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Audio interface suggestions?

#43
TreySonagras said:
I use garage band on my iPad to do recording. Can anyone tell me the best way you have found to record bass or guitar? I have an older iRig that I use but wonder if there is something better.
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I have an iRig HD 2 just for that purpose. It plugs directly in via the lightning port on an iPhone or iPad. It works flawlessly and is small. They're on sale right now at IK Multimedia's website.
You just plug your bass (or your effects) right into it. Then plug in your headphones and off you go.
 
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#44
seamonkey said:
One thing to keep in mind is if you have a newer mac with a headphone jack, the built in DAC is as good as anything you'd find on most interfaces.

IK multimedia iRig 2 is a simple $40 interface (buffer) that will use the built in DAC on a Mac
IK Multimedia - iRig 2

Try it with Free GB, or Free version of Amplitube and the free Version of IK Tonex
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Is the iRig 2 equal to the iRig Stomp (the small pedal)? The pedal format is way better. I used to have the original iRig and it was a pain to keep it on my desk as it was so light.
 
#46
DonaldR said:
Is the iRig 2 equal to the iRig Stomp (the small pedal)? The pedal format is way better. I used to have the original iRig and it was a pain to keep it on my desk as it was so light.
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The plain iRig2 and the iRig Stomp use a headphone port - I wouldn't recommend that.
The HD 2 uses lighting (and has its own converter built in.) If you're concerned about it being too small, the AXE I/O Solo is a bit bigger and has some additional features. I specifically bought the HD2 because of its size and that it can be powered off the iPad. At home I have a large MOTU 828 rig for recording (with all sorts of preamps and rack mounted goodies) which just isn't practical to take on a casual trip.
 
#49
ReidStudio said:
I'm looking suggestions on an audio interface to play at home through so I don't drive the family nuts with noise.

and a something say under $300
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
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I don't think you want an audio interface. You are looking for a practice amp or headphone with an Aux In or Bluetooth capabilities. I got my kid one of those Vox headphone amps. At $40, it was pretty cheap, but it doesn't do Bluetooth (he doesn't need it, though)

Darkglass has an amp sim that does both bass and guitar. Bluetooth or Aux In for playing along with tunes. It looks pretty nice and it's within your budget.

An audio interface really is aimed at the recording market. It's not the right tool for practice and you'll probably get bogged down in the technology quagmire just to get it to do what you want. That ain't no fun.

As a side note: I have the UAD Apollo Twin and love it. But when you buy a UAD interface (as some have suggested), you're buying into the whole UAD domain. Great stuff, but can get expensive.
 
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#52
agedhorse said:
If you are looking for a plug and play solution with additional control over things like voicing and eq, you probably won’t be very happy with a simple interface. These have no ability to do what an amp/preamp does (without additional software or “models”, and “flat response” is not generally desirable.

Why not use your PF-500 for silent play/practice. It has everything you need already?
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This. Or if you want to get fancy, a small mixer to have a bit more control over levels.
 
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#53
frankie5string said:
The plain iRig2 and the iRig Stomp use a headphone port - I wouldn't recommend that.
The HD 2 uses lighting (and has its own converter built in.) If you're concerned about it being too small, the AXE I/O Solo is a bit bigger and has some additional features. I specifically bought the HD2 because of its size and that it can be powered off the iPad. At home I have a large MOTU 828 rig for recording (with all sorts of preamps and rack mounted goodies) which just isn't practical to take on a casual trip.
Click to expand...
I have gone thru 30-pin and lightning interfaces, now it's USB-C but for how long? I don't want another IK Multimedia USB interface becoming obsolete anymore. And I don't see why a cheap USB interface will have better AD/DA converters than what's built-in on a Mac Book.
 
#55
I'll also endorse the OMEC Teleport. It works great, is quite sturdy, and has a standard USB interface, so you can plug it into whatever, although you'll need the appropriate Apple Camera Adapter for your device.
 
#56
DonaldR said:
I have gone thru 30-pin and lightning interfaces, now it's USB-C but for how long? I don't want another IK Multimedia USB interface becoming obsolete anymore. And I don't see why a cheap USB interface will have better AD/DA converters than what's built-in on a Mac Book.
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Um... You do realize that it also works with USB, right? It comes with both cables. You can plug it into any computer and use it - doesn't have to be a Lightning device. I get your point, but it's not the case with this particular device.
This was for someone who is using it on an iDevice... If you have a computer, go ahead and get something larger.

Yes, actually the ADC/DAC is quite a bit better than the headphone/mic connections on a Macbook - but more importantly the analog component is quieter. No point in having a great ADC/DAC if the preamp leading to it is noisy.
 
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