iPhone users - check out AmpliTube iRig

[sunvalleylaw]

Ok, I downloaded the free one, and at first it crashed a few times. Then I re-set my phone, and it seems to work. I also registered to unlock the free distortion stompbox. That took a couple trys as at first it did not want to recognize my email address.

I have not imported any dry signals yet, I have to see if I have any in Garageband or something. I guess I can just take a track I recorded and do a new project based on it, then save it as a signal only to import. It would not let me import any songs, as it said I was not on a network. Though I had 3G available at the time. That is not yet sorted out for me, and I will have to try again. (EDIT: it says it is ready, and gives an address to get to in your computer browser (on the same network) to transfer the song or clip. Unfortunately, after checking the address several times, it will not work for me. Not sure if I am doing something wrong or if the server is too busy as the browser suggests. EDIT TO EDIT: ok, I got that to work. It was a network issue on my end.)

I the demos played, but basically, they are just audio recordings, the program does not show you what is going on or being used while the demo plays, just says it is demo 1, 2, 3, etc. It would be cool of the demos showed you how the sound got there. (EDIT: See vid below, you can play the demo, then try the amp settings and effects out on the demo. My bad).

It looks like it will be really cool (once it is all sorted out and particularly when I can connect my guitar), but honestly, and respectfully, it is frustrating to be asked to pre-order a little connector for $40. The overall package could be well worth that if it all works together as demoed, but without the ability to plug in and play, it is frustrating me a little right now. I will go ahead and try to import a signal, so I can try out the functions, but it would be better I think if the connector was out there in stores to check out.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Ok, this is starting to be pretty darned cool now. I imported some old lead lines, then "expanded" them on my iPhone (one time process) so amplitube can use it, and now I can add the effects to my lead track I imported. I took a very dry, old cut of a Santana BMW lead, and made it sound a whole lot better using the 80's distortion box you get free when you register. It would be nice to be able to import songs into the program, right from your iPod/iPhone, seeing as the songs are already in there, but maybe that process will evolve. Now I just want that dang connector.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

This vid is very helpful, and I should have watched it first, as it gives what you need to play with this thing. Cool!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMgKCO-pvcY

 

[IK Multimedia]

Thanks for the evolving posts! We'd love to have the ability to match the release of the app and hardware at the same time but unfortunately there would be more risk of the app being AFTER the hardware if we had decided to wait. We had already been in the submission/approval phase when Apple made that "most apps approved within 7 days" (which actually doesn't mean they hit the App Store right away, by the way) and apparently Apple made good on the quicker turnaround. Honestly I expected it to only be shortly before the hardware unit shipped, so apologies for the frustration.

There's also a hardware guide video that will be posted too, that will help get people situated with the hardware once they get it.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Do you suggest a particular place to order the connector? Will it be stocked in stores like GC? The Boise store was not sure that they would get any in. Thanks also for the follow up. I really do think this thing will be a very useful practice and travel tool. I like how you can loop a song with A/B points, that it has a metronome, etc.

One more question, it seems that once a song or track is imported and expanded, you might need to hold the play button down until the timer turns gray before you can change the sound with the effects. Can you explain how that works? It does not mention that step that I saw in the Quickstart vid above. I got it to work, after reading a comment on the iTunes store, but was a it confused by it. (not surprising, I am really a plug and play guy).

Also, here is a nice review you guys received from the MacLife Mag.

http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/amplitube_irig_review

 

[IK Multimedia]

Do you suggest a particular place to order the connector? Will it be stocked in stores like GC? The Boise store was not sure that they would get any in. Thanks also for the follow up. I really do think this thing will be a very useful practice and travel tool. I like how you can loop a song with A/B points, that it has a metronome, etc.

One more question, it seems that once a song or track is imported and expanded, you might need to hold the play button down until the timer turns gray before you can change the sound with the effects. Can you explain how that works? It does not mention that step that I saw in the Quickstart vid above. I got it to work, after reading a comment on the iTunes store, but was a it confused by it. (not surprising, I am really a plug and play guy).

Also, here is a nice review you guys received from the MacLife Mag.

http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/amplitube_irig_review

It may not be in EVERY GC store, so you might want to check this list too http://www.ikmultimedia.com/dealers

That feature is an "easter egg" in the program but you describe it exactly. Just import a dry/direct track, then hold the play button until the timer turns a grey color. This will cause that track to route through the gear instead of being a "playalong" type track. I recommend hitting that "loop" button and then playing around with setting while the track plays continuously.

Thanks for posting the review and the kind words too!

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Sure enough, Boise GC is not on the list. In fact, there are no "bricks and mortar" stores in idaho listed. One of the problems of living up here in God's country.

 

[Lev]

Theres a comprehensive demo of all the amps and stomp boxes now on music radar: http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/amplitube-irig-for-iphone-audio-demo-256594

I downloaded the App and pre-ordered the IRig adapter. The only negative i can see is that you need to manually import songs and backing tracks, rather than just selecting from your existing ipod music play lists. But this is a limitation of the hardware rather than the AmpiTube software app.

I know the new IPhone with OS4 supports multitasking, so could you play along to your playlists and/or youtube with this version?

 

[IK Multimedia]

Theres a comprehensive demo of all the amps and stomp boxes now on music radar: http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/amplitube-irig-for-iphone-audio-demo-256594

I downloaded the App and pre-ordered the IRig adapter. The only negative i can see is that you need to manually import songs and backing tracks, rather than just selecting from your existing ipod music play lists. But this is a limitation of the hardware rather than the AmpiTube software app.

I know the new IPhone with OS4 supports multitasking, so could you play along to your playlists and/or youtube with this version?

The multitasking won't keep something like iPod or Pandora playing once the AmpliTube (or other audio app) is loaded from what I'm experiencing. There would still be a noticeable latency anyway as we are operating on a much more efficient samplerate.

By the way, 3 days to go until the iRig ships! July 1st in Europe, July 7th in the US…

Get the FREE version of AmpliTube For iPhone here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/amplitube-free/id373309342?mt=8

 

[IK Multimedia]

Looks like dealers that are going to stock it are already asking about the second shipment so preorders must be flying there too. I'd hope that could help convince your local brick-and-mortar that this will sell, not to mention that we have a good shot in being at a bunch of Apple stores which should be convincing to have folks stock it. I hope your local shops pick it up.

 

[IK Multimedia]

One more day! Give it a try, then you can pick up the iRig adapter and really get some good use out of it VERY soon.

AmpliTube Free: 3 stompboxes, 1 amp+cabinet, 2 microphones
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/amplitube-free/id373309342?mt=8


AmpliTube LE: 5 stompboxes, 1 amplifier + cabinet, 2 microphones - $2.99/€2.39
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/amplitube-le/id373507300?mt=8


AmpliTube: 11 stompboxes, 5 amps + cabinets, 2 microphones - $19.99/€15.99
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/amplitube/id373524000?mt=8

 

[IK Multimedia]

iRig shipping started! Check out the pics added: http://bit.ly/cDLmSi

 

[sunvalleylaw]

That is exciting. I can't wait to get mine and try it!

I found this vid by someone in your organization going through both the hardware and the program. I like how he discusses the technical issues with the hardware into the phone, the coding that was required, and the practical comparison between the phone version and the full amplitube software. I also like how he was clear that this is not the full software in a phone, but its own version that can work on your phone.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxwH5eDL-_Y&feature=player_embedded

 

[IK Multimedia]

Thanks for posting that. That is our man Dan at Summer NAMM. We had a table at the Hal Leonard booth to show off iRig and it won Best of Show in the "Gotta Stock It" category! http://www.ikmultimedia.com/NewsDisplay.php?Id=2618

 

[IK Multimedia]

...now it is shipping to Europe and in a day or two to the US and Japan. There's an "unboxing" video posted too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voCI-VS_mvw and one of it being unpacked and used immediately for an outdoor show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_LgY77vA8g

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Cool. I am excited to try it.

 

[IK Multimedia]

Cool. I am excited to try it.

Hopefully soon! They are out the door. Very exciting times. I think I already said I had to give mine up for a while so I'm waiting for one and it is like withdrawal. Gah!

 

[IK Multimedia]

iRig is arriving to folks all over now! Here's a first user demo video, right after it arrived: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnOUQNm2zQA

 

[sunvalleylaw]

I bet mine shows up soon. Looking forward to it!

 

[Lev]

My iRig arrived today!! Have to wait for the kids to go to bed to try it out. Little hands and guitar gear are a bad combination! Excited to try it out, will post initial impressions later.

 

[IK Multimedia]

My iRig arrived today!! Have to wait for the kids to go to bed to try it out. Little hands and guitar gear are a bad combination! Excited to try it out, will post initial impressions later.

Great! Please do post about it. There are a lot of people getting them now and we're hearing great things. I had to give mine up for a while and just got it back. I got inspired with some funky sounds on it, I love how good the cleans are and how cool the envelope filter is!

 

[Robert]

I'm still waiting for mine.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Still waiting here too Robert. I heard (on FB) that Europe was a little ahead of north america on shipping, but I am looking for it any day to try out.

 

[IK Multimedia]

The US ones should all arrive soon, can't wait to hear what you have to say about it.

 

[Lev]

Where did the last 2 hours go? This thing is a lot of fun. I had a bit of a bad start, when I plugged in my headphones first all I could hear was a crackling static sound. It turned out there was a build up of dust in the headphone input of my ipod, I cleaned it out with a tooth pick and all was fine.

I played mostly with a clean setting and found turning off the feedback limiter gave a much fuller sound for cleans. I only have the free version of Ampitube so I only had 1 amp to play with but the various cabinet choices give plenty of variety. The response to picking dynamics and guitar volume and tone changes is really good. The delay effect is pretty nice and the distortion stomp is capable of some nice clean boost/ overdrive effects.

I'll try get some heavier sounds tomorrow but it wasn't dificult to dial in nice clean and slightly overdriven tones with a strat (eg Hendrix, SRV & Mayer).
I also copied over some backing tracks which was easy as pie and the sound when playing along was excellent and well balanced.

I'm really pleased with this purchase, it'll work great for me when the kids are sleeping. The fact that the iRig will fit in your gig bag along with your guitar lead makes it ultra convenient. Big thumbs up from me!

 

[Robert]

Can you play a wicked shred lick while you are talking on the phone, so that the person you are talking to can hear how awesome you play?

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Where did the last 2 hours go? This thing is a lot of fun. I had a bit of a bad start, when I plugged in my headphones first all I could hear was a crackling static sound. It turned out there was a build up of dust in the headphone input of my ipod, I cleaned it out with a tooth pick and all was fine.

I played mostly with a clean setting and found turning off the feedback limiter gave a much fuller sound for cleans. I only have the free version of Ampitube so I only had 1 amp to play with but the various cabinet choices give plenty of variety. The response to picking dynamics and guitar volume and tone changes is really good. The delay effect is pretty nice and the distortion stomp is capable of some nice clean boost/ overdrive effects.

I'll try get some heavier sounds tomorrow but it wasn't dificult to dial in nice clean and slightly overdriven tones with a strat (eg Hendrix, SRV & Mayer).
I also copied over some backing tracks which was easy as pie and the sound when playing along was excellent and well balanced.

I'm really pleased with this purchase, it'll work great for me when the kids are sleeping. The fact that the iRig will fit in your gig bag along with your guitar lead makes it ultra convenient. Big thumbs up from me!

That sounds very cool! Just what I was hoping it would be. Robert, I don't think you can do both at once. I think the phone interrupts the app, like it does when you are listening to a song on the iPod portion of the phone.

 

[IK Multimedia]

Where did the last 2 hours go? This thing is a lot of fun. I had a bit of a bad start, when I plugged in my headphones first all I could hear was a crackling static sound. It turned out there was a build up of dust in the headphone input of my ipod, I cleaned it out with a tooth pick and all was fine.

I played mostly with a clean setting and found turning off the feedback limiter gave a much fuller sound for cleans. I only have the free version of Ampitube so I only had 1 amp to play with but the various cabinet choices give plenty of variety. The response to picking dynamics and guitar volume and tone changes is really good. The delay effect is pretty nice and the distortion stomp is capable of some nice clean boost/ overdrive effects.

I'll try get some heavier sounds tomorrow but it wasn't dificult to dial in nice clean and slightly overdriven tones with a strat (eg Hendrix, SRV & Mayer).
I also copied over some backing tracks which was easy as pie and the sound when playing along was excellent and well balanced.

I'm really pleased with this purchase, it'll work great for me when the kids are sleeping. The fact that the iRig will fit in your gig bag along with your guitar lead makes it ultra convenient. Big thumbs up from me!

Thanks for the quick mini-review! Also, good tip on the dust thing. I forget about that, I typically blow some canned air carefully in there once in a while since I so rarely used to use the headphone jack.

Try the Fuzz sometime - I'm loving that and that envelope filter.

 

[IK Multimedia]

I'm definitely not the only one that had to do this so please do make sure that input jack on the iPhone is clean and clear. Follow Apple-recommended cleaning procedures, of course! We've had instances of "no sound" due to this and also not seating the input jack fully so be aware.

Here are the app links and a link to reviews just for reference if anybody needs them:

AmpliTube Free: 3 stompboxes, 1 amp+cabinet, 2 microphones
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/amplitube-free/id373309342?mt=8


AmpliTube LE: 5 stompboxes, 1 amplifier + cabinet, 2 microphones - $2.99/€2.39
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/amplitube-le/id373507300?mt=8


AmpliTube: 11 stompboxes, 5 amps + cabinets, 2 microphones - $19.99/€15.99
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/amplitube/id373524000?mt=8

And still lots of great reviews coming in: http://bit.ly/irigreviews

 

[sunvalleylaw]

I am hoping mine shows up today or tomorrow. It should be fun.