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 transportable instrument interface units to those pocketable recording stations, its iRig line grew to become the go-to possibility 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 would serve the touring guitarist, letting them rapidly hook up an axe to their recording machine of alternative. The all-new iRig HD X virtually perfects the design, including a {hardware} tuner, USB-C connectivity for you iPhone 15 house owners on the market, and an modern inter-app ‘Loopback+’ function for streamers into the combo.
iRig HD X: Value and Availability
The iRig HD X is accessible now and is priced at $129 / £135. That’s a contact costlier than its predecessor, the iRig HD 2 (RRP $119, although now obtainable at discounted costs as it has been outmoded by this mannequin). However the additions delivered to the X mannequin make the improve soar greater than definitely worth the modest value enhance.
A stripped-back iRig USB model can be obtainable 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 Beloved
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 transportable, and unobtrusive in a package bag or in use on a desktop. As long as you’ve received the suitable cable, it’s extensively appropriate 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 the event you’re that method inclined). In the event you’ve received an Apple machine that’s nonetheless kicking, likelihood is 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 machine over USB, and would 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 received 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 received 5 modes to choose from, cycled via by pushing within the management knob and recognized by LEDs beneath their corresponding image. The primary allows you to use the dial to show up or down headphones or monitor quantity ranges. The second allows you to soar between a direct or processed sign to your amp. The third allows 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 allows you to management the Loopback+ possibility for channeling results from the iRig HD X via 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 might be from a given notice.
Recording at 24-bit/96kHz, the iRig HD X is nice for high-quality recordings. It’s not as detailed as you’d get from a studio-grade interface, however nonetheless clear and correct, and many succesful for demoing tracks or dwell performances.
The Loopback+ function is a really good addition — and a forward-thinking one from IK Multimedia, recognizing the rising recognition of bed room live-streaming musicians. With it, you need to use the iRig HD X to funnel your processed audio straight into one other app — as an example, letting you showcase your cool new echo impact immediately 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 total iOS variations of TONEX SE and a number of AmpliTube gear for iPhone and iPad apps. You’re taking a look at about $100 to choose 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 the planet to learn, particularly for the newbie musicians that I really feel this interface is in any other case excellent for. It’s good to know which notice the LED ring across the knob refers to, in addition to regulate the operate choice LEDs, which serve a double function right here as figuring out sharp notes. Some kind 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 dimension as a way to accommodate it.
I’d wish to have had the choice to make use of the built-in knob to regulate guitar enter achieve too, slightly than simply headphone stage, although that’s not an enormous deal — enter achieve is well adjusted in-app.
An apparent downside (however one additionally price noting) is the truth that this machine is particularly tailor-made to guitarists. In the event you’re trying to hook up a MIDI machine or many mic sorts, that both received’t be attainable or can be convoluted right here.
And although the iRig HD X is nicely constructed, I’d wish to have seen it cased with some extra ruggedized rubber or related. It’s positive at a recording area, however I do surprise if it’d survive the pains of gigging on the highway.
iRig HD X: Competitors
Apogee’s Jam+ is the same possibility 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 stable 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 price testing too. It’s roughly half the price of the HD X, with a lowered function set, however will get the job completed if all you need is a simple method to get your guitar speaking to your Apple gear.
Ought to You Purchase the iRig HD X?
Purchase it if…
You want an simply transportable recording answer
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 appropriate with many generations of a number of sorts of Apple units.
You need a increase to your digital library of guitar tones
The included software program affords enormous numbers of guitar tones, results, and amps to play with.
Don’t purchase it if…
You need to document extra than simply guitar
The iRig HD X is finest suited to guitar and bass musicians and is designed to document 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 one in every of its many options).
You’re taking part in tough and rowdy gigs
The iRig HD X is sturdy sufficient, however received’t maintain up nicely to beer spills, massive 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 wonderful guitar interface on your Apple tools. Appropriate with every part from an entry-level iPhone to the finest Mac due to its USB-C connection, its high-quality recording capabilities and modern Loopback+ function give it a versatility that different related interfaces can’t supply.
Backside line: A beginner-friendly guitar interface with some good options for streamers, the iRig HD X is simple to advocate.
