IK Multimedia iRig Pro I/O Audio Midi Interface

I was thrilled to see an interface that I could use with my Android tablet and phone. On the website and in all the promotional material they shout out about Android compatibility.Well, I open the box, take out the manual, and NOTHING about Android...Ok... Well, I'll check the online manual to see if it's more current and includes Android info... Nope...All right... I'm a smart guy, how tough can this be? Ok, there's the Lightning cable for Apple... And there's a cable with a regular USB. Nothing with a Micro USB connector...I FINALLY find, in the bottom of the box, in the hardware list, that Android devices require an adapter...Sold separately by IK Multimedia...For $30...I'm pretty sure a $5 USB adapter from Amazon will do the same thing, but the ... MoreI was thrilled to see an interface that I could use with my Android tablet and phone. On the website and in all the promotional material they shout out about Android compatibility.Well, I open the box, take out the manual, and NOTHING about Android...Ok... Well, I'll check the online manual to see if it's more current and includes Android info... Nope...All right... I'm a smart guy, how tough can this be? Ok, there's the Lightning cable for Apple... And there's a cable with a regular USB. Nothing with a Micro USB connector...I FINALLY find, in the bottom of the box, in the hardware list, that Android devices require an adapter...Sold separately by IK Multimedia...For $30...I'm pretty sure a $5 USB adapter from Amazon will do the same thing, but the fact that I have to spend extra money to get it to work, not to mention the frustration of not being able to use it after being excited to work and practice away from my iMac has just left me livid.

A High-Quality iOS Audio Interface and Great Guitar Toy!

I was initially looking for a headphone amp to allow quiet practice with my electrics, but decided to take a look at iOS interfaces, as I almost always have my phone or iPad with me. I'm glad I did. The iRig Pro I/O gave me the practice amp I was looking for (the included AmpliTube apps have a great amp and effects simulation), but also a superb interface for both instruments and microphones, including mics that require phantom power. As a test, I put together a multitrack recording using Garage Band, and I have to say I was blown away at what a tremendously useful and fun system the iRig creates. Laying down a track at a time, I included 2 electrics, 2 miked acoustics, an electric bass, a MIDI jazz organ, and 4 vocal parts. I added one of Garage Band's canned ... MoreI was initially looking for a headphone amp to allow quiet practice with my electrics, but decided to take a look at iOS interfaces, as I almost always have my phone or iPad with me. I'm glad I did. The iRig Pro I/O gave me the practice amp I was looking for (the included AmpliTube apps have a great amp and effects simulation), but also a superb interface for both instruments and microphones, including mics that require phantom power. As a test, I put together a multitrack recording using Garage Band, and I have to say I was blown away at what a tremendously useful and fun system the iRig creates. Laying down a track at a time, I included 2 electrics, 2 miked acoustics, an electric bass, a MIDI jazz organ, and 4 vocal parts. I added one of Garage Band's canned drummers and ended up with a clean, respectable recording. I'm very impressed by the audio quality of the interface, and it fits in my guitar case. Recommended.

App cripples otherwise good peripheral device

Context: Using to record voice over and foley on iOSReview: To use this device, you must use the app Amplitube. It's interface to iOS device isn't recognized with other solid audio recording apps like Voice Recorder Pro. You must use IK Multimedia's app AmpliTube if you want this device to recognize on your iOS device. If you just want to record a single audio file, save and send, this app (and therefore device) is not for you. By default it put a reverb layer on the audio track (why this is default - no idea), and the app is very cumbersome to navigate. Recording is done in a multitrack editor and when sharing puts all tracks into a file when sharing. If you use the three ways to move files File Sharing (saves to some shared folder, but doesn't tell you what or ... MoreContext: Using to record voice over and foley on iOSReview: To use this device, you must use the app Amplitube. It's interface to iOS device isn't recognized with other solid audio recording apps like Voice Recorder Pro. You must use IK Multimedia's app AmpliTube if you want this device to recognize on your iOS device. If you just want to record a single audio file, save and send, this app (and therefore device) is not for you. By default it put a reverb layer on the audio track (why this is default - no idea), and the app is very cumbersome to navigate. Recording is done in a multitrack editor and when sharing puts all tracks into a file when sharing. If you use the three ways to move files File Sharing (saves to some shared folder, but doesn't tell you what or where that is (not on Files on iOS)), AirDrop/Email or SoundCloud, could work for you, but otherwise, just sending simple audio files (not a multitrack mix down) is not as simple as they could make it. Bit of a bummer because after you figure it all out, the audio is clean and preamp not bad. Just for a user interface standpoint really inhibitive and not intuitive. Perhaps for a more iPad based mutitrack thing the app would be better, but for just recording sounds, way too complicated and takes away from what otherwise would be a solid piece of hardware.

Big Disadvantages

As far as "function" this interface does what it say. Still, there are big disadvantages as to the usability of the product. First, to hear yourself play, you need to have headphones connected directly to the interface. Computer speakers, Bluetooth or any other way of getting sound has a lag and terrible audio quality. Perhaps a better sound card on my laptop would help with the quality but not the lag. It's, therefore, unplayable without headphones which puts you on a very short leash unless you have a long headphone cable. I will look out the window and it will drag the interface off the table (my coffee with it one time, yikes). This, plus the fact that it can't be used in a live performance since there's no other output except the headphone jack just makes the ... MoreAs far as "function" this interface does what it say. Still, there are big disadvantages as to the usability of the product. First, to hear yourself play, you need to have headphones connected directly to the interface. Computer speakers, Bluetooth or any other way of getting sound has a lag and terrible audio quality. Perhaps a better sound card on my laptop would help with the quality but not the lag. It's, therefore, unplayable without headphones which puts you on a very short leash unless you have a long headphone cable. I will look out the window and it will drag the interface off the table (my coffee with it one time, yikes). This, plus the fact that it can't be used in a live performance since there's no other output except the headphone jack just makes the product not worth the high price-point. Buy a Behringer U-Phoria instead. Their equivalent is less than half the price.

DO NOT BUY

Badly executed, uses double A batteries, does not come with DC power adapter, can not be used with iPhone camera connection kit (says itIs drawing too much power when plugged into USB port on camera connection kit) to charge and use the device over the usb cable.Basically if you want to use this device you will need to make sure your phone AND the AA batteries are both charged and even in that case, you are limited by the life of your phone battery. Eventually you will have to unhook everything and wait while your phone charges to resume making music.On the quality it feels way too light, cheap plastic casing with the words iRig “PRO” on it. Come on... pro? Volume roller feels cheap. You’re really better off getting literally anything else.

Low Quality Build Feels and Works like Cheap Plastic

Bought it as an interface between my iPad and a midi keyboard. Midi interface is terrible with the old fashion media connectors and 8th inch pins. I want powered USB interface. It is not 1976 anymore. Audio connections are low-quality. Primary audio output is an 8th inch pin The volume control on the output is recessed into the housing and mine would not move I was scraping my finger now trying to turn the output volume on and off. I was really hoping this would be a very high-quality digital to analog converter that could drive headphones, or my keyboard amp or mixing board. I did not test the input extensively but it seemed OK. The big volume knob on the front panel felt very chintzy and I expected it to be a really nice volume knob and I was hoping it was the ... MoreBought it as an interface between my iPad and a midi keyboard. Midi interface is terrible with the old fashion media connectors and 8th inch pins. I want powered USB interface. It is not 1976 anymore. Audio connections are low-quality. Primary audio output is an 8th inch pin The volume control on the output is recessed into the housing and mine would not move I was scraping my finger now trying to turn the output volume on and off. I was really hoping this would be a very high-quality digital to analog converter that could drive headphones, or my keyboard amp or mixing board. I did not test the input extensively but it seemed OK. The big volume knob on the front panel felt very chintzy and I expected it to be a really nice volume knob and I was hoping it was the output volume knob because that is something I adjust a lot more than the input. Overall this was not good for my configuration which was to play live music with live sounds coming out of my iPad and hook up my midi keyboard. It ended up adding a lot of wiring to my set up instead of being a nice clean USB bus powered interface between my iPad, my keyboard, and my I/O deviceI ended up with the new Apple USB three powered connector. It provides power to my iPad, power to my midi keyboard, and if I add a USB hub it allows me to drive a high-quality deed to a converter which is now part of my gig set up. I am using a real high-quality deed to a converter That I bought as a high-resolution headphone driver for PC/Mac. Though I don't have the recording capability, my set up is clean and mean. This is what I expected this product to solve for me. Not even close. This thing does not power your audio dev that I bought as a high-resolution headphone driver for PC/Mac. Though I don't have the recording capability, my set up is clean and mean. This is what I expected this product to solve for me. Not even close. This thing does not power your iOS device Which is a requirement for me

Poor build quality, wasn't anywhere near plug & play for me.

After getting it set up and connected, the headphone jack broke. The second I plugged it in...I knew it would be an issue. It was sloppy!! After maybe 4 inserts, it broke. The unit is what I would consider cheaply made. I would expect a little better quality for the price. If it costs a little more to manufacture a better unit, then I'd understand. Can't comment on the actual functioning of the unit since it lasted about 15 seconds after all of the downloads & settings & time I spent. I couldn't get it to work with an android but was successful with a tablet. After reading other reviews "after the fact" build quality seems to be a common gripe. Especially with the higher priced units?

Very User Friendly & Fantastic Sound Quality

Received my I/O and immediately plugged it in, I was blown away at the easy steps to adjust the quality output. The Green/Amber/Red lights help and are very much a reflection of what is actually going out. I found playing on the edge of green with an occasional very light amber flicker produced what I wanted. I have now done over 25 IG Live and Zoom sessions using the device. It is exactly what I wanted. It produced exactly what I was looking for as a DJ.I almost forgot to mention how very simple it is, going straight from either Master or Booth Outputs on my Pioneer DDJ SX2 into the iRig I/O and into my iPhone for IG and just as easy going to the USB on the Laptop running the Zoom session.NO REGRETS.

iRig Pro I/O - mixed review

This device seems well made and is quite versatile having the combo input jack and the midi I/O. I also very much like the ability to operate from AA batteries, or DC power input. I also like the large size input gain dial, making it very easy to adjust the input gain. I am a little disappointed in the latency. I have been using the 1st generation Apogee Jam and expected this newer unit to have even lower latency, however, that is not the case. The latency with this unit is ever so slightly greater than my old Apogee Jam. Many people may find the latency acceptable, it bothers me, I'll keep this unit for when I need to connect an XLR mic, or need midi I/O, however, I'm back to using my Apogee Jam for jamming, practice, and recording guitar. The amount of latency ... MoreThis device seems well made and is quite versatile having the combo input jack and the midi I/O. I also very much like the ability to operate from AA batteries, or DC power input. I also like the large size input gain dial, making it very easy to adjust the input gain. I am a little disappointed in the latency. I have been using the 1st generation Apogee Jam and expected this newer unit to have even lower latency, however, that is not the case. The latency with this unit is ever so slightly greater than my old Apogee Jam. Many people may find the latency acceptable, it bothers me, I'll keep this unit for when I need to connect an XLR mic, or need midi I/O, however, I'm back to using my Apogee Jam for jamming, practice, and recording guitar. The amount of latency with the Apogee is the most I'm willing to accept.

iRig Pro I/O update

This is an update to my previous review in which I was critical of this unit's latency in error. Now, after having used this a good bit, I have discovered the additional latency I experienced is due more to the IOS version (or iDevice) I was using. I was comparing this to an older Apogee Jam that I was using with a IOS 10 device, I have discovered that on IOS 11 it is necessary to use airplane mode, and/or that it is critically more important to stop other services on the iDevice while using the iRig Pro I/O. While in airplane mode and with all other apps closed there is no noticeable difference in latency between this and the Apogee Jam. I am not sure why a newer iDevice with a faster processor experiences greater latency. On my IOS 10 device, I don't experience ... MoreThis is an update to my previous review in which I was critical of this unit's latency in error. Now, after having used this a good bit, I have discovered the additional latency I experienced is due more to the IOS version (or iDevice) I was using. I was comparing this to an older Apogee Jam that I was using with a IOS 10 device, I have discovered that on IOS 11 it is necessary to use airplane mode, and/or that it is critically more important to stop other services on the iDevice while using the iRig Pro I/O. While in airplane mode and with all other apps closed there is no noticeable difference in latency between this and the Apogee Jam. I am not sure why a newer iDevice with a faster processor experiences greater latency. On my IOS 10 device, I don't experience this latency even when not using airplane mode or killing all background apps. Now that I'm comparing apples to apples, the performance of the iRig Pro I/O is identical to the older Apogee Jam, but I'll now give the iRig Pro I/O the win easily due to the XLR combo connector, MIDI I/O, and larger/better input gain control, as well as the ability to power the unit (and iDevice) with external power supply.