a review by Tom Piper
Recording sound like musical instruments and singing has always been a challenge, whether at home, live at an event, in a studio or elsewhere. It used to require lots of sophisticated and expensive equipment, but this task has just gotten easier, more portable and a lot more fun using iPhone and iPad technology.
IK Multimedia has introduced a series of apps and accessories to make quality audio and vocal recordings anywhere on your iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. The following descriptions are more fully described at http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products.
It begins with the iRig Mic ($59.99) which is a handheld high-quality condenser microphone designed for all of your mobile sound needs. The iRig Mic features a unidirectional condenser-electret microphone capsule for quality recording in both close mic and long distance mic conditions, and provides real time monitoring with its dual mini-jack connector design. A three-level gain switch makes it instantly adjustable for any sound pressure condition. Its familiar form is perfect for handheld performance, plus it allows you to mount it on any mic stand leaving your device free for operating your favorite app. Its rugged metal body is road-ready for the mobile musician with a 6.5’ cable and a 1/8” jack. iRig Mic also works with a wide variety of other vocal and audio processing apps for the iOS platform.
AmpliTube iRig ($39.99) is a combination of an easy-to-use instrument interface adapter and guitar and bass tone mobile software (described further below). With AmpliTube iRig, you can plug your guitar (or other instrument) into your iPhone/iPod touch/iPad and jam anywhere with world-class guitar and bass tone right in the palm of your hand. Simply plug the iRig interface into your mobile device, plug your instrument into the appropriate input jack, plug in your headphones, amp or powered speakers, and use AmpliTube free for iPhone or for iPad. You’ll have at your fingertips the sound and control up to 4 recombinable simultaneous stompbox effects + amplifier + cabinet + microphone just like a traditional guitar or bass stage rig!
But, that’s not all! To get the most out of this mic, IK Multimedia provides VocaLive free (a new real-time effects processor suite for the singer and vocalist), plus AmpliTube free (for guitar players) and iRig Recorder free (an app for quick audio recording and processing). These are incredible tools for musicians and non-musicians alike.
VocaLive is the first professional practicing, performing and recording vocal processor for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Singers and songwriters have are provided a suite of 5 dedicated real-time vocal effects (pitch correction, choir harmonizer, voice doubler, vocal morpher and de-esser) plus 7 effects tailored to vocal processing (reverb, EQ, compressor, delay, envelope filter, chorus, phazer) that can be combined on a 3-processor vocal rig chain. This app also includes dozens of presets to help you get up and running in seconds. VocaLive can also be used with the built-in iPhone microphone, earbuds with built-in mic, or the iRig Mic.
AmpliTube is a complete multi-effects processor, recording studio and learning tool which is always in your pocket. You can turn your iPhone or iPod touch into the ultimate mobile guitar, bass, keyboard and vocal multi-effect processor and recording studio. If you add the AmpliTube iRig interface adapter to connect your guitar, bass or keyboard to your mobile device, then you are ready to entertain yourself and all around you. You’ll have an entire guitar/bass rig at your fingertips. If that’s not enough, you can capture your ideas quickly by recording your performances with the built-in recorder featuring re-amping capabilities, then share your track by exporting high quality audio files or M4As. You can record your track, then go back and completely change the sound of it without having to re-record it. You have full control of volume, pan, apply fx, send fx, plus the ability to import audio directly into each track. Bounce feature lets you bounce all tracks to one freeing up track space to record additional material, giving you unlimited recording ability.
iRig Recorder is a powerful and flexible audio recording app for your iOS device that is convenient and easy to use. You can have a professional recording tool at your fingertips anytime, anywhere along with practical editing functions and various export options to fit your audio needs wherever your mobile life takes you. You can use iRig Recorder's intuitive editing tools to cut, crop or loop your audio and its powerful effects processors to optimize tone for speech or music, clean up background noise, brighten your voice for clarity and presence, smooth your voice in harsh or overly bright recordings or change the speed of your tracks without affecting their pitch. iRig Recorder organizes your recordings by date and time and also tags them with a geo location for easy and reliable file management of your recordings. You can export your files via e-mail, Wi-Fi, FTP, SoundCloud or iTunes File Sharing in a variety of sizes and formats (including 16-bit 44.1 kHz uncompressed).
There’s more . . . the iKlip for iPad ($39.99) is a multi-angle lightweight iPad microphone stand adapter. This makes it easy for you to use your iPad and iPad 2 in any live setting such as on stage, in the studio, at school or in the boardroom. You can now securely position your iPad for optimal viewing and accessibility, while all controls, buttons and connection ports remain free from obstruction. It is constructed from dense thermoplastic molded components or extreme durability and secure holding abilities under the most demanding situations. As a Guitar or Bass player, you can now use iPad on stage with AmpliTube iRig as your guitar amp and effects unit, with controls accessible right in front of you on your mic stand. Or, if you use tablature and scoring apps, use iKlip to put the iPad within easy viewing range for learning and performing. As a vocalist or presenter, you can now have the perfect companion for song showcase performances to create and share set lists with your band members, complete with scoring, lyrics and notes. You can also add iPad 2 adapters for $9.99 which are easy to install on the original iPad iKlip.
My experience with the accessories and apps above has been both frustrating and rewarding, both based on my own knowledge and skill levels. Frustrating because I am not a good guitar player, so I’m not getting the most out of these products (yet). Rewarding because I see huge potential here, not just for musicians, but also for public speakers. For example, the iKlip is a very secure, no-nonsense holder for the iPad that makes it easy to attach to a mic stand (or other tube-like holder) for convenience access by a presenter. Whether using teleprompter or slideshow software, control is right at your fingertips. The iRig microphone is sensitive, rugged, and adaptable as the audio input to most recording software. Although the free apps VocaLive and iRig Recorder work only on the iPhone (not in iPhone mode on the iPad) with or without the iRig mic, the AmpliTube apps have both free iPhone and iPad versions that are very sophisticated in their controls.
These are only the items I’ve tested, IK Multimedia has a lot more to choose from including the StealthPlug guitar/bass USB audio interface cable, amplitude Fender Studio, StealthPedal, StompIO, Total Studio Bundle, Total Workstation 2 
Instruments Bundle, and much much more. From the novice to the professional, this company has a variety of effective sound management tools that use our favorite iOS devices effectively and creatively. They make a complete range of reasonably-priced sound and tone solutions for Guitar & Bass players, Keyboardists, Sound Designers, Engineers and Producers. Their motto is “Musicians First”, and they do a great job of serving anyone who needs to play, mix, record, and share their sound sensations.
