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audio in from midi source, like the Spark amps?
I expect I am missing something but the only input sources I can see are my phone's microphones which are no amazing. I can plug my Spark GO amp in to the headphone port and GarageBand picks it up so what do I need to tell Loopy Pro so it can also use that instead of the tinny mic?
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Loopy should see anything that the OS sees.
See this audio troubleshooting page:
https://wiki.loopypro.com/Troubleshooting_Audio_Problems
That has a lot of info about output devices but not much about input devices. I see the device I have plugged is not shown as an output source but I know it does work as an input source in garageband. I just tested it again…I can record into garageband just fine but with the same connection, Loopy Pro still uses the mic, not the line input.
Whether it sees it as an output source is relevant.
What options do you see in Loopy Pro when you tap on the mic icon in the mixer?
What model iPad/iPhone are you using?
How exactly do you have the Spark connected to the iPad?
You say that it is connected to the headphone port. You are not using a USB connection?
Are you using Bluetooth in some way when using Garageband?
What options do you see in Loopy Pro when you tap on the mic icon in the mixer?
• Monitoring (I have it off)
• Mic selection (front/back/bottom)
• echo cancellation
What model iPad/iPhone are you using?
iPhone 12
How exactly do you have the Spark connected to the iPad?
USB C to lightning cable, same as works in garageband
You say that it is connected to the headphone port. You are not using a USB connection?
the lightning port is a USB connection and headphone jack
Are you using Bluetooth in some way when using Garageband?
No.
I am unsure how it is working in Garageband as from what you describe the OS does not see it via the public audio API (Logic Pro and Garageband have some capabilities not available to non-Apple developers; so, i don't know if something like that is in play).
Does the OS see your Spark as an available output device in Control Center? (Even though you are interested in the input, it tells us what the OS sees)
If you turn of Echo Cancellation, do the options change for audio source?
Do you have another audio host, such as AUM or Drambo? If so, do they see the Spark?
The phone does see it, it does not show up in Control Center.
Maybe this isn't for me if I can't go direct.
You should be able to. I don't think GarageBand has any magic that other apps don't for straight-up headphone port input. I think this is just a case where methodical troubleshooting is needed. So I shouldn't step in to confuse the process already under way. But ...
Why is monitoring off in Loopy? That seems like it would make it so you couldn't hear the input.
That it's using the internal mic when the Spark is plugged in is a mystery though, I'll admit.
@old_head : I just searched our Facebook group and the internet generally. Some Loopy Pro users are using it. One person mentioned that they had to switch to a different USB-lightning adapter to work. Someone else mentioned that they needed to run the Spark app and set the sample rate to 44.1k.
Those people all report audio output also going to the Spark.
It is mysterious that GarageBand sees it and the OS audio API doesn’t.
Do you have any audio hosts other than Loopy Pro and Garageband.
the amp is right next to the phone…and since the direct line isn't being used, I get the amp sound and the monitor sound all being being picked up by the mic.
Not sure what using the Spark app means in this context. I don't see anything about sending audio in it.
The Spark is plugged in but the mic is active…I can snap my fingers and it get recorded but nothing gets in via the audio in. I unplugged the Spark and recorded fingers snapping and two guitar loops through the mic but nothing direct. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
Indeed. You need monitoring off if the mic is active. The mystery is why it's active. I don't understand why GarageBand would take a direct signal through the headphone input and Loopy Pro wouldn't. Makes no sense to me at all.
If you ever do get signal not through the mic, then monitoring will need to be on if the amp isn't putting out audio through its own speaker when the cable is plugged in.
If multi-route audio is turned off in Loopy Pro and there are no bluetooth headphones or speakers involved, then I'm stumped.
Maybe it would help if you describe exactly how things are plugged in. Also, if you haven't tried unplugging everything, powering the phone off and back on and then plugging everything else back in, it's worth trying.
If the USB adapter includes a headphone port, this might be the problem of only one audio adapter at a time.
They are connected with USB-C to lighting cable. Charging and data are all in the mix. It's a charging cable for some things and a data cable for other things. I have done a restart, nothing changed. Sounds like I am going to have to work with ambient sound to get this to work which can be limiting. And I am burning my 7 day trial on this which isn't great.
I still have no idea what the "Spark app" means. There is an app that controls is, manages tones and whatnot, but I don't see anything about audio out or anything like that. And as I mentioned, it Just Works™ in garageband.
The spark app may let you change the sample rate, for instance. Try that. If Garsgebsnd snd loopy pro are running at the same time, does that make a difference?
I am not sure why GarageBand sees it but not loopy. When you use it in GarageBand, where does GarageBand’s output go?
Are any other apps that take sound input able to see it?
It is unlikely that this is an issue on Loopy’s side as the OS automatically handles audio interface connections.
As I mentioned, other people have reported using it with Loopy Pro. In all those cases. the OS sees it for input and output.
Could you please link the USB-C to Lightning cable that you're using? Or post a clear photo.
Please remember that Apple apps like Garageband may be able to access proprietary interfaces that are banned for other developers.
I have no idea where the cable came from…likely a charging brick. It has no branding or identifying marks. Not sure what you will be able to tell in a photo. What specifically do you need to see? The connectors?
I don't see options to change the sample rate. Maybe there is a different app than the one I have, but all this does is manage tones, in the absence of any knobs, and offer some ML-based jamming functionality. I don't see any other apps from the maker besides an amp model designer.
Now I am not sure if it was playing from the Spark to Garageband. I can't replicate that now. Same cable. I know it works on the macOS version of garageband, it shows up as a MIDI input source there. Oh, well.
MIDI and audio are separate topics.
Looking at the Spark GO specifications, it looks like it has USB audio out. Is that what you're using? Is the USB out from the Spark going to a USB-C to USB-A adapter, then to a USB-A to Lightning cable, then into the Lightning port of the iPhone?
I think we probably can get this working, but we really need to understand exactly how things are hooked up. It's gotten kind of confusing, at least for me.
If your cable is just a wire with Lightning connector on one end, USB-C connector in the other, it likely only works for charging. A Lightning port is not a USB port in disguise; you normally need a Lightning to USB adapter like this one to interface with USB devices.
Edit: Since Spark GO uses a USB-C connector, you'll need a USB-C to USB-A cable (just a wire) to connect to the Lightning adapter.
Edit2: That Lightning to USB-C cable probably works to connect the iPhone to a computer for backup, file sharing, and IDAM. But a plain cable does not contain the magic to make a Lightning device into a USB host.
It goes from the USB-C out to either the lightning port on the phone (one cable)…I have also tried a USB-C <-> USB-A adapter and an USB-A/lightning cable.
Yes, I saw that all-powerful cable used in a video about Loopy HD. I'll have to think on this.
OK, that's the issue. You need an Apple USB3 to Lightning adapter to get the audio in. Just plugging straight to the Lightning port won't work.
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MX5J3AM/A/lightning-to-usb-3-camera-adapter
USB to the Mac would work without an adapter. That's why it worked with GarageBand on the Mac.
"Other brands are available" with lower pricetags and generally OK functionality.
I added to my previous post above the note that those plain Lightning to USB cables are meant for connection to a computer or for charging. They're not suitable for other uses.
@old_head : when you talked about Garageband earlier , were you talking about GarageBand in iOS or MacOS?
I would never recommend a non-Apple USB3 to Lightning adapter. They too often aren't reliable. Despite the ridiculous cost, it is worth it to get the official Apple adapter. It's important to read very carefully the description if buying from Amazon, Ebay, etc. to be sure it's really the Apple one. At least in the US, I've had very good experience buying from Apple direct. Fast and free shipping, and usually prices have been competitive.
I just ordered the magic connector…my 7 days will have run out by the time it arrives but I can test it in Loopy HD.
When you get the adapter, keep in mind that you will be plugging into the USB connection of the adapter. The Lightning port on the adapter is for charging only. The USB port is for data (music) only, not power.
So, you'll need a USB-C to USB-A cable, with the USB-C side plugged into the Spark and the USB-A side plugged into the adapter.
It should work without issue, and if it works with one app, it should work with all.
Lastly - from what I can tell, the Spark Go doesn't have any MIDI functionality. MIDI and audio are different concepts. MIDI is used to control things and doesn't contain any audio information.
Good luck. I think you're off to the races now. 👍🏼
I got the Camera Connector 3 today but I don't think it makes a bit of difference. Still have no idea how to get audio direct into Loopy HD (my pro trial expired).
That's currently plugged in and no joy at all. I'll see what other cables I can try. I think it is going to come down to a cable that isn't just for charging. The promise of USB-C or Thunderbolt or whatever was that none of this would matter. There is no way to turn the mic(s) off so ambient sound is always happening, vs direct. I just tried the cable that comes with the Spark GO and it plugs into garageband in MacOS, showing as a MIDI source. It does not work in Garageband on iOS. All I get is ambient sound. Tried a few different cables beside the Spark one, and nothing seems to happen.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
If the mic is active then the Spark hasn't been recognized. Can you describe exactly how you've hooked it up? What is plugged in to what, exactly, and with what kind of cable.
It should work. I'm pretty sure there's just something simple missing, but need details to go on.
Should be something like:
Spark USB-C port > USB-C to USB-A cable. USB-A cable > Apple USB-3 Lightning adapter USB-A port. Lightning adapter > iPhone lightning input.
I don't think I've seen a USB-C to USB-A cable that was only for power, not data, but indeed that could be the problem.
@old_head : if the OS recognizes your Spark, input will automatically come from the the Spark and output will go to it. If GarageBand or Loopy HD are recording from the mic rather than the Spark then the OS isn't seeing it. If you use Control Center to display available output devices, it should show the Spark as a destination.
If you aren't already, supply power to the lightning port. It might not make a difference.
You might need to try a couple of USB-C to USB-A cables in case the cable you are using is finicky. Also, make sure to flip the USB-C cable to try both orientations. I have a few cables that for some reason work flipped on way but not the other way.