Is there a solution to this workflow problem? iPad + Digitakt + Guitar

alspacka

I want to use these three things together, but it seems difficult because the iPad can't use more than one audio interface at a time. I would like to:

• Use the iPad as a DAW, recording/looping audio and hosting softsynths
• Bring my guitar into the iPad through an interface, using iPad amp sims and effects
• Use the Digitakt as a sound source and a MIDI sequencer for the iPad synths
• Sample iPad audio with the Digitakt

I have three interfaces: a Scarlett 2i2, an Apogee Jam, and the Digitakt itself. Since the Digitakt can do both audio and MIDI I/O over USB, ideally I would simply connect the DT and the Apogee to a USB hub and that would be it, but that won't work because the iPad can only handle a single audio interface at a time.

I can think of a few possible solutions, but none of them are very appealing to me:

• Buy guitar DI box, connect that to the DT audio in, passthrough to iPad [can't separate out DT and guitar audio streams]
• Buy external amp/fx sim like line6 HX Stomp, connect same way [$, wastes iPad guitar processing]
• Buy new audio interface with more I/O to which I can connect both guitar and DT [$, lots of wires]

Is anyone working with a similar setup? Is there an easier solution that I'm overlooking?

seonnthaproducer

Maybe connect the Scarlett to a USB Hub on the iPad.

Feed the audio out from the digitakt and the guitar into the Scarlett audio interface.

Connect the MIDI of the Digitakt via the USB Hub connected to the iPad - either with a USB to MIDI connector, or via bluetooth (Yamaha MD-BT01, UD-BT01, or WIDI)

Get the audio out from the Scarlett into the Digitakt input. But watch out for feedback (infinite looping the audio).

rs2000

Buy guitar DI box, connect that to the DT audio in, passthrough to iPad [can't separate out DT and guitar audio streams]

Yes. I would avoid using any other audio interface than the Digitakt.

If you make music with an iDevice, you've already accepted a number of limitations.

steve99

@alspacka said:

• Buy external amp/fx sim like line6 HX Stomp, connect same way [$, wastes iPad guitar processing]

It might be worth considering this further, or using a second iOS device, even if you did get more inputs. I do this anyway as my iPad (Pro 10.5 2017) can't cope with too many soft synths and apps along with a guitar amp sim. The apps mostly still run ok, but I start to get audio glitching switching between them. I think you'll inevitably hit a processing wall at some point. By taking the guitar away my synth and FX options are greatly expanded.

I use either a Line 6 pod or an iPhone to do my guitar processing. The limitation is you're sending mono guitar, but that does the job for me.

mojozart

Trade up the Scarlett 2i2 for a 4i4, ditch the Apogee, connect guitar to Scarlett, connect DT to Scarlett using MIDI and audio cables. I'd still connect the iPad and Scarlett to a hub so you can use more USB MIDI instruments. (You can probably tell I'm not beholden to the DT.)

justice86

Having recently bought a Digitakt, I'm facing the exact same situation. I tried running the Guitar through a different audio interface (iRig HD2) and an iPhone and connecting its output into the Digitakt in with live monitoring. I was not too impressed, also given the fact the the monitored sound always sounds different to the sampled, normalised version. I am also currently thinking about getting a new audio interface (looking at 18i20). Would it then be possible to route two specific channels of the interface's out (processed by AUM and FX before) into the DT's monitoring? With my current setup (UMC404HD), I could route the main out back into the DT's in, but this would defeat the purpose if you want to jam over a beat you had made on the DT since you would have to mute the other tracks currently playing. And yes, cables. There's nothing the better half likes more.