Originally published in Beatweek Magazine 12/2010. http://www.beatweek.com/iphone/ipodiphoneitunes/7689-review-amplitube-irig-for-ipad-and-iphone/
Looking for a way to play the guitar while travelling or a way to play guitar without waking up your neighbors? Enter the IK Multimedia AmpliTube iRig, an instrument adapter for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad devices. Setup is easy as plugging in your guitar instrument cable and headphones to the iRig and running a guitar app. The adapter features a quality 1/8” cable connected to an input for a ¼” instrument cable and a headphone output jack.
I tried running the iRig with the free version of AmpliTube, which simulates a guitar amp with a number of effect pedals. The app is easy to navigate through with its easy-to-use interface and graphics that look like the actual device. The audio quality of AmpliTube is very good with usable clean and distortion tones. Additional amps and effect pedals are available for purchase.
I highly recommend registering the free AmpliTube app to unlock the distortion pedal for free. This gives a really nice heavy distortion that I enjoy playing with. Other features include a built-in metronome,recording option, tuner, mic, and guitar cabinet selection. The combination of the $39.99 iRig adapter and the free version of the AmpliTube app provides hours of entertainment for guitarists with a iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad device. The end result is a good practice amp for rocking out on your guitar without waking up your neighbors.
Pros: The iRig adapter features excellent audio quality, low latency, and well designed connectors. The free AmpliTube app is an excellent value with its easy-to-use interface, stable software, built-in tuner, good effects and amp tones, and fully customizable settings.
Cons: AmpliTube uses a lot of battery power. There isn’t an option to turn the AmpliTube app off via the home button. It runs in standby like a phone call when the home button is pressed.
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Where to buy:
Amazon.com – IK Multimedia AmpliTube iRig
