How to record improv practice

[moles]

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.

Assuming your iPad only has USB-C or Lightning or whatever, (and you're recording on your laptop-? Not sure if I've got that wrong...) you just need the dongle to output a 1/8" audio jack. Get a 1/8" -> split 1/4" stereo cable. You can record the tracks into your DAW first, then overdub your bass. If you *need* to do both at once for whatever reason, then pan everything in your backing track app to the right and just plug the right end of the split 1/4" into one input on your interface, and your bass into the other input.

 

[John Stephen]

Thank you @moles , I will check out what a dongle is, and see if that will enable me to connect my iPad to my audio interface (I thought the DAW was the software). Anyhoo, I will look into this and thanks again for the suggestion.

 

[brianrost]

Thanks for replying. My interface is the PreSonus AudioBox96 USB. I'm not sure how I would send the iPad backing tracks into the interface.

Does the iPad have a headphone output? If not, get a Lightning to 3.5mm TRS cable and then a 3.5mm TRS to 1/4” TS plug adapter. Patch that into one channel of your interface. You can find them at Sweetwater.

 

[John Stephen]

Thanks for that suggestion as well. That seems like it would work (my iPad doesn't have a headphone output, so I would use the cable and connector that you mentioned. But I'd have to have some kind of extension cable to lengthen it, because the Lightning to 3.5mmTRS cable is very short. My iPad, with iRealPro, is on my music stand which is a few feet away from the laptop. But maybe I can rig up an extension. I appreciate your suggestion and everyone else's. Hopefully I can get something to work.

 

[Low-End Steve]

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.

What's the audio out on the iPad, i.e. how would you connect headphones/earbuds? Amazon or Sweetwater should have a cable to go from there to the AudioBox96, though you might need an adapter or two (e.g., from USB-C to 1/8" AUX, then 1/8" to 1/4", maybe with an AUX cable in between). I don't have an iPad, but that route works with my Android phone that has only USB-C out.

 

[John Stephen]

@Low-End Steve On your question about what is the audio out on the iPad, I actually have no idea. I've never needed it before. This is new territory for me.

On the cable that you described, thanks Steve, that seems to be the way to go. Will check it out.