IK Multimedia makes a number of well-respected products for the pro-audio market, but has struck a chord, in a big way, by creating simple devices and apps for the iOS platform.
Their “i” line of hardware products allow musicians and music lovers to create, record and produce music on their iOS device in a way that is not intimidating, but also gives access to deep features.
iRig Mic HD
iRig Mic HD is a digital handheld microphone that works with the iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Mac by using a series of three detachable cables. iRig Mic HD comes with free applications that make it easy to start using the product for recording, processing, and editing.
The new mic is designed to offer a great, portable ecording solution for everything from field recording to laying down podcasts and demo tracks. Unlike it’s predecessor, iRig Mic HD has the Analog to Digial converters on the mic itself and connects to the iOS device via USB cable. This enables you to use the mic as a USB mic with your computer too. The new mic includes a 30-pin legacy adapter for older iOS gear as well.
The mic can output digital audio at up to 24-bit / 96Khz resolution. The audio is processed through one of three available free iOS apps including Vocal Live Free, iRig Recorder and AmpliTuBe Free. Mac users also get access to the full version of AmpliTube, as well as a selection of other free recording applications.
iRing
Now this device is fun! I can see this kind of concept going a long way – especially in DJ and EDM shows. IK Multimedia has released an SDK for the iRing platform to independent developers so that third party applications can be developed for the product. IK told us that the motion data is converted into MIDI controller messages which will make it incredibly easy to use as a performance controller for all your MIDI devices.
The specially-designed reversible rings are tracked using the built-in front-facing camera on Apple’s iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices. Software then takes over, using proprietary algorithms to analyze the images and translate the rings’ movements into commands.
Each ring features two distinct patterns that can be combined with a gesture to trigger different actions.
The iRing FX/Control app acts is the traffic-cop of the iRing system. Using both AudioBus and Inter-App Audio, the FX/Control app communicates with other music production apps.
