Recording on the iPad: "Ua Mau"

Here is a quick demonstration of my new recording set-up. For years I have used a Macbook, connected to a mixer with built-in effects using a condenser mic for vocals. Mostly for Youtube videos, but also to record music tracks of myself playing various instruments. But now I have a simpler set-up to record track-at-a-time songs: iPad + interface + condenser microphone. It's almost portable, easy to use, plus there are credible virtual instruments in the Garageband software. I am using a 16gb iPad2, the Tascam iXZ mic and guitar interface (about $50) and an Audio Technica AT2020 condenser mic. I have a short XLR cable for the mic to keep cable spaghetti at bay. You can monitor your current and finished tracks by plugging headphones into the iXZ because it uses the headphone jack on the iPad for the input. This leaves the charging dock free for external power or whatever else you might want. On this track, I am playing the ukulele and singing two parts. The other tracks are guitar and bass and both are played virtually by tapping on the screen of the ipad.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• ipad
• recording
• tascam
• ixz
• interface
• condenser
• microphone

[JesseTinsley]

@itsmontismusic I haven't had time to do tutorials on individual songs. Perhaps my attention span is too short ;-) See my other recording of this song. 

[wzb3]

Thanks, Jesse, for your quick reply. I'll check out the Tascam iXZ today.

[JesseTinsley]

@wzb3 I am editing an expanded tutorial on iPad recording and hope to have it up tonight. Hopefully it will be helpful to other musicians.

[JesseTinsley]

@wzb3 it is possible to record into the built-in mic of the iPad, but it is not high quality. You need some kind of interface to boost the line input of an external microphone and add phantom power if it is a condenser microphone. There are many interfaces on the market, most of which use a USB output. With those, you would need the USB adapter for iPad. The Tascam iXZ goes in through the headphone jack instead. At $50, it is fairly cheap for an interface, since some are $400 or more.

[TheProlificA3]

Truly amazing. A while back my house got broken into and they stole my MacBook out of my studio so I couldn't record. But now with this interface I can use my microphone again with my iPad

[wzb3]

Thanks, Jesse! This is most helpful. Is it possible to use the iPad for recording if I have only an amp, guitar or ukulele and a microphone? Otherwise, I can start planning ahead for that special equipment.

[JoveeKovee]

I enjoyed it... Nice job and singing. Aloha