Harmonica andiPad connection question

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NoHarmDone
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Harmonica andiPad connection question

Post by NoHarmDone » Fri Jul 15, 2022 10:08 pm

This is my first posting, so hope it's in the right forum. The fabulous "Harmonica and iPad #2" video goes a long way in showing how to connect and play harmonica through apps on the iPad. I can't figure out, though, where the sound comes out and why we need headphones. Are we hearing the midi effects through the headphones? If so, how are we hearing the sound on the video? If the headphones are to hear the sound, can we use the headphone hole (with a 3.5mm to 1/4" adapter plug) on the iPad to hookup to an amp instead?

I have an iRig Acoustic Stage that, unfortunately doesn't seem to offer the connections needed, so I'll have to purchase the iRig 1. They're cheap, so not a big deal. Was just hoping my Acoustic Stage would fill the bill.

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Brendan
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Re: Harmonica andiPad connection question

Post by Brendan » Sat Jul 16, 2022 2:46 am

Glad you like the video and are interested in exploring what the iPad has to offer for harmonica.

When using an audio interface, the output cable comes from the interface. The analog type plugs into the headphone socket, USB type plugs into the lightning socket.

NoHarmDone
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Re: Harmonica andiPad connection question

Post by NoHarmDone » Mon Jul 18, 2022 1:11 am

Thank you Brendan for the helpful information. Sorry, but I'm a novice when it comes to electronics terminology. By audio interface, you mean something like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2?
Would the connection go something like this?:
HARMONICA > MIC > IRig > IPad > AUDIO INTERFACE > Amp

I tried your simple setup with just the harmonica, iPad, and Guitar Midi2, and it works great! My only challenge seems to be to get just the midi sound. I'm getting too much harmonica. I've getting a Blows Me Away Bulletini and that will probably help.

Thank you again!
John

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Brendan
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Re: Harmonica andiPad connection question

Post by Brendan » Mon Jul 18, 2022 3:04 am

Hi John, I was thinking just the basic iRig 1 interface you mentioned. Plug it into the headphone socket of the iPad. Your harp mic 1/4 inch plug goes in the guitar input, and you can listen via headphones or a lead to your amp from the mini-jack headphone outlet on the iRig.

Othe similar audio interfaces have mini-jack plus 1/4 inch outlets.

Use the Mix knob in MidiGuitar 2 to dial in the level of harp vs synth.

rishio
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Re: Harmonica andiPad connection question

Post by rishio » Mon Jul 25, 2022 5:56 am

Woops, I missed this thread when I posted my iPad setup. I use it for both live performance with no noticeable latency, and also for recording, as shown in the FB links below. The software I use is Garageband - nothing else. The speaker I use is awesome, as it has AUX in without latency (a rarity these days). The sound through the speaker is quite amazing given it’s size. I call this my Backpack Music Studio, considering it all fits into my 20 liter backpack comfortably, along with other goodies I need to head out with. Oh yeah, and I also use ED Tuning.

Here it is:
16452E02-9B0A-4EC0-9A12-850FA8C099E5.jpeg
16452E02-9B0A-4EC0-9A12-850FA8C099E5.jpeg (986.16 KiB) Viewed 9300 times
521B7C93-47F4-4F00-80E0-A55786CE772D.jpeg
521B7C93-47F4-4F00-80E0-A55786CE772D.jpeg (1.72 MiB) Viewed 9300 times

** CHECK OUT THE LINKS BELOW TO HEAR THE AUDIO QUALITY. APP I USED WAS GARAGEBAND AND NOTHING ELSE **

https://www.facebook.com/566261627/post ... uAjT44unl/

https://www.facebook.com/566261627/post ... FKcN3q8Cl/

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Brendan
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Re: Harmonica andiPad connection question

Post by Brendan » Tue Jul 26, 2022 10:43 am

Thanks for the nice clear pic of your iPad setup Rishio. That's a USB audio interface, which is what I use also (iRig and TC Helicon versions). I'd recommend USB to John, although the basic analogue iRig 1 interface will work fine with iPads with headphone ports if he wants to reduce his costs.

Garageband is great for sure. I recommend you should try MidiGuitar 2 as well - full version is free to try. It gives you synth sounds from your harp, a lot of fun!

rishio
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Re: Harmonica andiPad connection question

Post by rishio » Tue Jul 26, 2022 11:12 am

Thanks Brendan. I really appreciated your iPad series - it’s been gold for me. It confirmed in my mind that it could work and gave me the insight to get started on my own system.

Right now I’m having fun keeping it simple with Garageband. As I gain more experience, I’m going to try out some of the other software you recommend - like MidiGuitar 2. Taking it one step at a time. My USB Audio interface is great quality, but it is pretty expensive. Not sure if it is worth the cost, but it’s definitely high quality and I have nothing to complain about with regards to the live and recorded sound.
Brendan wrote:
Tue Jul 26, 2022 10:43 am
Thanks for the nice clear pic of your iPad setup Rishio. That's a USB audio interface, which is what I use also (iRig and TC Helicon versions). I'd recommend USB to John, although the basic analogue iRig 1 interface will work fine with iPads with headphone ports if he wants to reduce his costs.

Garageband is great for sure. I recommend you should try MidiGuitar 2 as well - full version is free to try. It gives you synth sounds from your harp, a lot of fun!

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