Using "Effects" slot apps as effects pedals for guitar

StormJH1

While I've been enjoying a great number of guitar, drum, and synth apps on the Bus in binge-like fashion, one thing that had not occurred to me was to try an "effects" app in the middle slot of AudioBus. Yes, programs like JamUp and AmpKit+ offer quite a bit of effects pedals, but many of them are pricey add-ons, and some of them just aren't that good. I've also tried using my own physical guitar pedals (BOSS, MXR, etc.) in front of the signal, but modeling gear often doesn't pair well with analog effects equipment, and it can be quite touchy getting the input level right.

Then, over on a thread about Flying Haggis (the excellent, if a bit limited, new guitar modelling app), someone indicated that they were using WOW (from Sugar Bytes) basically as a distortion pedal, and pushing clean amps from BIAS and Flying Haggis to new heights. Couple of questions on that, as I definitely want to try this:

(1) What are some good effects slot apps that are either meant for guitar, or are general purpose but pair well with guitar anyway? I'm happy with the modulation and reverb effects in my guitar apps, but some nice distortion and overdrive effects as an add-on would be a big help, since many of the dirtpedals in the apps just aren't that good. WOW and Turnado are the two that have appealed to me so far, but I haven't read up on them fully, and I want to be more certain once the prices get over $10.

(2) How does this actually work in AudioBus...are all the effects applied AFTER the guitar signal? The reason I ask is that with guitar effects, there are some that are best applied before the pre-amp, and some that work better in the effects loop (between pre-amp and power amp). For example, if you had reverb or delay already in your input signal, and then tried to apply distortion AFTER that, it would a damned mess. Does AudioBus work like an effects loop, or is the best way to use it to have as clean a signal as possible from the modeling app, and then apply ALL the effects from the effects app?

Hope that was all clear. Thanks for the help, and looking forward to hearing about some effects apps!

Dramatispersona13

I normally use Electrix and Wow in effects slot (after BIAS cause it is mono and I want stereo delays), echopad, swoopster and AUFX series are awesome, I think their sound quality is better than some digital and analog pedals.
AB2 is coming, now I'm using this chain: audioshare (IAA wow+bias+turnado) input slot, Effectrix effects slot, Loopy HD in the output slot that sends clock to Effectrix, obviously IAA sucks and this chain is very very frail. Lets wait for AB2!

StormJH1

Okay, thanks for adding a few to the list!

So, did I read that right - you actually use some of the effects in the INPUT slot? How does that work exactly: background audio?

If I were using something like BIAS that doesn't even have effects (well, room effect reverb), then I could see using the FX app in the effects slot and it should be fine.

I'm probably more interested in "ease of use" and "quality of sounds" (particularly adding gain/distortion), as opposed to tons of customization and experimental sounds. But if one option proves clearly superior, I won't shy away due to complexity.

Dramatispersona13

I use effects via IAA in audioshare, you can do the same with auria or cubasis (plug ins), but audioshare is the cheapest e lightest solution, so will be your audiobus chain:
audioshare (wow as an effect in IAA) ---> Bias [effect slot] --> speakers\loopy\aufx\DAW etc [output].
I use IAA because all the Sugarbytest effect apps (WOW, Turnado, Effectrix) work as an effect only in the effect slot, if you put one of them in the input slot they work only with their internal audio player.
Have you got audioshare?

Will

Echo pad has some interesting guitar effects. There aren't really many pure gain/distortion apps.

Chaztrip

I swear I need to pay closer attention and read the dang manuals instead of binge buying apps. You mean to tell me I just discovered that Audioshare has IAA???? Omg. I am an idiot. Now must check this out.

richardyot

Yes Echopad has two really beautiful shimmer reverb presets that were based on expensive guitar pedals. They really fill the sound and add a whole layer of extra harmonics (I think).

Dramatispersona13

Echopad is a cool effect, but its shimmer is more like an octave up delay than a real shimmer reverb, not in a bad way! Swoopster is an awesome flanger (and vibrato too) , now we need a phaser, every iOS phaser sucks. -.-

[Deleted User]

Which phasers have you tried?

StormJH1

I had no heard of AudioShare, but looked it up after you posted that. (My thought was, "Oh great, another $4 app that I just CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT"). I haven't had a file storage issue quite yet - storage space is limited but it's not like I've created THAT much stuff (yet) and I've been happy enough using SoundCloud along with iCloud, etc. But that does look like a neat solution and it's well-reviewed.

Guess I'm not clear if the AudioShare thing is adding effects in "post" (like applying a splash of reverb in a DAW) or if it takes effect immediately for monitoring. I want the latter, but wonder if there would be latency using a separate effect app in AudioBus on a not-so-fast iPad.

Dramatispersona13

@PaulB I tried Turnado and Effectrix phasers, I prefer the Effecrix phaser, but they are sterile and cold, too digital in a bad way. I'm looking something that sounds similar to a Small Stone.

Dramatispersona13

@PaulB I tried Turnado and Effectrix phasers, I prefer the Effecrix phaser, but they are sterile and cold, too digital in a bad way. I'm looking something that sounds similar to a Small Stone.

richardyot

There is an app called ultraphaser which is pretty good.

[Deleted User]

@richardyot said:

There is an app called ultraphaser which is pretty good.

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/ultraphaser/id619175810?mt=8

http://forum.audiob.us/discussion/1651/video-demo-of-ultra-phaser-from-elephantcandy/p1

Also, if you have Magellan, the FX section has a phaser which can process AB audio input.