• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

How to record improv practice

John Stephen

John Stephen

Supporting Member
Aug 16, 2018
3,589
6,083
SF Bay Area
#1
I am looking for suggestions on how I can record myself practicing soloing over backing tracks. I am playing the backing tracks on my iPad using the iRealPro app. I can plug my bass directly into my audio interface, but I have no way of recording the backing tracks coming out of my iPad. I tried playing my bass through my amp, and the iPad backing tracks via the iPad, and recording it all on my phone, but the phone doesn't pick up the bass coming through the amp at all. It records the iPad backing tracks just fine but can't pick up the bass.

Any suggestions on a recording method for my situation? I am not trying to make high quality recordings; I just want to record and then listen to see how I'm doing. So casual recording is all I need. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
 
#2
What interface do you have? Look into something called 'loopback', although I'm not sure this is something that can be accessed on a tablet. The idea is you send PC audio to those 'loopback' inputs, and then you select those inputs in your DAW, and that's how you could get both bass guitar signal and backing track onto a recording.
 
#5
Can you install Audacity on your iPad? Record the backing tracks into Audacity then create a new track to record the bass while Audacity plays the backing track.

Works well. I've done this a number of times on a Windows PC. The audio setup in Audacity will allow you to select the recording source.

1720733193475.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: funkinbottom, MattZilla, srayb and 1 other person
#6
Doesn't look like this interface supports the loopback feature. And even if, most likely you wouldn't be able to access it on a tablet, those advanced mixer features usually require dedicated mixer software, and those again usually are only for Windows and MacOS.

I understand that's supposed to be a very portable recording setup? If you don't mind the size, a 5 year old 13" laptop is sufficient for simple recording, although you'd still have to factor in a new interface that does have loopback. I use Audient id14 MK2, and it would work the way you want.
 
#7
gtmalone said:
Can you install Audacity on your iPad? Record the backing tracks into Audacity then create a new track to record the bass while Audacity plays the backing track.

Works well. I've done this a number of times on a Windows PC. The audio setup in Audacity will allow you to select the recording source.

View attachment 6978308
Click to expand...
Thank you for this suggestion. So, from your post, it sounds like I could play the backing track on my iPad, while also recording it into Audacity, also on my iPad -- in other words, the iPad is playing and recording at the same time, correct?

EDIT: I see that Audacity is not available for iPad. Maybe some other app is out there.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: gtmalone
#10
…
I just came into possession of one of these gigraks, and, yesterday, stumbled upon this.

Even if you don't speak German, you'll get the message. May be of interest here.



​
 
#11
detoxxx said:
If you're using a DAW, in theory I think you can export the backing track from iReal Pro as a .wav or .aac. Then, import that audio file into your DAW. Now you should be able to record your bass while the audio file plays.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I appreciate the suggestion. My iReal Pro can export the backing track to a file saved on my iPad, in acc or wav format. But I can't figure out how to get it into my laptop for use with my DAW. I can't email the backing track from the iPad because the file is too large for my email. So I don't have a way to really export it somewhere. But I will keep trying to figure that out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gtmalone
#12
John Stephen said:
Thank you for this suggestion. So, from your post, it sounds like I could play the backing track on my iPad, while also recording it into Audacity, also on my iPad -- in other words, the iPad is playing and recording at the same time, correct?

EDIT: I see that Audacity is not available for iPad. Maybe some other app is out there.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's the idea. Looks like the iPad question was answered above. Have fun!
 
#13
John Stephen said:
Thanks, I appreciate the suggestion. My iReal Pro can export the backing track to a file saved on my iPad, in acc or wav format. But I can't figure out how to get it into my laptop for use with my DAW. I can't email the backing track from the iPad because the file is too large for my email. So I don't have a way to really export it somewhere. But I will keep trying to figure that out.
Click to expand...

Can you install iReal on your laptop? I'm assuming it's an Apple. Alternatively, connect the headphone out on the iPad (if it has one) to the line in on your laptop or use your audio interface box. Bluetooth should work as well to move the file.
 
#16
As everyone else said: DAW on a PC/LT plus an interface is pretty ideal. I can’t speak on all DAWs, but I’d imagine most are easy to import tracks stored elsewhere in the computer or cloud straight to their own track.

Any DAW should work, probably even Audacity?

It’s an old black sheep among DAWs, but I like AcidPro as it’s dead easy to sequence/compose with and pretty easy to import & manipulate existing audio and I’ve used it on every Windows OS since XP.
 
#17
MattZilla said:
As everyone else said: DAW on a PC/LT plus an interface is pretty ideal. I can’t speak on all DAWs, but I’d imagine most are easy to import tracks stored elsewhere in the computer or cloud straight to their own track.

...
Click to expand...
right, my challenge is how to get the iRealPro backing track onto my laptop. I will try a couple of suggestions offered above, thanks.
 
#19
moles said:
How many inputs does your interface have? It seems to me that the easiest thing is to run an audio cable out of the iPad and into the interface and got record. Not sure what I'm missing here...
Click to expand...
My interface has two inputs. They can accept mic level and instrument level. I don't know of any type of cable that could plug into my iPad on one end and the interface on the other, but perhaps there is. However, I will be trying to run an iPad type cable from the iPad to my Microsoft laptop, as was suggested above. After I've had a chance to try it I will report back. Thanks again.
 
#20
John Stephen said:
right, my challenge is how to get the iRealPro backing track onto my laptop. I will try a couple of suggestions offered above, thanks.
Click to expand...


IMG_6214.png


I guess you could try memu & andy.

Within most DAWs though you can take literally any song and HPF the bass 95% out and trigger-synth the kick back in instead of being limited to whatever songs the app got licenses for.
 
Last edited:

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back