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Recording guitars in Logic Pro for iPad might sound complicated initially, but it isn’t that hard. It gets easier with time as you learn and familiarize yourself with the equipment.
To connect your guitar to Logic Pro for iPad iPad, connect your guitar to the audio interface using an instrument cable.
What Gear You Need to Connect Your Guitar to Logic Pro for iPad
1) Audio Interface
An audio interface is used to convert the audio signal between your guitar and iPad. In other words, the audio interface converts the guitar’s signals into a language the computer can understand.
The audio interface should also come with the cable that’ll allow you to connect the interface itself to your device.
Your best bet is probably to just use a simple USB-C Cable because that has been the standard for a few years.
2) USB Cable
If your audio interface comes with a different cable, just use that one to plug everything in.
USB Adapter (For Older Devices)
You’ll be able to figure out which cable or adapter to use based on your device.
Older audio interfaces will likely use a USB-A to USB-B connection which means you’ll need a USB to USB-C adapter.
3) 1/4″ Instrument Cable
The 1/4-inch jack cable (or a 3.5mm jack) is used to plug your guitar into the audio interface. If you already own a guitar, you’ll probably have one of these lying around.
It is the same one you would use to plug a guitar into an amplifier. Make sure that you are able to plug this cable into your audio interface, otherwise, you will need to get an adapter.
How to Connect and Configure Your Guitar With Logic Pro for iPad
1) Connect the Cable Between the Guitar & Audio Interface
A) Connect the Cable to the Guitar
B) Connect the Other End to the Audio Interface
2) Plug the USB Cable Into the Audio Interface
3) Connect the Adapter to the USB Cable
If I were you, I would ensure you have a high-quality adapter if you need one. If your adapter isn’t good quality, it could cause weird problems for you.
I’ve had my computer crash and make bizarre sounds before while using a sub-standard adapter.
4) Plug the Adapter into Your iPad and Launch Logic
Make sure to check that everything is connected correctly and properly, this might save you some time later on if you run into issues with getting sound.
5) Open the “Create New Track” Menu
6) Open the Extended Settings
7) Select Your Audio Interface
If your iPad is not recognizing your audio interface, try a different adapter or a different cable. As I said earlier, I’ve had this issue before.
3 Tips for Using A Guitar With Logic Pro for iPad
1) Turn On “Autoselect Audio Devices”
After you plug everything in, you might run into the issue of not getting any sound. One of the main reasons this might be happening is because the “Autoselected Audio Devices” feature is turned off.
A) Open the Settings
B) Open the “Audio” Tab
C) Turn on “Autoselect Audio Devices”
Having this feature on is going to save you a lot of time during the setting up process, as you won’t have to select the input and output sources each time.
Alternatively, you can also select the input source manually from the input dropdown menu.
This is mostly going to be helpful if you’re working with many input devices and your iPad does not which device to recognize.
2) Set the Right Levels
According to Glenn Fricker, the Scarlett 2i2 is great for recording since it has plenty of headroom. Headroom refers to the idea that there’s enough room to raise the signal, without the signal clipping.
Every producer at some point runs into the problem of either having a wimpy guitar from the levels being too quiet or facing the issue of clipping from the levels being too high.
Most interfaces come with a light indicator. When it flashes red, it means the signal is too high, when it’s green, the level is good.
When setting your levels, play on a string as loud as you can and lower the fader until the light indicator only shows green.
This is going to take your recording to the next level, with the best possible sound that you can achieve.
3) Balance Out the Rhythm Tracks
There are two things to remember when recording multiple guitars (or any other track for that matter).
Number one is that when you double-track, it is important to record the part twice and not just copy and paste the same recording. Double tracking is when you record the same section twice.
The second thing to keep in mind is that when you pan your guitars, they should be at the same levels on both sides of the field.
You might run into the issue of your mix being too heavy on one side (for example the left side) and it is going to be hard to listen to.
To avoid your track being heavy on one side, try using similar effects on both guitars and pay attention to how far right or left you pan your track.
When working with multiple guitars, I generally pan them around 70-80% on either side. You also need to make sure that you panned both audios symmetrically, otherwise, the mix will sound unbalanced.
Do you have any questions, thoughts, or concerns? Let me know what you think in the comments section below.
Other Articles You May Be Interested In
- How To Pan Guitars in the Mix (Electric, Acoustic, and More)
- How to Make Guitars Sound Better in Garageband
- Guide to Guitar Plugins For Garageband (Free and Premium)
- How to Use MIDI Guitar 2 for GarageBand [Step-By-Step]
