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iRig - best option for guitar use with GarageBand?

I have the iRig and while it's overpriced (I paid $35), what Apple accessory isn't? :p

Anyway, it works good, but it is a bit noisy. You'll be using the noisegate in Garageband to deal with that. You wouldn't use this in a studio setting, but if you just want to play with amp modeling and user your electric guitar with headphones and no amp, it's certainly a usable solution IMO.

As with anything, some people won't be satisfied until they're using pro-level equipment. The iRig isn't that. It's for practice and laying down some ideas.
 
mac jones said:
Best to just get the connection kit, as going in though the headphone jack is a bad idea. Just Google for Guitar USB cable or whatever. $15/$20 US will get you one that's works perfectly with an iPad. I have a Chinese Ebay version of the Berringer that has everything. (the led is so bright it's like a laser in your eyes though. I had to put tape over it. :D )
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Woah I'm glad I found this thread! Are you talking about the USB camera connection kit and some sort of DAC interface? If you were able to use a 1/4" to USB, perhaps something like an MBOX or other computer interface will work???
 
basically its pretty simple. if you want quality sound output from the ipad ALWAYS go through the dock. It has a unity gain signal. The headphone output has a amplified signal -- not ideal for quality recording.

as far as guitars and *****. i have no idea

the IO dock pro from Alesis isn't nothing but a big converter. You can do the same thing with the ipad dock line out and the necessary cable adapter
 
My dad recently got an iPad 2 and he's also a fairly new guitar player. He's been taking lessons for about a year now. I was thinking about buying the iRig adapter for him. He has an electric acoustic guitar.

I do not play the guitar and know nothing about guitars, amps, etc.

My question is, if I buy this for him, what will he be able to use it for? If he gets Garage Band on his iPad, what all can he do with it? I've seen some say that the iRig plugs into the headphone jack on the iPad. In simple terms, how is this a disadvantage?

Excuse my ignorance, just trying to figure out if this is something worth getting him or not. Thanks.
 
Patriot24 said:
I was pretty bummed too when I saw the price. Especially when you realize that this is all it really is: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Alesis-GuitarLink-USB-Audio-Interface-Cable-703593-i1434723.gc

Sadly, I suppose it is only a matter of time before I breakdown and buy it.
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It really isn't though. The apogee jam Is more than a simple 16-bit 1/4" to USB link that completely relies on the computer for conversion. This is a device analogous to an Mbox 1/2 or m-audio interfaces with some onboard processing. Plus, it's made by apogee, the Mercedes of interfaces - I guarantee you that most of the past top 40 hits in the last ten years were recorded with some sort of apogee processing.

I'm anxiously waiting, wish there was a more professional quality out besides the headphone jack but it looks like something I would use live.
 
I'm using a Griffin cord that mutes the speaker when plugged in.
Is there any way around this?
 
JPIndustrie said:
It really isn't though. The apogee jam Is more than a simple 16-bit 1/4" to USB link that completely relies on the computer for conversion. This is a device analogous to an Mbox 1/2 or m-audio interfaces with some onboard processing. Plus, it's made by apogee, the Mercedes of interfaces - I guarantee you that most of the past top 40 hits in the last ten years were recorded with some sort of apogee processing.

I'm anxiously waiting, wish there was a more professional quality out besides the headphone jack but it looks like something I would use live.
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I don't know the technical details of most of this, but I think your a bit mistaken. As far as I know, none of these connection kit devices rely on the computer for conversion. The USB is digital, so all conversion must be in the device, unlike the headphone jack which is analog. The question would be about the quality of the DACs. Bt the Jam, as far as I know, is no better than a cheap Chinese nock-off, Just like some of M-audio, or Mbox's stuff, which also can be cheap even though they make high end stuff.

Apogee's Jam isn't advertising high-end specs, which means .....there are no high end specs :D

I've go t a LOT of USB audio cable/converters for the iPad that work really well. Some i'll list off:

1) Korg PX5D.
This device is AMAZING. It's a Pandora, but it also is a USB audio interface. It works with the iPad because it has three power modes: Battery/Ac/ USB. The USB doesn't cut it, like a lot of these, but the other modes work. It also utilizes the core-audio driver, which is required for the iPad. rating: ***** out of 5 (that's for the desktop, as you have an editor, which helps DRAMATICALLY, with these tiny things.

2) (not a guitar input) iBasso D4 and D6. These also run on batteries. These use dual Wolfson DACs and sound very good. Rating: *****

3) El-cheapo Chinese, Berhinger knock-off, USB Guitar link thingy. Sounds fine for guitar, no noise (or very low noise). Is the exact same thing as the Berhinger that can be had on Amazon for around $15. Probably as good as the Apoggee (prove me wrong if you can, but only with specs). Rating *** 1/2 (as it's so cheap there MUST be a downside somewhere right? :D )
Note: As I mentioned in a post before, this device also has a headphone jack, volume control, high low mode. The Jam just is a simple plug. Now this is interesting. It's possible I suppose, that the Jam is high end and goes by the philosophy 'less is more', and that if it were to offer all the other bells-and whistles, it would be prohibitively expensive. On the other hand, it could be just a rip-off :D

That's just three. I have more but i'm going to diner :)

Note: I have two different USB midi cables also. The cheap chinese one I got for about $5 US ( also can be had on Amazon), is very good, and compatible with everything including the iPad. The other one is the highly regarded M-Audio Uno, which has major issues with everything. This is probably due to it being an early version of the UNO, but it's no better than the first one I mention, and it cost 3 times the amount.

When it comes to audio, it pays to look at the chinese stuff these days. If your careful, you can save a fortune and get really quality stuff.
(the saving are HUGE). I have a bit of high end Chinese gear that's very good. Some of these guys are very good at this, and take a lot of pride in their stuff. It just cost a third.
 
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mac jones said:
I don't know the technical details of most of this, but I think your a bit mistaken.
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If you do not know yourself, who are you to say I'm mistaken? The Jam is no way like the iRig or a simple 1/4" USB to USB setup. Specs are just measurements of the estimated output, that doesn't denote how the device will convert the audio. It's interesting how you bring up the Korg Pandora, similar to a Line 6 POD or say, the Apogee Jam - they all perform some stand alone DAC, that's why you noticed that sound difference. The DA conversion alone is worth the money; this isn't a Behringer product.

Plus, the device isn't even out - let's reserve judgement until it is on the market. However I have a feeling we won't be disappointed given what the iPad's power is.

Appreciate you sharing your comments on the interfaces so far. Going to J&R tomm to pick up a 1/4" to USB to use with Apple's USB Camera connection kit, hopefully this tides me over until I can get my hands on a Jam to compare.
 
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JPIndustrie said:
If you do not know yourself, who are you to say I'm mistaken? The Jam is no way like the iRig or a simple 1/4" USB to USB setup. Specs are just measurements of the estimated output, that doesn't denote how the device will convert the audio. It's interesting how you bring up the Korg Pandora, similar to a Line 6 POD or say, the Apogee Jam - they all perform some stand alone DAC, that's why you noticed that sound difference. The DA conversion alone is worth the money; this isn't a Behringer product.

Plus, the device isn't even out - let's reserve judgement until it is on the market. However I have a feeling we won't be disappointed given what the iPad's power is.

Appreciate you sharing your comments on the interfaces so far. Going to J&R tomm to pick up a 1/4" to USB to use with Apple's USB Camera connection kit, hopefully this tides me over until I can get my hands on a Jam to compare.
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Yeah i'm sort of down on the Jam, as it's not much for like $100. I have one on order with Musician's Friend (aka; Guitar Center) and have had it on order for a while, but might cancel. I'm not sure if I like the idea of using the iPads headphone jack, when these other ones have DACs (oops, I wrote DAT above didn't I :eek: ) built in with headphone out.

But I'm not sure. I sort of like the minimal look and aspect of the Apogee. But, it's a bit expensive. A LOT of this iPad junk is $$$$. It can really get out of hand ;)

I also like the idea that the Jam is made for the iPad. Makes it official.

Then again, to think like that makes me an official ...... ..:D
 
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