There's quite a bunch of hardware and apps needed for the complete setup.
- An iOS device
- I'm using a 2016 iPhone SE
- If you're using a more recent device that has USB-C (not Lightning), you need to adapt the following gear list accordingly
- A microphone
- I have a generic dynamic one that is similar to the Shure SM57
- A MIDI keyboard (optional)
- I have a Korg nanoKEY2
- A guitar that can be plugged into an audio interface
- I have an acoustic one (steel strings), but an electric one might be suited even better
- An external audio interface which allows to connect both a guitar and a microphone
- I'm using an ESI UGM96 as it is ultra portable, but there are many options available
- Cables to connect the guitar and microphone to the audio interface (probably 1/4 TRS and XLR ones)
- An Apple lightning to USB camera adapter to connect the audio interface to the iOS device
- The audio interface will probably need an additional power source, so:
- Either make sure the adapter has an additional Lightning input that allows to plug it into a power bank (or a power outlet)
- Or get an audio interface with its own battery power, like the Zoom U-44
- The audio interface will probably need an additional power source, so:
- A small USB hub to allow both the audio interface and the MIDI keyboard to be connected
- A stereo breakout cable
- Possibly a 1/4 to 1/8 adapter to connect the breakout cable to the external sound interface's output
- Headphones, connected to the left mono output channel of the breakout cable (for receiving audio feedback from GTL-Performer, which is only meant for the artist, like clicks of the metronome, or instruction and confirmation messages, see below)
- External speakers, connected to the right mono output channel of the breakout cable (for the performance's audio, which is meant for the audience)
- An iRig BlueBoard
- Be sure to have its firmware updated
Note: To be fully mobile (i.e. when performing on the streets), I'm using an ExplorAudio H-Clamp to attach the microphone to my guitar. I also attach my iPhone to it using some additional elements that I was generously sponsored by ExplorAudio (thank you so much, Robert). However, any microphone stand and iPhone/iPad holder will do.
- Group the Loop (GTL) (14$)
- Provides the foundation for recording and playing loops (and groups of loops, so song structures can be built)
- Audio Mixer (AUM) (20$)
- Hosts the input channels and virtual instruments, routes them as needed to GTL, runs the Mozaic scripts, etc.
- Mozaic Plugin Workshop (Mozaic) (8$)
- Runs the present collection of scripts that manage the interplay between all involved software (using MIDI signals)
- MIDI Guitar 2 (30$)
- Transforms my guitar into a MIDI controller (I'm also playing around with a Fishman Triple Play Connect, hoping to improve accuracy of audio-to-MIDI translation)
- Chameleon AUv3 Sampler Plugin (Chameleon) (6$)
- Or a similar sampler plugin that lets you create your own patches (with a specific audio file per MIDI note)
- RoughRider3 (RR) (free)
- A simple compressor which enhances the main output (just discard it if you don't want it)