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Newbie Looking for Guidance
Hey everyone!
I'm new to a lot of this newer tech and would really appreciate some assistance. I am a bass player that is trying to add some bits and pieces of strings/whatever to some songs we play live. I have a KMI 12Step for triggering and currently use GarageBand. I'm finding that GB is very limited in what it does. (probably because I don't know it very well) I have recently purchased the AUM program in hopes that I can tie everything together easily.
My first obstacle is how do I tie everything together? I've watched a bunch of YouTube vids on the software but can't find one that shows the initial hardware setup. I'm also looking for a decent iOS keyboard/synth program that has string/horn/voices/organ/sound effects patches. As of now, I don't need all the fancy arpeggiator stuff that a lot of new music is using. I'm playing a bunch of older guitar rock/grunge type covers.
Is there an "AUM for Dummies" book out there somewhere that would go over this stuff? Another part of the vids that messes with me is that everyone I've seen, the guy has a ton of plug-ins and just whips through picking stuff. What would be good stuff to have?
I'm also planning to use BandHelper because it looked like a good way to organize my songs. Anyone use that along with AUM?
I know, lots of questions. Any help this group can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Comments
Hi. Hardware depends on whether you have an older iPad/iPhone with Lightning connector, or a newer one with USB-C. Whether or not you have a headphone jack may also matter. But basically, you need a powered USB hub to connect your USB gear, then an appropriate adapter to connect the hub to your device. At that point, all your inputs and outputs should be visible to AUM, and you can route them as desired. The USB MIDI devices will appear in the MIDI routing matrix. Any audio interface will appear as "hardware" components available as audio lane inputs and outputs. If you could identify your device and the gear you want to connect, we could be more specific. It is important that USB devices be "class-compliant". That means they follow one of the standard USB profiles. This is important because iOS has no loadable drivers; it only supports the standard profiles. This is most significant for audio interfaces, and for devices that combine classes, like MIDI and audio. Also, are you willing to be wired to power, or are you hoping to be fully mobile?
The AUM manual, available in the app, is pretty comprehensive. It's worth a slow read, possibly with some experiments along the way, to get used to the features and the GUI.
For apps, we all have (too many) favorites. For example, in guitar amps/FX, there are Overloud THU, Tonex, Primo, BYOD, Nembrini, Rhino, and more. Pick one. Hmmm. Also depends on what price level you're comfortable with. You should prefer apps that support AUv3, since they can be loaded inside AUM (plug-ins). Apps that are only IAA are harder to manage.
AUM is a mixer, not a DAW. It won’t replace GB. Gavinski did a nice tutorial on YouTube.
Also, GB has a lot of features. What do you find lacking?
+1. Garageband has many good instruments so learning to use it can be rewarding.
I don't like its somewhat obscure workflow too much either but it's a matter of getting used to.
Thanks for the response.
I have an iPad 9th gen with iOS 17 + that has a lightning connector and headphone jack. I've been looking at a powered USB hub with an audio out on it thinking I could just use that to plug into a DI. (unless the iPad doesn't do sound via lightning connector then I'll use headphone jack) BTW it's my first Apple device as well. Here's what I have.
iPad w/lightning connector and headphone jack
KMI 12 Step controller
GarageBand (wanting something better)
AUM software
Can be totally wired to power
I'm good with spending the money on a good program if it does what I need. My problem is I don't know what I need. I am looking for a simple solution to use live. I'm not doing any recording with this. I have pretty decent skills editing audio files to get whatever samples I want it would just be a matter of how do I get them to where I can trigger them.
I guess I would like more options of conventional instruments from GB. Most of the add on's I'm finding are more geared to pop music. I could be looking in the wrong place too. If you have suggestions, I'm very open to them.
I also understand that AUM is a mixer to tie it together, just need to figure out what I'm using for sounds. Do you have a specific link for the Gavinski tutorial or just whatever is there?
OK. You'll need the Apple USB-3 Camera Adapter, the one with a USB-A port and a Lightning power port alongside. That way you'll be able to power/charge the iPad while using USB devices. The powered hub cannot do that, but it may have a spare USB port that you can take power from, so you don't need another wall wart. Some hubs include a 12-Watt port specifically for charging an iPad. There are 3rd-party Lightning USB adapters, but quality may be variable; safer to stick with Apple when playing live.
iOS does do audio over USB, provided the interface is class-compliant. If you could link the hub you're looking at, we could check it out, to be sure. One minor catch is that iOS only supports one audio device at a time; the last one to connect wins. So a hub with audio out might be limiting if you want to do more in future.
Suitable synth apps for you might be King of Digital or the Korg iM1. They have hundreds of presets covering a huge range of sounds. If you're more into using your own samples, other folks can suggest sample players. You might like Loopy Pro, which is a sample player that also has most of the features of AUM, including hosting AUv3 apps, routing audio and MIDI, etc. Loopy Pro is under very intense development, so it gains features month by month. It is an active topic in this forum; you could check it out in the sidebar.
There are a few good free apps out there if you want to experiment with your setup without spending money and then finding out it’s not the direction you want to go…
Numa Player has pianos, organs etc and a few strings
Decent Sampler gives you access to a whole host of sounds directly and more are available in Decent Sampler format via the www.pianobook.co.uk website
Viking Synth is a classic monophonic synth
Respiro has a few free wind instruments
This is the link to Gavs tutorial
Jacob Haq has lots of AUM tutorials here
Leo from Sound For More also has some excellent tutorials starting here
If you already have AUM I’d try using that to see if it fits. While it doesn’t have the features of the timeline based DAWs it’s perfectly possibly to create tracks from start to finish in it without recourse to anything else.
Good luck
The same goes for effects I.e. there are loads of free ones available…
You could take a look at the free Numa Player from Studiologic. This way you have more left for an interface, the official USB-3 Camera adapter and host.
Loopy Pro could be a better host choice than AUM for your band usecase because of the live looping.
I think these guys have great advice. > @JustDave said:
Gavin’s tutorials are top of the line
But honestly I think aum is the wrong way to start
You should stick to a proper daw like GarageBand , my recommendation is buy Cubasis or rent Logic
You need to buy ALOT of stuff for aum and your just starting so before you head down the rabbit hole of modular daw of aum, maybe you might want to think about if you want 60 different apps or just one with a few plugins
Like This
Ooooh, AUM is much more than just a mixer. It is a DAW, just not one that provides the linear track recording that’s baked into more conventional environments. Whether or not one should start with it depends entirely on where your head’s at to begin with. For me, it was immediately familiar, and remains the core of almost all my work.
Edit: granted, it doesn’t appear to fit the OP’s stated use case.
Yes - although Jacob haq said the one without the power is “better” - meaning the lighting to camera adapter 3 without the extra ports
But if you need head phone jack too then go for it,It depends if you plan on using an interface or not
(I agree with garden and Tony , aum is more than a mixer but it takes investment to make it that way, if you don’t have many or any plugins it’s kind of a hard place to begin)
I currently have just the simple adapter but with this, wouldn't need the hub
Boy I’m glad you said that @garden . I was busting to say the same thing 😊
You can use any of the AUv3 in GarageBand that you can use in AUM. AUM won’t be giving you more choices. I really think it would be worthwhile for you to learn how to use them in GarageBand before deciding to move on.
If I can do what I want with only (already purchased) AUM (and whatever plug-ins for sounds) I would be perfectly happy with it. I have no intentions of recording anything. And if I change my mind later, I'll just but whatever I need to allow it.
I'm looking for simple. I plug my 12Step in, press a button on it, and a sound comes out. Obviously want to be able to control what that sound is but you get it. (I know how to program the 12Step)
You guys are awesome! You've already given me a bunch to test out. Thank you!
How many Audio Units do you have? Sequencers? Or just music apps in general ?
Right. As long as you have only one USB device, that adapter alone will work. If you expand to more controllers, you can still add a powered USB hub for more ports, and more power.
All I have right now is GB on my iPad triggered with the 12Step
Welcome to the forum and the amazing world of iOS music @JustDave
Yea there’s actually a lot of great free iOS music apps out there.
AUM can be a bit odd to wrap your head around if you are new to that style of workflow. It’s my favorite host/daw but I didn’t start there. You can start there, but it might not be as straightforward as some other beginner options. for me I started with Gadget, Cubasis 2, GarageBand, Audiobus 2, then Audiobus 3 in no particular order. Over time my iOS music production knowledge grew and I started hitting some limitations. That’s when I realized the power of AUM.
Best advice, watch videos, trial and error, ask questions in this forum. Cheers!
If you go to the Audiobus compatible apps page you can see a huge list of AU apps. In earlier days I went to the beginning and literally checked each one to see what was free.
Here’s the Audiobus Compatible Apps page
Even better here is a list of the vast majority of free iOS music apps available from the Audiobus wiki page. This isn’t all of them but it’s a great starting point.
Audiobus Wiki Free AU apps
I can't wait to hear your output someday. I'm a huge fan of Roxk and Grunge! If your style is anything like Nirvana, I'm down.
Anyways, if you're looking for an app with all the sounds, there are a couple of top options. One is to go with a DAW. I'd recommend Cubasis 3 with its Halion IAP. I'd watch some videos about Cubasis 3 first.
For a lot more quid, you can go with Korg Module Pro and any IAPs within that which tickle your fancy (I have all the IAPs). Korg iM1 is another top option that recently got the AUv3 treatment. I also love Pure Synth Platinum 2 and all its IAPs. I'd check out some videos on each of these options.
AUM is basically a mixing desk, not a DAW, but it is the best mixing desk app I've had the pleasure to create Ambient in. It can tackle other genres as well quite obviously. Look up iOSTRAKON's videos on Youtube for many amazing live jam demonstrations of AUM.
Here is his channel.
https://youtube.com/@_iostrakon2935?si=9LwtdQHHY3ffzRHn
(Hope this link shows up properly lol. If not just look up iOSTRAKON and his channel should pop up. Dude was/is a band member of Skinny Puppy.)
+1 Yeah man; I gotta say if all you got is AUM, buy Cubasis if you can or want.
I actually think it's super easy to understand. Very straight forward! I'm also of the age when I started messing with "digital" music, none of this stuff existed so it is a bit intimidating, but this group seems like you'll get me going easy enough.
Be sure to check out the Signal Processing and Sends sections in the audio Inserts & Effects menu (tap on the (+) in the middle of an audio channel). They enable a variety of processing options.
I think @yellow_eyez brings up some good points. I'll tell you what I think of AUM vs. Logic Pro for iPad as someone who primarily uses iPad and Garageband, and later AUM and a lot of apps for music for several years, as a music hobbyist. It will really depend on your needs as to which type of workflow is best. AUM and Logic Pro are just two options of many, but good to provide some contrast.
AUM
Logic Pro for iPad
That's a very quick and dirty high level comparison and there are lots of things that I left out, but hopefully that gives a bit of insight into two vastly different approaches.
GarageBand is great, and it can do a lot, but the best things about it are that it is free, it works great, and you might be surprised at what can be done with it by combining GarageBand, an Audio Interface (or a mixer), some additional AUv3 apps and effects, and again, there's a community out there that's stretched it to the limit and done some mindblowing stuff, so yes, it is limited in many ways compared to AUM and fully functional DAW's on iPad, but you might be surprised at what is possible.
So bottom line, I would say check out each line of approach that you're considering and look at it from a long term perspective and a workflow perspective. What is your end goal of how you want your setup to work? It's easy to get carried away by the appeal of these tools and apps and equipment (at least it is for me), but these things are just vehicles to help you reach those goals and do it more easily. The other factor to consider is the impact of learning apps and new workflows on your creativity. If you're into learning apps and setting up equipment to work with the iPad, which it sounds like you are, then good. But it can, like anything with so many moving parts, turn into a real rabbit hole! I'm just one guy who messes around with apps and music on iPad, so take all of this with a grain of salt! Hope you are finding this and the other feedback on this forum helpful!
Can you say more about what you're looking to play with your band and what you want the iPad to add? Like, are we talking beat-synced sequences of notes (like 4 bars of a piano sequence at 90bpm in the middle of your song) ? Triggering pad sounds as you're playing (like triggering a C chord, then an AM chord)? Something else? If we know exactly what your vision is, we can be specific, othereisr we might just keep telling you to buy stuff lol.
I play in a 4 piece GTR rock band. (STP, Collective Soul, Cake, Foo Fighters, Dishwalla, Aaron Jones) I'm the bass player first and do some singing. In the songs we do, for example, Dishwalla Counting Blue Cars, there is some string stuff going on around the rest of the song. GB has some tones that work for this song, but I think they could be better. I only use this for maybe 5 or 6 songs for the night. Will probably be more once I figure out how to trigger some samples as well. I just want to be able to, easily, go from patch to patch without doing a lot of messing around. One song uses one patch the next song another. I would like a smooth transition. The 12Step allows me to program chords really easy and assign them to any pedal I want. I would like to use it to trigger samples but have not done it yet. I'm sure GB has more sounds out there but everything I'm finding is more Pop music busy stuff. (if you know what I mean)
I think I'm pretty tech savvy but don't have a lot of time to put into learning a bunch of different programs on top of new music. BTW I do have a 2nd band that is more on the lighter side. Think XM Radio Yacht Rock channel. And there are a few songs I would like to use this for as well.
Bottom line: I'm looking for an easy way to add cool backing parts while I'm playing.
Sounds like Cubasis if you want to buy; Logic if you don’t mind subscriptions and not owning the stuff