Small Recording/Practice Setup for iPad Pro?

[ldproductions]

So I'm getting back into playing after a ~12-year hiatus for career, kids, etc. and starting basically from scratch. I sold all of my old basses, which were in need of more TLC than I wanted to give them, and picked up a lightly used Ibanez SR250. I did hang onto my 1989 Peavey Basic 60, but it's too big for the space I have for playing. So I'm working on building a setup that relies primarily on my iPad Pro and some smaller pieces of technology.

I've done some digging around the forums and YouTube and have started to come up with a small, ampless setup to use for practice, and hopefully some recording. What I want to get some opinions on is whether there's anything I'm missing in my "chain" to make everything work. Here's what I have so far:

Bass: Ibanez SR250
Mixer: Yamaha Soundcake S-01
Headphones: Cheap Behringer Studio
Pedals: Arion Bass Distortion

And here's what I plan on acquiring over the next few months to complete the setup/hopefully allow me to do some recording in addition to doing play alongs:

Interface: Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface or iRig
Multieffect/Amp Simulator: Zoom B1, Zoom MS-60, Vox Stomp Lab, or Fender Downtown
Software: GarageBand, AmpliTube, or something else?

I used to do video production and editing, so I'm not afraid of having a complicated setup or a software learning curve, but space is at a premium, so I'm trying to keep the footprint of everything fairly small.

So for those of you in a similar situation, what do you use?

 

[And I]

i would check to make sure the scarlett 3rd gen's USB-C connector will work with your iPad's thunderbolt connector. i personally would not bother with a physical device for multi-effects / amp simulators. if you're using garageband or pretty much any other daw, all that stuff is built in. AmpliTube is a great amp sim but it's not a DAW and you can't record anything with it. you also don't need a mixer in this scenario.

 

[ldproductions]

i would check to make sure the scarlett 3rd gen's USB-C connector will work with your iPad's thunderbolt connector. i personally would not bother with a physical device for multi-effects / amp simulators. if you're using garageband or pretty much any other daw, all that stuff is built in. AmpliTube is a great amp sim but it's not a DAW and you can't record anything with it. you also don't need a mixer in this scenario.

Thanks! I should have clarified that my iPad uses a USB-C connection, hence the Scarlett being my first choice. So it seems like I might be able to get away with just a digital interface provided it works well with the iPad.

 

[And I]

yup you'll be able to plug in your bass to the DI (select instrument so the line input is at the correct impedance) and monitor through the headphone out.

if you were going to get some multi-effects thing anyway, don't let me talk you out of it! while most DAWs have lots of plugins built in and there are tons of free 3rd party ones available -- this is great for recording and mixing but less than ideal for playing and hearing these effects live in your headphone mix (because then you're dealing with latency).

 

[mike buzzetti]

Get some decent headphones ! , also Reaper is a great low cost DAW Software package , there are tons of plugins for FX and or bass for free that are pretty damn good. Get a DRUM plugin that works with MIDI and download midi drum tracks .

 

[dbsfgyd1]

So I'm getting back into playing after a ~12-year hiatus for career, kids, etc. and starting basically from scratch. I sold all of my old basses, which were in need of more TLC than I wanted to give them, and picked up a lightly used Ibanez SR250. I did hang onto my 1989 Peavey Basic 60, but it's too big for the space I have for playing. So I'm working on building a setup that relies primarily on my iPad Pro and some smaller pieces of technology.

I've done some digging around the forums and YouTube and have started to come up with a small, ampless setup to use for practice, and hopefully some recording. What I want to get some opinions on is whether there's anything I'm missing in my "chain" to make everything work. Here's what I have so far:

Bass: Ibanez SR250
Mixer: Yamaha Soundcake S-01
Headphones: Cheap Behringer Studio
Pedals: Arion Bass Distortion

And here's what I plan on acquiring over the next few months to complete the setup/hopefully allow me to do some recording in addition to doing play alongs:

Interface: Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface or iRig
Multieffect/Amp Simulator: Zoom B1, Zoom MS-60, Vox Stomp Lab, or Fender Downtown
Software: GarageBand, AmpliTube, or something else?

I used to do video production and editing, so I'm not afraid of having a complicated setup or a software learning curve, but space is at a premium, so I'm trying to keep the footprint of everything fairly small.

So for those of you in a similar situation, what do you use?

Sounds like gear wise you have a handle on it.

I have an IPad Pro 12.9” and had plan to use it with Cubasis using a a Steinberg UR-12 interface.

Two problems, one the screen shots do not show all the information on the IPad, and secondly, the power source need to come from the IPad or computer running Cubasis. When used with the I pad I had 20 minutes of recording time before the IPad battery was drained.

I ended up getting a cheaper notebook which solved the problem.

Welcome back to the fold and best wishes.

 

[DanAdams]

I wouldn't spend a dime on effects if you expect to be primarily recording low budget style.
The effects and amp sims in a DAW will be comparable / better than stand alone hardware anyway.
Get an interface with at least a DI & XLR mic preamp. If you want to record music, you should have a microphone, I would choose an AT2020 for a low budget/all around mic.
There is nothing wrong with Garage band, it's also included with Apple.

 

[Barticus]

Garageband from iPad for quick and easy, every day capturing of ideas and sharing/collaborating of songs with bandmates…

Any simple interface and of course, a USB-C hub to plug into

You can practice, play and record

 

[logdrum]

You just need an interface. effects and amps sims handled by Yonac Tonestack or just Garage band. Garage band will provide drums and loops

IReal Pro is great collection of play along tracks

‎Yonac Inc. Apps on the App Store

Apple lightning camera adaptor and Tascam TH-MX2 IMO is great for bass practicing. around ~30) I have expensive headphones (actually mid-fi in the audiophile world) so I think I know what I am talking about. No need to spend over that.

 

[Hasty]

I’ve used an iPad or iPhone for several years for all sorts of music projects.
My favorite iOS centric DAW is MultiTrack DAW. It’s not super powerful in regards to chained FX and such, but for straight up recording of multi track stuff it’s hard to beat. I feel like it’s one of the best non-native DAWs available for iOS. GarageBand is pretty good but it seems more limited to me when I’m doing serious stuff.

For an interface I’ve used a USB mixer, iRig Pro Duo, Motu M4, a Zoom H6, and a Zoom Q2N HD if I want to add video. I’ve used all with a two port camera connection kit so I get bus power and can keep the iPad charged the whole time. For one or two channels they’re all great interfaces. Sometimes I’ll record our band live and run up to 4 tracks, for that kind of stuff it’s the Zoom H6. It’s portable and can allow up to 6 tracks. Most USB mixers I’ve tested only allow up to two tracks.


I also built a Zynthian that’s pretty amazing for a two channel interface and multi effects. It also does MIDI, keys, synths, and Pianoteq. It’s the most powerful thing I underutilize on a regular basis.

 

[matdras]

I would definitely recommend an iPad setup for ease of use. Connected either to a USB/Thunderbolt hub, or directly to an audio interface (I’ve had great luck with several MOTU products), you can get high quality recordings with relative immediacy compared to a traditional computer setup. The direct monitoring function on my Ultralite mk5 (through darn good monitors) is the most detailed I’ve ever heard my bass at bedroom volumes. I can’t say that I’ve ever been blown away by audio interface preamps, but that is more a “you get what you pay for” thing rather than commentary on using an iPad for recording. There are a million ways to get the tone you want before it ever hits the digital domain, and I’m sure some high-end interfaces probably approach blow you away territory, but I digress, like a lot…

What the iPad setup does not do as well as Mac/PC is provide you with a multitude of software options. The library is growing by the day, and the programs are maturing and have the ability to create fantastic recordings, but Cubasis/Beatmaker/GarageBand are not Ableton/Logic/ProTools…yet. I most frequently return to AUM because it’s a beautiful piece of software, but it doesn’t even have true timeline-based recording.

Overall, I’m very pleased with many of the features that an iPad setup provides, but depending on what you’re trying to achieve, you might be left searching for logistical solutions at times.

 

[57pbass]

Following..
I’ve always wanted to to some home recording and will be purchasing the new iPad Pro when it releases

 

[VoodooJazz]

For just practicing, I’d recommend the tiny Apogee Jam+ interface and an iOS app like JamUp Pro. You can do rudimentary recording with GarageBand, which comes with the iPad unless that’s changed. Oh, and headphones, too. Enjoy!

 

[Plain Old Barry]

Get some decent headphones !

Ditto that!

I can suggest Sony MDR7506, not a lot of money and excellent performance. They're great with bass. Usually under $100.

https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Profess...hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583863992881966&psc=1

 

[claudel]

I've been doing this for years.

I'll just drop a few names...

UA Volt 276 - Nice sounding, stable, full featured, works with new iPad USB C

AUM - app ( audio & MIDI ) mixer extrordinaire

Yonac - Tonestack Pro - Amp Sims & virtual pedalboards - Roxsyn - Oscillators & filters

Nembrini - Amps ( BlackIce Beta-Gamma is a great virtual bass amp ) tuner & IR loader

Fab Filter - EQ, compressors, other top shelf signal processors

Eventide...

Tone Boosters - compressors, limiters, other great apps

Red Rock Sound - Virtual Pultec!

It can be a bottomless pit, but the results are there and most of the apps are quite reasonably priced compared to desktop versions

 

[RGerhart]

You might also consider the Darkglass Element as your interface. The nice part about it is that it is a headphone amp, so you can practice without your iPad if you need to. Plus, it has a built-in tuner, cab sim, and other functions that you might find useful.

 

[Bass-ball]

i would check to make sure the scarlett 3rd gen's USB-C connector will work with your iPad's thunderbolt connector.

For Presonus Studio One, it works. When you open Presonus, you can choose your audio driver based on the input from the Scarlett (USB, Thunderbolt, etc.).

 

[ldproductions]

This is all great info/gives me a lot of rabbit holes to go down, especially on the software side, so thanks! Definitely nice to jump back into a community where the primary answer on a thread isn't some form of "don't you know how to use the search feature!? This has all been covered 1000 times, you moron."

It seems like the most critical thing is making sure that I have a USB hub to so I can power my iPad while using the audio interface/DAW or get and interface (like a Volt) that can accept external power as opposed to using the USB bus.

 

[Barticus]

So once you decide which interface you’re going to use (a ton of great options)… Not sure if you’re planning for just writing/recording or production mixing/mastering but if looking to use as a writing tool don’t overlook the power of GB on iPad.

It’s free, so no harm in learning about it. We use it as a collaborative writing tool and share projects in iCloud for all band members to contribute to. You can easily create sections that can be easily isolated to work on independently (e.g. - into, verse, chorus, bridge, etc). You can turn on one section or the whole song to work on just your parts. Same applies for the built in drummers, add one, mod the playing/style and even let it ‘follow’ your track to auto fill (awesome).

Other members can add tracks to the project and you’ll get synced the updates in real time! Awesome collaborative writing/recording tool and it’s free! Then you can export the project or individual stems to drop into another DAW.

Cool example, our singer would open a project we’re all working on and add vocal ideas by recording directly into his iPhone during his breaks while working 3rd shift. We’d all see the progress in the synced project the next morning… such a cool and powerful writing tool!

 

[claudel]

This is all great info/gives me a lot of rabbit holes to go down, especially on the software side, so thanks! Definitely nice to jump back into a community where the primary answer on a thread isn't some form of "don't you know how to use the search feature!? This has all been covered 1000 times, you moron."

It seems like the most critical thing is making sure that I have a USB hub to so I can power my iPad while using the audio interface/DAW or get and interface (like a Volt) that can accept external power as opposed to using the USB bus.

I got this hub when I got my new(est) iPad a year or so ago.

Anker Docking Station, PowerExpand 7-in-1 Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock for USB-C Laptops

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B087TBBQ6H/

It was pricy, but has worked almost flawlessly. I don't need/use the ethernet or HTML ports but they don't seem to bother anything.

Sometimes the interface doesn't want to connect on startup but unplugging & plugging the cable always seems to work when it's balky.

I run the USB C data cable from the iPad through the hub to the data port on the interface and run a second USB from the hub to the power port of the interface. This lets me run everything on wall power and lets the iPad charge its battery while in use