Audiobus: Use your music apps together.
What is Audiobus? — Audiobus is an award-winning music app for iPhone and iPad which lets you use your other music apps together. Chain effects on your favourite synth, run the output of apps or Audio Units into an app like GarageBand or Loopy, or select a different audio interface output for each app. Route MIDI between apps — drive a synth from a MIDI sequencer, or add an arpeggiator to your MIDI keyboard — or sync with your external MIDI gear. And control your entire setup from a MIDI controller.
Download on the App StoreAudiobus is the app that makes the rest of your setup better.
Beats Pill USB c audio test
I was scrolling through the internet and saw there was a new beats pill, and that it supports USB c audio. Most the reviews on the sound of the speaker were positive (probably paid ads), so i ordered it.
The USB c audio does work. I plugged my sp404mk2, op1 field, TE TX-6, iPad into the device, and they all worked.
I am returning the device however, for 2 reasons.
When plugged into a non Apple device via USB c, the volume knobs on the pill do not work. You have to adjust the volume on the op1f per instrument, and the op1 f volume knob has to be all the way down because audio still comes from the internal speaker.
The tx6 main volume didn’t adjust the volume, could only do it per mixer channel. Not great to have to master control.
Sp404, same thing, main volume didn’t work had to adjust volume per pad.
This is way too much effort. Not having control over your main output is useless and frustrating.
Reason number 2 for returning.
It sound awful. Lots of distortion at Any volume above 50% id say.
The bass sounds fake and out of tune on music, and for creating music.. all the kick drums i tried added way too much muddy bass.
I have two more AUX in speakers to test out today.
I own the TE OB-4 which is the ultimate portable speaker for creating music, but sometimes it’s too bulky to carry so I’m looking for a faster smaller solution.
Today i will be testing
https://www.soundcore.com/products/a3116011?variant=37651975995582
This one has high praise and supports usb c charging
Comments
My favorite Bluetooth/aux in speakers are the Minirigs. I have a Minirig 4, sub, and Minirig mini. They al work great and sound absolutely amazing.
Thank you @reasOne.
@mikewb - Did you try Minirigs with guitar (aux)? I'm worried about latency.
The minirig system
https://minirigs.co.uk/speakers/bundles
can you wire to audio interface ? For perhaps a bit of dj ing.
Can it be used to test mixes, that were made in headphones.
If you only want to use this device with your USB C, iPad/iPhone…when traveling…. it is better than than the onboard speakers… a little bit. But honestly do not expect much, there’s only 2 drivers.. one is for bass and the other is middle mid range with distorted highs. But it could be better for like working on music with your iPad in the park.
I haven’t ever tried that.
I did however get my soundcore motion + delivered today.. and wow! This small portable speaker sounds amazing over Bluetooth for music… (hi-res audio & equalizer app) and it has an AUX in, so once its charged I’ll be plugging in all kinds of synths/iPad to it to see how it handles mobile music creation!
It is quite rare for a manufacturer to include latency information, but Minirig did it in their FAQ page:
https://minirigs.co.uk/support/faqs
AUX connection:
For the Minirig Mini and Minirig 3 we use a DSP (digital signal processor) to apply EQ and limiters to the sound. There is a latency (delay) associated with this as audio does an analog-to-digital-to-analog conversion. It is VERY short, however - less than 1000th of a second (<1ms).
It's the same as moving the speaker about 30cm away from you.... so really, how close you are to the speaker will probably have a greater effect. Anything below 15ms is generally not noticeable so it is fine for DJing, microphone, instruments, watching videos etc.
With our other products, Minirig wired, Minirig Bluetooth, Minirig 2 and the Minirig subwoofer there is no DSP and the EQ/limiter is entirely analog. This means there is no delay. _
Thanks I wanted a pilll but the Beats Studio pro is where I’m stopping now
Also the Beats Studio pro is awesome
I can confirm. No problem of latency with minirig 4. I didn't measure anything, but I can play keyboard without any issues.
@yellow_eyez
Seriously look at the soundcore motion +
It sounds amazing man! It can handle synth patches and effects so good.
No hollow/cracking/muddiness
Its like 75$-99$ on amazon for same day!
Its almost as good as my OB-4, the OB-4 just has a richer warmer sound and can hang with anything you throw at it.
So far the motion + has beg able to as well for me
Yes, looks like others have mentioned. I don’t notice any latency.
@yellow_eyez
Thanks for the info on the soundcore motion+ that has some great reviews.
These types of small, portable speakers are always going to entail significant compromises. Something 12 in / 30 cm long claiming stereo separation makes me chuckle. I always experience latency with audio over Bluetooth (but not MIDI over BT) so I use a cable. I personally won't spend much on this type of speaker.