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AmpKit for Mac released, guitar nerds rejoice
AmpKit has just released a Mac version of its awesome iOS guitar effect and recording tool. Lucky me, I've had a preview version for a little while now, and I've really enjoyed putting it through its paces. Everything you get in the iOS app is there: pedals, heads, cabs and amazing presets for just about any style of guitar or bass. There's the tuner, meters and metronome, plus the recording capability. It's everything I liked about the iPhone and iPad versions, bigger and with all of the settings more easily accessible on one panel. The Mac version comes with built-in recording tools (including non-destructive re-amping) and 23 backing tracks. You can choose any input and use any analog or digital interface with it. I tested with an M-Audio FastTrack and got great results, but I'm sure a more advanced interface (and nicer guitar) could get some great output. If you're a GarageBand or Logic user, you always have the option of using SoundFlower to pipe the audio into your DAW of choice. I did it and it worked flawlessly. The level of detail you can find in the controls is impressive. Put a Taos Rectifier stack together, set up the mic model and mic position, and then start tweaking channel, volume, drive, presence, bass, mid and treble until you find the perfect sound. Add a rack of pedals and control the settings individually. Start from the dozens of built-in presets and add save your own as you build them. You can even share your setups with other AmpKit users on Mac or iOS with a click. For the nerds: almost every menu command has a keyboard shortcut, and they're fully scriptable. If you're into it (and I am), you can turn any input device into triggers for switching stacks, starting and stopping recording, and playing and pausing backup tracks. I have an extra Magic Trackpad, an iPad and a MIDI keyboard, which -- combined with BetterTouchTool, BTT Remote and KeyboardMaestro -- give me a ton of ways to trigger easily while I'm playing. Short version: if you play guitar or bass and would like an infinite range of sounds without buying thousands of dollars worth of gear, take a look at AmpKit for Mac. For $49.99 you get more gear than you'd pay a few hundred for with similar apps, and more than you'd ever manage to collect in physical form. Add a decent set of monitors and you can rock out any time you want. Have a look.
Apogee Jam guitar adapter review
Musicians have long needed ways to catalog ideas and capture rough recordings of new material without the anchor that is a full-fledged recording setup. Apogee offers just that with its Jam guitar adapter for the iPad, iPhone and Mac, which allows you to strum your way to a record deal via an iOS device. Whether you're on the road or in your living room, the ability to connect a Les Paul to a mobile device and crank out the demo for your next hit is super helpful. But, is it worth the $100 investment to have recording-on-the-go at your fingertips? Read on to see what we discovered. %Gallery-137053%
AmpKit, a new way to shred with your iPhone
Peavey and Agile Partners have just introduced AmpKit and AmpKit LiNK, an iPhone-based hardware/app combo that takes portable guitar and bass effects to a new level. It's loud, it's lightweight, and it's an extremely flexible (and relatively inexpensive) alternative to a floor full of pedals. Matt Tinsley recently reviewed the iRig and AmpliTube combination that also became available recently. I pre-ordered the iRig, and I loved it from the moment I got it in the mail and plugged my guitar into it (I did unbox it first). I received a review unit of the AmpKit LiNK this month, though, and for the last couple of weeks, it's been the mainstay of my practice sessions. I'll tell you up front that I'm not currently gigging, so I can't attest to the road durability of this hardware, or the actual feasibility of using it onstage. I don't doubt that it would perform well on both counts, but I haven't battle-tested it. That being said, click "Read More" for my thoughts on the AmpKit/LiNK setup.
