilience when data is sent or received on a 2G network.
Regardless, we of course want customers to have the best possible experience with iTrack Solo. Should a customer wish to use an extension cable in order to obtain more reach or flexibility for the positioning of their iPad, we have tested and recommend a number of affordable extension cables."


then there are two links one for us and one for uk
Forgive my ignorance but why not just have the device come standard with the "tested and recommended" extended cable.
I'm not trying to fight with you steve, maybe you can shed a little light on the situation.

[Rip Topaz]

Originally Posted by PrietoBass

Here is my signal chain in JamUp.

My suggestion would be that you're using the wrong amp model for the job. The B15 is cool, but is kind of a one trick pony. It sounds great for just what you're trying to avoid!!

The B15 get really vintage sounding with the right tweaking, but really poops out fast if you drive it too hard. If you're playing hard and rocking out, the B15 ain't your amp. I get the best tones out of the B15 by keeping the EQ pretty much flat, and the volume knob below noon or just barely past noon. Let the PA make it loud, these weren't super high powered amps.

The GK model really has a nice tight low end, so does the Blueline. It'll grind in the highs, but as long as you don't make it do anything unnatural, it's a great rock sound. Both the GK and the Blueline do loud rock well, but let the PA handle the heavy lifting and don't boost your lows too much or it'll get ugly.

The Redhead seems to be more midrange voiced, something I'd typically use in a ballad or if I was playing a lead. I usually use a touch of reverb with this amp when I'm playing in the living room.

Keep in mind these are only suggestions. I've yet to use any of them with a drummer, so I don't know for sure which amp will work best for me. Hopefully that'll change soon!!

Also, on the BDDI, try turning the level all the way up. I usually run the level and the blend on 100%, the adjust the drive to taste. That way you don't end up with a million volume knobs in your chain, and end up with gain staging issues (it works for me.).

[PrietoBass]

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

My suggestion would be that you're using the wrong amp model for the job. The B15 is cool, but is kind of a one trick pony. It sounds great for just what you're trying to avoid!!

The B15 get really vintage sounding with the right tweaking, but really poops out fast if you drive it too hard. If you're playing hard and rocking out, the B15 ain't your amp. I get the best tones out of the B15 by keeping the EQ pretty much flat, and the volume knob below noon or just barely past noon. Let the PA make it loud, these weren't super high powered amps.

The GK model really has a nice tight low end, so does the Blueline. It'll grind in the highs, but as long as you don't make it do anything unnatural, it's a great rock sound. Both the GK and the Blueline do loud rock well, but let the PA handle the heavy lifting and don't boost your lows too much or it'll get ugly.

The Redhead seems to be more midrange voiced, something I'd typically use in a ballad or if I was playing a lead. I usually use a touch of reverb with this amp when I'm playing in the living room.

Keep in mind these are only suggestions. I've yet to use any of them with a drummer, so I don't know for sure which amp will work best for me. Hopefully that'll change soon!!

Also, on the BDDI, try turning the level all the way up. I usually run the level and the blend on 100%, the adjust the drive to taste. That way you don't end up with a million volume knobs in your chain, and end up with gain staging issues (it works for me.).

Cool Rip, thx a bunch! I'm on vacation so I'll be up bright and early tomorrow morning trying out your suggestions.

[Rip Topaz]

Originally Posted by PrietoBass

Cool Rip, thx a bunch! I'm on vacation so I'll be up bright and early tomorrow morning trying out your suggestions.

I'm hoping to get some "PA time" tomorrow, so I'll be tweaking all my presets in Jamup for higher volumes. Right now they're all set up for in ears.

[fivestringgecko]

Alright, so I'm still catching up on all the iOS threads.... lol

Special thanks to Prieto for sending me his iRig after he upgraded!!! Thanks to his generosity, I'm able to pass it on to a guitarist I work with who has thought about trying out an iOS solution for his ampless church gig and he's quite excited! I'm definitely going to follow Prieto's example if/when I upgrade my iPad interface. Props for an awesome fellow TB'er!

On a darker note, I was trying out Amplitube after the update from yesterday and I'm not surprised that they didn't completely fix the bugs with the B15 model. On is finally ON, and off is finally OFF, but the HI and LO buttons are still switched as far as I can tell. Not a huge issue, but they knew about it, so they should've fixed it.... right? That's simply half-a$$ed in my book.

Also, using headphones still seems okay, but running a line out to monitors (aka my PC speakers in a quick test) now leaves much volume to be desired. It's MUCH quieter than it was before the update. I've checked levels in AT, volume on my PC speakers maxed, gain and master volume in AT as high as they can go without distorting and iPad volume is maxed.

Sorry Amplitube, I'm jumping ship like others have been doing, and I'm passing the word on to my guitarist when I hand off Prieto's iRig. I bought the app for $19.99 with high hopes and continue to be disappointed a year later. I've mentioned iTunes cards and rumor has it that Santa's Elves will be coming through for me, so I see the bass expansion for Jamup in the near future.

5sg.

[Rip Topaz]

I noticed the volume drop, too. I'm not using Amplitube on an iPad, though. It's doing the same thing on the iPhone app, except we never had the reversed button problem.

It DID, however, seem to actually lose a bit in terms of sound quality, almost like the update messed up something new.

I noticed it when I played through the B15 in Jamup earlier. I decided to compare it to the AT version of the B15R, and when I switched to Amplitube it not only got quieter but the sound quality went to crap.

Maybe it's just my ears, or maybe Jamup is just that much better than Amplitube and when you play them side by side it becomes VERY apparent.

Thankfully, the Irig interface works with Jamup.

[fivestringgecko]

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

Thankfully, the Irig interface works with Jamup.

Exactly what I'm going to tell my guitarist when I get him the iRig.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed the volume drop. I thought I was missing something stupid in the app, or just plain going frooty in the head.

5sg.

[Duke21]

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

Cool clips, Duke. The tube sound is awesome, very much usable. It seems a little quieter overall than your usual clips, though. Probably could've brought the volume up a bit more.

BTW, Amplitube just now released a crash fix update. Figures they'd do it a day after I finally gave in and did a delete/reinstall. Luckily, all my gear bought in-app survived.

Yes the volume is a bit lower, could as you say just raise the volume a bit.
I think the Mesa/ Tube power will fit very nice for these who wish nice big warm clean tone which have clean lows and low mids. But, I think that one will need to put the booster in front when using a bass.

[fivestringgecko]

Originally Posted by Duke21

Yes the volume is a bit lower, could as you say just raise the volume a bit.

I can't unfortunately... iPad volume is maxed, levels in Amplitube are set as high as they can go without distorting, as are the gain and master volume on the B15 model. I was able to turn my speakers all the way up and still not have the same volume I had pre-update.

5sg.

[Duke21]

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

I noticed the volume drop, too. I'm not using Amplitube on an iPad, though. It's doing the same thing on the iPhone app, except we never had the reversed button problem.

It DID, however, seem to actually lose a bit in terms of sound quality, almost like the update messed up something new.

I noticed it when I played through the B15 in Jamup earlier. I decided to compare it to the AT version of the B15R, and when I switched to Amplitube it not only got quieter but the sound quality went to crap.

Maybe it's just my ears, or maybe Jamup is just that much better than Amplitube and when you play them side by side it becomes VERY apparent.

Thankfully, the Irig interface works with Jamup.

That new update fix is a shame. First, they do not fix the GUI on the B15R completely, and then they mess up the tone and gain structure...
I believe they will fix they gain structure quite fast as even the guitar players will notice that. I'll not waste my time logging into the IK Multimedia forum any more as they are clearly not interested in what we/ me think. With all of my projects on Jamup/ Airbus etc and this thread which became so popular (!!!! ) I must put down my priorities, so AT iOS will not get my attention until they come up with something MAJOR for us bass players.

[Duke21]

Originally Posted by fivestringgecko

I can't unfortunately... iPad volume is maxed, levels in Amplitube are set as high as they can go without distorting, as are the gain and master volume on the B15 model. I was able to turn my speakers all the way up and still not have the same volume I had pre-update.

5sg.

Have you tried to raise the volume in the multitrack recorder?