Mobile musicians wanting to feed signals from a guitar, microphone or MIDI keyboard into a music creation app running on an iPhone, iPad or Mac will likely have to carry around a few different interface units in their kit bag. The iRig PRO from IK Multimedia lightens the load by squeezing instrument, vocal and MIDI inputs into one portable device.
The iRig PRO all-in-one universal audio/MIDI interface includes a host of input options that allow musicians to connect dynamic or consenser microphones, electric or bass guitars, line-level instruments or MIDI devices to an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Mac. The inclusion of Lightning, 30-pin and USB cables ensures compatibility with Apple devices old and new, and though the unit draws the power it needs from the device it's connected to, there's an included 9 V battery to provide switchable 48 V phantom power to studio condenser mics.
The unit's 0.25-in combo input (for XLR, mono line-in or instrument signals) and standard MIDI input can be used at the same time, allowing players to switch presets or set effects levels using a MIDI foot controller, for example. It benefits from an ultra-low-noise, high definition mic/instrument preamp, a 24-bit analog-to-digital converter, preamp gain control, and LED status indicators.
For iOS devices, the iRig PRO comes with free versions of AmpliTube, VocaLive, SampleTank, iGrand Piano and iRig Recorder music creation apps, but is also compatible with any Core Audio and Core MIDI software. IK Multimedia sweetens the pot even more by offering users free gear and sound add-ons for AmpliTube and SampleTank.
The included software is a little different for Mac users, who get AmpliTube Custom Shop with a free version of AmpliTube Metal, T-RackS Custom Shop (mixing-and-mastering effect suite) with T-RackS Classic for free, and SampleTank XT with over 1 GB of sounds.
The iRig PRO will be released worldwide for US$149.99/€119.99/£119.99 after its launch at IFA 2013 in Berlin today.
Product page: iRig PRO