Input level into Garageband too low, Pod app fine

[Island_Moose]

I have the Sonic Port (not VX), running into an IPad Pro.  I connect an electric guitar in the Sonic Port, and then another cable to monitor through a guitar amp.

 

When I go to record a track in Garageband, the input level slider must be all the way up to even register.  The level of the drums tracks or other inbuilt material is fine, and must be reduced with the slider to avoid clipping, but the guitar input is barely audible.

 

I know the Sonic port is working, because when I use the Line6 app (Pod - the effects collection), the levels are fine, producing a strong input and output.  When I select the Line6 app as the input device (rather than a straight feed from the Sonic Port), the input levels improve dramatically, but this also comes with some noise and latency.

 

It seems there is some problem with the interface between the Sonic Port and Garageband. 

 

 

I have searched the forum, but I cannot find a thread that this has been addressed.

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

 

[silverhead]

....

 

It seems there is some problem with the interface between the Sonic Port and Garageband.

 

 

.....

I don't think there is a problem if I understand correctly. If you are recording the direct dry guitar signal from Sonic Port, without any amplification or processing by something like Mobile Pod, then I would expect things to be as you describe. Your guitar itself puts out a very weak signal that requires amplification of some sort. If you are not amplifying it before recording it you should get a weak signal level in the recording program.

 

The same thing happens with any Line 6 guitar multi-fx unit that allows you to record the dry signal directly. It is a very low level signal, and people use that to re-amp the signal after it is recorded using plugins or external hardware.

[Island_Moose]

Where in this diagram does it show an amp between the guitar and the IPad?  I wouldn't consider the low signal an issue if it didn't then lead to very poor audio quality in the mix, as it requires all tracks to be brought way down as a result (the drum loops for example are very strong).

 

I wouldn't think that the designers would intend that the guitar input signal would need to be at max slider setting before even registering, if anything you should need to adjust it to prevent clipping. 

[silverhead]

The diagram shows the Mobile Pod running on the iPad. That's where the amp (software model/simulation) is. If you're not running Mobile Pod or some equivalent when recording you will get the low level signal you described.

 

You stated that you get a good level when using the Mobile Pod app while recording, but there is some noise and latency. Add a noise gate to the Mobile Pod signal chain, and monitor (use your headphones) using Sonic Port rather than your iPad to remove the latency.

[Island_Moose]

I understand what you're saying now, as selecting the Mobile Pod input rather than the 1/4 jack alone boosts the signal to the level required.  I suppose recording the guitar through a microphone in front of the amplifier would have a similar result with input levels.  This suddenly makes sense...thank you.

[silverhead]

...  I suppose recording the guitar through a microphone in front of the amplifier would have a similar result with input levels. ..

 

Exactly. That's what the Mobile Pod (and other software modelers) is designed to do - simulate the sound of a mic in front of the guitar amp's cabinet.

 

Glad you have it sorted out.