Apps that transform an iOS device into a portable DJ system (such as Algoriddim's djay app) have been around for a good while now, but the restricted screen space on small devices can lead to somewhat limited mixing functionality. Budding party disc jockeys can get more control from physical deck emulators like Numark's iDJ Live, but those with an appetite for real-time mixing of music stored on more than one device have now been catered for with the upcoming release of the iRig MIX from IK Multimedia. This compact mobile mixer can auto match the tempo from any type of audio source with the tunes on a connected iOS device, features an extra input for an instrument or microphone, and comes with four free music apps.
The iRig MIX features two stereo 3.5mm inputs with gain, bass, treble and volume controls, independent cue on each channel with LED indication, and channel crossfader. The device is flexible enough for real-time mixing using a single connected iOS device (where Input 1 is divided into two mono signals), or two Apple gadgets (such as an iPhone and iPad), or can even juggle between an iDevice and any 3.5mm audio source (like an MP3 or CD player) - with the volume for each song being automatically adjusted for a constant output level. The included free version of the DJ Rig app has something called X-Sync, that will detect the BPM from any audio source and auto-sync the tempo of the decks to match.
The new DJ Rig app, as the name indicates, is a double-deck DJ mixing app for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. It features 12 DJ effects with XY touch interface (including delay, flanger, high pass and low pass filters, fuzz and reverb), drag and zoom waveform display, auto looping, user configurable virtual decks with controls such as volume, pitch, three-band kill EQ, cross fader, and instant song play from the iOS device's music library.
It also comes with four banks of nine sample-based pads, is able to record full mixing gigs, and supports multiple audio formats. IK Multimedia says that a realistic scratching engine is also included, that's been modeled on actual real-world deck behavior. The free version has six effects and one pad sound bank, while the regular DJ Rig app with full functionality is available for US$9.99.
The USB-powered iRig MIX has a 6.3mm headphone output for master or cue monitoring with its own volume control (with a typical consumption of 5 watts, or 10 watts with full headphone output) and can also be powered with battery packs and mobile chargers. There's another 6.3mm input, again with its own volume level control, this time for plugging in a microphone or instrument for use with an iOS app - such as the included AmpliTube or VocaLive apps - for processing the signal in real-time. The device can also function as a PA mixer.
The iRig MIX has input and output frequency responses of 20Hz to 20kHz, a signal-to-noise ratio of -80dB, line input total harmonic distortion of 0.01 percent and stereo RCA line out of 0.05 percent.
The iRig MIX will cost US$99.99 when released next month, and will be supplied with two input 3.5mm stereo input cables and an external 5V power supply charger.