Monitor 2 Channels At Once On Garageband Ipad

Apr 26, 2011 iPad 2 music video tests GarageBand and iMovie to the limit. We put the new GarageBand and iMovie iPad apps to the test - can we create a CNET.

Although it may seem somewhat intimidating, and complex, recording multiple tracks in GarageBand is rather straightforward.
First we'll assume you have an interface, or have created a new aggregate device, that offers you two or more channels of audio input. Audio interfaces may offer dozens of channels of input, which GarageBand can use on any of up to 8 tracks at once. Each GarageBand track can be assigned any single channel, or pair of channels.
Additionally, each channel can only be assigned to a single track at a time. So if you assign channel 1 to track 1, and also assign channel 1 to track 2, you will not be able to record on both tracks 1 and 2 at the same time.
To assign a channel to a track, click in the track header area to select that track
Click the button to open 'Track Info', and at the bottom of the window you'll find the controls for selecting the channels you wish to use for input
On this system I have 15 channels from which to select (remember, only 8 tracks at a time)
And for this project I want to record 4 tracks simultaneously. So for my first track
I'm going to select 'Channel 1 (Mono)' because I'm recording from 1 mic in each channel
I set Track 2 to Channel 2, etc, all the way through my 4th track, so now my timeline looks like this
Every track on which you wish to record must be 'Record Enabled', and we do this by making sure the button is turned on for each track. Which track is selected is not important, just make sure that the record enable buttons on each track are turned on
And you are now ready to record on to 4 separate tracks.
One point worth mentioning, if you click on a track that is not record enabled, it will become record enabled, and all the others will be turned off.

In this feature I ditch the recording studio and take a look at the best portable interfaces for GarageBand musicians who want the freedom to record anytime, anywhere.

The beauty of an app like GarageBand for iOS is that you no longer need to spend ludicrous amounts of money renting studio time or wait until your ‘big break’ to write, record and release your own music.

If you want your DIY music to sound its best however, you’ll need to ditch that inbuilt mic on your iOS device and invest in an audio interface of some kind.

There’s tons of choice out there and it can be hard to work out what interface is right for you. I’ve brought together 3 of the best portable recording interfaces on the planet to help you narrow down your options.

Let’s take a look..

£74.99/$99.99

Compact, portable, and easy to use, the Roland GO:MIXER makes it simple to record high-quality audio with your iDevice.

With multiple inputs available, you can connect a mic, musical instruments, and media players and mix them all together at the same time.

The unit features the ability to combine five sources at once via inputs for a ¼” jack vocal mic (no XLR input or +48 V Phantom Power here), guitar, stereo keyboard, and two stereo line-level devices (such as music players, drum machines, etc.).

The quality is great, assuming you don’t clip/peak the audio. There is a dial for each main instrument input as well as a master volume dial to adjust as appropriate. The GO:MIXER also has a peaking LED which is useful to have.

All in all this little box is incredibly versatile, though the lack of XLR input or 48v Phantom Power would definitely prove limiting for some.

Tech Specs

Inputs: 8 channels
Outputs 2 channels
Connectors INSTRUMENT (L/MONO, R) jacks: 1/4-inch phone type
LINE IN 1 jack: Stereo miniature phone type
LINE IN 2 jack: Stereo miniature phone type
MIC jack: 1/4-inch phone type (no plug-in power)
GUITAR/BASS jack: 1/4-inch phone type (high impedance)
MONITOR OUT jack: Stereo miniature phone type
USB port: USB Micro-B type USB Bus PowerCurrent Draw40 mA
Accessories: Lightning to USB Micro-B type cable (50 cm, 1 ft 7 inches)
USB OTG Micro-B type to USB Micro-B type cable (50 cm, 1 ft 7 inches)

Get Your Roland GO:MIXER Here

£81.99/$119.99

Focusrite has a great track record for producing extraordinarily high quality USB and Thunderbolt audio interfaces for Mac and PC. With the iTrack Solo Lightning, they’ve packed most all of the killer features from their range into this little box.

While it is smaller and lacking a few of the features of some of Focusrite’s more expensive units , the iTrack Solo packs enough of a sonic punch to hold its own against most other interfaces at this price range.

The mic preamp used here series are nothing short of phenomenal, giving you clean and clear recordings every time. There’s also +48 V Phantom Power available, so you can use a studio quality condenser microphone to really push the quality of your recordings to the next level.

Super-low latency brings confidence to your performance, letting you record and monitor with software effects in real time.

New gain controls and a sleek metal chassis underscore its industrial design – this thing can take one hell of a beating!

Tech Specs

1 microphone input – XLR, 1 Instrument input ¼’ unbalanced, 2 Gain knobs,
48V Phantom power switch, Direct monitor switch
2 unbalanced monitor outputs – RCA Phone, DEVICE LINK port (to connect iTrack Solo to iPad)
USB 2.0 Port, Kensington Lock slot
Supported sample rates 44.1 KHz, 48 KHz, 88.2 KHz, 96 KHz – Mac and PC 44.1 KHz, 48 KHz – iPad
In the box: iTrack Solo, 1.2m USB cable, 1.2m “DEVICE LINK” cable (to connect to a Lightning iPad), Getting started guide, Registration card, USB power supply (US only)
Compatible with: iTrack Solo Lightning: Any iPad with Lightning connector, Standard iTrack Solo: iPad (1st gen), iPad (2nd gen) and iPad (3rd gen)

Get Your Focusrite iTrack Solo Lightning Here

£127.99/$149.99

iRig Pro I/O is a pocket-sized full-featured audio and MIDI interface that gives you 24-bit/96kHz recording studio quality sound everywhere you go with a few additional essential features for mobile recording.

Its designed to be “plug and play” and easy to use with all of your gear — studio mics, vocal performance mics, guitars, basses, keyboards — whatever it is, iRig Pro I/O can probably handle it.