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Double Bass IPhone app for USB preamp?

robobass

robobass

Aug 1, 2005
3,546
1,421
Cologne, Germany
www.basscapos.com
Disclosures
Private Inventor - Bass Capos
#1
I just picked up an Art Dual Pre which I thought I could use with my Android tablet. I can't get it to work with the tablet. It's a pretty cool little box though and works fine with my desktop PC, but then I'm not very mobile. My wife has an IPhone 5, but I can't seem to find the appropriate apps. Anyone using an IPhone for portable recording?

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#2
This won't work.

I think the USB implementation in the iPhone (and probably most other mobile phones) is USB client, but to use the interface you mentioned (which itself is a USB client) you need a USB host (like a computer USB interface). Very few devices can switch their USB role.

So no computer USB interface will work with an iPhone.

I got a cheap stereo infterface for an iPhone, but there is so much noise, that I prefer to record with the built-in microphone or the headset microphone in mono. The problem is, that the microphone is easily overdriven (i.e. when I try to record while playing in my big band) and the level control only works after the conversion, when the signal is already distorted. You might have luck to hack an old headset to attenuate the mic signal before it goes into the iPhone, but it's probably not worth the hassle.

Better get a cheaper dedicated flash-card audio recorder. It's probably cheaper and can record longer than a phone.
 
#4
DoubleMIDI said:
The problem is, that the microphone is easily overdriven (i.e. when I try to record while playing in my big band) and the level control only works after the conversion, when the signal is already distorted.
Click to expand...
Yes, the problem is to be abble to adjust the input level.
I record my rehearsal on an Iphone with: Irig recorder (IK Multimedia) that let you adjust the input level. Even, There is a free version to try it. Garage Band also has that feature, but I prefer Irig whitch looks more simple to me.
Alain
 
#5
I wonder if some tablets do have "USB Host"? I've got a totally generic one which doesn't seem to, although there are absolutely no instructions or detailed specs, so I don't know for sure. It's too bad. The processing power in modern tablets and smart phones is easily capable of stereo .wav recording, but none are equipped with a proper audio interface. I suppose that even if a "line in" jack would add only a buck to the cost of production, the marketing team would shoot it down.
 
#6
Or they add it, but remove something else to sell both of them to the same person...

I often used the Tascam PCMrecorder that I got for free. Works nicely with the built-in mic, can be turned by 180 degree, so the microphone point to the front and could be locked. Unfortunately it only seems to work with Tascams interface for two channels.
Unfortunately it is not clear how low you can set the input without getting input distortion, so I have several recordings, that are OK on the level meter but sound distorted.
 
#7
After some more tinkering I have found that my generic Android tablet does indeed support usb host, and I can now make .wav recordings through the ART preamp. For the moment I have only downloaded free apps and have mono only, but I'm sure I can find a way to do proper stereo 44.1 stereo or even multichannel soon. I suppose that for many users a dedicated device such as a Zoom with built in mics would be preferable, but here (a bit more bulky, but still totally portable) I have the option to use real pro mics with 48v phantom power, and have invested way less than a hundred in the preamp. The tablet was purchased for other reasons, so doesn't figure.

I'll update again when I've recorded my first concert!
 
#9
Naw, it (USB Audio Recorder PRO) was just using the onboard mic. I do have some usb host function, i.e. I can plug in memory sticks and such, but the Art doesn't work, and I can't figure out how to install certain drivers which might get it going. I'll write again after fussing some more...
 
#10
There is a standard for simple (2-channel) audio for USB. Most modern computer operating systems have a built-in driver for that and immediately recognize such kind of interfaces. Either you need to switch to different audio input sound sorce (if possible at all) or it should work immediately. If neither of this is true, I doubt the have a (standard) audio driver in their system. I'm even not sure if it would be possible to install a driver on the tablet.

Maybe look around if there is any third party recording soultion available for Android tablet using the USB port at all. If not, I doubt you would find any driver you can use for recording purposes with the tablet.

Sorry for the misunderstanding.
 
#11
DoubleMIDI said:
There is a standard for simple (2-channel) audio for USB. Most modern computer operating systems have a built-in driver for that and immediately recognize such kind of interfaces. Either you need to switch to different audio input sound sorce (if possible at all) or it should work immediately. If neither of this is true, I doubt the have a (standard) audio driver in their system. I'm even not sure if it would be possible to install a driver on the tablet.

Maybe look around if there is any third party recording soultion available for Android tablet using the USB port at all. If not, I doubt you would find any driver you can use for recording purposes with the tablet.

Sorry for the misunderstanding.
Click to expand...

Not at all. There are a few recording apps for android which recognize a usb audio device. The developer for the one I'm using actually has tested my preamp and found it to work. The problem is that there are so many different tablets, and some (like Samsung) have the audio capabilities intentionally disabled (why?). Others just didn't build in full usb functionality for whatever reason. A big problem is android itself, where, like you said, you can't just install .dll's like you can on a windows machine. I bet I will work this out eventually, as the developers get to work on more of the inherent limitations. I'm someone who can tinker with an OS as a pastime, but am absolutely no hacker. For now though it looks like I need to stick with a laptop for any field recording.
 

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