How to route this, what do I need ?

[ambient]

My brain isn't designed for thinking about this sort of thing

I have the following and want to connect them in a certain way -

Bass
MacBook Pro which has copies of field recordings and noise on.
Eventide Space
Distortion
Compressor
Korg Kaoss Pad
Pigtronix Looper
Amp

I want to be able to have just my bass going through the pedals, onto the looper, and into my amp. That bit I'm ok with 😊.

I want the MacBook to go through just the Kaoss Pad, using the pad's effects and messing about with ability.

I sometimes want the bass to go through the Kaoss Pad, but not always.

I want both to go through the looper, but not always. I will sometimes want just the bass, with the output of the Kaoss pad having the Macbook going straight to the amp.

Confusing ? Yes

So how can I achieve this ?

Edited July 27, 2015 by ambient

[elephantgrey]

I think you have 2 options.
First is to use a mixing desc (something like [url="http://www.dv247.com/studio-equipment/alto-zmx862-compact-mixer--83405"]this[/url]) that has 4 inputs and 2 aux sends. you want your bass (via fx) into channel 1, mac in 2, kaoss into 3 and looper into 4. Then aux 1 into the kaoss and aux 2 into looper. Use aux knob to send more/less to kaoss or looper.
Second is to contact someone like [url="http://www.brightonion.co.uk/"]bright onion pedals[/url] to make you up a custom looper (a bypass looper, not a phrase looper like you have). They should be able to build you a box that will let you send the signal where you want it controlled by foot switches.

You could try using a bunch of ls2s(or alternatives), but i think itll probably be both cheaper and easier to get BOP to make you something.

[The Badderer]

out of interest are you using a decent audio interface with low latency and multiple ins/outs. I've seen some of your posts in the past and thought.... this guy needs a decent audio interface. I had just the same thought now. If you did you would have a lot of control over where and how you routed everything especially if a Macbook is already part of your set up.

[ambient]

[quote name='The Badderer' timestamp='1438035600' post='2831163']
out of interest are you using a decent audio interface with low latency and multiple ins/outs. I've seen some of your posts in the past and thought.... this guy needs a decent audio interface. I had just the same thought now. If you did you would have a lot of control over where and how you routed everything especially if a Macbook is already part of your set up.
[/quote]

I use a MOTU Ultralite MK3 Hybrid, is that good ?

If you mean the lo-fi'ness, that's deliberate, I record onto tape first, then transfer that to Logic so I can upload that onto the internet.

[elephantgrey]

[quote name='The Badderer' timestamp='1438035600' post='2831163']
…are you using a decent audio interface with low latency and multiple ins/outs.…
[/quote]
i think he is using the laptop just for playing samples, so just needs to worry about output latency. And if these are noise/non-rhythmical ambient noises that might not necessarily need to bother with latency at all.

[ambient]

[quote name='elephantgrey' timestamp='1438011423' post='2830828']
I think you have 2 options.
First is to use a mixing desc (something like [url="http://www.dv247.com/studio-equipment/alto-zmx862-compact-mixer--83405"]this[/url]) that has 4 inputs and 2 aux sends. you want your bass (via fx) into channel 1, mac in 2, kaoss into 3 and looper into 4. Then aux 1 into the kaoss and aux 2 into looper. Use aux knob to send more/less to kaoss or looper.
Second is to contact someone like [url="http://www.brightonion.co.uk/"]bright onion pedals[/url] to make you up a custom looper (a bypass looper, not a phrase looper like you have). They should be able to build you a box that will let you send the signal where you want it controlled by foot switches.

You could try using a bunch of ls2s(or alternatives), but i think itll probably be both cheaper and easier to get BOP to make you something.
[/quote]

That's great thanks for your help, much appreciated

[ambient]

[quote name='elephantgrey' timestamp='1438036066' post='2831169']
i think he is using the laptop just for playing samples, so just needs to worry about output latency. And if these are noise/non-rhythmical ambient noises that might not necessarily need to bother with latency at all.
[/quote]

Yep, that's right.

They're field recordings made on my phone. I transfer them onto a loop on a Revox reel to reel and mess about with them, slow them down, reverse them etc.

[The Badderer]

Well it looks like a decent Audio interface.

My comment about it being good was aimed at the latency figures you get from it. It you've got too much latency then you'll struggle to use it accurately live (aside from running tracks etc.) If you're getting low latency from it, then can't you use some of the outputs to run your macbook into the chaos pad and looper etc. You're looking for flexibility of running your Macbook and bass into different pedals etc. I'd look at using the Audio Interface 1st before spending any money. If that doesn't do what you want, then looking at something like a mixing desk or a custom router / loop / switching system might be your next options. Don't underestimate your Audio interface.

[ambient]

[quote name='The Badderer' timestamp='1438036399' post='2831175']
Well it looks like a decent Audio interface.

My comment about it being good was aimed at the latency figures you get from it. It you've got too much latency then you'll struggle to use it accurately live (aside from running tracks etc.) If you're getting low latency from it, then can't you use some of the outputs to run your macbook into the chaos pad and looper etc. You're looking for flexibility of running your Macbook and bass into different pedals etc. I'd look at using the Audio Interface 1st before spending any money. If that doesn't do what you want, then looking at something like a mixing desk or a custom router / loop / switching system might be your next options. Don't underestimate your Audio interface.
[/quote]

Hi,

Thanks, but I think what I need is some means of switching between them, note I say I think

Latency isn't an issue to be honest, I have recorded quite a few tracks straight into Logic via the MOTU, it's only recently that I've been using analog for the recording. I previously used a Focusrite Scarlett, that did sometimes have latency issues.

This is for live work. I somewhat bizarrely have some gigs doing what I do.

This is a very recent example, demonstrating the ambient backing tracks [url="https://soundcloud.com/an-ending-ascend/26072015b"]https://soundcloud.com/an-ending-ascend/26072015b[/url]

[The Badderer]

For simplicity a mixing desk or a looper/switching system will be nice and simple and all controllable by hand / feet.

If you wanted control of your Audio Interface you could look at this http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/FCB1010.aspx which allows you to control any track you are running via MIDI. So you can have tracks loaded going to the different outs and using the routing of Logic, and you can pre-program them to do certain things. You can then use MIDI footswitches to trigger tracks and use expression pedals to control any effect / parameter you choose to program. It's a lot more complex than running into a mixing desk etc. but as you get better at programming / routing through your Audio interface, over time you may find it opens up certain things for you musically.

[elephantgrey]

[quote name='The Badderer' timestamp='1438076690' post='2831348']
If you wanted control of your Audio Interface you could look at this [url="http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/FCB1010.aspx"]http://www.behringer...ts/FCB1010.aspx[/url]
[/quote]
you would still need something to route the signal/be controlled by the footcontroller. itll probably be simpler to just go with an analogue system.