Q? for iOS Synth users with USB interface...

cl516

hi folks, just wanna ask those who play iOS synths (probably most of us) with interface attached.

obviously it depends on interface wuality and also whether the synth is capable,

but do you notice overall better quality sound (omg so subjective i know) when using same synth with interface? (vs straight out of headphone jack)

Telefunky

the onboard converters of current IOS devices are really good, but of course not top notch studio grade.
(which most interfaces aren't either)
But an interface will act as a reliable buffer between IOS and the recording channel.
Not to forget that an interface can drive headphones more powerful, which is subjectively perceived 'better'.
At least that was my impression with the Alesis ioDock in an A/B comparison using cans.
But recorded signals via headphone/dock were almost indistinguishable when brought to an identical level.
(it may take less than 1dB difference to clearly prefer one signal over the other)

JP-08

Headphone port is lower quality over the lighting port. Aira pro has a switch in it to disable the eq curve (for lack of a better term) present on the headphone port that disables that eq and makes the output more natural, but whenever possible use the lightning port.

cl516

@JP-08 said:
Headphone port is lower quality over the lighting port. Aira pro has a switch in it to disable the eq curve (for lack of a better term) present on the headphone port that disables that eq and makes the output more natural, but whenever possible use the lightning port.

Is that something like the "measurement mode"? I don't have Auria yet.

Will

@cl516 said:

@JP-08 said:
Headphone port is lower quality over the lighting port. Aira pro has a switch in it to disable the eq curve (for lack of a better term) present on the headphone port that disables that eq and makes the output more natural, but whenever possible use the lightning port.

Is that something like the "measurement mode"? I don't have Auria yet.

Yep.

Telefunky

@JP-08 said:
Headphone port is lower quality over the lighting port. ...

sorry, but that's apples versus oranges - one is analog, the other digital
the USB/Lightning device needed to convert the digital signal may well be inferior to what drives the headphone socket.
At least I noticed one of the hifi mags classified the output stage as 'extremely good', which surprised me, as those dudes usually find something to complain about...

cl516

I started this topic, so I'll continue this.

Generation and a half ago, I was all gungho and bought an Apogee Duet for iOS, but I never had success using it for playing synths. Maybe it was the MIDI, but I always got dropouts.

Now I'm on 12.9 iPad Pro, so wanting to try again, maybe with new Scarlett Mk2's. Just wanna gauge whether it's worth it or not. I'm already recording with headphone out so far...

mrufino1

@JP-08 said:
Headphone port is lower quality over the lighting port. Aira pro has a switch in it to disable the eq curve (for lack of a better term) present on the headphone port that disables that eq and makes the output more natural, but whenever possible use the lightning port.

Measurement mode has to do with the input of the onboard mic, not the output. The mic usually has automatic gain control and a 200hz high pass filter, but measurement mode disables that.

Audioshare and audiobus also have the option to enable measurement mode.