• 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.

Simple Mac software effects guidance

pmcdn

pmcdn

Dec 21, 2020
58
24
#1
Hi, I haven't ever messed around with software apps for my bass effects, but I think I want to try it out. What I am hoping to do is play my Jazz bass through my Macbook to my Ampeg 110 as a monitor without spending a lot of money.

Is it possible to use some software app (like Garageband, etc.) and some kind of interface to use and experiment with different effects and tones? I don't care really about recording, just playing/practicing solo.

What's the best way to go about this? Thanks!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bassic_desires
#2
You’ll need a basic interface to get the bass into the computer.

You need to use a line output on the interface to plug into your amp. Do NOT use a headphone output into your amp. You may need a cable or adapter to get the signal from the interface into the amp, depending on how the interface’s output is configured. May also want to use the amp’s line in vs instrument input if you have one.

Also make sure you set the interface for software monitoring, not hardware (or direct) monitoring.

You may encounter some latency but that can often be minimized in the software.

Most of us would usually plug into a powered monitor (eg reference monitors) in this type of situation.
 
#6
brianrost said:
Some digital effects pedals already have the interface you need built in. The original Zoom B3 for example (but not the B3n).

The TC Helicon GO Guitar Pro is a similar but cheaper option than the Orange OMEC Teleport.

Also check out the IK Multimedia iRig.
Click to expand...
Interesting.

I have a Sansamp bass driver DI V1. Can I use this to connect to my MacBook and use additional effects from software while I am playing?
 
#7
pmcdn said:
Interesting.

I have a Sansamp bass driver DI V1. Can I use this to connect to my MacBook and use additional effects from software while I am playing?
Click to expand...

No, the SansAmp range of products are all analog devices. You need something that will do analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion to feed into your Mac, and preferably (you could use the Mac's audio out, but the interface will provide better quality and control) digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion to send into your amplifier.
 
#8
You can do this with a Mac, but it is *much* easier with an iPad or an iPhone as there are some well-designed apps for just this very thing, without latency issues.
 
#9
ficelles said:
You can do this with a Mac, but it is *much* easier with an iPad or an iPhone as there are some well-designed apps for just this very thing, without latency issues.
Click to expand...

In my experience, Mainstage on a MacBook is just as usable/responsive as BiasFX on an iPad.
 
#11
pmcdn said:
Hi, I haven't ever messed around with software apps for my bass effects, but I think I want to try it out. What I am hoping to do is play my Jazz bass through my Macbook to my Ampeg 110 as a monitor without spending a lot of money.

Is it possible to use some software app (like Garageband, etc.) and some kind of interface to use and experiment with different effects and tones? I don't care really about recording, just playing/practicing solo.

What's the best way to go about this? Thanks!
Click to expand...
What is your budget? At a minimum, you need an audio interface (converts analog to digital). I've owned a Peavey Xport (~$60), an Apogee Jam (~$120), and I now own an Apogee Element (a lot more $$). The Peavey will get the job done. I noticed in another post that you have a Sansamp Bass Driver. You can use this but only with an audio interface - your bass would go into the pedal, and the pedal output would go into the interface. The nice thing about this configuration is that you don't need an external monitor - headphones or ear buds can also be used, or the Macbook speakers. GarageBand can be configured to use the Macbook speaker/headphone as your output and the Peavey (or other interface) as the input.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ctmullins
#12
You'll need a hardware interface between your bass and your Mac. I use one of the Focusrite Scarlett models and it's fine. There are plenty of others interfaces, some are cheaper and some are more expensive, and which one is best really boils down to what you need and what you expect. Basically, nearly anything that will take a guitar signal and convert it into useful digital audio will work for some level of "work". If in doubt, start cheap and upgrade after you figure out whether it's holding you back, and how.

I use GarageBand on my Mac for noodling around. It's got a few dozen pedal emulations plus built in effects processing and overall it's fine for playing-along type jamming. It's hardware agnostic, meaning it doesn't care what audio interface you use, as long as it sends a standard audio data stream (pretty much all of them do these days). Apple also sells a related app called MainStage for US$30 which is more or less GarageBand for live performance, and has (as far as I can tell) the same effects packages as GarageBand. It might be better than GarageBand for just noodling around, but I haven't tried it yet so I don't know.
 
#15
Like most have stated an interface is your first step. Me personally Id rather listen on headphones than a small combo.

If playing practicing solo I would get an irig and use an iphone or ipad. There are free versions if biasFX, amplitube, and a few others. It would be easier to navigate through and experiment with tones. It is also probably the cheapest option, provided you have a ipad/iphone. The irig could also be used with your macbook and garage band using the audio input on your macbook. The audio quality and latency might not be the best.
You can also use your combo as a monitor with the irig.
Heres a link to the generic amazon irig
https://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Effec...dchild=1&keywords=irig&qid=1625797695&sr=8-19

I used an irig w/ headphones when i got bored at work, until I got my Spark 40.
 
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
#17
As many have stated, a good sound interface is a good and well justified investment; some come with preamp capabilities and many connections. I have actually never played bass through normal effects, always been a Mac guy and my experience has been of consistent reliability and satisfaction. Settings can be saved (any combination) and there are no interconnectivity/power/impedance crap to deal with… there’s other (software versions, drivers) but things you don’t need to deal at a gig.

Garageband will be sufficient to get you convinced that this may be the way you want to go. Once there, you may never turn back. I’ve used Mainstage from many years and I’ve tried massive multi-channel strip combinations with midi/synths of all sorts loaded with effects and this thing goes as far as your imagination would go.

Below an example, all Mainstage with Native Instruments Komplete loaded with reverbs and filters and the results is actually pretty nice. Enjoy the journey!

 
#18
thewildest said:
As many have stated, a good sound interface is a good and well justified investment; some come with preamp capabilities and many connections. I have actually never played bass through normal effects, always been a Mac guy and my experience has been of consistent reliability and satisfaction. Settings can be saved (any combination) and there are no interconnectivity/power/impedance crap to deal with… there’s other (software versions, drivers) but things you don’t need to deal at a gig.

Garageband will be sufficient to get you convinced that this may be the way you want to go. Once there, you may never turn back. I’ve used Mainstage from many years and I’ve tried massive multi-channel strip combinations with midi/synths of all sorts loaded with effects and this thing goes as far as your imagination would go.

Below an example, all Mainstage with Native Instruments Komplete loaded with reverbs and filters and the results is actually pretty nice. Enjoy the journey!

Click to expand...

What are some less expensive interfaces with minimal latency?
 
#19
This is some good info from all of the replies. So it sounds like if I get an interface and connect it to my Mac, plug my bass into the interface and line out to my amp (only because it’s my only external speaker/monitor), I can practice and experiment with tones and amp modeling software in real-time? This is my goal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ctmullins

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back