Auria: 48 track 24 bit DAW on the iPad

[dgrieser]

I decided to purchase Auria http://www.auriaapp.com for the iPad ($50) and got a Presonus 1818VSL interface to use with it. I've also got a Steinberg MR816x that I plan to use in standalone mode to get another 8 tracks in by lightpipe for some live show recording.

I plan to record a rehearsal next weekend using 8 tracks on the Presonus, and a live show Sept 1 using 12-14 tracks. We'll see how it handles that many channels, but they say it can handle 24 in at a time.

I did a recording this weekend on mandolin and octave mandolin. I had the ipad right next to me (no computer/equipment noise). It worked flawlessly. I mainly use it as a capture device and then export the files as AAF and import them in Logic Express to mix.

http://soundcloud.com/hillbillychambermusic/fiddlers-dram

There is some craziness with the audio out from the ipad and 1818VSL--the 1818 gets the headphone out from channels 7&8. The ipad only sends audio out on 1&2. I have my IEM receiver plugged into the main out on the 1818 and use my IEM for monitoring. The rumor is the next version of iOS will let the iPad address more channels of out.

You can connect any USB class compliant interface to the iPad using the camera connection kit (for the usb port) and a powered USB hub since the CCK USB port doesn't have enough power. There's some higher end interfaces that work with Auria and the iPad.

There's a tiny bit of latency, but nothing that makes overdubbing a problem. The track above has minimal processing--just Elephant limiter to raise the levels and some level automation. More details on mics/preamps at the soundcloud link.

The app developers provide amazing support on the forum--a lot like Reaper in the early days. Recording yourself is fun and easy with Auria.
_________________
Hillbilly Chamber Music
http://hillbillychambermusic.bandcamp.com

[kslight]

That looks pretty cool...wondering when the day would come...unfortunately its not terribly useful to me since its USB only... Or someone needs to make a USB interface that will take 24 I/O of ADAT...I have all outboard pres/conversion for my mobile rig.

[dgrieser]

You can get 16 in with a Lynx Aurora on the higher end of the interfaces that work with Auria.
_________________
Hillbilly Chamber Music
http://hillbillychambermusic.bandcamp.com

[Snarl 12/8]

How much is "a tiny bit" of latency. It only takes a little bit to make my skin crawl. Is it worse than Reaper on a PC with a MOTU interface? Is there any kit that gets you to zero latency?
_________________
Carl Keil

[dgrieser]

Most of the time I'm going to use this to record live shows or bands all playing together in the room (no headphones)--won't have to worry about latency. The lowest it goes is 128 samples.

When I'm recording myself, I don't find the latency a problem. I get less latency with my 2007 MacBook Pro 2.14ghz Intel core2duo and the Steinberg MR816x, but then I have to put the laptop in the next room and use the ipad to control it. Making sure everything is working is kind of distracting.

It's way faster and easier recording with Auria right next to me on the ipad--it feels like there's less in the way for me to get recording and keep recording without the engineering/technology getting in the way of the process.

Latency might be better with an iPad 3 than a iPad 2 like I have--not sure about that.

I'm not saying it's the DAW for everyone, but for $50 I felt it was worth giving it a shot just to get the computer fan noise out the room. So far I'm very happy using it as a capture device. I find mixing/editing on it way too fiddly, but transferring to the laptop for mixing is quick and easy.
_________________
Hillbilly Chamber Music
http://hillbillychambermusic.bandcamp.com

[Snarl 12/8]

Thanks for the details. I have been on a quest lately to "get the tech out of the way" as you say. This looks like it does that pretty nicely, although by adding more tech. (I don't own an iPad) I'm not anti-tech, I'm just pro appropriate tech. Which, of course, is different for everyone.

Thanks again.
_________________
Carl Keil

[kslight]

[fossiltooth]

I desperately want to mix a song on this thing and see how it goes. The company offered to give me the software -- unfortunately I don't have an iPad. So I would just need to borrow an iPad and a good song that needs mixing. And then I would write an article about it. Could be fun. Any takers?
_________________
Justin Colletti
Audio Engineer, Journalist

Read "Trust Me, I'm A Scientist". It's good.

Also: sign up to win free audio gear @ SonicScoop

[fossiltooth]

[dgrieser]

Thanks, Justin. I'd be interested to read about your experience mixing in Auria. Hope you get your hands on it soon.
_________________
Hillbilly Chamber Music
http://hillbillychambermusic.bandcamp.com

[dgrieser]

I tracked a live show I played in (and did the live sound) using Auria.

Signal chain: SM58s on vocals, pickups direct in on all acoustic instruments, Heil PR20 drum overhead (should have used more mics on the drums but it was a tiny stage and cables/mic stands every damn where), direct out for bass. Everything went into a Mackie 1604VLZ, direct or insert outs to a Presonus 1818vsl, extra outs to a Steinberg MR816x in standalone mode running ADAT out into the 1818vsl.

I think I ran 11 channels at 24/44.1 into Auria on an iPad 2. It ran like a champ--had a few nervous minutes when I pushed stop at the end of the 1 hour sets as it processed the tracks.

There's a few first mixes of songs here. http://www.dongrieser.net/billyhawks.html
_________________
Hillbilly Chamber Music
http://hillbillychambermusic.bandcamp.com

[fossiltooth]

Cool. Sounds way, way better than the average live club recording from 40 or 50 years ago. Ah, technology. Sometimes it's not all that bad.
_________________
Justin Colletti
Audio Engineer, Journalist

Read "Trust Me, I'm A Scientist". It's good.

Also: sign up to win free audio gear @ SonicScoop