IRIG stuff

Ray

Hello all
Tell me, anyone using the IRIG kit here? I'm wanting to get some stuff like the microphone and the guitar/bass adapter maybe. Where would I scout around for it or would it be better to order from other country?
Apparently there are other brand products as well. Just want to know about local availability of the stuff.

Cheers- Ray

Warren

I think there are better ways to go than the iRig. Personally I'd go for the Apogee Jam, which is a bit more expensive but is a higher-end piece of kit and doesn't use the headphone jack.

Check out some options here: http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/6-easy-ways-to-connect-your-guitar-to-your-iphone-ipad-or-ipod-touch-516544/2

Tuerk in Randburg had stock of the Jam last time I checked, I think it was around R1200 or so, but don't quote me.

ryanguit

IRig is really over hyped. It's not great because it is passive and the mic input is not the ideal place to plug in your Guitar. However, for what it was designed, practice without disturbing people it works. if you can get a device that doesn't plug into hp jack, it's a good start, but this isn't ever going to be serious quality. for that sort of money, rather buy an external soundcard for your computer.... Big quality increase as opposed to big convenience increase.

EDIT: read all responses...my experience with Amplitube and irig was not great which led to the above post, but it seems that I was wrong to write it off...

sharonzaz

iRig works great.

I use it both as a full on sim and fx or at the end of a pedal board
That goes straight into a PA and it rocks.

Got a couple of originals plus a few home made ones.
It rocks!

Most devices that plug into the dock are better but also cost way more.

Scorched

Never tried the iRig, but I was given a Griffin GuitarConnect Pro. Very happy with it! No feedback issues whatsoever, I've read numerous complaints that the iRig is quite susceptible to it.
Sometimes, just for the heck of it, I turn the cab simulations on of my Axe-fx and run it through the GuitarConnect, directly into an old Hi-fi system. Killers tones to be had! :bopping:

They are available at the iStores at about R1k.
http://store.griffintechnology.com/guitarconnect-pro

Keira-WitherKay

Yes even being the dinasour i am , i too look with interest at the products like i rig ....

And i have heard sheronaz's work with it and hey to my ear quality is way up with most any other device ... And he uses it live too which is interesting

so someone discuss /tell me the advantages of using i rig ... Over say a HD500 .... And what all is needed ! And at what cost ....

Cos i like the idea of a phone sized preamp/interface fully featured
be great for travelling

also would that be able to do recording on the phone or ipad ?
A student of mine records the guitar lessons i teach on video on ipad and quality and sound is really good

so discuss the advantages of the system to say an iphone or ipad

and also does it work with the other brands like samsung pads ? As we have one of those .... Or is it exclusive to apple ?

Technology is sweeping ahead , interesting times

ryanguit

I'm truly confused. I borrowed this thing from a friend for weeks. It had no lows and I found its signal to noise ratio sucked. Tones weren't great. Amplitube on iPhone 4. What software are you guys running?

Latency on apple is playable... Android audio isn't ready latency-wise yet.

shaundtsl

I have had plenty of fun with irig and GarageBand on iPhone. Although I am leaning back towards USB to computer and reaper for recording, it is a nice device to have for getting ideas down quickly.

There is a hobby type shop in randridge mall which is selling them if anyone is looking. I think if you have an iPhone or iPad, this device and GarageBand will keep you busy for a while.

LooneyAtTheGate

I won an iPad on friday and am struggling to find a use for the damned thing... >☹

I reckon guitar input should change my mind, and thinking of tracking down an iRig tomorrow, or something similar. Don't want to spend more than R300 just yet, even though the USB inputs look way better.
Surely the Apple Camera Connection kit (the way to plug USB into the iPad) should be able to plug in an external sound card or multiFx?

And is all this stuff best purchased from the iStore, music shop or online? Where in Cape Town?

My first instinct wa to sell the iPAd and buy some normal gear, but this thing might have some potential ?
I can imagine it combined with a Midi floor pedal controller and decent input would be AMAZING! But at the moment it just seems to be something to do while on the toilet... ?

sharonzaz

Amplitube sucks, really.
Way too much noise and the sound is only ok.

Ampkit is a great app.
There are a few more.

Any device plugged into the earphone jack will
Produce feedback at loud internal volume so as long
As you set the volume rocker to just over half, you'll be safe.
That does not happen on dock type devices, but they cost
Way more.

Those devices are apple only as the kernels on android do
Not support latency low enough for pro audio.
Due to that there are zero audio apps for android, only
One some synth if I recall.

The nice thing is, you do not need to own an expensive iPhone or ipad, u can just buy a second hand iPod touch 4th gen, most of them cost around a grand.

Chinese copies (damn good ones) made me stop building
And selling irig copies as they sell for R200 or less, way better to get those, I got one and an original irig, really nothing different.
So for around R1200-1500 you can get a mean setup that fits in your pocket. If u own an idevice then it's way cheaper :?

Lately I been doing gigs using an iPod+irig at the end of my pedalboard, sending the sound to the PA using only the ampsim function so the engineer has full control, and splitting the signal sending the same sound to a small amp on stage as a personal monitor, works well where u can't do loud volumes so there is perfect balance on and off stage. Also no feedback issue from the mic on the amp etc.
So you don't have to give up your pedals only the amp can be taken away, great for functions where the crowd is not the drunken fools who don't mind an insane volume coming from stage.

ryanguit

Thanks for clearing it all up Sharonzaz.

shaundtsl

And..... Now you can check your email on your multi fx unit!

sharonzaz

Another thing I've discovered was a weird crosstalk between the left and the right outputs, so if u used headphone you are more likely to get that feedback than if u connect only the left to a DI then to a desk for example.
Keep the signal flow mono. Safer.

Many ppl are afraid of new tech stuff, they think it will break
Or they not sure how to operate the device.
Another problem is that earlier sim units such as zoom were not great on the sound front and that leads to players no believing digital will ever work for them.

Another problem is authenticity.
Not every sim is true to the source despite being great as a sim.
Many struggle to get the sound they know, say from a LP into a Marshall, trying to get the same sound of a cab resonating in a room where the cab is facing your legs, now u got the same setup but its facing your ear canal directly.
The same problems happen when young players face their sound in a studio control room for the first time.

Ray

Thanks for all the info guys. And thanks Sharonzaz. Very nice explanations. Looks like I may be buying a few stuffs shortly. I was looking at the IRIG and alos the Apogee things.

sharonzaz

You're welcome to come for a visit, coffee and a chat and I can show you everything then you can decide for yourself if it works for you or now, before you lay out the cash.
I'm in PTA but on holiday right now... ?

Warren

sharonzaz wrote: Another thing I've discovered was a weird crosstalk between the left and the right outputs, so if u used headphone you are more likely to get that feedback than if u connect only the left to a DI then to a desk for example.
Keep the signal flow mono. Safer.

The "crosstalk" issue you describe is due to the proximity of the jacks (I believe) and is mentioned on a number of sites.

Ray, the Apogee Jam plugs into the same port as the dock and converts the signal to digital within the hardware itself, so the signal is nice and clean and you should get as clear a result as possible.

You haven't mentioned what you plan to plug this thing into, by the way?

Wizard

I want to be able to use the simulators as proxy pedals though.
i.e. still go into my amp

sharonzaz

just disable the amp and cab section.

Ray

sharonzaz wrote: Chinese copies (damn good ones) made me stop building
And selling irig copies as they sell for R200 or less, way better to get those, I got one and an original irig, really nothing different.

Well, that's interesting. Where would I be able to get a look at these Chinese copies?

sharonzaz

fleamarkets and cellular shops