Feedback loop w direct guitar in garageband

I've got an IRIG and have just started using it with my new Macbook Air, and when using any of the amp models I get a bad feedback loop, especially when using any distortion sounds or boosting the gain on the amps. My computer's input and output don't need to be set more than halfway before this happens- The signal from the direct guitar into Garageband is also pretty low, if I get it past a third of the way with the meter on the track it starts feeding back (a real feedback loop squeal). This is happening when using headphones, so somehow the output signal is being sent back to the input, what gives? I would think I could get a much more robust signal before this kind of thing occurs. Anyone had/fixed this problem?

I've got an IRIG and have just started using it with my new Macbook Air, and when using any of the amp models I get a bad feedback loop, especially when using any distortion sounds or boosting the gain on the amps. My computer's input and output don't need to be set more than halfway before this happens- The signal from the direct guitar into Garageband is also pretty low, if I get it past a third of the way with the meter on the track it starts feeding back (a real feedback loop squeal). This is happening when using headphones, so somehow the output signal is being sent back to the input, what gives? I would think I could get a much more robust signal before this kind of thing occurs. Anyone had/fixed this problem?

Is the loop tripping the feedback protection? I was having this problem also but without the feedback. First thing to do is shut off any effects like reverb or delay. Then check to see the input monitor is set to on (with feedback protection). See if that helps.

Thanks VJF; I've not had time to get back on it, but I will see about the feedback protection. Though I've never gotten any pop up warnings about feedback, so I'm not sure what to expect. I'll post my results soon. Cheers,
j

You will know it when it happens. There will a pop up window that says that GarageBand detected feedback and the effected channel will disarm. It is a built in safety feature but can be disabled.

Hey guys, i just got a new guitar (prs santana se) and was doing some google searches for " irig feedback macbook air " and found this forum.

i have a 2011 macbook air (single 3.5 input) with lion. I get feedback in Garageband any time i turn the input levels past about 30% and use distortion. I have checked and the MIC on the MBA does not seem to be active when the irig is plugged in. The feedback is coming through the headphones. Feedback protection is on; however, i usually dont get the popup even when feedback occurs. So frustrating when about the time i get the volume turned up enough to hear the signal over the actual non-amplified strings, I get feedback.

It really doesn't make sense getting feedback through headphones. I am really contemplating just returning the IRig unless anyone has ideas ??

Thanks.

Hey Jerano, welcome to the greatest guitar (and just about anything else) forum online! You are describing my feedback problem exactly. I went back and engaged/disengaged feedback protection and it made no difference. It's annoying enough to me that I wouldn't use it even just as a headphone amp. It's disappointing to see all of the amp models and effects there and not be able to use them. As far as the IRIG, I bought it a year ago to try Amplitube for my Ipod touch. I had serious issues with that software (continuous pops, hiss, etc) and basically figured I'd never use the IRIG again, til I got my new Macbook and found out it was compatible. But I'm thinking this may end up another disappointment, unless someone else has a solution.

Hey Jerano, welcome to the greatest guitar (and just about anything else) forum online! You are describing my feedback problem exactly. I went back and engaged/disengaged feedback protection and it made no difference. It's annoying enough to me that I wouldn't use it even just as a headphone amp. It's disappointing to see all of the amp models and effects there and not be able to use them. As far as the IRIG, I bought it a year ago to try Amplitube for my Ipod touch. I had serious issues with that software (continuous pops, hiss, etc) and basically figured I'd never use the IRIG again, til I got my new Macbook and found out it was compatible. But I'm thinking this may end up another disappointment, unless someone else has a solution.

Hey Jerano & electricjr & everybody else, I am having exactly the same problem you're describing here. I am using a semi-electric guitar though, a Ibanez for that matter, with the iRig on my MacBook Pro using Garageband.
If I choose a acoustic setting, say bright acoustic, the feedback doesn't become an issue very much.
But when I try say a crunch effect/amp, the feedback immediately screams through your headphones. (I'm using closed Sennheiser phones with a 3,5 mm jack plug).

I also happen to have Logic Studio installed so I thought I'd give it a try.
And guess what: no feedback issue with seemingly the same amps/ stompbox effects.

I haven't tried it on my iPhone yet, because i need to install Amplitube first.:cool:

So it might just nog be the iRig's fault, so don't trow it back in the corner yet.
You might try different software to compare!

Well, I havent had any luck figuring out the Feedback issue with garageband and the iRIG... but I did get garageband on the iphone working with the irig and its really cool. Sound quality is pretty good. Throw in some drum loops and its easy to create something catchy.

I have a zoom g3, which has a USB interface. Garageband picks this up as a MIDI interface. So basically, if i used the zoom to interface with the MAcbook air instead of the irig, life is great - no feedback.

Been a while guys, but here i am. So it seems there's just a bad relationship between the IRIG and garage band? At least on the MacBook Air. I am ready to toss my IRIG, because I even had bad results with Amplitube on my IPOD touch, a repeating pop/cracking sound that basically could not be eliminated, even talked w tech support. Oh well, I've always loved my trusty POD 2.0, at this point almost seems like a vintage piece of outboard gear!

What are you using to plug your guitar into you computer?

Disable the mic on the computer

Disable the mic on the computer

+1
Had this issue as well. Disable the mic or set Input to Line In. That dang MacBook mic is always hot by default.

The same thing is happening with me using my iPad - it screams and howls as soon as there's no sound coming fro the guitar - I'm using iRig.

I reverted back to Amplitube, which works fine - I ended up buying 5 or 6 effects and some Fender amp models :(

How do you turn the Mic on the iPad off on GB?

seratone