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What piece of gear do I need to record the OUT of a guitar pedal in my iPad?
Hey guys,
I'm scratching my head with a problem, and I'm sure someone will know the answer.
What piece of gear do I need to solve my problem?
I make music with my iPad and I record all my music in GarageBand.
But sometimes, I want to use a guitar pedal to modify the sound of my synth.
How can I record this sound on my iPad? In other words, how can I record the sound after my guitar pedal, in my iPad DAW? Is an external hardware looper the only way to record the sound after the pedal?
Ipad synth → Guitar Pedal IN → Guitar Pedal out in my ipad again?
Thanks
Comments
For iPhones or iPads with a Lightning connector:
For 'reamping', make sure that the audio interface has enough outputs. Beware that many bigger interfaces designed for desktop computers may work on an iPad, especially if they are Class-Compliant, but all of its outputs (and inputs) may not be available on the iPad.
There are several inexpensive analog audio interfaces that use the mic jack built-into the older iPhones and iPads, but a USB audio interface will usually sound better, especially with guitars.
If you're using an iPad with a USB-C connector, then it can provide more power than the Lightning connector, though you'll likely still need a powered USB-C hub.
An audio interface with a LINE input and a LINE output, I would imagine. Plug the output (which would either be connected to your speaker or your headphone) back into the input. Ensure to adjust the gain so it isn't loud. Then manage the channels using something like AUM, Audiobus, or even a DAW like Garageband.
iPad -> Audio interface via USB.
Thanks for your answers! What do you think of this: https://www.amazon.ca/-/fr/Yamaha-Ag03-Table-de-mixage-audio/dp/B00ST0FOO0/ref=sr_1_15?__mk_fr_CA=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&keywords=yamaha+audio+mixer&qid=1587158671&sr=8-15
Yamaha AG03 spec sheet: https://usa.yamaha.com/products/music_production/interfaces/ag_series/specs.html#product-tabs
I've never used it, so hopefully someone else chimes in.
The AG03 does have a 'Hi-Z' or high impedance input for electric guitars, which I forgot to mention above. (The input impedance is important - guitars and pedals have different impedance compared to mics and line level devices. Luckily most interfaces these days have combo-inputs that can handle different sources).
I've used the Presonus iTwo, Focusrite iTrack Dock, and iConnectAudio4+, all successfully on the iPad.
I wouldn't worry too much about impedance mismatch, if he is planning to send line level from ipad into a pedal there's already impedance diff.
What's more important is that to me it looks like even though there is a separate headphone out it's still a 2 out interface, which isn't enough if you want to be able to monitor while using external fx. So you'll need interface with 4 outputs.
MOTU M2 or M4 may be your best bet.
Their headphone output is on its own bus, separate from the Main outputs, so reamping would be easier.
It depends on the pedal, eg sending a line level signal to a BOSS analog pedal and back to a line level input on the interface is going to sound like garbage.
And we don't know which pedal he's using. @Montreal_Music Which pedal?
Electro-Harmonix - Grand Canyon Delay & Looper
Looks like the EHX Grand Canyon's input is high impedance (suited for an electric guitar), and it's outputs are close to line level.
Input is 2M Ohm / Stereo Output is 550 Ohm.
https://www.ehx.com/assets/instructions/grand-canyon.pdf
Try it and see. You may need to buy an impedance transformer or direct box that converts line level to guitar level.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/search.php?s=reamp
I know that the grand canyon delay is a good one, but I can’t help but think that you’d be better off just trying some delays and verbs that already run in ios to process what you want. I’m pretty sure the grand canyon is a digital pedal, so the steps and equipment needed (and monetary considerations) for you to process things through it probably wouldn’t actually gain you much. With that being said, I’ve spent money chasing down many a crazy idea...
Do you have any sort of interface now? Or do you mainly use synths and not record audio? Getting an audio interface if you don’t have one wouldn’t be a bad idea anyway. You’d need an interface with more than 2 outs. I’m not sure if the new SSL interfaces work with ios, but if so that could be a great choice. They’ve gotten great reviews so far.
A reamp box will help you a lot in this case, in addition to your interface. I built one from a DIYRE Kit, it was $50 and was really easy to build.
I hope that was helpful
EDIT: I just looked at sweetwater’s page and the SSL 2+ works with ios on an ipad pro according to one of the reviews. Whether it works with other ipads I don’t know, usb-c may make a difference there, although a powered hub with the cck would probably solve any issue with power from the lightning port.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SSL2Plus--solid-state-logic-ssl2-usb-audio-interface/reviews
Thanks for your answer once again. If the OUT of the EHX are close to line level, maybe I can plug the stereo out of the pedal in the piano IN (stereo) of the Yamaha? I see 2 kinds of IN with this soundcard (1 guitar and 1 piano). With the infos I have, I think the Yamaha should be a good choice.
The output of the Grand Canyon isn't the problem. The problem is that the Grand Canyon's input is designed for accepting signals from electric guitars and guitar pedals - it's not designed for accepting line level signals like the outputs on audio interfaces, iPads, synths, drum machines, rack effects, etc.
And looking at the AG03's spec sheet, it looks like the headphones are mirrored with the Main outputs. So it's not ideal for reamping.
But try @mrufino1's suggestion. Audio Damage Enso, Kai Aras RE-1, Loopy HD, Quantiloop Pro, etc.
Eventually you'll need an audio interface - the SSL is indeed nice, and so is the MOTU M2 or M4.
But there are guitar-centric USB audio interfaces designed with reamping in mind - the Antelope Audio Zen Tour has 2 reamping outputs. The IK Multimedia Axe I/O has 1 reamping output. But I don't know if they work with iPads. Or you could just get a Radial or ART box for $99 and connect that to any iPad audio interface's output.
The Eventide Mixing Link is made for this kind of thing, although it’s mostly mono. It can even work as an FX send/return for the iPad, via an analog headphone jack connection.
Quality will be better if you use it with an audio interface, but that depends on what you need.
It’s not cheap, but it’s so useful. I bought one years ago and never regretted it. It’ll solve almost every routing problem.
Thanks for sharing. The MixingLink looks like a useful Swiss Army knife for small studios. Strange that the FAQs say its instrument input is 2M Ohm, but the spec sheet and manual say it's 500k. Anyway, I think I need this.
I use mine with my guitar every day. Sounds great, however many ohms it has there. The output goes to my mixer, and my other pedals are in the Mixing Link’s loop. Also works for sending line- and mic-level signal through guitar pedals, as the OP requested.
Glad to be an enabler
Don't forget about these folks in Canada...
https://www.radialeng.com/
I live in Canada. What would be the equivalent of the Eventide Mixing Link on radial website?
Audio interface Is a must .. if it had sends and return even better .. may I know what effect are trying to achieve ? I have tried a lot of EHX pedals .. and most of the newer builds are not really great in quality or sounds .. i stopped buying their pedals by 2016/17....I have sold all my EHX pedals except memory man ...
You are better off buying off iOS apps like alTeza,Eventide Blackhole , audio damage dub delay for synths, micro pitch, Eos reverb etc .. not worth the trouble the setup .
I just know that they have boxes that you can hook stomp boxes up to so you can use them in a non- guitar environment.
I live in America.
Thanks for your comment. Just by curiosity, is there a difference in sound quality of, lets say, the Eventide Blackhole on the AppStore and the Eventide Blackhole with the H9? Same same?
Just know all their boxes (except state bug series ) are not so cheap
You could try their re amp . lots of options really
Same same ... I have both H9 and the app too.. whats great ... I could port all my presets from h9 to app...... .. the really magician is the micro pitch app .. just drop on any synth the h3000 preset .. you will love it ...micro+Alteza .. should suit your synth needs ... if extra cash then eos2,ultratap+blackhole...
I have tried a lot of EHX pedals .. and most of the newer builds are not really great in quality or sounds .. i stopped buying their pedals by 2016/17....I have sold all my EHX pedals except memory man ...
Did you know why? They change the team? I'm just curious. One of my favorite effect is the pitch shifter and I dont know why, but it's very difficult to find a very good sounding pitch shifter. To my ears, the EHX Pitch Fork is the best (+ the tracking is good) and I think this pedal is post 2016. What guitar pedal brand do you prefer? If you want to share your toughts of this, I would be more than happy to read your comment about the subjects. Cheers!
Good to know. Could I use two for dual-channel sources/destinations? I wonder if someone makes a two-channel version.
There’s no stereo, apart from the send/return to the iPhone via jack. And the headphone out.
But it has 3 inputs and three outs, all of which can be used simultaneously. This includes the FX loops as one in and one out b
Very cool. Thanks again @mistercharlie, gonna grab one.
Basically their reissues of their old classic standards were not the same .. the new big muffs are a joke...I have had to return faulty pedals twice ... got non working adaptors...their pedals got the worst “true bypass pop”.. if you have multi pedal rig and you have weird noise issues .. most likely it’s ehx .. ironically most builders use their old circuits .. however I understand why the quality may be down .. they are a commercial company and need their profits .. that having said Boss pedals any day.. that’s my experience... if you prefer their pedals that’s great .. whatever works ... I have no company preference.. I have done a lot pedal hoping .. that is buy and sell .. now I’m tired
.. hanging with Digi Geeks now
If you ask me in a specific category I can advice which one I like the most
... I don’t use pitch shift effect a lot
Though when I need I do have digitech whammy and eventide h9