3. Bias + ipad - Interface and Monitoring

Bias + ipad - Interface and Monitoring


  • I'm currently using Bias FX on my ipad with an Apogee Jam (original black version) using the headphone out on the ipad through either Headphones or an AVR. I am not happy with the performance, latency, sound quality, etc. I do not believe Bias or the ipad are to blame, I am hoping to find a better solution without spending a great deal of money.

    My initial thought is to replace the interface and buy a used keyboard amp or solid state guitar amp with an effects loop where I could run into the effects return. I may potentially upgrade to a PA speaker or FRFR speaker in the future.

    I do not care about the size of the interface, I am not planning to travel or gig with this. This will be used only to play along with my stereo (which is probably louder than studio monitors, but my tube amps would drown it out) and to use headphones at home.

    Would the Sonoma Wire Works Studio Jack Mini suit my needs? Can I run an instrument cable from the 1/4" headphone out to a keyboard amp or PA speaker?

    I'd like to avoid the irig HD2 if possible after reading some mixed reviews. The Focusrite Scarlett looks intriguing, but only appears to have stereo RCA line level outs and I do not think a cheap keyboard amp would have the appropriate inputs.

    Anything else should I consider? Would I be better off going to a standalone unit HX Stomp, Ampero, etc.?

    Thanks for the help.

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  • @eeeeeeee said in Bias + ipad - Interface and Monitoring:

    I'm currently using Bias FX on my ipad with an Apogee Jam (original black version) using the headphone out on the ipad through either Headphones or an AVR. I am not happy with the performance, latency, sound quality, etc. I do not believe Bias or the ipad are to blame, I am hoping to find a better solution without spending a great deal of money.

    My initial thought is to replace the interface and buy a used keyboard amp or solid state guitar amp with an effects loop where I could run into the effects return. I may potentially upgrade to a PA speaker or FRFR speaker in the future.

    I do not care about the size of the interface, I am not planning to travel or gig with this. This will be used only to play along with my stereo (which is probably louder than studio monitors, but my tube amps would drown it out) and to use headphones at home.

    Would the Sonoma Wire Works Studio Jack Mini suit my needs? Can I run an instrument cable from the 1/4" headphone out to a keyboard amp or PA speaker?

    I'd like to avoid the irig HD2 if possible after reading some mixed reviews. The Focusrite Scarlett looks intriguing, but only appears to have stereo RCA line level outs and I do not think a cheap keyboard amp would have the appropriate inputs.

    Anything else should I consider? Would I be better off going to a standalone unit HX Stomp, Ampero, etc.?

    Thanks for the help.

    The newer Apogee Jam 96k and Jam Plus seem to get good reviews. The Jam Plus has its own headphone out. Folks seem to like the Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, which also has a headphone out.

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  • @loudunham said in Bias + ipad - Interface and Monitoring:

    Focusrite 2i2

    Thanks! The 2i2 does look great, but it only has the headphone and RCA outs. Not sure how I would run that into an amp. Is there an easy way to do that?

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  • @eeeeeeee It outputs to your computer via USB-C

    Here's a link to the User Guide:

    https://fael-downloads-prod.focusrite.com/customer/prod/s3fs-public/downloads/Focusrite Control Scarlett 3rd Gen User Guide_EN_0.pdf

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  • @eeeeeeee Also, the Focusrite Solo might be all you'd need.

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  • @eeeeeeee They come with USB-C to USB-A cables. For an iPad you'd need either an adapter or a USB-C to Lightning cable.

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  • @loudunham

    Thanks. Also looks like a good unit but still only has the headphone and RCA output which I'm not sure how that would work for connecting it to an amp.

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  • The generic audio interfaces only have line-level outputs (balanced or unbalanced) for use with studio monitors, stage monitors, or a PA system. Here's a spreadsheet I made when looking for a mobile AI to use with my iPad. Click on the "Interfaces" sheet, lower left.

    However, I think you can plug a line-level output into a guitar amp. Just watch the levels.

    Guitar-oriented products may have instrument-level outputs for connecting to a guitar amp. Line 6 Helix/Stomp/POD/Firehawk/SonicPort, Orange OMEC Teleport, IK Multimedia iRig/AXE-IO, XSONIC XTONE, Melo TS Mega, Sonoma Wire Works GuitarJack Stage, etc.

    Many of these guitar products are AC-powered and large-ish floor pedals, so not exactly mobile, which is what I wanted with my iPad. I'm trying the Sonoma Wire Works StudioJack Mini, connected to headphones or studio monitors.

    By the way, if you do plug into your guitar amp, it's best to plug into the effects return, so you only get the power amp and clean output. If you plug into the front of the amp, you'll get the distortion of the preamp. If you want that distortion, then remove the amp simulation in BIAS FX, and just use it for its effects pedals.

    Greg

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