Oh No. Will the iPad Replace All of My Guitar Pedals?

[@amosba]

"... but I like the sounds" - that's all that really matters, isn't it? 8^)

[@adammindykowski6984]

No, I can't envisage an iPad or similar replacing my hardware, Bill. That's not to say I'm anti-software. I use it all the time. I see it more like walking into a workshop. What tool do I need/want to use? That's a cool set up you have there for travelling or to use as a quick to deploy sketch pad. Without the video, it sounds every bit as good as your hardware compositions. However, there is something special about the focused design, passion and solder that builds into a pedal. Something real and tactile, like an old radio set. Also something special with an amp, and the sense of moving air and resonance. For me, the magic happens when all of that hum, hiss and hardware is there to interact with. But what you have there is perfect for a vacation.

[@freddylopez7536]

I think as others have indicated your question is a two fold question . But in reality it doesn’t matter to most of us what the latest equipment can provide but what actually sounds best at the moment. You have a beautiful sound called up on the iPad. Your ebow helps as well but you didn’t mention it I don’t think. I have two iPads and have enjoyed them for their portability and their capabilities. I have a beautiful amp and pedal sound that I love and use with absolute joy. But I must say live the new iMac and iPad for recording and producing my music in studio and live both. For me it’s all about my mood or what is the most convenient at the moment. I’ll probably use all of it until I can’t. Peace f

[@gustavoortego5838]

Hello Bill. It sounds great... and in a world in which - perhaps - there will be no more room than for what we can put in a light backpack... well, it is likely that there will be no more space than for a small iPad, some good headphones, a solar charger , and a guitar with a small body and no headstock, the one that takes up the least space in a backpack. Not bad news for ambient! Great tones and sounds of yours, as always. Greetings from Argentina (english is not my first language).

[@Nirabulator]

Sounds sweet!

[@BarryGrueter]

Very cool, thanks for sharing.

[@BrentAdams]

Sound quality is excellent in your iPad set-up (just listening through my laptop speakers though). So, I'd have no problem with that... What I prefer is to be able to stomp on a few buttons to quickly change from one sound to the next in seconds without having to get into menus for each part of the signal chain. My pedalboard is big and cumbersome to transport, but I can sure find "the sound" that I need fast!

[@guitfiddleblue]

I definitely use a mix of software, digital, analog and just whatever is enjoyable in the moment. It’s fun to be creative with all of it. Great video!

[@JTB--]

I've got Postive Grids BiasFX 2 software and have to admit it's pretty damn good and CONVENIENT for those using a MAC/PC

[@opethian8512]

Love it! Also barefoot shoes and headless guitars!

[@stefanososio8546]

Yes, the mighty versatility of plugins! They are very good for the majority of applications, mainly for home and studio use. I'm using my Mac tò play music For about four years. For the gain clipping problem you may have benefits using phones

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

My iPad apps are amazing, and I love them. Two things against them: 1) sometimes they don't behave as expected, and that can be a real buzzkill/creativity interruption, while you try to figure it out (although I'm noticing this less, with newer hardware/apps). 2) knob per function, is nice, with dedicated hardware.

[@ThinkingInBlue]

I think it could, I have already switched to iPad for synths and other types of keys (Mellotron, organ, piano, electric piano, etc…)

[@snowblackmusic]

I pretty much exclusively use an iPad Pro (or a MacBook) for my ambient guitar music and have for the last 5 or 6 years. Add the MIDI Guitar app and you can layer synth sounds too. It’s way cheaper to buy apps than pedals too! With the ability to mix apps in AUM you can soon get a completely new configuration in a matter of minutes. Works great for travelling and playing outdoors too. The only pedals I have now are Roland/Boss guitar synths but even their sounds can often be recreating with apps.

[@trebleboost7]

Totally viable soundscapes there! Good job! Amazing the tools we now have at our disposal. Almost too much…

[@frankmarino1385]

I really don’t care how you created those wonderful, ethereal tones, only that you did, and that it brought great joy to my life while listening to them. While I do appreciate the unique effects and quality tone of many individual pedals, my minimalist approach and limited budget encourage me to focus on wringing as much as I possibly can out of my Line 6 POD Go, which is the only “pedal” I currently own. As much as I appreciate the simplicity and vast capabilities of a software-based approach with the iPad, I would be concerned about encountering the occasional glitches that affect general use computers, especially in a live setting.

[@HamerCruisebass64]

Most importantly, this sounded like you Bill, so however you choose… I think more options are good. Still, even though I can get all my books on iPad, I still prefer paper (although hearing Tolkien himself read some of the sections of The Hobbit on the iPad edition is really enjoyable). And, being able to look at my pedalboard and fiddle with knobs to see what happens is more satisfying. Plus, as long as Jamie and the folks at EQD keep making pedals that’s where my heart rests.

[@samseitz9937]

The finish on that guitar is awesome! Did you customize it with the online builder?

[@chordsoforion]

Kiesel allows you to specify the finish when they do a build. Standard burst with satin finish.

[@dudeseriously79]

It's lovely except the underlying static sound.

[@chordsoforion]

It's true - the piece is a little on the gritty side. I am still working on getting the gain staging into the iPad correct. Will improve!!!

[@GrzegorzBojanek]

iPad is a great tool. Can it replace the pedals? In many cases YES, in many cases NOT (especially if you are into more experimental side of pedals like Chase Bliss). Still, there are so many apps nowadays, that iPad is a huge inspiration I even recorded one full EP on it - and it was 6 years ago!

[@LAZY_PHILOMATH]

wHAT CAN THIS STRANGE DEVICE BE WHEN I TOUCH IT , IT GIVES FORTH A SOUND...RUSH (forseeing a Dystopic future?)..keep the pedals!

[@JeremyRayWilliams11]

The iPAD is one of those paradigm shifting devices that has truly impacted life as we know it. I can envision two iPads. One for effects and the other for lyrics and music composition as well as backing tracks.. I would have no issues replacing all my gear with an iPad or two. Great music as always Bill.

[@guitaristssuck8979]

Sad.

[@phantominterrogative]

Not too long ago, an acquaintance of mine used a Commodore Amiga in a similar fashion; yet, 14-bit sound isn't as nice as the iPad setup.

[@joshuadsmusic94]

Yes, definitely would love the idea of being able to run all my sounds from just an iPad and an audio interface

[@vibetone355]

Tried ipad for various guitar effects, all l can say sound wise it lacks body, only way l can express it, doesn’t respond like pedals, obviously it’s a different ballgame, l tend to shy away from the ipad had an iPad Pro for years now, the synths are obviously less expensive than hardware, but much prefer hardware synths, you could probably make an entire album on the ipad and remix it professionally, ?

[@BozowolfnHD]

Mine did..IK Multimedia MixBox.

[@DisVietVetUSA]

IK Multimedia iRig2

[@dennismosercreativearts]

You've asked two different questions: 1.) Is the iPad capable of replacing your pedals (yes). 2.) Will the iPad replace all your (or my!) pedals (no). For a one-off demos such as this, then absolutely you can ditch the pedals - I did it for several performances several years ago. The problem though is that you have no immediate control over the parameters you're working with - no way of connecting external MIDI controllers as you have set it up now. For studio work, I think it's more of a question of how you choose to integrate the iPad into your work flow and you will be using other pedals there. Being able to route the audio and MIDI signals (I use a MIDI guitar as well as traditional acoustic and electric) is essential and the iPad by itself is not capable of that. Further, with Apple having jumped back and forth with the ports on the iPad, there will always be the issue of getting power, audio, and MIDI in/out of the device. I love the idea of being able to draw on the power of Logic Pro and the iPad, but I think it's a little misleading to suggest that it is a complete solution for performing. Looking forward to your tutorial.