Dub/experimental mixing emulation on IPAD

rvr

Hi there, happy holidays!

Would greatly appreciate if someone could advise on the point. I need to emulate a hardware mixer, where I can route Send signal through FX chain (AUv3) and then insert it back into regular mixer channel which will enable making feedback loops into same or another Send to create complex cross-feedback loops with like 3-4 sends / mixer channels etc. With this, I need a timeline with audio tracks to feed into the mixer, and also ability to record the feedbacks/fx created live with the described approach. This can be easily done in Ableton Live, but I want to go fully in-box IPAD for music and this seems the only thing I cannot understand how to achieve.. Google did suffer a heavy raid from my side regarding the subject but there are no clear answers.

Basically I want to dub-mix a track or the whole 1 hour set in loop mode until needed results are achieved. And to experiment with feedback soundscapes. As an example, this is the noise I created on a hardware Yamaha mixer with couple of outboard fx pedals feeding into each other via mixer channels and sends, without even any input sound source:

shadowcontrol · the unknown - drone plex

I want to do the same shit with Ipad.

What I investigated so far:

• Auria Pro seems like capable of doing this, and the mixer looks good, but there is a lot of critics for instability and other issues. Its pricey so would like to ask an actual user to confirm. I'm on Ipad 9 (2021).

• AUM can do this, but is lacking normal daw audio tracks, have only 4-5 tracks on the screen which is too little and you need to constantly scroll, I dont like it tbh as the interface is not flexible for resizing, blabla

• Drambo is capable BUT with ackward workaround of creating feedback send/receive stuff modules, additional amps, and there is a minimum super-frustrating 10 ms+ latency on those modules. Also it lacks audio tracks. I did some noises that way, but its a pain more then pleasure.

• Cubasis is incapable of this, sends are crippled

• Can Beatmaker 3 mixer do this? From what I explored you are unable to "Send" from a Send (aux) channel, or feed send (aux) channel into regular mixer channel as described..

• Can Loopy pro do this? from what I checked is the same as BM3, feedback loops are not possible, only simple sends.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[Deleted User]

many of us have such dub roots, even if we are white skin, and we came from analog boards

dream about 1:1 on ipad is a miracle

this is new tool and this old technique is not available here because of different sound, controls etc

but of course there is so many puzzle blocks that mimick a little this sound or control… but it is not the same as you seen

there will be always something to fight, and still it will be not the same, but energy will be ruined by fighting

so better to accept new tool and new music , discover your new music… or stay in past? better stay jn the now, with ipad

yes you can connect big board with all of this auxes but it is no more mobile music production

about year or two ago I goes with drambo / SB script to control Rme TotalMixer (92inx92out full matrix), and even if this is possible to totall recall, or map to hardware control, the amount of custom work is huge, and experimental nature of changing setup and fluid is wnning over fixed setup till now.

[Deleted User]

i know my last response was long and not enough deep in subject, so I will try to go again:

lets examine simple setup: 12 tracks audio of ready to dub song, you have virtual desk with say 6-8 auxs, and even from auxes full crosssends to all auxes with no latency. now on ipad pro sceeen how to cobtrol them all? imagine real setup, analog knobs, where 1-2mm is sometimes drastic change (like delay time), on screen everything would be smaller and more hidden in close/open windows, so no true real 1:1 experience

yes loopy is super for this kind of experiments, and Drambo and BM3 too, every one has own limitation but still this is very fun to use this apps, I hope you wiiiiiiil L L L L
duuuuuubbbbbbb
soooooooooooo good good
goooooddddd

EDIT: consider Zenbeats also!

Telefunky

AUM is probably the best feedback live handler around... because it detects feedback and marks nodes accordingly, but doesn‘t stop you from using such setups.
It‘s processing chains also provide a good overview and are easy to change, even in a live scenario.

The missing timeline isn‘t really an obstacle, if you use a 2nd iPad with a multitrack player that sends to the AUM iPad and receives from it.

Anything from an Air One on could do the playback job (less than $100).
I‘d use a 2nd hand iConnectAudio4+ interface, because it (should) includes a special cable to power iPads with lightning connector (such old devices usually have weak batteries).
The iConnectAudio interfaces feature 20 virtual channels to exchange audio between 2 USB devices (in this case 2 iPads) with low latency in both directions.
It‘s these virtual channels that you send to AUM (and back to the source).

rvr

Hey thanks for ideas! I am limited with one ipad. Yes AUM does the job, but its.. meh. I look at Auria Pro mixer and thinking of floating windows with auv3s - if that is an emulation of a real thing with ability to open au’s is separate windows on top - thats all I need probably.. but everyone complains on stability. Apple app store and refund policy is ridiculous, can’t try before buy, sometimes refund sometimes not.. crooks basically. so have to bother you with these questions appreciated

Schnapsidee

I have a similar set up to you RVR (I call it my Noise Trolley), which is basically a large mass of black cables, under which can be found a 16 channel mixer and a rack of old effects units. The only "inputs" I really use are inductor pickups like these.

It's another +1 from me for AUM (I suspect the feedbacks would even be easier to initiate, and accidental ear-destroying moments could be kept in check).

However, I wouldn't even try it if it meant having to poke at a touchscreen for any length of time. I'd set up a series of MIDI controller knobs and faders, label them and generally try to forget that the iPad exists while I'm twiddling away. The whole time, AUM will be saving a bunch of stems for you.

Telefunky

You can do all of this on a single iPad if your „multitracker“ supports audiobus.
(route each track to an AB channel instead to the main out)
Then in AUM you can use the AB channels as sources and destinations.

But you‘d have to do screen switching between the multitrack and AUM and of course there‘s more CPU load.
(imho it‘s manageable in slowly evolving sounds like your example, but faster stuff may be tricky or impossible if precise timing is due)
I know that AUM is really good with feedback handling because I‘ve used it with a guitar that way.

RetroNewb

just a sideways thought - & not an expert - but is it not the case that many fx plugins these days are programmed
to accommodate & manipulate feedback in a way earlier hardware wasn’t ?
my points being that some of the hardware mixing strategies may not be (as) necessary ,
& having a controller to map to the fx parameters may be as/ more useful than just control over faders & sends .

RetroNewb

p.s Zenbeats has flexible sends , adjustable mixer & could play your audio in linear or clipmode so all in one package

suboptimal

Watch a video of a dub legend on the boards and what becomes immediately apparent is the importance of the physical controls. Adding a midi module with sliders and knobs feels like an absolutely essential addition to whatever app is doing the audio work. On its own the iPad's surface is a pale substitute for even a small mixer with basic EQ and send knobs, at least IMO.

rvr

Thank you all for input. Primarily I am interested in possibility to create/record feedbacks at all in mixers of auria pro, bm3 and loopy pro without any external equipment. And have floating au’s on screen. Midi controllers and hardware options thats all well known and understood, but the question is ipad only. Zenbeats is a big no, tried, can’t stand roland gear ux, but thanks for recommendation. Again, it really is doable Im sure, if only drambo had mixer with enabled feedbacks and audio tracks..dreams