IK Multimedia iRig HD 2 - Interface for Guitar, 96 kHz with 24-bit A/D Conversion, Outstanding Audio Quality, Compact, Professional Sound, FX and Thru Adjustment

Product Information

If you plan on using the iRig HD 2 as part of your live rig with an iPad, I highly recommend getting a floor controller such as the iRig Blueboard. Having to tap on an iPad screen to change presets or enable/disable effects isn’t ideal. The iRig Blueboard is a wireless Bluetooth pedalboard with inputs for expression pedals. While it works perfectly with AmpliTube, it is compatible with other apps thanks to MIDI. It's also worth noting that, if you've splashed some extra cash on a snazzy condenser mic, your interface will need to supply phantom power - 48V - or your fancy new microphone won't work. What software do I need? The intuitive input level LED means that you can easily adjust the gain to get the perfect level. I mentioned this earlier, but getting the right input level plays a big role in perceived audio quality.

As the iRig HD 2 comes with the full version of AmpliTube 4, I was curious how easy the process would be to get it up and running. Here are the steps I went through to get my full version of AmpliTube 4: For example, the iLoud Micro Monitors (also developed by IK Multimedia) work great as they can use the headphone output via another 1/8" audio cable. The iRig HD 2 is a nice solid build. It is quite light, which means it can get tugged around by your guitar cable. Although the casing does have a rubbery feel to it which gripped nicely to my desk. It’s a unit designed to be portable, so the downside of having such a small device is that it will slide around more compared to largeraudio interfaces. The volume wheel controls the master volume going to your headphones after the signal has been mixed, functioning simply as a monitor level adjustment. Gain controls signal strength at a preamp level, which means you’ll find that the more it’s turned up, the more prone your signal will be to distortion.The other feature I feel is worth mentioning is the LED input indicators. It might not sound like a big deal, but quite often it’s difficult to set the right input level on audio interfaces. There’s either no indicator at all, or only one LED for when the signal is too high. The iRig HD 2 interface essentially routes your signal through one of either a phone, tablet or computer, allowing you to use any of those devices as a fully functional amp modeler. You can then use AmpliTube 4, or other DAWs like GarageBand and Audacity, to run amp models and effects or even to record and produce your own music. In fact, any software that can recognize and hear external audio should be compatible. What I had planned to do is use the iRig as a DI – i.e the guitar signal goes into the iRig – the iRig ‘splits the signal’, sending it direct (via USB cable) to the iMac; and via ‘guitar lead’ to the front of the totally clean guitar amp (via a pedalboard). Two microphones are sitting in front of the amp’s speaker – tightly together to alleviate possible phase issues. Therefore, the earth-loop(?) noise that the iRig introduces to the signal is totally audible – and of course, totally unacceptable. I found the included microphone clip and velcro strap ahandy way to mount the iRig in one spot while recording. If you have a music stand, you can sit your iOS device on the stand and use the supplied clip to keep it in place. Many of these features were sorely needed from earlier versions of the iRig (as well as other products).

Positive Grid - the company behind the insanely popular Spark practice amp - has entered the world of recording interfaces with their latest guitar-focused product, Riff. This slimline USB audio interface is developed with guitar and bass players in mind and can be fully integrated with the award-winning amp and effects software, Bias FX 2.

Easy mobile guitar connectivity

The point is that the previous version (and other similar devices) don’t offer this flexibility so it limits what you can do.