If you’ve decided to upgrade your sound setup for live looping with an audio interface this article will help you to connect ANY Audio Interface to Loopy Pro. Maybe you already own one, or you’re trying to figure out what to look for before buying. Either way, let’s dive in!

Сompatibility

First, your audio interface must be Class Compliant. This means it doesn’t need special drivers to work, so it’s compatible with iPads and iPhones. Most modern interfaces are Class Compliant, but there are some unexpected exceptions:

For example, Universal Audio Apollo interfaces are not Class Compliant, but Volt series is.

The Steinberg UR22 MK2 is iOS-compatible, but the older MK1 is not. Just double-check compatibility on the manufacturer’s website.

Also, you may check a list of compatible interfaces on the official Loopy Pro website: https://gear.loopypro.com

Some interfaces won’t work in CC mode unless they’re powered externally. Anyway, If your audio interface has an power port, use it. That way, your mobile Apple device’s battery won’t drain too quickly.

So, check the user guide.

Connecting Your Audio Interface to an iPad or iPhone

How to connect your audio interface to your iPad or iPhone? It depends on the type of port you have.

For USB-C devices (newer iPads or iPhones):

For USB-C devices, it’s straightforward – just plug in the USB cable from your interface, and you’re good to go!

If your interface uses a USB-A cable, no worries – you can just grab a USB-C adapter or a hub. Actually, you can going with a hub for two reasons:

1. You can connect additional devices, like a MIDI keyboard, or MIDI controller.

2. If the hub supports Power Delivery, you can charge your Apple device while using your interface – super handy for longer sessions. An absolute must-have for the stage.

For Lightning devices (older iPads and iPhones):

For Lightning devices, you’ll need a USB-to-Lightning adapter. Use the official Apple adapter only, it’s important. Third-party adapters can cause all kinds of issues or just not work. Better yet, go for the Apple adapter with a built-in Lightning port MK0W2ZM/A. That way, you can charge your device while using the audio interface.

If you plan to connect extra devices, just plug a USB hub into the adapter, and you’re all set.

Troubleshooting Power Issues

Here’s a common problem. Let’s say you’re using an iPhone and you didn’t connect the interface to a power source. If the interface draws too much power, the iPhone’s battery might not be able to handle it, and the interface just won’t turn on.

In this case, you’ll need to either power the interface externally or use a USB hub with Power Delivery.

How to Know If Your Interface Is Connected correctly

No extra setup is required. It either works or it doesn’t. But how do you check?

1. Open the Dock. If your interface is recognized, you’ll see its icon there.

2. Play some music on your iPhone or iPad. If it plays through the interface’s outputs – like connected speakers or headphones – then the output is working.

3. Open the Voice Memos app and try recording something through the interface. Make sure to plug in a mic or instrument and adjust the gain.

One more important detail

Your audio interface might have a Mix knob or a switch, which could be labeled differently. For example:

• Input / Playback,

• Input / DAW,

• Hardware Monitoring / Software Monitoring

• or just Direct Monitoring.

In the first case, you’ll always hear the raw, unprocessed sound directly through the audio interface. In the second case, the sound is processed in Loopy Pro. This is what you need.

So, you always need to choose the second option – Software Monitoring.

In some audio interfaces, there’s no physical switch, but this can be adjusted in the manufacturer’s official software when you connect the interface to a computer.

This is exactly the case with the Arturia interface. If you have one, you need to engage those M-buttons.

Launching Loopy Pro

So you’ve confirmed that your audio interface is connected. You tested it with the Voice Memos app to make sure it’s working for both input and output. Now it’s time to set it up in Loopy Pro. So, you launch Loopy Pro.

First, plug in you guitar and headphones so you can hear yourself. Also adjust the volume levels for both.

Then open the Mixer in Loopy Pro.

Check the Master Channel to ensure you have volume there and that it’s not muted.

Go to the Input Channel section. Here, make sure you’re working with your audio interface and not the built-in microphones on your Apple device.

Enable Monitoring for that channel.

Select the input channel for your instrument:

There are MONO channels and STEREO channels.

Keep in mind, if you select inputs 1+2 as stereo, you’ll automatically get Hard Pan – input 1 will go to the left ear, and input 2 will go to the right ear.

What About Latency?

In Loopy Pro, go to the System Settings and tweak these settings:

1. Sample Rate: use the Auto option, it works well.

2. Buffer Duration: the lower the buffer, the less latency you’ll have. But keep in mind, a lower buffer increases CPU load. Start with the lowest buffer and if you notice glitchy sounds, gradually increase it. That simple.

3. If you’ve accidentally enabled Multiroute Audio, make sure to turn it off unless you know you need it.

Routing in Loopy Pro

Loopy Pro is not just a looper; it’s also a host for plugins and an advanced mixer.

For example, you can connect your guitar to input 1, your vocal mic input 2, and even a stereo synth to inputs 3+4 if your interface got it. You can apply different effects and plugins to each input and record each of these inputs into separate loops simultaneously.