Turning a mobile device such as an iPhone or iPad into a professional multi-effects is the challenge that IK Multimedia and Peavy have set themselves.
Let's see how it went.
When I downloaded the iRig and subsequently that of ampkits I immediately noticed the presence of a denoiser / noise gate already in the free version. I thought it was an anomaly as it is not exactly the most coveted pedal by guitarists. But when I turned on the system and put on a headset I immediately understood why !! The noise is not lacking, the background noise is quite high!
For those who use extreme distortion there can also be, after all it is noise that is added by blurring the distortion, but for signals that tend to clean, in my opinion, the problem is rather high. * Attention if you watch the videos on youtube "official" often the noise is strangely not heard, but I guarantee you that it is there even without connected guitars.
We have tested systems with iPhone4 e iPad1-2, the results are similar.
I waited a while before expressing myself on the two products, they are two parallel realities that are very similar.
The software are both created with very attractive graphics, the hardware simulation of the multi-effects pedals is very faithful.
If I had to choose one or the other based I would have some difficulty in expressing myself.
It is possible to build chains of effects, turn elements on and off, work with keys and potentiometers thanks to the touch screen. Obviously in both cases we have to use our hands and this for the able-bodied double-handed guitarist is uncomfortable for the live!
It is much more reasonable to use the products for the study and on this point I think both are excellent.
Let's see in detail the software in the basic versions.
AMPKIT FREE:
- Noise gate (threshold + decay)
- Elevenizer: a sort of distortion with gain, tone and level controls
- Amplifiers: Peavy valve kit in 1 × 12 "and 4 × 12" versions
- Microphones: Workhorse 57 dynamic and German 57 capacitor
- Extra: metronome, tuner, backing track player, loop recorder
AMPLITUBE FREE:
- Noise filter (single "depth" control)
- Delay (delay, feedback, level and bmp sync)
- Distortion (tone, character, gain, level)
- Amplifier: 4 × 12 "
- metronome and tuner
- loop recorder
A large library of effects can be purchased for both products.
Hardware
The first difference that stands out immediately is that Ampkit runs on batteries while iRig is passive.
Irig is therefore immediately and eternally usable while AMpkit requires batteries and a minimum of additional maintenance.
Both products have an unbalanced input for the instrument you want to connect and a stereo output for any headphones. Use is immediate and identical once the software is turned on and the plugs connected. iRig has invested a little more on the aesthetics of the product which turns out to be smaller and less home-made but de gustibus..
Both products are plug & play.
Headphone / out for both.
Dynamic
This feature plays a point in Ampkit's favor when it comes to the dynamics of the sound, the battery power that makes the circuit active does its part.
Noise
In Ampkit's amplification circuit, the background noise is also amplified together with the sound, so iRig is quieter with the same input signal.
We draw conclusions
The products are both valid, I do not suggest them for professional use but to keep in the bag for emergencies or perhaps to study.
Personally, especially for the immediacy of use without worrying about batteries and the like, I give a preference to the IRIG.
I believe that too many expectations have been created for these products for commercial reasons and a kind of collective enthusiasm. There remain audio inputs on Iphone / Ipad, you can not ask for more.
Interesting notes
Both products can be used with other software such as garage band and the like, obviously without using proprietary software but only as input interfaces.
It is possible to record the guitar with a loop, in the paid versions it is possible to add other tracks.
USEFUL INFORMATION:
Producers
IRIG Ik multimedia
Ampkit Peavey
Pricing
ampkits: 35,00
iRig 30,00
Bio:
Fabio PesceTo turn a mobile device like an iPhone or an iPad into a professional multi-effect one is the challenge which Ik Multimedia and Peavy have been posing to themselves. Let's find out how it went.
When I downloaded the iRig software and later the Ampkit one I immediately noticed the presence of a denoiser/noise gate already in the free version. I thought it was some kind of mistake considering that it is not exactly the most desired pedal among guitarists. But once I turned on my system and put my headphones on I immediately understood the reason!! The noise is there, and the ground noise is rather high! For those who are into extreme distortion it can be acceptable, after all it is noise mixed with the distortion, but, as for signals which tend to be clean, in my opinion, it is instead a rather big problem. * Be careful: if you watch the “official” videos on youtube, strangely enough the noise is often not audible, but I can assure you that it's there even without plugging in any guitar. We have been testing the systems with iPhone4 and iPad1-2, the results are analogous.
I have been waiting for a while before saying something about the two products, they are two parallel realities which resemble each other. The two programs have both been created with a very catchy graphics, the hardware simulation of the multi-effect pedals is really faithful. If I had to choose between one or the other I would be difficult for me to tell which one. It is possible to build chains of effects, turn on and off its elements, work keys and knobs thanks to the touch screen. Indeed, in both cases we need to use hands and this aspect happens to be uncomfortable for the two-handed able-bodied guitarist when it comes to a live setting! It is much more reasonable, instead, using these products in a studio and I think that's where both of them are really amazing. Let's check out the programs in detail for their free versions.
AMPKIT FREE:
– Noise gate (threshold + decay)
– Elevenizer: some sort of distorter with gain, tone and level control
– Amplifiers: 1×12” and 4×12” versions for Peavy valve kit in
– Microphones: dynamic Workhorse 57 and condenser German 57
– Extras: metronome, tuner, backing track player, loop recorder
AMPLITUBE FREE:
– Noise filter (the only “depth” control)
– Delay (delay, feedback, level and bmp sync)
– Distortion (Tone, character, gain, level)
– Amplifier: 4×12”
– metronome and tuner
- loop recorder
It is possible to buy a vast library of effects for both products.
Hardware
The first difference that jumps out is that Ampkit works on batteries while iRig is passive. Therefore iRig can be used straight away and eternally while Ampkit needs batteries and a little bit of additional maintenance. Both products have got an unbalanced input for the instrument we choose to plug in and a stereo output for the headphone. Its use is very immediate and always the same once you've started the software and plugged everything. iRig invested a little bit more on the appearance of the product which, in the end, turns out to be smaller and less home-made but de gustibus non disputandum is..(to each his own)
Both of them are plug & play products.
Headphone line out for both.
Dynamics
This characteristic works in Ampkit favor in terms of sound dynamics, the battery power which enables the circuit plays its part.
Noise
Within the Ampkit amplitude modulation circuit, together with the sound, the ground noise is amplified too, therefore iRig turns out to be more silent with signals being equal.
Let's sum it up
Both products are efficient, I don't feel like suggesting them for a professional use but rather keeping them in your bag for emergency cases or for studying. Personally, I'm giving preference to iRig especially for its quick use without worrying about any batteries or else. I believe that for commercial reasons and for some sort of a mass enthusiasm too many expectations have been built around these products.
Interesting notes
Both products can be used with other programs such as Garage band and the like, of course without using the proprietary software but only as interface. It is possible, for the free version, to record the guitar with a loop, while buying the full version, it is possible to add more tracks.
USEFUL INFORMATION:
Producers
IRIG Ik multimedia
Ampkit Peavey
Prices
Ampkit: 35,00 Euros
iRig 30,00 Euros
Italian to English translation: Humbert of the Judge
