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Focusrite solo (3rd gen) to iPad Pro into GarageBand


Reggaebass
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Hi, im new to recording so be gentle with me 😁, I’m after some advice and tips on the setup above, I was previously using the irig2, so I know my way around GarageBand a little bit.    I’ve just unboxed the solo, obviously connect both with usb C lead and bass into the jack input on the front,   I just want to double check , if I want to hear what I’m recording , not through headphones , do I connect a lead from my amp input into one of the line outputs on the back of the solo, (there’s more questions to come 😁)

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I’m not familiar with GarageBand, but I assume the backing track us already in there and you can adjust the levels on the track .

you can also adjust the preamp on the solo and the input level on the bass track 

just a case of blending them to suit I guess 

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On 10/03/2021 at 18:15, Reggaebass said:

Hi, im new to recording so be gentle with me 😁, I’m after some advice and tips on the setup above, I was previously using the irig2, so I know my way around GarageBand a little bit.    I’ve just unboxed the solo, obviously connect both with usb C lead and bass into the jack input on the front,   I just want to double check , if I want to hear what I’m recording , not through headphones , do I connect a lead from my amp input into one of the line outputs on the back of the solo, (there’s more questions to come 😁)

What amp are you referring to?

The outputs on the rear of the Solo are mono line-level outputs, so you’ll want to use both of them for a stereo signal. 

Si // Focusrite

Edited by Sibob
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1 hour ago, Reggaebass said:

Hi Si, it’s the ashdown RM500 

Audio interfaces aren’t really meant to output to instrument amps, on account of the outputs being line-level, which means you’ll be driving your amp quite hard, and at the wrong impedance....it won’t sound great. If you want to monitor yourself via the Scarlett while recording, I would suggest headphones from the interface, or invest in some proper studio monitors (ADAM Audio, KRK, Yamaha etc).

Edit: If you REALLY want to your Ashdown to monitor, I would suggest buying a Re-amp box to put between the Scarletts outputs and your amp. Just remember you’ll also be putting through the track you’re recording to as well, so less than ideal....I refer back to my recommendation of using headphone or proper monitors.

Si // Focusrite

Edited by Sibob
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Another 'cheapo' way of hearing the bass whilst recording is the old 'Y'-cable; a male jack lead with two female jack sockets. One of these for connecting to the interface, the other to the amp. Not expensive, and not ideal, maybe, but works well enough for hearing the bass. Just a thought. B|

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13 minutes ago, Sibob said:

Audio interfaces aren’t really meant to output to instrument amps, on account of the outputs being line-level, which means you’ll be driving your amp quite hard, and at the wrong impedance....it won’t sound great. If you want to monitor yourself via the Scarlett while recording, I would suggest headphones from the interface, or invest in some proper studio monitors (ADAM Audio, KRK, Yamaha etc).

Edit: If you REALLY want to your Ashdown to monitor, I would suggest buying a Re-amp box to put between the Scarletts outputs and your amp. Just remember you’ll also be putting through the track you’re recording to as well, so less than ideal....I refer back to my recommendation of using headphone or proper monitors.

Si // Focusrite

Thanks very much si, I wondered why it didn’t sound great, so the only way really I can play back my recordings in GarageBand on the iPad is through headphones or powered monitors 

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1 minute ago, Reggaebass said:

Thanks very much si, I wondered why it didn’t sound great, so the only way really I can play back my recordings in GarageBand on the iPad is through headphones or powered monitors 

It’s not the ONLY way (as above), but it’s the way that will allow you the best quality IMO

Si // Focusrite

Edited by Sibob
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42 minutes ago, Sibob said:

It’s not the ONLY way (as above), but it’s the way that will allow you the best quality IMO

Si // Focusrite

I didn’t really want to go down the powered monitors route yet Si as it’s just a for a bit of home recording ,   At the moment I’ve got a single lead from the solo to the fx return, at low volume, will I damage the amp or solo by doing this or would a re amp be better, thanks 🙂

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2 hours ago, Reggaebass said:

I didn’t really want to go down the powered monitors route yet Si as it’s just a for a bit of home recording ,   At the moment I’ve got a single lead from the solo to the fx return, at low volume, will I damage the amp or solo by doing this or would a re amp be better, thanks 🙂

No you won’t damage anything, it just won’t be the best tonally is all.
Personally I dislike recording with an amp in the room, much prefer headphones to track with, then mix on monitors (if available).

Si // Focusrite 

Edited by Sibob
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Just my tupporth.. I have the Solo 3rd Generation, albeit going into Windows 10 and Reaper DAW. Excellent interface.

Headphones all the way, and reasonable (I got some AKG second hand for about 25 quid) ones make the whole experience better both for tone and comfort. Using the headphones out of the Solo, press the button for Direct Monitor and mute your instrument track in the DAW. This makes it so much more possible to play in time with the track!

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