Loopy Pro: Create music, your way.
What is Loopy Pro? — Loopy Pro is a powerful, flexible, and intuitive live looper, sampler, clip launcher and DAW for iPhone and iPad. At its core, it allows you to record and layer sounds in real-time to create complex musical arrangements. But it doesn’t stop there—Loopy Pro offers advanced tools to customize your workflow, build dynamic performance setups, and create a seamless connection between instruments, effects, and external gear.
Use it for live looping, sequencing, arranging, mixing, and much more. Whether you're a live performer, a producer, or just experimenting with sound, Loopy Pro helps you take control of your creative process.
Download on the App StoreLoopy Pro is your all-in-one musical toolkit. Try it for free today.
Audiobus clipping or distorted
Next week I want to try and use my iPad with a MIDI-USB keyboard for jamming in the studio with a friend.
I have an iPad4 16GB which I connect to my USB-keyboard with a (non original) camera connection kit.
The iPad headphones out are (now) connected with a jack/jack to my monitors at home.
Yet I noticed that when I run iElectric through Audiobus I get a lot of distortion (as in clipping) but when I simply use iElectric without Audiobus I get a clean sound ?! I also had this with another synth but can't find it now.
I have no other apps running in the background, have 1.0 GB free space and use a 256 buffer but even on 1024 I get the same distortion. What could be the case here?
When I try for eg. Animoog + triqtraq + drumjam as inputs I do get some latency issues but not the distortion.
Also just now I tried Nave but that gives good sound as well so could it be Audiobus just doesn't play well with iElectric and some other apps?
A 2nd question -although not entirely related: About latency. When using multiple apps and all standard at 256 buffersize at a certain point one has to increase the buffering. Which element in the chain should be addressed first or can you just pick a random instrument to increase the buffer and in effect make the whole chain 'click and pop-free'?
Comments
All apps should be using the same buffer size. The first app started sets the buffer size, usually this should be Audiobus. I'm not sure trying to change buffer size while other apps are running is a good idea. Other than that, use the smallest buffer size that does not result in clicks, pops or distortion.
Thanks but do you also know why iLectric through Audiobus is distorted?
Which app do you start first?
Audiobus and then iLectric but I tried the other way around, tried different buffersizes up to 1024 and still..
So I think the real question is whether or not Audiobus is known whether to have issues with some apps or iLectric in particular.
Turn down the volume in iElectric maybe it's clipping?
I don't have iLectric, but I know a man who does and it's his favourite electric piano app. He uses it a lot with Audiobus and I'm sure would have a different opinion if it distorted all the time. Have you tried it via IAA in a suitable host?
Sounds similar to this:
http://forum.audiob.us/discussion/4887/audiobus-ilectric-or-igrand-piano#Item_14
I should've mentioned this only happens when I connect a USB/MIDI keyboard so that's part of the equation. If I simply play the keys from the iPadscreen everything's fine.
But strange thing is ALL other apps (and I have a alot) work fine with the combo of Audiobus/keyboard.
@DarbyA said:
It does only this person had it also with the onscreen keys while the problem for me only occurs with a keyboard attached.
Which keyboard?
An Evolution MK (masterkeyboard). But it works fine with other apps and Audiobus configs.
So everything works fine with your controller and Audiobus, except iLectric, which only works properly without one or the other?...
Exactly. Now I know deductive reasoning would suggest iLectric is the culprit -one way or the other- but to simplify troubleshooting I would like to know if there are known issues related to Audiobus and other apps/controllers.
Is it anything to do with keyboard velocity curves?
No. Only this specific combo.
I've not had similar issues with other combinations, but I don't have the same controller as you.
@Washboy said:
Even if that wasn't it, hat tip for the nice Sherlock.
As nice as they are, both iLECTRIC and iGRAND will distort if you have their volume levels high. I tend to keep mine about half way, plenty loud enough.
When playing on the screen you probably have a low velocity in the settings, and as Washboy suggested it may be your keyboards velocity....perhaps set to full?
Although velocity is indeed manifesting the distortion (hard hitting the keys induces it) I'm also 100% sure Audiobus has something to do with it. Here's why:
I tested once again playing iLectric (best iOS keys indeed
) standalone with the volume of both my keys as iLectric maxed out, playing 10+ notes at a time: Not one pop or crackle!
But as soon as I route it through Audiobus I get the distortion...
Brand new AB 2.1.2 update downloading now as I type. This update allows "Input gain control".
If you still have clipping after updating I'd enter a support ticket with both the AB guys and iLectric dev, IK .
@Spiritos: Is your iLectric latency set to 'Low' or 'Ultra Low'?
@Washboy: Audiobus automatically locks it on 'Low'.
I downloaded the update but alas.. Also I seem unable to adjust the "input gain control" which is weird but really another topic.
@Spiritos: I've tried really hard to replicate your issue but I can't. The only possibly significant differences between your setup and mine are:
Other than that I assume you're using the latest versions of the various apps.
I did the following as a test:
Auria displays two identical waveforms; one created directly by iLectric, the other recorded from Audiobus's output. That confirmed what my ears were telling me when I simply listened to iLectric's output, while playing the same song with iLectric both standalone and with Audiobus loaded, i.e. no perceived difference in volume and no distortion. The same applied whether or not the k/b and CCK were plugged in.
I made a MIDI recording to ensure that note and velocity values would be identical throughout.
I agree wholeheartedly with @SpookyZoo about keeping volume levels down - certainly no more than -12dB. Also, be wary of iLectric's Velocity Curve setting - it greatly influences the overall volume level.
I reckon that's about all I can test, based on your descriptions. Good luck!
@Washboy: Thanks so much for your elaborate testing! Much appreciated!
I should agree the culprit should then be either in the CCK or keyboard. I can't imagine the iPad3 outperforms the the iPad4 and all apps are up-to-date so...
I tried another keyboard (my PCR-800) but unfortunately that one doesn't work with the CCK. Other than that I tried lowering the velocity and volume but to no alas. I also tried my headphones but no improvement there either.
It seems such a strange problem though.. As opposed to me agreeing above the CCK or keyboard being the culprit, my problems only arise when routing through Audiobus so that has to be part of the negative equation yet I can't pinpoint it.
All the more since this is only the case with iElectric. As mentioned I have tons of apps and a few DAWs (no Auria though) but haven't had a problem with them ever.
If I ever figure it out I'll be sure to post back the results.
Thanks for now!
@Spiritos: You're very welcome
Actually, I don't think the particular k/b or CCK is to blame. I do suspect it's to do with velocity plus polyphony combined with iLectric's (and some other IKM apps) known tendency to clip. That's why I recommend recording your MIDI performance(s) so that you can do proper A/B comparisons and be able to tweak things like volume level and velocity curve.
@Spiritos: BTW, allegedly you need to set the PCR-800's USB driver mode to 'Generic' for it to work with a CCK. I guess you'll know what that means and how to configure it
@Washboy: Thanks for the tips. I will try an A/B test for finetuning but my ears don't fool me when I hear clipping with Audiobus and none when playing standalone
In the meantime I played with the keyboard velocity-settings but the lowest level that keeps from clipping is so low it's virtually unplayable.
I must say I don't own any other apps from IKM so I'm unfamiliar with their tendency to clip so also thanks for that.
Will doublecheck 'generic' mode for my PCR as well! Tnx!