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Uno Synth Pro X offers high-end sound design in a portable package
IK Multimedia is back with a refresh for its well-regarded Uno Synth Pro flagship keyboard, the Uno Synth Pro X. Just like the original, this is a three-oscillator paraphonic instrument with plenty of bells and whistles, but with some new features to set it apart. The Pro X features an entirely new layout and a refreshed sound engine. It also ships with some new effects, including true analog overdrive.
IK Multimedia ToneX Pedal puts AI-powered guitar rig modeling at your feet
The $400 IK MultiMedia ToneX pedal can recreate everything from a single vintage stomp box to a complicated modern metal rig with help from AI.
IK Multimedia's latest mobile audio interface is designed for field recording
The $350 iRig Pro Quattro I/O could help cover most on-the-go audio capture needs.
Uno Synth Pro review: IK Multimedia shows it's serious about hardware
IK Multimedia shows its serious about playing in the hardware synth space.
IK Multimedia debuts guitar effects pedals based on its AmpliTube software
IK Multimedia has created a set of digital guitar effects pedals based on its AmpliTube modeling software.
The iRig Pre 2 is a high-quality audio interface for your smartphone or camera
IK Multimedia has introduced the iRig Pre 2, a pocket-sized microphone preamp that lets podcasters, musicians and videographers use high-end XLR mics to record, stream, or perform.
Uno Synth Pro is IK Multimedia's attempt to move beyond budget instruments
IK Multimedia is stretching its wings yet again, this time with the Uno Synth Pro. This three-oscillator paraphonic instrument goes well beyond the portable and affordable Uno Synth and looks to carve out space among higher-end competition like Korg and Moog.
IK Multimedia’s $250 drum machine is available now
IK Multimedia's $250 drum machine, Uno Drum, is available starting today. The company announced the portable, battery-powered device last month, but we weren't sure when it would be available.
Uno Drum is a $250 drum machine loaded with features
IK Multimedia surprised many last year expanding beyond its normal niche of portable MIDI controllers and iPhone recording interfaces by launching an actual synthesizer. And, not only that, it turned out to be quite a capable competitor to the Volca's of the world. Now the company is expanding its line of standalone instruments with the Uno Drum.
iRig Mic HD: 24-bit digital mic for studio and mobile recording (Updated)
IK Multimedia has been busy lately with a bunch of recording accessories and apps for iOS and Mac reaching the market. The latest, which we're announcing before its official unveiling tomorrow, is the iRig Mic HD (US$129.99), a 24-bit digital microphone that is as comfortable connected to a Mac in your office as it is to an iPhone or iPad in the field. Specifications Dimensions: 7.28 inches long x 1.89 inches max diameter (185 x 45 mm) Microphone Type: condenser, electret, cardioid polar pattern Interface Type: USB Digital Microphone, built-in low noise high definition pre-amp Frequency Response: 40 Hz - 18 kHz, -3dB Maximum Sound Pressure: 134 dB Distortion: 3% THD at 134 dB, 1 kHz Windscreen: built-in Sensitivity: adjustable over a 40 dB range Built-in low profile gain control Built-in multicolor LED for status and audio level indication Connector Type: standard Micro-USB with Lightning or USB connector (30-pin Dock connector available separately for US$29.99) Power and Connection: works with iOS and Mac/PC computer Design Highlights The iRig Mic HD is a nice looking handheld mic, with a black or silver (available only at the Apple Store) body and a blue stripe announcing that it's an HD mic. There's one LED on the mic opposite a sensitivity dial. IK Multimedia includes a lot with the iRig Mic HD. There's a mount that attaches to a music or microphone stand to hold the mic for you, a cable for use with either a Mac or a Lightning-equipped iOS device, and a carrying bag. Probably the only negative I can see design-wise is that there isn't an output jack on the iRig Mic HD that can be used for monitoring what is being recorded, something that is available on other mics like the Blue Microphones Spark Digital, which also includes a shock mount for reducing noise when used on a desk or table. That means you might run into some latency issues when monitoring recording as the sound will need to travel into your Mac, iPhone and iPad, through an app, and then back to your headphones. Functionality Highlights In my testing, I compared the iRig Mic HD to the Blue Microphones Spark Digital, which is more expensive at $199.99. I've used the Spark Digital for several years for podcasting and have been impressed with its ability to accurately record voices, so it's the standard by which I compare other microphones. My test was rather simple: I used Garage Band to record my voice saying the first two paragraphs of the Design Highlights section of this post. The settings remained identical, and both mics were placed about the same distance away from my mouth. Here's the recording, first with the Spark Digital and next with the iRig Mic HD. The Spark Digital sounds a bit more "open" and clear, although I personally felt that the iRig Mic HD actually provided a slightly warmer tone. For some reason, the iRig Mic HD seemed to pick up more plosives (those "p" pops you hear) than the Spark Digital, so you may wish to pick up a pop filter to help reduce that noise. Remember, what you hear in the test recording is subject to personal taste -- some may find the Spark's sound to be too "cold", while others may find the iRig Mic HD to be "muddled". To test for monitoring latency, I used the Spark Digital with a set of headphones connected directly to the monitoring plug, while for the iRIg Mic HD I plugged the headphones into my Mac. While the Spark Digital exhibited just a tiny delay between speaking and hearing my voice (contrary to the company's claim of "zero latency"), the delay was more noticeable with the iRig Mic HD. That's something you'd expect, and once again I consider this to be something that is a personal preference. Doing podcasting, I'd find the delay to be totally acceptable and not an issue. However, if your preference lies towards having as little monitoring latency as possible, then you may wish to consider a digital mic with a built-in output port. Update: A IK Multimedia spokesperson responded as follows -- "I was reading the review, and noticed your concerns on latency. And wanted to tell you that you could've reduced your "Buffer Size" setting in the recording software you were using, that would've helped. It's really up to the software to process audio and put it back out with a degree of latency. But that's up to the app. Its also not an issue with iRig Mic." Conclusion The iRig Mic HD is an impressive digital microphone for the price, offering good sensitivity and a warm tone that may endear it to vocalists. I do recommend using a pop filter with the mic if you're using it for vocals of any type, and the lack of a built-in output port on the mic will add a slight monitoring latency that may be annoying if you're using headphones to monitor your recording. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway IK Multimedia wants a TUAW reader to be one of the first people to try out the new iRig Mic HD. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before August 8, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a IK Multimedia iRig Mic HD valued at $129.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
iKlip Stage for iPad debuts: Win an iKlip Xpand or iKlip Xpand Mini
Earlier this month TUAW published a review of the IK Multimedia iKlip Xpand, a wonderful accessory for musicians that makes it simple to mount an iPad onto a music or microphone stand. Today, IK Multimedia announced iKlip Stage for iPad (free with in-app purchases), which manages scores, lyrics, tabs and more for your performing pleasure. Swiping on a page turns to the next page; it's like flipping a page of music, only the score is less likely to go skittering onto the floor. The free version of the app lets you hold 30 files (PDF, TXT, PNG, JPG, TIFF, RTF and BMP supported) and two set lists. Register an iKlip and iKlip Stage will increase capacity to 60 files and four set lists. For an in-app purchase of US$9.99, the app can hold unlimited scores and setlists. The app and iKlip Xpand products are a boon for musicians, who can replace a beat-up folder or notebook of scores and setlists with an iPad or iPhone that can also be used with iRig BlueBoard, a Bluetooth MIDI pedalboard. Together with IK Multimedia, we're giving away an iKlip Xpand and an iKlip Xpand Mini. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before August 3, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Two winners will be selected in a random drawing. One will receive an IK Multimedia iKlip Xpand (US$49.99 value) and one will receive an IK Multimedia iKlip Xpand mini ($39.99 value) Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
IK Multimedia iKlip Xpand: Versatile mic stand support for iPad
iPads are a great musician's tool, but it's difficult to figure out ways to mount the iPad on a microphone stand. Some musicians I know just used a regular music stand, but there's always the concern that swiping the screen may make the iPad slide off. Sure, you can always grab a roll of gaffer's tape to tie that iPad down, but it tends to leave a sticky residue behind. And there's always NewerTech's GripBase Podium, but if you don't want to buy a new stand -- just a way to hold the iPad -- you were pretty much out of luck until now. IK Multimedia has introduced the iKlip Xpand (US$49.99) to give your iPad or other tablet a secure place to hang while you're busy making music. The design of the iKlip Xpand is brilliant. It has expandable arms that can hold tablets ranging is size from 7 to 12.1 inches measured diagonally. The way those arms are arranged leaves all of the ports and buttons unobstructed, so it's not an issue to keep your device connected to your other stage electronics. The grip points on the arms are rubber-lined to make sure your precious tablet doesn't get scratched. On the back of the Xpand is a ball joint that makes it incredibly easy to adjust the iPad to just about any orientation you can imagine. The mic stand clamp is adjustable and will grip onto any vertical mic stand or horizontal boom up to 1.2 inches (30 mm) in diameter. If you're going to be looking at sheet music on the iKlip Xpand, IK Multimedia has you covered there as well, since they include a download code for the iKlip Stage app for music score management and page turning. Well, at least that's what the PR says -- the app isn't available for download at this time. IK Multimedia makes it simple to both register the iKlip Xpand and to download the app; there's a small card with QR codes for both the registration and download. Just use a QR-scanning app for your iPhone or iPad (I use Scanbot for both document and QR code scanning) and you're ready to roll. I put the iKlip Xpand to the test not on a microphone or music stand, but on the nearest equivalent I could find -- my trusty Manfrotto monopod with its little foldable tripod legs. I figured it would be a good test simply because the monopod tubing is a bit larger in diameter than that on most mic stands. First, the short "arm" of the iKlip Xpand is attached by screwing in a long bolt with a plastic knob on the end of it. Next, you use a shorter bolt to attach another piece that holds the ball joint on the back of the iKlip Xpand into position. That's it -- now you can grab your favorite tablet and pop it into the jaws of the iKlip Xpand. Those jaws are wide enough that I was even able to put an iPad Air -- in a keyboard case -- onto the stand. While the Kensington KeyFolio Thin X3 is relatively thin, it's reassuring to know that most iPads in standard cases have no problems being held in place in the jaws of the iKlip Xpand. Changing orientation of the iPad was a piece of cake. I just loosened the short bolt a tad, moved the iPad, then tightened it up again. Job done. My two negatives about the iKlip Xpand are rather minor; first, I think the price tag is a bit high considering that it doesn't include a full telescoping stand like the $58 GripBase Podium from NewerTech, and second, I wish that IK Multimedia had waited for the iKlip Stage app to be available before shipping this accessory. If you use an iPhone or iPod touch as your music-making machine, there's also the iKlip Xpand mini ($39.99) to keep your phone or phablet in place. Conclusion IK Multimedia continues to make amazing products for iOS device-using musicians, and the iKlip Xpand is another example of the company's commitment to the world of music. The device adjusts to fit just about any version of iPad or iPad mini, and the ability to clamp it onto a variety of horizontal or vertical mic stands provides a lot of flexibility. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible
IK iRig MIDI 2 brings updated features, Lightning connector compatibility
IK Multimedia's iRig MIDI 2 (US$99.99) is a universal MIDI interface for Mac and iOS. IK's original iRig MIDI was compatible with Apple's 30-pin dock connector, but not Apple's newer Lightning connector interface. The updated iRig MIDI now supports both connectors as well as USB for connecting to Mac. I reviewed the original iRig MIDI back in 2011, so it's great to see a revamp of this portable MIDI interface. Features include a re-designed, smaller, pocket-sized form factor with a rubberized, sturdier enclosure, standard-sized MIDI ports, power provided from host device, detachable cables that are bumper / case friendly, and, of course, Lightning connector compatibility. IK also offers a host of iOS apps to work with MIDI instruments. SampleTank Free is a comprehensive sound workstation with high-quality instruments and patterns. iGrand Piano FREE is a high-quality sampled grand piano. Finally, for Mac users, SampleTank 3 SE is a free desktop workstation with instruments and patterns. All apps can be upgraded with more sounds and features via in-app purchase. The only downside to the iRig MIDI 2 is that it cost $30 more than the original iRig MIDI. However, with the improved features, design and higher-quality enclosure -- the original one was on the tacky side -- the iRig MIDI 2 should be a worthwhile investment for iOS MIDI enthusiasts.
IRL: IK Multimedia's iLoud portable Bluetooth speaker
I've secretly desired a portable Bluetooth speaker for a while now, particularly the Beats Pill. But the problem was (and still is) that I can't justify adding yet another wireless music streaming option to my relatively small abode, which is already outfitted with an Apple TV and Pioneer SX-218. Sure, a Bluetooth speaker is handy for the occasional barbecue cookout on your front porch. But any other time, I'd rather just pop in a pair of 'buds and get the entire stereo effect. However, being the fan of IK Multimedia's Apple-centric iRig line that I am, I bit the bullet and opted for the iLoud.
iRig Voice and EZ Voice app want to make you a star
IK Multimedia hit the market with the iRig Mic three years ago, a mic for podcasting and recording that plugged into the headphone port of your favorite iOS device and allowed for real-time monitoring. At the time, I wasn't impressed with the device; there were some issues with shielding and the recording quality just wasn't that good. Tomorrow, IK Multimedia will be releasing the iRig Voice microphone (US$39.99), a similar mic that's targeted at just having fun with vocals. Let's take a look at the iRig Voice and the companion EZ Voice app (free with in-app purchases). Specifications Microphone type: condensor electret with built-in windscreen Polar pattern: unidirectional and cardioid Frequency response: 100 Hz - 15 kHz, -3dB Maximum sound pressure (set for high sound pressure): 105 dB Distortion: 3 percent THD at 105 dB, 1 kHz Powered through headphone port, features pass-through port for monitoring Microphone Type: condenser electret Colors: Green, blue, yellow, pink, white Functionality Highlights: These low-cost microphones and the accompanying EZ Voice app are designed for fun, and in that respect they do a wonderful job. Once you've plugged in the iRig Voice, you can use it with most recording and podcasting apps. But anybody who likes to have fun will use EZ Voice. The app is very simple to operate and lets you do a bunch of fun things with the music already on your device. Import any song, tap "No Voice", and the primary vocals for that song are muted so you can now sing along for karaoke fun or practice singing with the original band in the background. Should you decide to, you can add autotune (a $0.99 in-app purchase) to make sure that your singing sounds at least something like the original vocalist's. Autotune is one of several effects that can be purchased, including choir, morph, level, chorus, EQ, delay, filter and reverb. The entire bag of tricks can be had for US$4.99 instead of making eight purchases at $0.99 (reverb is added for free when you register). During my "audition" of iRig Voice and EZ Voice, I decided that I really wanted to try out the "No Voice" feature so I picked a recording from my iTunes library ("Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty, a Seventies classic), imported it with a tap, stripped the vocals, then tapped the "target" button to get started. After a short countdown, the instrumentals started and I jumped in at the right point. This is a wonderful way to practice for those karaoke nights so you won't sound like a complete buffoon. I found that if I used the "arena" preset that's built into the basic EZ Voice, it gave just enough reverb and "space" to my voice that it sounded like it fit right into the song. It took a little time to figure out how to keep the de-voiced audio quiet enough to keep from deafening me but loud enough to balance my voice -- but that was part of the fun. Doing that also let me capture the timing of the vocals in the original song. There are some other presets that you can use just for the heck of it that are included in EZ Voice that are going to make you want to spend that $4.99 and buy the entire batch. I'll spare you my karaoke singing, but here are a few fun little riffs on "The Unofficial Apple Weblog" run through the VoxOder and Glam effects: One thing you want to make sure of before playing around with the EZ Voice app is that you have the iRig Voice or another mic plugged in or you may get a horrendous amount of feedback. Trust me on this one -- it sounds like a fire alarm going off! This happened when I had my Mophie Juice Pack case installed on the iPhone, but not when I took it off, so your mileage may vary. I was going to complain about the total lack of instructions that come with the iRig Voice except for one that shows -- through pictures -- how to plug everything in, but then realized that most people never read instructions anyway. Someone who just wants to have fun with the iRig Voice is going to plug it into their favorite iOS device and start playing around, and that's the best way to learn how to use it. Conclusion Unlike some of its sibling mics at IK Multimedia, the iRig Voice is designed for one thing -- fun. The low cost of entry, free (at least for some purposes) EZ Voice app, splashy colors, solid metal construction and ability to do voice training or karaoke with songs from your iTunes library all add up to a product that anyone can enjoy. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway You've heard about the fun you can have with the iRig Voice; now here's your chance to win one from IK Multimedia and TUAW. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before June 22, 2014 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive an iRig Voice microphone from IK Multimedia and TUAW valued at $39.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
IK Multimedia's iRing: Two rings to rule your music making
IK Multimedia's tagline is "Musicians First", and the company has a huge and ever-expanding line of surprisingly good accessories and apps made for one purpose -- helping musicians make and record music through technology. Their latest invention is a really brilliant idea; a set of "rings" that let you control music-making apps just by moving your hands. The iRing (US$24.99) consists of two specially-patterned "rings" that work with specially-designed apps to make or control music through your hand motions. Design Highlights The iRing is a refreshing accessory; it requires no batteries, no constant app updates, or any special drivers. There are actually two rings, one for each hand. They're not really rings, either -- instead, they fit between two fingers like some high-tech brass knuckles, displaying either a pattern of three dots in a triangular or linear shape. IK Multimedia was smart in making the iRings fit between fingers, as they fit every size hand. I found them very comfortable to hold for long periods of time, as they add almost no weight (each ring weighs .2 ounce or just 5.67 grams) and you don't really need to grasp them to keep them in place. Without software, though, the iRings are just rather plain jewelry. At this time, you have a choice of two apps -- iRIng Music Maker (free with in-app purchases) and iRing FX/Controller (free with in-app purchases). The difference between the two apps? Music Maker is a music creation app, while FX/Controller is a MIDI controller. IK Multimedia is also making an SDK available for musicians who want to build iRing control into an existing or planned app. The apps both use your iPad's cameras to "look for" the rings. By watching the location and size of the dot patterns constantly, the apps are able to determine the X, Y, and Z-axis locations of the rings (and therefore your hands), whether or not they're moving, the direction of movement, and the angle at which the hands are being held. Those measurements are then translated by the apps either into music or MIDI commands. iRing Music Maker has five in-app purchases; an EDM (electronic dance music) sounds pack for $1.99, a dubstep pack for $4.99, and two FX bundles for $4.99 each. There's also a "total bundle" available for $19.99. iRing FX/Controller provides ten different in-app purchases. For $0.99 each, there are packages for delay, twist up, noise, crush, autowah, reverb, comp and stutter. In addition, there are two FX bundles, one priced at $4.99 and the other at $7.99. Functionality Highlights Since I'm not really a musician (other than having good vocal skills), I chose to try out iRing Music Maker with iRing. The app is installed and then registered with IK Multimedia, after which time you can begin to futz around with some of the free riffs that are stored in the app. Buying the in-app purchases unlocks the sound packs and FX bundles, after which you have a lot more flexibility playing with iRing Music Maker. Saying that iRing Music Maker is addictive is putting it lightly. If you're a fan of electronic music or a DJ, you really want to buy the iRing and get the app -- you can spend hours playing with this and never get tired of it. You can choose a song from the EDM, Dubstep, House, or Hip Hop libraries if you've purchased the total bundle, open that song, and then begin playing with all of the almost-infinite varieties of settings for the various sequences. Below are three tunes I created with iRing Music Maker and the iRing -- the first two are using one of the EDM songs, while the third is from the Dubstep library. Put on your headphones and crank up your volume. EDM 1 EDM 2 Dubstep I'm sure that professional musicians will find plenty to fault with my "music", but I enjoyed "making" it with this app and the iRing set. Conclusion If you love electronic dance music, dubstep, house or hip hop and want to try your hand and recording your own, then by all means purchase IK Multimedia's iRing and then treat yourself to the "total bundle" in-app purchase. Musicians and non-musicians alike will find iRing, iRing Music Maker, and iRing FX/Controller to be a totally fun way to spend hours creating unique EDM. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible
IK Multimedia's iRing music motion controller arrives
Ever since the invention of the theremin back in 1928, musicians have sought a way to create music simply by moving their hands. The theremin was an early electronic instrument that provided many of those eerie sounds heard in bad horror and sci-fi flicks from the mid 20th-century and never really reached mainstream. Now IK Multimedia has announced another way to wave your hands and magically create music with the iRing motion controller (US$24.99). The iRing consists of two double-sided "rings" that are placed between two fingers on each hand. One has three black dots on it that are placed in a triangular pattern, while the other has three dots in a row. Your iOS device picks up the 3D position of your hands by recognizing and tracking those dot patterns, then translates the position into MIDI information. At $25, it's certainly more affordable than the much-ballyhooed Leap Motion Controller ($80). Of course, "hardware" is of no use without apps to generate some practical output, and that's why the company provides iRing Music Maker and iRing FX/Controller to musicians for free. The former app uses loops that can be remixed by waving your hands in front of your iPhone or iPad, changing beats, controlling rhythmic elements, playing synth parts, or controlling effects. iRing FX/Controller is billed as a real-time audio effects processor and MIDI controller for skilled musicians. IK is also offering developers a free SDK and licensing program to take advantage of the iRing in their own music apps. TUAW will have a full review of the iRing and iRing Music Maker in the near future.
IK Multimedia iLoud portable speaker lives up to its name
IK Multimedia is in the business of making products that help musicians make the most of their iOS devices and musical instruments. They're the company behind the iRig and its many spawn, which make it simple for musicians to plug in guitars or mics for processing by the company's software offerings. Those apps include such musical favorites as AmpliTube, VocaLive, Loop Drummer, SampleTank, and GrooveMaker. Well, they've now made a nice little portable speaker that lives up to its name, the US$299.99 iLoud. Think of it as a portable studio monitor and you've got the idea. But instead of just being another generic Bluetooth speaker for iPhone and iPad, the iLoud has a direct plug-in connection for your guitar or microphone via iRig. Specifications Price: $299.99 Dimensions: 250mm/9.84" x 160mm/6.3" x 60mm/2.36" (W x H x D) Weight: 1,330g/46.91oz Output: 40W Power: Internal battery with 10 hour life, DC in 14V/2.5 A Input: Bluetooth, 1/4" iRig input Design Highlights On the outside, the iLoud looks like a speaker... But sometimes it's what's inside a speaker that makes the big difference and that's the case with the iLoud. First, there are four Class-D amplifiers inside, providing 40W of total power -- two 3-inch neodymium woofers getting 16W of power each, and two 3/4-inch neodymium tweeters each feeding on 4W of power. The frequency response of the speaker runs from a respectable 50Hz on the low end to 20kHz on the upper end. There's a digital sound processor controlling all of this, and the iLoud can take a lot of different inputs: a 1/8" stereo analog line input and 1/4" iRIg input let you connect a number of wired sources, while A2DP-compatible Bluetooth accepts input from your favorite Mac or iOS device. The interior battery will work for 3 hours at maximum volume, 10 hours with normal use (i.e., not ear-bleedingly loud...). Functionality Highlights While I'm not a musician (other than singing) and didn't have a guitar or MIDI keyboard that I could plug into the iLoud for testing, I was able to attach an iRIg Mic to test how vocals worked with the unit and give it a workout with a Bluetooth connection, first to my iPhone and then to an iPad Air. Sound quality was really impressive, with fairly good high-end response -- something I've found lacking in a lot of portable speakers. As you'd expect, low frequencies were amazingly well-reproduced with this unit. Volume? Well, if there's a portable speaker that goes to 11 (obligatory "This is Spinal Tap" reference), it's the iLoud. Pairing with the iOS devices was a no-brainer and Bluetooth worked well for streaming music to the unit. Conclusion Whether you're a musician who wants a solid speaker for impromptu rehearsals or small gatherings, or just a music lover who wants a decently priced high quality portable speaker, the iLoud should fit the bill in either situation. When paired with IK Multimedia's other offerings for musicians, the iLoud rounds out a wide-ranging lineup of audio tools that are perfect for the iOS device-toting musician or music lover. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway IK Multimedia and TUAW want to make one reader very happy, so we're giving away one of these amazing speakers. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before April 8, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive an IK Multimedia iLoud Speaker valued at $299.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
IK introduces Loop Drummer, built into the latest version of AmpliTube for iOS
IK Multimedia has updated its popular AmpliTube app for iPhone / iPod touch and iPad to version 2.9. It now includes a brand new built-in, loop-based drum module called Loop Drummer. Loop Drummer allows you to build custom drum tracks from a library of more than 500 loops (via in-app purchase) based on varying musical genres. With eight Style Packs (Rock, Country, Funky, Electro, Blues, Metal, Pop and Punk), there's plenty to choose from when arranging your drum track. Each Style Pack comes with eight Grooves, and each Groove has eight parts that allow you to build a drum track from beginning to end. For example, intro, main A, fill A, main B, fill B, var B, outro. Simply drag and drop the loop in the simple timeline to build your track. If you can't be bothered to build your own drum track, simply hit the Remix button and Drum Looper will use an intelligent algorithm to build a unique beginning-to-end drum track for you that has a coherent song structure. I've had a quick play with Drum Looper and it's very easy to use. It's well-implemented into AmpliTube, which means in no time you'll be putting drum loops together and having a jam session or recording your newest song! Drum Looper syncs automatically with AmpliTube recorder, so you can play along and record the drum track, too. The audio from Drum Looper will appear as a separate audio channel on the Amplitube's recorder. Additional features include custom-length loop sections, a Mixer section (allowing for independent drum volume setting and soloing), tempo setting and exporting drum sequences to your iDevice's clipboard or iTunes File Sharing. AmpliTube with Drum Looper is available as a free download from the iOS App Store now. With the free download you'll get the Rock Style Pack only. The other Style Packs are available via in-app purchase, similar to buying additional effects or amps in AmpliTube. To find out more about Drum Looper, visit IK Multimedia's website here.
Review: IK Multimedia's iRig Pre (Updated)
IK Multimedia is about to launch the iRig Pre (announced at the beginning of the year), joining the iRig, iRig Stomp, iRig Mic & Mic Cast, iRig Midi and iRig Mix as its lineup of music making accessories for iOS devices. The iRig Pre is a mic preamp with built-in phantom power (48v) and gain control, allowing you to plug in any dynamic or condenser microphone with an XLR connector to your iPhone or iPad. This means you're no longer limited to passive microphones when recording with your iOS device. Basically, with the iRig Pre, you can plug high-quality mics into your iDevice. This is certainly not the first preamp interface for iOS devices, but with IK Multimedia's high profile in the mobile music making market, it's certainly one that will reach the masses with its low price point at US$39.99. However, the foremost question is whether it sounds any good. What can you expect from a $39.99 preamp? You can use the best mic in the world, but if the preamp is no good, there's just no point. So, how does the iRig Pre shape up? Well, for starters, the iRig Pre is very compact and easy to transport around. It houses a 9 volt battery inside of it (to power the iRig Pre itself and the additional 48v when required), has a basic on/off/+48v switch on the front and a gain control slider on the side. %Gallery-161734% A 9 volt battery is required to power the iRig Pre for 30 hours with dynamic microphones and 10 hours with condenser microphones using phantom power. There's no external power supply here, but it's unlikely you'd need one considering the usage you get from a single battery and the type of recording you're likely to do with this kind of accessory. Output is a 40 cm (15.75") TRRS cable to connect to your iOS device as well as a headphone output to monitor what's coming directly out of the iRig Pre. Input is the XLR connector for a microphone. The specifics are as follows: Frequency response: from 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 1.5dB Noise: -98 dB fullband, phantom power ON Maximum output level: 2 Vrms Distortion: 0.025% THD Like many of IK's iRig accessories, the quality of build is not what you would call high-spec, but it's sturdy enough in its own plastic way. It's not going to break in normal use, but if you were to drop it or get it squashed between two sturdier items, it feels like it's going to come out worse for wear. I tested the iRg Pre with my Rode NT2000 condenser microphone through my iPhone using my Ultimate Ears headphones for monitoring. The first thing I noticed when I plugged the mic in and turned on the preamp was that there was a subtle, but definite and consistent hiss on the iRig Pre. With the gain on full, it was much more noticeable, but pulling the gain down a few notches did make it come down, although I couldn't create a situation where I could eradicate it. The hiss isn't overbearing, but if you're recording, it's always going to be there. And that's not what you want. I did a comparison test with my desktop audio interface just to make sure my NT2000 wasn't playing up, but it wasn't. The NT2000 was hiss free through my desktop interface. Just like a good mic should be! However, my audio interface does cost significantly more than the iRig Pre. Aside from the hiss, the iRig Pre did its job of powering the mic. I did a few test recordings using IK's Recorder app and then compared those with the iPhone's built in mic using the same app. It was surprising just how well the iPhone's built-in mic stood up to the NT2000 using the iRig Pre, but there was no doubt about it, the NT2000 had a fuller and more detailed sound. However, comparing those tests to the NT2000 through my desktop audio interface revealed that sound was significantly clearer, fuller and quieter, as you'd expect. From there, I decided to see whether using a different app to record would yield different results. Using the iPhone's Voice Memos app, I couldn't get a monitoring signal. It would record audio, but not send a signal to my headphones for monitoring. However, using GarageBand with the monitoring turned on in the track settings gave me a monitor signal. Which is a relief because you can obviusly do so much more with GarageBand than with IK's Recorder app, or even IK's VocaLive. By this point my ears may have begun to tire, but to me it sounded like the quality of the recording was better in GarageBand than in IK's Record app. I can't see how this can be unless it's all down to the programming of the apps. That, or my ears simply got tired. At the end of the day, is the iRig Pre worth investing in, even at its low price point? Well, there is that hiss to contend with. If there was no noise from the iRig Pre, in many ways it would be a no brainer. But unfortunately, on my unit anyway, it was there. And even if you're just doing podcasts or demo recordings, it will detract from the result. Furthermore, what's the point of buying an expensive mic for more clarity and detail only to have that sound tainted by hiss. That takes me to my original point: you can have the best mic in the world, but if the preamp is no good there's just no point. To sum up, I'd say the iRig Pre is worth getting if you happen to have a decent mic already, and your only form of recording is through an iOS device. At $39.99, you can't really go wrong. However, if you've got an iDevice, but you haven't got a mic already, you're probably better off looking at a mic and preamp in one, like the Blue Mikey, Tascam IM2 or even the iRig Mic Cast or iRig Mic. #next_pages_container { width: 5px; hight: 5px; position: absolute; top: -100px; left: -100px; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } Update: IK Multimedia got in touch with me regarding the noise/hiss I experienced using the iRig Pre. They had this to say: "The noise is generated by the iOS device headset input. This input is great for general purpose usage or headset mic, but can exhibit some noise in excess when used for audio applications where noise is critical.For this reason iRig PRE has a GAIN control that let's you perfectly set the amount of signal that is going to the iOS device. Setting this to a proper level can minimize the evidence of the iOS device input noise on the recorded signal." IK says the following is best practice when using the iRig Pre: "1. If present, set the input gain on the app you're using for recording at UNITY gain, typically shown as 0dB. 2. By looking at a recording level meter on the recording app, adjust the GAIN CONTROL on iRig PRE so that the recording level is as high as possible without distortion."