Using Apogee Gio for Playing Live

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Level 1

35 points

Using Apogee Gio for Playing Live

Hello,

I'm a guitar player looking for a foot controller/audio interface to use for live sound in my church. I currently use Amplitube 2 (soon to be Amplitube 3), but plan to use Amplitube within Mainstage, so I have access to Logic's effects, in addition to the ones from Amplitube. Right now, I'm using a Presonus Firebox for an audio interface, and to switch sounds, I use my finger on the trackpad, which is only good for switching sounds between songs. A foot controller would be REALLY helpful. I'm trying to decide between the Apogee Gio, and one of IK Multimedia's products (StompIO, Stealthpedal w/Stealthboard). I have no doubt that the IK Multimedia products would work for me, but in a way I prefer the Gio because of cost, it's powered by the USB bus, and it's specifically made to work with Mainstage. My main concern is with the output of the Gio. The StompIO has a headphone output, balanced outputs, unbalanced outputs, etc. The Gio has a single output for "headphones, powered monitors, or an instrument amplifier" (from Apogee's website). So I guess I'm concerned that the Gio may not work for connecting directly to a PA system. Is anyone else using the Gio for live sound? If so, how do you connect it (I would need to go from a single 1/4" jack on the Gio to two XLR connections... I haven't found a splitter cable like this). I guess, I'd also like to know anyone's experiences with the Gio before I drop $400 on one. There's not many reviews that I've been able to find.

Thank you.

Macbook Pro 2.5GHz Core 2 Duo, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Feb 28, 2010 8:49 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 1, 2010 4:27 AM in response to Matthew Wynn

Hi Matthew

I use a GIO live, and am really happy with it. I still route my guitar through my Focusrite Saffire interface, along with my vocals, and connect the outputs from that to my PA (1+2 = front of house mix, 3+4 = monitor mix). I use the GIO purely as a floor controller in a live situation (I use it's interface for recording, as it is a better quality that the Focusrite).

The main advantages are that it is instantly compatible with Mainstage and Logic, the switches are silent, I can control the playback transport from it and, crucially as you mentioned, it is USB bus powered, so no extra annoying power adapters to find a home for.

Hope that helps

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Answer 2

Matthew Wynn Author

Level 1

35 points

Mar 1, 2010 9:21 AM in response to littleeden

That's what I was afraid of. I really wanted to use it for the audio interface as well, so I don't have to bring my Firebox (which requires power, at least with my Macbook Pro). If it needs a power chord, then so be it. The StompIO may be the solution, but it's SO expensive (not that the Gio is cheap, but definitely less). Is anyone else using one?

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Answer 3

Mar 1, 2010 2:05 PM in response to Matthew Wynn

It might be worth having a word with your local music store first - I reckon they should be able to make up a suitable lead for you.

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Answer 4

Mar 1, 2010 4:53 PM in response to Matthew Wynn

Just to add a comment to the thread...

The new IK Stealthboard is a great option if you're using Amplitube and it won't be anywhere near as expensive as the StompIO. It not only works for Amplitube but is a regular MIDI controller will work just fine with Mainstage. Another, even less expensive solution, is the Behringer FCB1010, I use it for both Amplitube and Mainstage and it works just fine.

J.

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Answer 5

Mar 3, 2010 1:23 PM in response to Matthew Wynn

I'm using the GiO with a PA. It comes with a cable that is 1/4" TRS on one end and two RCA jacks on the other. I needed to get 1/4 adapters to connect to PA and everything works fine. I haven't looked before - are there RCA to XLR adapters???

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Answer 6

Matthew Wynn Author

Level 1

35 points

Mar 4, 2010 6:39 PM in response to Matthew Wynn

For what it's worth, I contacted Apogee's tech support, and they said that it could be used with a PA system. I also remembered that one of my friends has worked with sound systems in the past, so I asked him, and his suggestion was to use a direct box, since the output from the Gio is an unbalanced headphone output, and would be susceptible to noise on the long run from the stage to the mixing board. BTW, if anyone is interested, Monoprice does sell RCA to XLR cables, but you're still going to have an unbalanced cable using one of those. I'm kind of leaning towards the StealthPedal with StealthBoard combo (but still not sure... I'm so confused). IK Multimedia hasn't really given any details yet how the two will connect together, so I guess I'll hold off until April when they release the StealthBoard. Maybe they have a surprise. Thanks for the responses.

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