iOS, iPhone, iPad and music 101

[Rip Topaz]

Originally Posted by chumbo73

Although I already have the Apogee Jam (it was a gift, I didn't invest money on it) I'll go for the iTrack Solo for better quality and to also be able to record on my PC. Anyone has already used it?

Duke21 is using the itrack. Check out the "iOS Bass Player" thread. Tons of info there.

[adambomb]

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

What are you using to amplify it all?

While I haven't even attempted using the iPad in a live situation yet, I always thought it strange to put an amp modler into an amp. Seems it would only make my sound more processed. I'm using a Carvin BX500 which has more EQ options than any of the apps I've yet downloaded.

I'm not looking for an argument. I'm curious about what I might be missing. And I've a feeling there is something I'm missing.

And thanks for your input. You're needed here.

If I could I would always use my amp. But....since I started playing at larger places and outdoor events the sound guy has always DI'd my bass with a thru to my amp as stage sound or monitor of myself. It always used to drive me up the wall. My amp is right there and a good mic and all but it was never used in FOH. Since I started using the iPad setup the tone has been spot on for what I want it to sound (which is an amp with a cab and dialed in to "my tone") not what the soundman thinks your bass should sound like for the song you wrote and you know what you want your song to sound like do you? It allows the soundman to do his job better actually because he then only has to eq the room not create you sound.
It seems outputting the iOS device to an actual bass amp would color your sound too much but to PA it is ideal. For stage monitoring I don't even take an amp I use in ears.

[Rip Topaz]

If you run the signal into your amp via the effects return or power amp input, you can bypass your amp's preamp section and use it strictly as a power amp.

This would allow you to use one tone for everything, and have your Jamup tone going through your stage amp.

[Rip Topaz]

Guys, this is exciting!!
I saw on Twitter this morning that Sunrizer XS is on sale today in the App Store for $2.99, so I just bought it.

It's a keyboard synth app, and just from playing with it for five minutes, it's absolutely awesome!!

Ok, back to jamming.

[adambomb]

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

If you run the signal into your amp via the effects return or power amp input, you can bypass your amp's preamp section and use it strictly as a power amp.

This would allow you to use one tone for everything, and have your Jamup tone going through your stage amp.

But your speakers on your amp are bass guitar voiced but the PA "should" be high-fi voiced so a cd playing or piano or a human voice or bass guitar or guitar "should" sound like the source....it seems that running into a specific voiced cab would color the signal more. I haven't tried it that way it just seems to me like it would be colored much different than what your sending to FOH. So it would be difficult to monitor yourself that way. But for just playing by yourself with just the amp in a room for practice you could probably dial in a very nice tone.

[AaronMB]

Originally Posted by styro

Although I like the models in AmpKit better than in Amplitube, I found the ULTRA-LOW latency switch and tried it with my Apogee JAM. Works perfectly no clicks no dropout or distortion whatsoever.
This make Amplitube my go-to app because the latency is *way* below what AmpKit provides.

I like AmpKit's models better, too - interesting, though, about the latency issue. I had to use Amplitube's Ultra-Low latency switch in order to squash the lag but I've no trouble with latency in AmpKit. (Disclaimer: I'm using a 3GS most of the time and have no trouble running any [single] application.)

However, I agree with Rip: anyone trying out these kinds of applications really should try JamUp; the Bass Expansion pack is killer and totally worth the 10 clams. I 'thought' I was happy with the sounds I dialed in with AK but JamUp has taken over as my go-to app. AK is now a backup app (whatever that really means! lol); AT has been removed from my device.

I've been happy using an AmpKit Link as the middle man. It's quiet and the only "sim" noises I get occur when I push settings too far in an application... I do know what I'm missing by using the limited processor in my 3GS so I look forward to when I can justify the expense of an upgraded iOS device.

[Rip Topaz]

Originally Posted by adambomb

But your speakers on your amp are bass guitar voiced but the PA "should" be high-fi voiced so a cd playing or piano or a human voice or bass guitar or guitar "should" sound like the source....it seems that running into a specific voiced cab would color the signal more. I haven't tried it that way it just seems to me like it would be colored much different than what your sending to FOH. So it would be difficult to monitor yourself that way. But for just playing by yourself with just the amp in a room for practice you could probably dial in a very nice tone.

That's a very good point, and true. I do think, though, that on a stage with the PA and monitors going, the coloring that the amp's speakers add would be really hard to notice.

[Rip Topaz]

In that situation, I would definitely EQ for the FOH and just find a workable EQing on your amp. In an ideal situation the amp wouldn't be used.

[Joe Nerve]

I'm tryin hard to make some connections here with this stuff, but it ain't happening. I'm guessing it's my interface, the tascam iXZ, but it's making me not want to invest in anything more expensive.

I was excited about jamup because I often have to learn songs on the fly and need to do it in places other than home, but truth is...everything I get sounds like crap. I can dial in a listenable bass sound, but it's light years from what I'd consider "good", I can't EQ the music to better distinguish the bass, and the songs going through jam up don't even sound good. Music sounds much better just listeneing straght through iTunes. While I like the novelty and seeming potential of it all, my Roland Microcube and windows media player still do a 10000X better job of things. I may be abandoning this amp app stuff soon, although I'll leave the door open to the possibility that I might be doing something wrong here.

What I am starting to get very much into are the non bass related apps available. Downloaded the full version of loopseque and was playing with it obsessively last night. I think there's a lot of potential in that fun and easy to use beat maker. It's like learning a new, very simple instrument. Also bought the full version of iAmBeatBox which is also a lot of fun. Hoping to get creative with both of them the next couple of days.

I have to stop downloading stuff though, I get excited about something, find something else, get excited about that, find something else... etc.. etc, and I never master or really learn how to use anything. :/ Somebody once said/asked; technology in music had opened thousands of doors in the past past 2 decades. We can do in our homes things we couldn't dream of doing back in 1980. Has all this technology made you more productive, or less productive.

If I only have 3 simple machines to work with, I'll know them inside out and create like a mofo. Give me a hundred toys and I play all day. I'm putting that out there as an admission to a problem, knowing that the first step of the cure is in the recognition. Just for today, I will not download any new apps.

[PDGood]

Very interesting thread and sub'd.

One suggestion - since this is about the basics of making i-music, if contributors would not use abbreviations that would be helpful. What is common to you adds to the process of untangling the mystery for others.

I'm inclined to want to always be able to feel my bass sound and provide my own monitor, so I like having an amp and cab, but the signal processing part of this is very interesting. Would there be an equivalent of a high-end tube pre that could then be pumped into my amp/cab? I've recorded with all sorts of nice plug-ins like Pultec EQ and 1176 limiters - would those types of things be available for ipad type situations?

[Joe Nerve]

Originally Posted by PDGood

One suggestion - since this is about the basics of making i-music, if contributors would not use abbreviations that would be helpful. What is common to you adds to the process of untangling the mystery for others.

Excellent suggestion. Quoted to repeat.

And while this wasn't an abbreviation it's probably important to mention that the tascam iXZ is a $50 interface that allows you to plug into the headphone jack of the ipad/iphone.

[Rip Topaz]

Originally Posted by PDGood

Very interesting thread and sub'd.

One suggestion - since this is about the basics of making i-music, if contributors would not use abbreviations that would be helpful. What is common to you adds to the process of untangling the mystery for others.

I'm inclined to want to always be able to feel my bass sound and provide my own monitor, so I like having an amp and cab, but the signal processing part of this is very interesting. Would there be an equivalent of a high-end tube pre that could then be pumped into my amp/cab? I've recorded with all sorts of nice plug-ins like Pultec EQ and 1176 limiters - would those types of things be available for ipad type situations?

Most of the abbreviations we use are things we write so often we're just tired of it, like using AT for Amplitube.

Jamup has a LA-2A studio compressor/limiter available, modeled after the high end comp. I use it in front of EVERYTHING, it's so good. Very transparent but really noticeable when you turn it off.

[adambomb]

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

In that situation, I would definitely EQ for the FOH and just find a workable EQing on your amp. In an ideal situation the amp wouldn't be used.

Yeah I was referring to using your amp as a monitor only and not having other monitors to use as reference to what your sending

[tekdiver500ft]

What is everyone using for the actual IO? Are there any reasonably priced IOs that work well enough for actual performances?

[PDGood]

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

Most of the abbreviations we use are things we write so often we're just tired of it, like using AT for Amplitube.

Jamup has a LA-2A studio compressor/limiter available, modeled after the high end comp. I use it in front of EVERYTHING, it's so good. Very transparent but really noticeable when you turn it off.

I've recorded with the LA-2A. Very nice - easy to set.

[Rip Topaz]

Originally Posted by tekdiver500ft

What is everyone using for the actual IO? Are there any reasonably priced IOs that work well enough for actual performances?

Honestly, I'm still using the Irig. It works fine as long as you don't push it into high gain territory because it'll get noisy fast.

The headphone jack adapters should be avoided though, if you're aiming for the best possible sound. I'm planning on getting the Apogee Jam, which is what most recommend. However, there is also the ART USB dual pre, and the iTrack Solo which people have also had great results.

[Mound of Sound]

Thanks so much for this thread. Just got Jamup ProXT and the bass expansion pack. BTW, THE BASS PACK WAS ONLY $7.99 TODAY!!!

Now I'm just agonizing over the Apogee Jam and the Alesis ioDock. I think the Apogee will suit me just fine. I just want a new toy. Using an iPad2, just some goofing around on the couch.

[adambomb]

Originally Posted by tekdiver500ft

What is everyone using for the actual IO? Are there any reasonably priced IOs that work well enough for actual performances?

Art USB dual pre with CCK (camera connection kit) the USB adapter to 30 pin. This is for iPad only. CCK is not a iPhone compatible device (recently realized) I use it all the time live. Works like a charm. The actual art dual pre can be ordered for $60 it also doubles as desktop interface.

[adambomb]

Originally Posted by Mound of Sound

Thanks so much for this thread. Just got Jamup ProXT and the bass expansion pack. BTW, THE BASS PACK WAS ONLY $7.99 TODAY!!!

Now I'm just agonizing over the Apogee Jam and the Alesis ioDock. I think the Apogee will suit me just fine. I just want a new toy. Using an iPad2, just some goofing around on the couch.

You will soon have a rockin couch

[Mound of Sound]

Originally Posted by adambomb

You will soon have a rockin couch

Just saw that the JAM needs to be updated to work with iPad 2. Unfortunately, it can't be updated with Windows, and I don't have a Mac. I may have to go ART USB Dual Pre.

Decisions.