iPad recording: what gear do you use?

**Jim Soloway** · 07-06-2014, 04:35 PM

I'm seriously considering an iPad and I'm wondering what people use for an interface. Any comments or thoughts? Good idea or not?

**Engine Swap** · 07-06-2014, 04:42 PM

I'm in the same boat. I record ideas as videos while I practice so I can remember them later. Seems like the built in mike overloads too easily.

For more audio recordings, I would love to just plug my sm57 into the Ipad.

**jazzrat** · 07-06-2014, 04:59 PM

Watching with interest Jim as just got an Ipad myself.
A buddy of mine uses the Apogee One mic into Garage band and gets some amazing recordings.

**GoergeBenson** · 07-06-2014, 05:12 PM

I would use the Apogee but you have already returned that, if I remember.

You could try this

iPad recording: what gear do you use?-irig-hd-ships-jpg

**hans halmackenreuter** · 07-06-2014, 05:13 PM

What about the Focusrite iTrack? I have the scarlett 2i4 and it's really good!
+ you can use the iTrack with your mac or pc aswell

**Jim Soloway** · 07-06-2014, 05:19 PM

It wasn't that I didn't like the Apogee it was that in the early days of the Mavericks operating system I went through all the rings compatibility hell and was never quite able to get past that. I really want an easy plug and play solution and that wasn't it. On the other hand, Hans is the second to recommend the iTrack and it looks pretty good (thanks Hans). It's also sold at the Apple store so they have no choice but to support it.

**GoergeBenson** · 07-06-2014, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

It wasn't that I didn't like the Apogee it was that in the early days of the Mavericks operating system I went through all the rings compatibility hell and was never quite able to get past that. I really want an easy plug and play solution and that wasn't it. On the other hand, Hans is the second to recommend the iTrack and it looks pretty good (thanks Hans). It's also sold at the Apple store so they have no choice but to support it.

Yeh absolutely, I think it's as good as an Apple Product.

Jim I believe these guys to be the best Audio reviewers in the business. Here is a link to a review they did of the product. I'm sure you would gain the information you need from it, in regards to its quality etc.

App Works

Sound On Sound review many products and I always check their response before making a purchase.

**pghguitar** · 07-06-2014, 06:44 PM

I recently became an ipad user and got the apogee jam 96k interface for the ipad/iPhone. I did some research prior to buying and all the reviews were suggesting to stay away from the irig product. I can't speak to the irig because I never tried it, but the apogee product has been great. It has all of the different cables you need depending on your ipad type, and i plugged it in, and it literally worked out of the box (after the $5 garage band upgrade). The sound quality is great and there is no noticeable latency.

The ipad has also been a great replacement for my real books as well !

**Jim Soloway** · 07-06-2014, 08:49 PM

Well I now have the iPad (a 64GB mini Retina) so the interface will happen soon. I'll do some more research and look at the link the GB posted (thanks GB) but superficially, I prefer the concept of the iRig with the mic and guitar inputs.

**lindydanny** · 07-07-2014, 09:35 AM

I've recoded using a budget USB mic plugged in via the camera connection kit. For software i use a product called DAW. I like the results enough that I've done most of my recording this way.

I own an iRig stomp and I've played with it a lot... But it lacks in ability of give me anything more than something to toy with. I would NOT use it live or for any serious recording. It's noisy and hard to get just right for your mix.

~Danny

**medblues** · 07-07-2014, 10:02 AM

Does iPad have any advantages (other than portability) over recording with a Mac computer (notebook or desktop) ?

**lindydanny** · 07-07-2014, 11:11 AM

I would say, no. Other than portability, tablets are probably worse for recording in most cases than using a desktop or laptop. The more portable, the less useful (in most cases).

~Danny

**docbop** · 07-07-2014, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by medblues

Does iPad have any advantages (other than portability) over recording with a Mac computer (notebook or desktop) ?

No, the CPU and RAM on a tablet are anaemic compared to a laptop or desktop. If you want to make basic reference recording they are okay, the built in mic overloads easily. Tablets were designed for business people and students recording conversations or lectures not musicians. Tablets are good for being a portable mufti-function tool doing lots of different types of things okay. Like most things a dedicated device tends to work better, you want a portable recorder look at a Zoom or similar device.

**Doctor Jeff** · 07-07-2014, 03:26 PM

I wouldn't say the iPad is a serious recording tool, however, it is great for making music.

The GarageBand program is about as intuitive as it gets in terms of composing and recording songs, especially multiinstrumentals. I also have AmpliTube and 4-track which are better for recording a single instrument.

I have the iRig input for guitar but don't use it much for recording. I recently got an iRig mic that plugs into the audio 1/8" jack that does pretty well for non-professional recordings. I had a Blue Mikey on my iPhone 3 that is a bit more of a quality product, though more expensive--doesn't work with the later Apple products though.

I don't even have a non-tablet computer now, that's how reliant I am on my iPad. Anemic processor compared to a laptop or desktop? Maybe, but most software compensates for that now and the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

**krueger** · 07-12-2014, 02:26 PM

Check out

Auria by WaveMachine Labs - Auria Audio Interfaces

and their forums. Contains a lot of good info about iPad recording and interface compatibility even if you don't use the Auria app (which I don't).

**henryrobinett** · 07-12-2014, 02:44 PM

The only time I use the iPad for recording is when using it as a controller, when I'm really busy. Especially if I'm recording acoustic guitars or tracking a lot of guitars. I use V-Control Pro. For those times when I have two mics on the guitars, I'm wearing headphones and have my electric(s) at the ready, I can't jump back and forth easily between the computer for levels and location points to do punch-ins if necessary. Apps like these are a godsend.

V-Control Pro connects to my DAW, either Digital Performer or PT. I can set levels arm tracks, press play or record, set locate points. It's very handy.

But I have no need for the iPad for general recording. In the past I've used it or my iPhone for multi tracking recording quick ideas, but I'd honestly prefer to use some manuscript paper for that.

**Jim Soloway** · 07-13-2014, 08:11 PM

I thought this looks pretty interesting.

iTrack Dock | Focusrite

**StevieB** · 07-13-2014, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

I thought this looks pretty interesting.

iTrack Dock | Focusrite

Thanks for posting this Jim. The iTrack does look interesting.

I've been very happy with my Apogee Duet (Firewire) interface to my iMAC. However, lately I am using my iPAD more and more for recording (currently with an Apogee MIC - USB) and have been thinking about getting a new Apogee Duet for iPAD so I can use my better Rode NT4 stereo mic and/or Rode NT2A mic.

This iTrack is much less expensive than the Duet, so I'll have to do a spec comparison.

One negative thing I did just read about the iTrack, is that one user found that it made his iPAD run very hot (to the touch). That would not be good.

**Phil in London** · 07-14-2014, 03:47 AM

I use IRig for technical connection and Cubasis from Steinberg for recording.

http://www.steinberg.net/en/products...s/cubasis.html

Cubasis is essentially a mini DAW, very intuitive to use on the ipad and fully integrated with Cubase on the Mac/PC platform.

**krueger** · 07-14-2014, 05:57 AM

I'm using Garageband for my iPad (v4). As interfaces I'm using either my Zoom G3 or an M-Audio M-Track. Both work without any trouble, but they require a connection via a powered USB-hub for the iPad to be able to connect them. I'm using a regular Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter to provide the USB-interface to my iPad.

This is basically the standard setup if you have a normal class compliant USB interface. You probably need the powered USB-hub and you will need the correct adapter for your iPad (it's called a camera connection kit, either for the newer Lightning interface or the older 30-pin input). Note that the iPad won't charge through any of the camera connection kits. You will run battery only when using the iPad for recording with this setup.

With interfaces especially made for the iPad you can often get lower latency and the ability to charge the iPad.