IK Multimedia was among the many first firms to see the potential Apple’s iPhone and iPad had for the on-the-go musician. Tailoring moveable instrument interface units to those pocketable recording stations, its iRig line grew to become the go-to choice for taking advantage of your iPhone-enabled Abbey Street ambitions.
With the iRig, iRig 2,, and iRig HD, it nailed the straightforward sweet bar interface design that might serve the touring guitarist, letting them rapidly hook up an axe to their recording system of selection. The all-new iRig HD X nearly perfects the design, including a {hardware} tuner, USB-C connectivity for you iPhone 15 house owners on the market, and an revolutionary inter-app ‘Loopback+’ function for streamers into the combo.
iRig HD X: Worth and Availability
The iRig HD X is offered now and is priced at $129 / £135. That’s a contact costlier than its predecessor, the iRig HD 2 (RRP $119, although now out there at discounted costs as it has been outdated by this mannequin). However the additions dropped at the X mannequin make the improve leap greater than well worth the modest worth improve.
A stripped-back iRig USB model can be out there at $69.99, however drops help for older Lightning units, tuner performance, and Loopback+ options, in addition to recording in a decrease high quality.
iRig HD X: What I Liked
iRig HD X is as compact as it’s easy to make use of. Sweet bar-shaped, it measures simply 99 mm x 42 mm x 25 mm and weighs a mere 54g. It’s tremendous moveable, and unobtrusive in a package bag or in use on a desktop. As long as you’ve obtained the correct cable, it’s extensively suitable with Apple units too, whether or not you’re on an iPhone, Mac, or iPad, even stretching help again so far as the Sixth-gen iPod contact. (It’ll work with a Home windows PC too, in case you’re that approach inclined). In the event you’ve obtained an Apple system that’s nonetheless kicking, chances are high it’ll be supported by the iRig HD X. Packaged with a USB-C-to-USB-C cable, in addition to a USB-C-to-Lightning cable (each 60cm in size), you’re able to rock proper out of the field — the iRig HD X is powered by your Apple system over USB, and does not require charging or an exterior energy provide.
Black, with a chunky central management knob (which doubles as a headphone quantity dial) circled by figuring out LEDs, the iRig HD X has 4 I/O ports. You’ve obtained a USB-C-to-device port, a 1/8-inch headphone/monitor jack, a guitar enter, and a 1/4“ output port for hooking as much as your amp or pedalboard.
You’ve then obtained 5 modes to select from, cycled by means of by pushing within the management knob and recognized by LEDs under their corresponding image. The primary enables you to use the dial to show up or down headphones or monitor quantity ranges. The second enables you to leap between a direct or processed sign to your amp. The third enables you to cycle between a clear or processed sign to your headphones or monitor audio system if you wish to simply hear your dry guitar, and the ultimate one enables you to management the Loopback+ choice for channeling results from the iRig HD X by means of into live-streaming apps. Maintain the knob down and also you’ll activate the on-device tuner, which (considerably confusingly) makes use of the LED ring to point how far off tune you’re from a given notice.
Recording at 24-bit/96kHz, the iRig HD X is sweet for high-quality recordings. It’s not as detailed as you’d get from a studio-grade interface, however nonetheless clear and correct, and lots succesful for demoing tracks or dwell performances.
The Loopback+ function is a really sensible addition — and a forward-thinking one from IK Multimedia, recognizing the rising recognition of bed room live-streaming musicians. With it, you should use the iRig HD X to funnel your processed audio straight into one other app — as an example, letting you exhibit your cool new echo impact instantly in a TikTok stream. It’s a distinct segment function however will set the thoughts racing for these that may make the most of it.
Rounding off the package deal is a beneficiant software program bundle, together with AmpliTube 5 SE and TONEX SE for Mac and PC, and the complete iOS variations of TONEX SE and a choice of AmpliTube gear for iPhone and iPad apps. You’re taking a look at about $100 to select up these sound libraries individually, so it’s an amazing worth add to the general package deal.
iRig HD X: What I Didn’t Love
Although I’m grateful for the onboard tuner, it’s not the simplest on this planet to learn, particularly for the newbie musicians that I really feel this interface is in any other case excellent for. You must know which notice the LED ring across the knob refers to, in addition to keep watch over the operate choice LEDs, which serve a double function right here as figuring out sharp notes. Some form of LED system that actually spelled out the notice being aimed for would have been preferable, and I’d have taken one other half-inch or so in measurement so as to accommodate it.
I’d prefer to have had the choice to make use of the built-in knob to regulate guitar enter achieve too, moderately than simply headphone degree, although that’s not an enormous deal — enter achieve is well adjusted in-app.
An apparent downside (however one additionally value noting) is the truth that this system is particularly tailor-made to guitarists. In the event you’re seeking to hook up a MIDI system or many mic sorts, that both gained’t be attainable or will likely be convoluted right here.
And although the iRig HD X is nicely constructed, I’d prefer to have seen it cased with some extra ruggedized rubber or comparable. It’s tremendous at a recording area, however I do marvel if it’d survive the trials of gigging on the highway.
iRig HD X: Competitors
Apogee’s Jam+ is an identical choice for the on-the-go guitarist. It’s a bit costlier at RRP and doesn’t have the identical TRS output help you discover with the HD X, nevertheless it’s a strong different if the iRig HD X’s distinctive design and Loopback isn’t for you.
In the event you’re on a finances, IK Multimedia’s iRig USB is value testing too. It’s roughly half the price of the HD X, with a diminished function set, however will get the job executed if all you need is a straightforward solution to get your guitar speaking to your Apple gear.
Ought to You Purchase the iRig HD X?
Purchase it if…
You want an simply moveable recording resolution
Easy to make use of and tiny to pack away, the iRig HD X is nice for recording when away out of your key recording setup.
You’re geared up with quite a few Apple recording units
Whether or not you’re utilizing a easy iPhone or a high-end Mac, the iRig HD X is suitable with many generations of a number of kinds of Apple units.
You desire a enhance to your digital library of guitar tones
The included software program presents enormous numbers of guitar tones, results, and amps to play with.
Don’t purchase it if…
You need to file extra than simply guitar
The iRig HD X is finest fitted to guitar and bass musicians and is designed to file them particularly.
You’re on the lookout for an easy-to-read tuner
Cheaper standalone tuners are simpler to learn than the iRig HD X (although that’s simply certainly one of its many options).
You’re taking part in tough and rowdy gigs
The iRig HD X is sturdy sufficient, however gained’t maintain up nicely to beer spills, large drops, or stamps.
Verdict
Easy to make use of, simple to journey with, and efficient for hooking up a guitar to all kinds of units, the iRig HD X is a superb guitar interface in your Apple gear. Appropriate with all the pieces from an entry-level iPhone to the finest Mac due to its USB-C connection, its high-quality recording capabilities and revolutionary Loopback+ function give it a versatility that different comparable interfaces can’t supply.
Backside line: A beginner-friendly guitar interface with some sensible options for streamers, the iRig HD X is simple to advocate.