Small, portable guitar rig - iPad + Audio Interface + Midi Controller + Bias FX Mobile

Canada MIDI COMMANDER: amzn.to/2LmgOzq
Canada TS MINI: amzn.to/35YnjSA
United States TS MINI: amzn.to/35SPthS
United Kingdom TS MINI: amzn.to/3bl62nH
Official website: meloaudio.com/
This is a simple and inexpensive way to get a portable, great sounding guitar rig - complete with floorboard so you can switch between presets and assign effects to footswitches.
It's easy to get set up and you can do this on iPad or an iPhone. There is support for Android too, but I have not tried this myself.
When you are ready to learn with me:
Go to www.masterguit...
► My merch is here: www.cafepress....
► My Amazon Store: www.masterguit...
I teach music theory, blues, rock, funk, country, scales, chords, triads... and much more.
My website lessons come with Soundslice, which makes it incredibly easy to learn. Both tab and video are synced together in one view on the screen.
▼ Follow me here...
Instagram: / masterguitaracademy
Twitter: / mguitaracademy
Facebook: / masterguitaracademy
Subscribe to my channel: / rotren
I'm a guitar instructor in Canada, and I provide guitar playing lessons and gear advice, as well as gear demos.

[@kelvinpell4571]

THANK YOU ROBERT!! I have been asking everyone from MIDI controller manufacturers, to software companies, to music stores, to guitar players and everyone wanted to tell me how to programme a MIDI pedal....NO ONE wold tell me how to wire the rig up in the first place! This AT LAST has solved what should be a really straightforward question. There is no point in knowing how to programme a controller, if you don't know how to connect it up. Thanks again,

[@1RobHunter1]

Great sounds and tone.

[@theatremusician]

I've done a similar setup, but I've added a piezo for acoustic sounds and Fishman's TriplePlay Connect for MIDI/synth stuff. The piezo through the Fishman Aura system is fantastic.

[@Melodychef-hj1ix]

@@theatremusician please can you explain to me how you use your midi controller

[@avroman100]

I have digital but for that price it’s amazing

[@alexandersokolov5639]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and approach!

[@Dolphinstreets]

My pleasure!

[@Livengoodproject]

sounds pretty darn good

[@michaeldonnelly]

Question, I'm new to this. Where are connecting too to get the sound? A pair of studio speakers, a guitar amp with a midi connector? I hear you playing, but from what amp or speakers source. Thanks Robert.

[@universalelectricradio2373]

Michael Donnelly it appears as he isn’t using a speaker.....maybe he’s just giving the recorded guitar straight from the iPad app....no speakers involved....many of the KZbin demos do this....then blend it with the spoken voice recording in the video mix.....keep well there.✌️

[@johnong2655]

You're not following through. The headphone jack is the output

[@andrescs8947]

I recommend you connect output to speakers frfr or headphones. The preset is emulate amp if you connect to line in amplifier the sound will be not good

[@johnw5734]

Great sound and easy to carry, cool.

[@droidfan]

I was using BIAS, iPad, iRig 2 and Midi Commander. I switched the iRig 2 for the Behringer UMC202HD (which I was lucky to get brand new for $89.99 - it's now $185 haha) The huuuuge sound I get is ridiculous. So much better than carrying all the amps and cabs! Thanks for the video!

[@Dolphinstreets]

Cool! I've heard that one is great.

[@johnong2655]

Behringer UMC202HD, but that doesn't have a midi in/out?

[@droidfan]

@@johnong2655 No, no MIDI. It connects via USB.

[@craigpatchett3508]

$89 on Amazon as of this post (haha).

[@fattohead]

Great setup. BTW what is your ipads model? Can it handle Bias Fx well without any issues?

[@kooliao]

Finally I found the best video on the subject. Thanks!

[@Regantdarcy]

Nice simple setup 👍🏼 If you want to add a vocal mic to that setup, what would you need? A diff audio interface? One with 2 channels?

[@valdeciproducoes]

Thank for your input!

[@themojoman]

If you are on a budget: The MELOAUDIO TONE SHIFTER TS MEGA combines an audio interface and a midi controller with 8 switches.

[@themojoman]

BTW, Thomann sells the 'Harley Benton MP-500 Interface/Foot Control' for 199€ which is a rebranded 'Melo Audio Tone Shifter Mega'.

[@WillieBeard]

$280 isn’t budget for a stripped down portable rig.

[@tambora1977]

Hey man, very cool video, can I ask you what amp were you using? Thanks 🙏

[@philippegilson666]

Never was happy with the Bias FX Mobile. Hoping version 2 will be better. Using IRig HD 2

[@andreatramontano9351]

Dear Robert, first of all thanks a lot for your great videos! Concerning the portable rig I was wondering which is the most affordable iPad where I could have both Bias FX Mobile and Garage Band with good results? Thanks.

[@sudiptopaladhi7708]

6th gen regular model or ipad mini 2019

[@TheDuffpaddy]

Cool set up.

[@nickodemusdanang]

Great video. How to power them? Is there any way to power all of them in the same time?

[@jimqartworks]

lovely and amazing, do you share you A, B, C patches settings? thanks

[@edwinwierzbicki3503]

So clever! But... why do I hear some kind of tremolo effect all the time? Some digital artifacts?

[@sean_tristan31]

I tried this set up live. The sound can't seem to be input to the mixer of the sound engineers but when I tried it on their amplifiers, it worked. Sounds amazing but there's still that problem. Not sure if my settings were wrong or something was wrong with their mixer (although when I pressed the direct monitor button, there was sound)

[@CraigRMerriman]

Cool! Nice setup. Thanks!

[@fernando9026]

Great example! Pretty easy to understand ... I got one question tho ... what if you want the route the output to speakers? Thanks!

[@MyRobert1955]

Great stuff Rob

[@eraldmendoza1]

Hope you can make a video connecting this midi controller to a regular guitar amplifier? Tnx in advance cheers..

[@AntonioCavicchioni]

Sounds pretty good!

[@SVFresh2Salty]

This is brilliant

[@su4691]

What's the sound ( I guess it's a synth or vst ) at 0.35 thru 0.44 please ? It's so lush and sounds wonderful to my ears ! Thanks !

[@jonashofer4002]

Hi Robert Thanks for your videos. Amazing guitar rig. I wonder if TS mini audio interface is working with Mac with M1 chip. Is it compatible?

[@spyware1100]

For the price of a new iPad, interface, all those things, you probably can get a Mooer 250 or similar multieffect and that's even smaller!

[@josealejandroaburto7402]

But you can't use your mooer without connected to a wall, nor the other utilities an ipad has, so yeah

[@crazywisdom2]

whats a setup like this run ya. I bought a few pedals .... but I'm kinda digging the simplicity of this setup ! Also ... what are you doing with your tuner ? thanks.

[@baztatum690]

Sounds good!

[@hairilanuar5808]

Hello Robert. If I wanna use the volume pedal, should I use active or passive pedal? Or I need to use the expression pedal? Thanks in advance. Really appreciate if you can answer me

[@crazywisdom2]

I'm thinking about going this route. Is this still working for you ? I was researching various amps, and went down that rabbit hole. Thoughts ? Thanks !!!! Great vid !

[@neilkendall9857]

Cool setup! I'm thinking of doing something similar to this. What is the difference between your 'Boost' and 'Drive' footswitches by the way?

[@Alex_U]

I’m using ipad + irig pro + mvave chocolate midi FS + bias fx mobile 2 going into JBL flip4. I don’t like the sound I’m getting from jbl. What are you using to monitor sound?

[@steveg8578]

Great video Robert ! I am so confused by the Plethora of choices for all of this. But this looks great. With these two and an iPad, you can access almost any effect or stomp box you will need, correct ? This can connect to my guitar amp (set on clean I guess) ?. Can I be running another app on iPad like Garage band ? That has great foot pedal selection.

[@Dolphinstreets]

Yes! You can record into Garageband with Bias FX, and it’s really easy and sounds great. You can access a ton of amps and stompboxes and effects with BIAS FX. I hear they have a new version of it coming out real soon.

[@jannepetersson9791]

Great Robert!! Can i plug it in to my bands PA?

[@Dolphinstreets]

Yes you can. It has balanced outputs. The audio quality from the audio interface is incredible. Can’t get much better than what it already is. You can of course use different software if you like. I find the bias fx sounds really good.

[@guyg.8192]

Btw , positive grid release Bias Fx 2 to AppStore

[@aerialfocus]

Nice setup. Any latency? Do you also run headphone output to monitors? Thanks.

[@guyg.8192]

It’s 192khz / 24bit , it means very low latency, for that cost of money it’s very nice, but to get more Pure sound , Apogee , they have Fantastic DAC ( google dac audio) and outstanding preamp (built in interface) and that what will give u the quality indeed. And btw , this interface “melosound” for sure gonna be an upgrade for all kinds that have Ik interface device

[@aaronvalure9921]

Guy G. You’re referring to the apogee jam plus?

[@guyg.8192]

@@aaronvalure9921 apogee duet , but apogee have great dac ,even jam plus u can hear it on youtube people that do some sound test guitar , just put headphones and see urself

[@aaronvalure9921]

Guy G. Thanks brother!

[@EmisFearGuitar]

nice review! i am going down the same path of minimal/digital gear for quite some time now and i actually found even smaller solutions by using an irig duo interface and a bluetooth midi controller (irig blueboard): you can save even more space and cables with that. Anyway that TS interface seems very good too, have you ever tried the irig pro duo? it would be interesting to hear your thoughts :) cheers from London!

[@Dolphinstreets]

I have not. Bluetooth midi controller sounds interesting. Is it reliable? I’ve had issues with Bluetooth in the past.

[@EmisFearGuitar]

@@Dolphinstreets reliable yes, i used it quite extensively on live stages for function bands and pits in theatres for musicals, never had any sort of problem with it. The only thing i guess could be that you might feel some sort of latency sensation (very subtle) due to the fact that pedals are not made of metal but plastic, so it seems like it takes you a bit longer to press down and get the change you want. Hope this makes sense :)

[@tolearnfear3467]

Very cool

[@timothy5974]

Robert, I'm really wondering , Do we need an ipad Pro to do this? I only have a regular 6th gen ipad.Many years ago I wanted to do the vst amp sim, but I could always feel the slight latency in sound. I wonder if the iPad power now days alleviates this problem. Thank you.

[@Dolphinstreets]

Nope, just a regular iPad or iPhone will work great.

[@timothy5974]

@@Dolphinstreets Thank you for taking time to answer my question.

[@joetowers4804]

I know of a guitarist who has been gigging for years with an older laptop and interface. It's very likely that the delay you feel is actually negligible for most cases.

[@dwiedy9325]

I use Android Phone for change the preset or effect ( not use midi commander ) ,so I draw the push button in APK android ( like push button or button to change mode from one amp to another amp sound ) and connect to bias Fx software ( no wire like midi commander ) wireless

[@Collect-AI]

Great video! Does the MeloAudio work directly with the Spark Practice Amp by positive grid?

[@TheLoner70503]

What amplification are you using in the video for the external sound?

[@patrickfain9318]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@thejeffkershner]

Awesome! Can you record with that setup?

[@Dolphinstreets]

Sure, you just record in whatever DAW you use.

[@rodrigoea]

@@Dolphinstreets how did you record? in this video I could notice that you're probably plugging a cable from the headphone output into an amp/monitor and the sound came from the camera? sry if I made any mistake :)

[@RRP53]

Hello great demo and video! Curious do you know if the midi commander will work with bias FX 2? That is the version I own. Thank you.

[@ReverendHellbilly]

Wow.cheers bro.👍👍🍻

[@robertopatriarca5310]

very useful review Robert. Just wondering: how did you set up the effects swap at 4:00 between boost and drive? Cheers

[@musicbackground9247]

I know this is late, but it's a cool thing to do. When assigning the switch to the pedal(s) you assign it to toggle on off for both. Then you manually set the pedals to one on, one off. When you hit the switch, if the pedal is on, it turns it off, and if it's off it turns it on. Really simple. If they are both on, hitting the switch turns them both off etc. you can also set a bunch of pedals to toggle, effectively changing your rig with one click. Nice to do if you have a song with a clean chorus reverb intro that switches to a heavy distorted crunchy sound.

[@MrBeskem]

How is the latency ?

[@mishastojan]

Perfect, I want this

[@ornerycuss5804]

Do I just run this into a guitar amp and speaker cab? I want to use this setup live at rehearsal and gigs where I need my own speakers and amp.

[@rbr231]

great review thanks

[@kriegsmit]

Awesome!!

[@goactivemedia]

Have a ? new to this. What are you using for a playback sound? I did not see any line going to a speaker is it only playing back from the built in IPAD speakers? Can you send it to a powered monitor or amp?

[@CarpeTerramXE]

3 years later, Is this still your live rig? I just ordered the midi controller and the downloaded biasfx 2. Still looking for a good audio interface. I can’t find the TSmini

[@Iisidjenejiirjrkgawdcv9888yyyt]

This is my second TS MIDI and I still cannot get it to work with Bias Fx 2 or Amplitude. I only get clean sound with direct monitoring selected. Otherwise I get zip! Melo Audio support so far no replies. I have an IPad Pro. I even did a full restore on it with all the updates. Is there a pop-up that appears indications the IPad recognizes the TS MIDI connection ?

[@nikkicartee879]

So would something like this work with a live setup? Very interested in the pedal. Was about to buy the irig. But considering your setup simply for the midi control. Still learning what all the irig can do. For all I know they have a wireless midi board for itig

[@nickminderman7380]

And today bias fx 2

[@1988MaxVivas]

Hi from argentina. Whats your opinion about these plugins compare to the analog pedals? I was listeningh to Rabea Masaad and his bassist and they compared an analog pedal and its plugin version and i couldnt notice the difference

[@sudiptopaladhi7708]

Thanks for this nice review Robert. According to the manufacturer of Meloaudio midi commander the device “Need the lightning OTG cable to connect iOS mobile device, like iPhone/iPad, official name is Lightning to USB camera adapter.” So I thought that the midi port of my audio interface (Zoom UAC-2) is useless for this gadget. Your review helps me a lot. I wish to buy one. But I don’t know whether it works with AUM, Audiobus or Loopy etc. Actually I play synth using Jamorigin Midi Guitar app. I don’t need to control a lot of parameters. I want to mute & unmute channel or press play/stop/rec button in AUM and loopy - just like stomp box buttons act. Can you please guide me?

[@Dolphinstreets]

The Midi Commander will work with any audio interface that has MIDI In.

[@sudiptopaladhi7708]

@@Dolphinstreets I bought one just now. Thank you.

[@michaellitton4380]

What about a reference speaker ? What would you recommend?

[@sasmitha8446]

My interface doesn't have a MIDI port, but the MIDI Commander has MIDI to USB right? So technically you can connect it via USB to the iPad (while the interface is also plugged in) and it will do the switching? Can you please try doing this and upload a video? I have Bias FX2 Mobile on my iPad and an iRig HD-2 and I'm really considering buying the MIDI Commander but it is this doubt that keeps me from pulling the trigger. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Cheers and stay safe!

[@droidfan]

You are correct. Get a usb hub that allows charging and you will be all set.

[@TheAudioDabbler]

Question, do you know if the buttons support MIDI hold functions? I am looking for a controller for looping and some of the functions use the hold function.

[@azimut2azimut218]

Can you display sheet music on the ipad at the same time ?

[@TheQBandNY]

If I had the exact same setup (I have a FocusRite 2i2 for an interface) and wanted to send the signal from the interface to a combo amp (Orange 35RT - no midi input), would you: (A) send it through a re-amp box and into the amp guitar input or (B) send it through something else (DI Box or Re-Amp) and into the Effects Loop to bypass the pre-amp?

[@The_Ricardo_Sa]

How did you plug the midi controller and the Focusrite 2i2? It does not have midi line. Can you plug both separately to your iPhone / iPad?

[@christofjork8446]

Adding the cost of all components + software + ipad stand together equals almost the cost for a Pod Go - by Line 6. This one got HELIX Soundquality, is compact got a expression pedal and only needs 2 cables. So why should I get such a comlicated setup?

[@acdp61]

Can the ipad power the midi commander if connected directly to the ipad via USB hub? My audio interface doesnt have a midi input so I would connect both midi commander and audio interface to the ipad.

[@katherinem502]

What kind of ipad do you use?

[@Beemwe16]

Hi Robert, I like your video and would be very happy to use my set in the same way. But it doesn't work and I would like to ask you for help.When I built up my set, I can switch on my midi commander between different presets on bias fx mobile and it shows me on the screen what I choose, but the tone which comes out is always the same. It seems like there is no communication from TS mini to bias fx and vice versa. The input and output level indicator doesn't show anything. What could the reason be for that behaviour? Thanks a lot for helping me. Wolfgang

[@mksmartman2844]

can you make a video on keyboad midi controller please

[@left0verture]

I’d love to use this or a similar setup, but I’m already running OnSong on my ‘Pad. Sure, I could run a second iDevice, but I’m wondering if anybody’s in a similar strait - if so, how do you get around it?

[@fuzzyapplecore808]

I plug a speaker cable from this into a 60w cab, and the volume is really low, any idea how to fix?

[@denalmi5442]

U need an audio interface for better audio output

[@pf844]

Can I use an iPad charging cable instead of the converter cable ?

[@radeetrock1492]

What if i use irig for my guitar and conect it trough jack/3.5 socket and midi commander with usb to lightning socket? Will it work?

[@sbrave]

Is there some way to get into the BIAS preset of the MIDI controller to view/edit parameters? I'm using the pedal with my Headrush MX5, but the lights don't work when I press any footswitches, even tho, I can toggle pedals on and off.

[@aldopalacios7601]

Hi Roberto, great video, I have a new gen of ipad, it doesnt have lighting conection, it has and usb type c conection, do you think that could work?

[@FenderRS80]

Same problem, I tried with some adapters with no luck … I am using it with my iPad Mini now

[@jamiee172]

Can you use regular studio monitors or do they need to be powered, or does it matter?

[@Dolphinstreets]

Any powered monitors.

[@yulianto-blv-11a]

you don't use DI box?

[@storyin_music]

How did u take the output sound into this video... you have not mentioned the output sound route!!

[@ogsleepdealer]

not sure if he is but he could be screen recording on the iPad and just editing between vids

[@Dolphinstreets]

I recorded into GarageBand on my iPad.

[@primaskateboutique]

Is there a reason you didnt mention what audio interface that is?

[@ShaheedDevji]

Not sure I’ve been able to see it in the comments. Are you using Bias FX or Bias FX 2 on mobile?

[@sean_tristan31]

This looks like Bias FX

[@overdrivenbud]

Definitely Bias Fx (version 2 sucks to my ears)

[@raphinodias8866]

Can this work with a Macbook?

[@Dolphinstreets]

Yes

[@jackeyroberts1508]

I can't get the patch sounds from the I pad. Tuner won't work either. I have the TS mini plugged just like you do, I can only here my guitar, change patch it sounds the same.Any help you could provide would be appreciated.

[@Kratos370]

how do I connect a real guitar amp for audio output instead of using a headphone?

[@bigdog9785]

Can you plug a speaker into the audio interface? Basically, what do you do if you don't want to use headphones?

[@thejeffkershner]

I want to know this to!

[@tobistone3188]

yeah me too :D and what about the ohm...

[@guitarstutorials]

U can do it. it have an 1/4 output for speakers

[@tobistone3188]

@@guitarstutorials yeah but on what impedance? Or does it require an amp to make the signal loud enough?

[@js100serch]

Can I replace the ipad with an android tablet??, I don't like Apple products.

[@hawru2883]

how much are the costs?

[@runedamgaard4319]

Hey, a question... I used the Focusrite Scarlet Solo as audio interface in the same set-up, but the signal sometimes disappears and I then have to turn everything off and on again to make it work again. Anyone else had this problem? With the Focusrite? With the TS Mini?

[@fretbuzz4983]

I'D love to know how you get such a clear tone without all the crackle and pops and just over all noise, because my bias fx 2 on a 1000 dollar pc pluged into a 800 interface sounds like crap.. my guess is hours and hours of of post EQ editing..

[@overdrivenbud]

Im sorry to say bias fx 2 to my ears sounds crappy. Thats why I decided to purchase the old Bias Fx Mobile even though we are in 2021.

[@MatthewDuminy]

"Crackles and pops" and "noise" tells me it's either poor quality cables, faulty electronics on the instrument, or possibly an incorrect buffer setting on your computer. An expensive computer, that isn't set up correctly with the right driver, buffer, settings, isn't any better than a $5 computer. But would definitely recommend ruling out the cables first. Finally, check out your power source. A bad power source has a profound impact on digital equipment.

[@MatthewDuminy]

@@overdrivenbud In its stock form, I agree. It only comes alive when you use 3rd party impulse responses. I use the Tonejunkie ones and it's awesome then.

[@gomfrddy1]

How do you achieve stereo output?

[@harryfelix7236]

Nice..thank you sir..what about the vedio coverage?

[@Dolphinstreets]

What do you mean?

[@allboutthemojo]

@@Dolphinstreets how to hear it out loud? Just connect to self powered speakers? Thx

[@Dolphinstreets]

Yes you connect powered speakers or headphones.

[@allboutthemojo]

@@Dolphinstreets thank you!

[@emiliojgarcia8502]

Does the audio interface need to be plug to current?

[@Dolphinstreets]

No

[@sidheshwarmalakar3171]

👍

[@herschelvonrudiger]

Hey Robert, have you ever tried IK Miltimedia Irig?

[@Dolphinstreets]

The first one, many years ago. It plugged into the headphone jack and frankly sucked. But that was a long time ago. Their new stuff is great for sure.

[@herschelvonrudiger]

Robert Renman thanks for taking the time to answer!

[@kavtech_midi]

how to setting midi on biasfx ipad

[@jaco1329]

how long can you play because the ipad has only one connection to connect the guitar with the sound card and the power supply of the ipad?

[@knutnskar6796]

Lightning to dual lightning cable should help www.iphonehuset.no/epzi-lightning-til-dual-lightning-adapter-15540.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjOz6jP-V7QIVi6kYCh1ISwMxEAQYBCABEgIaD_D_BwE U can find these on ebay

[@kartman74usa]

so there is no noisy from the guitar?

[@aquaticborealis4877]

So this is good for gigging, but if you just want to practice, then you don't really need the midi controller.