Guitar Interface IK Multimedia iRig HD-2

My main reason for this review is to clear up some confusion. Some reviewers complain that this product is iOS only, and leave low stars because they could not use it. Others complain that it does not sound good when used without the app. The app is part of the system, it's essential to using it properly. It is very clear when purchasing. That's kind of like putting a mic in the back of a cab and then complaining the mic sound muddy. User error does not make a product defective. This system works fab on most fretted instruments with a thin sound hole, I have recorded with it on steel string, nylon, Uke, and it really saves time in a crowded control room going direct, it's possible to get useable good sounding tracks on rhythm parts. It's sensitive to room noise (not ... MoreMy main reason for this review is to clear up some confusion. Some reviewers complain that this product is iOS only, and leave low stars because they could not use it. Others complain that it does not sound good when used without the app. The app is part of the system, it's essential to using it properly. It is very clear when purchasing. That's kind of like putting a mic in the back of a cab and then complaining the mic sound muddy. User error does not make a product defective. This system works fab on most fretted instruments with a thin sound hole, I have recorded with it on steel string, nylon, Uke, and it really saves time in a crowded control room going direct, it's possible to get useable good sounding tracks on rhythm parts. It's sensitive to room noise (not as much as an open mic) so you need to track on headphones the same as you would with a condenser) but much more forgiving about body movement than a mic. I would not use this for a melody part in a pro recording if you want a detailed and expensive sound, but it works well on tracking support parts quickly. You need the app, period. It's not made to used without it. Lastly, it's a good idea to read about compatibility before purchasing. It is made for IOS and does not state anywhere that it is android compatible. Lastly, the cable, it's possible that the reason it is so minimal is to minimize clunking and rustling against the face of the instrument since the cable is attached, it minimizes noise. Still, it is my biggest concern about this thing. It's a quality low noise cable but so ultra low mass that it's kind of concerning. I am cautious with it. I have had this unit two years and it has not been an issue but I am careful with it.

I read previous reviews about it, positive and negative, and decided it was worth a try in that it's not crazy expensive and I felt the pros outweighed the cons. Although I haven't explored all the features available yet, I can say this: the setup was simple, the interface works perfectly, and it's been nothing but fun so far-very user friendly! Looking forward to seeing how Garage Band fares with it, Tonebridge and AmpliTube work just fine so far. Physically, it isn't built to take much abuse, then again I didn't buy it to use as a hammer. Picked up a small foam lined case for it, and plan to make something that will be secured easily to an amp/whatever that will minimise stress on the cables/box. I'd say it's a great choice for anyone looking for a reasonably ... MoreI read previous reviews about it, positive and negative, and decided it was worth a try in that it's not crazy expensive and I felt the pros outweighed the cons. Although I haven't explored all the features available yet, I can say this: the setup was simple, the interface works perfectly, and it's been nothing but fun so far-very user friendly! Looking forward to seeing how Garage Band fares with it, Tonebridge and AmpliTube work just fine so far. Physically, it isn't built to take much abuse, then again I didn't buy it to use as a hammer. Picked up a small foam lined case for it, and plan to make something that will be secured easily to an amp/whatever that will minimise stress on the cables/box. I'd say it's a great choice for anyone looking for a reasonably inexpensive interface with a lot of features that is very plug and play ready.

Overall:I'll start by saying that this review will focus on the interface itself, and not on the bundled mobile software - that's a different subject which I'll touch on, but it's not really the point. The point is, for what this is, it's pretty fantastic.What this is to me is a way to plug my guitar into my phone and headphones, hear "guitar amp" coming through the headphones in a convincing way, AND not bug the hell out of the lovely lady sitting next to me on the couch (let alone the neighbors) with the kind of volume that is required for these tones in the real world. Does it sound EXACTLY like a 100W stack rattling the windows and thumping my ribcage every time I hit those low palm-muted chugs? Of course not - the physical feeling of the amp moving air is part ... MoreOverall:I'll start by saying that this review will focus on the interface itself, and not on the bundled mobile software - that's a different subject which I'll touch on, but it's not really the point. The point is, for what this is, it's pretty fantastic.What this is to me is a way to plug my guitar into my phone and headphones, hear "guitar amp" coming through the headphones in a convincing way, AND not bug the hell out of the lovely lady sitting next to me on the couch (let alone the neighbors) with the kind of volume that is required for these tones in the real world. Does it sound EXACTLY like a 100W stack rattling the windows and thumping my ribcage every time I hit those low palm-muted chugs? Of course not - the physical feeling of the amp moving air is part of that experience, and this device is specifically trying to avoid that. BUT...When you dial in the software correctly, it SOUNDS like an amp. More than that, if you're using the right software, it sounds like a big room full of amps that I can't afford, which is very cool. You have to set the "Gain" knob on the interface right, but that's the case with anything - too hot and it distorts, not hot enough and the tone sounds wimpy. Easy to fix - roll that knob back and forth until it lights up green, back it off if the light turns red. The other "Volume" knob is even easier - if it's too loud coming through the headphones, turn it down; if not, turn it up. Easy.Now to touch on the software a bit - I haven't downloaded the version of Amplitube for PC that's included yet, largely because I already have the CS amps that I want loaded up in Amplitube 4 and 5 on the computer - and also because IK Multimedia expects us to pay for each version individually when switching from mobile to desktop, and I'm not willing to do that. I don't see any reason why those purchases can't carry over across different platforms, and I'm not going to buy them again. Besides, I have a desktop interface that I'm totally happy with (Focusrite Scarlett 2i2), so I wasn't buying this one for the laptop.I downloaded the mobile version of Amplitube for the iPhone, it loaded up and synced fine. As noted, I'm not buying any upgrades for this Amplitube version - AFAIC the bundled software should be good enough right out of the gate. However, just like the desktop version, the included models are underwhelming - not bad, just not really inspiring. For that, you have to buy the upgrades.Rather than giving IK more money for software I've already bought (in addition to this hardware), I took advantage of Positive Grid's sale on the first (paid) tier of Bias FX Mobile for $10, and NOW this thing is cooking. It's been a while since I played with Bias on the PC (mostly because my computer is old and cranky and doesn't load it very well), but maybe the phone just has better hardware or whatever - I do NOT care. Playing with settings on different amps and pedals, as well as different guitars with different pickups, everything comes through. From the crazy high-gain metal to ultra-clean single-coil tones to in-between bluesy stuff, it all comes through sounding like it should. I'm especially impressed with how well the interface translates the pick attack and volume/tone knob settings coming in from the guitars, this is something that modeling doesn't always do well and it's really cool that this little bit of hardware allows it to work right. Sound quality is excellent throughout; it does not sound like a cheap plastic box whatsoever.So, ignoring the bundled software, this is WELL worth the money, at least for playing on the couch while my girl is watching her shows (and especially when we're in bed and I can't sleep!). I haven't plugged in the "Amp Out" to an actual amp yet, but I expect that the performance will be as good as with headphones if not better. Same with the PC integration, I can't imagine that it will have any serious issues as an interface for a full-sized computer running good amp-sim software. As noted above, no headphone amp will ever provide the "Full Stack on 10" experience, but as long as you're not expecting that, you'll be happy with it.The only "below-5" ratings I included were:Quality: I would prefer that it be in a metal, rather than plastic, enclosure. I don't plan on gigging with it, but as an "on-the-go" device, I would like to see it as close to bulletproof as possible - guitarists are notoriously hard on our gear ;)Manufacturer support/Wow Factor: These are both due to IK Multimedia's lack of better software support infrastructure. I don't necessarily expect them to provide a LOT of extra software with a hardware device, BUT when I've already paid for software on one platform (Amplitube), there's no technical reason why that same software add-on (DLC, basically) shouldn't work with every version of the software. Boo.