I would assume that a 'professional' musician would know that an iPad App cannot replace top of the line studio equipment.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Garageband for ipad has the same crap problem as every other iOS music app....
- Thread starter nafai23
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I would assume that a 'professional' musician would know that an iPad App cannot replace top of the line studio equipment.
I was going to comment on the apogee.
Looks interesting and large.
Sorry I assumed by mentioning the edirol/zoom devices that being all in one was the nice part of using it for rough and quick stuff like practicing.
It sounds like the original poster was hoping to to have an alternative to carrying around a laptop-interface-mic or a Zoom.
I am surprised that Garage Band doesn't have an input level control but I am assuming that the iPad hardware doesn't have this ability to attenuate the mic input level. Maybe the next version of the iPad will have this function if enough interest is expressed to Apple.
I am surprised that Garage Band doesn't have an input level control but I am assuming that the iPad hardware doesn't have this ability to attenuate the mic input level. Maybe the next version of the iPad will have this function if enough interest is expressed to Apple.
The Edirol is not very large at all, why wouldn't you just stick to that if you're an adamant audiophile?
I agree though, a mic level would be nice -- maybe it will show up in a future software update seeing as how a lot of musicians are using the iPad as a scratch pad these days.
I use my iPad with Amplitube and my iRig to practice guitar now rather than having to whip out the guitar amp.
I agree though, a mic level would be nice -- maybe it will show up in a future software update seeing as how a lot of musicians are using the iPad as a scratch pad these days.
I use my iPad with Amplitube and my iRig to practice guitar now rather than having to whip out the guitar amp.
I would assume that a 'professional' musician would know that an iPad App cannot replace top of the line studio equipment.
I think I said it was for practicing and rough quick stuff a few times.
The last studio thing I did was the true grit soundtrack here in NYC and I did not do the recording.
My point is I do not have a studio or top of the line studio equipment, I play for people that have studios. I just need something between shows or concerts if I have a few hours to practice than can aid in improving(pitch rhythm..etc...) and would have liked to have not had to carry around a zoom or edirol.
I'm pretty sure Apple intended this for use with guitar, maybe bass and vocals. Everything else using software instruments. Apogee has a mic coming with adjustable level, that's your answer if you insist on playing your Kenny G smooth jazz into your iPad.
Did i say I was an adamant audiophile?
I just do not want the thing to overload when I play at a normal volume.
I could careless the quality. When practicing and checking pitch, rhythm, interpretation etc the only person who hears it is me and I do not care.
If I was to want to hear tone and projection then yes I would need a concert hall and good equipment.
Anyway, never mind.....good god.
I return to reading threads on 256mb vs 512mb and retina displays.
I just do not want the thing to overload when I play at a normal volume.
I could careless the quality. When practicing and checking pitch, rhythm, interpretation etc the only person who hears it is me and I do not care.
If I was to want to hear tone and projection then yes I would need a concert hall and good equipment.
Anyway, never mind.....good god.
I return to reading threads on 256mb vs 512mb and retina displays.
Thanks that makes sense. I was hoping someone might offer up an opinion that it might be hardware limited for some reason.
I guess, then, I don't understand where all these unrealistic expectations come from that the iPad can be whatever you need it to be based solely off Apps.
Apple's website says:
"Whether youre a musical prodigy or just love creating your own walls of sound, GarageBand for iPad gives you all the tools you need to lay down fresh tracks and record music anywhere you go."
Except levels control. <shrug>
The complaint is absolutely valid.
I would only say that the frustration may be misdirected- some of us have begged for the control in iOS itself for a while. We don't know if it is a hardware or OS limitation. But this isn't the fault of the GarageBand team- trust me- they would have this functionality if the OS SDK and/or hardware exposed it.
I would only say that the frustration may be misdirected- some of us have begged for the control in iOS itself for a while. We don't know if it is a hardware or OS limitation. But this isn't the fault of the GarageBand team- trust me- they would have this functionality if the OS SDK and/or hardware exposed it.
The expectations are not unrealistic. If you read through the thread you'll see that he'd like to use his iPad/iPhone as a quick substitute for a quick portable audio recording device. He's not looking for anything great audio wise. Just the ability adjust levels without having to resort to moving the physical position of the mic way across the room in order to not overload it.
I'm usually one to dismiss most of the complaints about missing features because a lot are unrealistic. But after looking at what garage band can do, the inclusion of this "feature" seems to be a no-brainer.
You have a valid argument but you've fallen into the trap that so many other Apple users do when they run into a questionable problem. You thought you could have an Apple discussion on an Apple discussion board.
Unfortunately, the way things work is that when Apple does something right then everyone gloats that Apple just did the impossible. But if Apple does something odd then the defenses go up and it's now your fault for expecting Apple to do the impossible. It stinks because there really should be a board for sensible Mac users to discuss problems like this without getting punched in the face for questioning fearless leader.
In real life, that's how you'd get a softer sound. Don't be mad because you can't get a good sound unless you blast it with air.
Last edited:
It should have an input level control really. It is version 1 though so perhaps in a later revision. It's a stunning app for the money, I love it. You should check this out:
http://www.harmonicdog.com/ I have this multitrack app on my ipad and it has an input level control! I've just tried it. The input control is at the bottom left of the GUI. See if they have a screen shot on their website. Cheers.
http://www.harmonicdog.com/ I have this multitrack app on my ipad and it has an input level control! I've just tried it. The input control is at the bottom left of the GUI. See if they have a screen shot on their website. Cheers.
Last edited:
You forgot to mention all the posters who come in and make up total strawmen and act like they're above it all.
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Mobile/8C148)
Not sure if it's been said but you should be able to do a lineout from your zoom which can then be used as your mic with it's own preamplifier and gain control.
I have done this many times with my zoom h2 and canon camcorders. Course I'm speaking theoretically and will test this out tomorrow when I actually get an iPad.
Not sure if it's been said but you should be able to do a lineout from your zoom which can then be used as your mic with it's own preamplifier and gain control.
I have done this many times with my zoom h2 and canon camcorders. Course I'm speaking theoretically and will test this out tomorrow when I actually get an iPad.
Here we go. Maybe the thread starter can try this app out and see if it actually accomplishes what they want? That should answer whether the limitation is hardware or software.
I agree it's disappointing, but it sounds like Garageband isn't the app for this. I don't own an iPad yet, but I know there are recording apps with mic input levels for the iPhone. Maybe try looking for an app that would better suit your needs.
On the harmoniqdog forunm:
jbrave wrote:
Does the input volume slider actually control the analog mic input gain, so that, for instance, a loud sound source that distorts can be recorded without distortion?
Answer:
Unfortunately no. When the microphone itself clips, there is really no way to avoid distortion, other than using another mic which supports larger sound pressure levels.
jbrave wrote:
Does the input volume slider actually control the analog mic input gain, so that, for instance, a loud sound source that distorts can be recorded without distortion?
Answer:
Unfortunately no. When the microphone itself clips, there is really no way to avoid distortion, other than using another mic which supports larger sound pressure levels.
Wait a minute... you're a "professional musician" relying on the microphone of an iPad to record your music? And you're blaming Apple? Who's kidding whom here... I'm just a real estate agent, but even I know better to get a $150 Audio Technica studio microphone to record my radio ad voiceovers. I edit my files on my 4 year-old MacBook Pro Core Duo, which is probably still a more capable editor than the iPad. Can we all get a grip and use some common sense here?
Craziness.
Craziness.
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8F190 Safari/6533.18.5)
Sure. If you overload the internal mic then distortion is inevitable. Although being able to alter the input level will of course help, as you can on this app. I've not tried recording wind instruments but because they tend to have high sound pressure levels there is a fair chance you'll overload the mic itself. The only way would be to try it I guess. Maybe stand back a bit further from the ipad and make sure you're not right over the mic.
Sure. If you overload the internal mic then distortion is inevitable. Although being able to alter the input level will of course help, as you can on this app. I've not tried recording wind instruments but because they tend to have high sound pressure levels there is a fair chance you'll overload the mic itself. The only way would be to try it I guess. Maybe stand back a bit further from the ipad and make sure you're not right over the mic.