Recording Multiple Audio Sources on an iPad
April 13, 2020 1:25 PM Subscribe
So, I have an iPad Air (3rd Generation), and have been getting back into making goofy electronic music while socially distancing. I've run into an issue with my setup, though, and would like some guidance on how to proceed.
I currently have two ways of getting audio into my iPad: a Blue Snowball USB microphone, and a Griffin iMic USB audio device which has a 1/8" stereo input. I connect them via the iPad Camera Connection Kit (or rather, a Belkin version that has a Lightning power pass-thru), and a small USB hub. Apps on my iPad, I've found, can only record audio from either one device, or the other, depending on which was plugged in first. This is, I've found, a limitation of iOS. My question is this: how do I work around it?
My guess is that I'm going to need to get a new microphone with an XLR connector, and some sort of USB audio mixer interface. I've already settled on the replacement microphone, the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB. I'm really struggling in finding a good, inexpensive mixer that I can plug into my iPad, and can plug in a couple cheap synthesizers that have 1/8" stereo outputs.
So, my questions:
1. Do I actually need a USB mixer and a new microphone for this project?
2. If I do, what is a decent mixer that I can use with an XLR mic and ideally has 1/8" stereo inputs for my keyboard and my Monotron?
3. Would I be able to just set an iPad app, like, say, GarageBand to only record from one channel of the mixer?
I'm trying to keep the budget for new hardware under $250, but the less I have to spend, the better, as long as it works.
I currently have two ways of getting audio into my iPad: a Blue Snowball USB microphone, and a Griffin iMic USB audio device which has a 1/8" stereo input. I connect them via the iPad Camera Connection Kit (or rather, a Belkin version that has a Lightning power pass-thru), and a small USB hub. Apps on my iPad, I've found, can only record audio from either one device, or the other, depending on which was plugged in first. This is, I've found, a limitation of iOS. My question is this: how do I work around it?
My guess is that I'm going to need to get a new microphone with an XLR connector, and some sort of USB audio mixer interface. I've already settled on the replacement microphone, the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB. I'm really struggling in finding a good, inexpensive mixer that I can plug into my iPad, and can plug in a couple cheap synthesizers that have 1/8" stereo outputs.
So, my questions:
1. Do I actually need a USB mixer and a new microphone for this project?
2. If I do, what is a decent mixer that I can use with an XLR mic and ideally has 1/8" stereo inputs for my keyboard and my Monotron?
3. Would I be able to just set an iPad app, like, say, GarageBand to only record from one channel of the mixer?
I'm trying to keep the budget for new hardware under $250, but the less I have to spend, the better, as long as it works.
Answer to your Q2 only: I’ve been looking for something similar & the nearest I’ve found is the Roland Go:Mixer. You’d want the Pro model for XLR input.
Will be interested to hear of any alternatives.
posted by rd45 at 1:45 PM on April 13, 2020
Will be interested to hear of any alternatives.
posted by rd45 at 1:45 PM on April 13, 2020
What Jairus said. Just about any mixer should do. Use 1/8" to RCA Y-cables to connect your synths.
I'm not sure what you'd accomplish by getting a USB one.
posted by neckro23 at 2:47 PM on April 13, 2020
I'm not sure what you'd accomplish by getting a USB one.
posted by neckro23 at 2:47 PM on April 13, 2020
If it'll save you money over something like the Roland Go:Mixer, you could use any mixer that has unbalanced line level stereo output and connect it to the iMic that you already have. You might have to get some cable adapters to go from dual 1/4" to 1/8" stereo adapters, depending on the mixer. (on preview, what several people above already said...)
posted by zsazsa at 2:48 PM on April 13, 2020
posted by zsazsa at 2:48 PM on April 13, 2020
Response by poster: The Go:Mixer looks interesting, but I'm hoping for something that'll let me record multi-track audio. It seems that the Go:Mixer just outputs a stereo channel. I'd like to be able to do, say, different effects on vocals, versus a keyboard.
posted by SansPoint at 3:19 PM on April 13, 2020
posted by SansPoint at 3:19 PM on April 13, 2020
My husband uses the iRig2 to record guitar tracks on the iPad -- I know it can do more but don't know the answers to your questions above.
posted by typecloud at 3:38 PM on April 13, 2020
posted by typecloud at 3:38 PM on April 13, 2020
Have you tried the Audiobus app ($10)? It’s like a patch cable setup and mixer board for your devices AND apps...you might try running one device through another app (even if it’s just like a filter or something). But I think your real problem is just the usb hub...only the first part is powered, right? Some devices use more power and are finicky about sharing.
posted by sexyrobot at 3:40 PM on April 13, 2020
posted by sexyrobot at 3:40 PM on April 13, 2020
Response by poster: sexyrobot: I've tried Audiobus and AUM, and I still have the same limitation. If the iMic is plugged in, no USB microphone. If the USB microphone is plugged in, no iMic. It's not a power issue, as my USB microphone lights up with power.
posted by SansPoint at 5:50 PM on April 13, 2020
posted by SansPoint at 5:50 PM on April 13, 2020
Best answer: If you want multitrack recording, you will have more luck looking for an iPad audio interface than you will a usb mixer. RME and MOTU both make very good options for iOS.
posted by Jairus at 11:45 PM on April 13, 2020
posted by Jairus at 11:45 PM on April 13, 2020
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Jairus at 1:42 PM on April 13, 2020