For the last week or so I’ve been testing out IK Multimedia’s new iRig Pro, the company’s audio interface that connects to your iPhone, iPad and Mac. That means that one interface can serve multiple purposes for you.
As a guitar player, I focused on how iRig Pro worked with my guitar and my Apple devices. It’s important to note that the device not only handles audio, but also MIDI—and it does it quite well.
Like most of IK’s product, the iRig Pro is brain-dead simple to use on your computer or mobile device. All you have to do is plug it in, connect your guitar and you’re ready to go.
Because it’s compatible with Apple’s Lightning connector on the iPhone and iPad, iRig Pro gives you a digital connection. That is huge because it cuts down on noise that could come from devices connected to the headphone jack. In fact, when I launch AmpliTube on my iPad, I had a bluesy tone selected that I made a while ago, and I couldn’t hear a sound from the guitar. No hiss or rumble at all. I strummed a chord and it came through perfectly.
The experience on my iPhone 5s was exactly the same. I also tried it with multiple versions of AmpliTube, like the Slash version.
For most people recording at home, the single input will be enough to get everything done. The iRig Pro has a combined XLR/instrument jack, but it can only handle one or the other, not both at the same time. To me, this isn’t a real negative—I’m happy that IK put the combined input in there, because a lot wouldn’t.
On the Mac, I tried iRig Pro with a number of amp emulation software apps and all worked perfectly fine. Of course, being an AmpliTube user for many years, I tried that too. AmpliTube Fender is one of my all-time favorites and it sounded great.
iRig Pro features one big knob in the center of the device to control the input gain. It’s easy to adjust—strum and listen for the sound you like, or watch the light until it turns green and you’re all set. Depending on the guitar you’re using, you’ll want to adjust the input to make sure you get the best quality sound.
The iRig Pro comes with all of the cables you need to get connected: a Lightning cable for new iPhones and iPads; a 30-pin dock connector if you’re using an older device; and a USB cable to connect to your Mac.
With the sound quality, variety of inputs and device compatibility, it’s hard to go wrong with the iRig Pro for $149. I’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a multipurpose device.
For an inexpensive device that can handle both an XLR input and MIDI signal what would you recommend? I want to have mic and/or guitar input and drive software MIDI instruments in GarageBand (and eventually Logic) on my iMac.
I’m looking for the same sort of thing, though I can live without midi (I got a cheap midi lead on ebay that works well enough for me — and most midi equipment now actually connects over USB). So far, I think the Steinberg CI1 is looking like the option I’ll go for, though because I’m mostly interested in recording guitar, I might got for the Line 6 UX1 (to get the PodFarm software…). No midi on either of those though.
Also worth looking at is the Presonus Audiobox. That does have midi, and Presonus are a very well respected brand.
There are too many options out there… It makes choosing really hard.
Depends on how you define “inexpensive”. You can find a fair amount of boxes with one (sometimes two) combo XLR/Lo-Z/Hi-Z inputs and a couple of line ins and a MIDI that connect to the computer over USB (often 1.1) for $100. I’ve heard bad things about USB music interfaces for anything complicated, but maybe that’s urban legends. A couple of years ago, I found a very nice Focusrite FireWire interface with 2 combo inputs (and very nice mic preamps), a pile of line ins, and MIDI, for $220; however, it’s getting harder to find FireWire for less than $400 nowadays.
iRig PRO fits the bill perfectly and is worth far more when you consider the included software costs over $200+ alone.
I just picked up an Alesis iO4 to use with my iPhone (via CCK since it’s supported now). It does MIDI in/out, has 4 audio inputs and much more. You can grab it for the same price as this, and, in my opinion, it has a lot more to offer. From MF it comes with Cubase LE – http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/alesis-io4-4-channel-24-bit-recording-interface
I’m after a way to connect a xlr mic both for recording and stage use so that I can control effects on my iPad air. I understand the headphone socket is the only line out on this. Is that good enough to connect to a PA system or my own acoustic amp (External effects channel)? Any help or advice gratefully appreciated! Acoustic singer/songwriter technophobe trying to live in the 21st Century!!
Thanks everyone for the advice. I’ll be doing more research based on your recommendations.