While the iPad lends itself naturally to virtual instruments if you want to plug-in a guitar you will need additional hardware. We take a quick look into the best value interfaces and apps to get you playing music fast, anywhere.
As with many things, unless you want to splash out on high-end audio gear most budget interfaces have both benefits and drawbacks depending on how you want to use them.
If you already have the Apple Camera Connection Kit and you want to use your iPad at home in a small studio environment, you might want to consider checking out tabletop interfaces from Akai, Focusrite, M Audio & Presonus - in many cases these require the addition of a powered USB hub.
One important factor to consider when choosing interface bundles is AUDIOBUS compatibility. AUDIOBUS allows apps to talk to each other, adding much greater flexibility and creative ‘chaining together’ of apps on your iPad.
If you're a budding guitarist looking to develop a practice routine check out the iRig HD bundle, or if you want to use your iPad as an effects unit for your amp with a band then have a look at the Line 6 Sonic Port bundle. If you're a serious performer and you need flexibility for all sorts of instruments and apps then have a look at the Alesis iO Dock - it's a great interface. If you just want a no-frills tube amp simulator that actually sounds good have a look at Guitar Amp.
iRig HD + Amplitube™ 3 (circa €99)
Imagine carrying your entire guitar or bass rig inside your iPad - tuner, pedalboard, amp head, cabinet, microphone and a 4-track recorder.
The iRig HD is a 24 bit, 44.1 kHz adapter that conveniently connects your guitar or bass to your iPad and includes virtual amp simulators from Randall & Peavey plus effects pedal clones of the Digitech Whammy and the MXR Flanger.
The Amplitube™ 3.0 free bundle includes 24 models & allows you to connect 3 simultaneous effects pedals plus 1 amplifier, 1 cabinet and 1 mic.
There are 9 effects pedals, 4 amps, 5 cabinets, 3 microphones, 2 rack effects, a Fender package including amp simulators and effects together with a digital chromatic tuner, a phrase trainer and a beat looper.
The included single-track recorder is upgradeable to Amplitube™ Studio, a basic multi-track audio workstation and the Custom Shop allows you to try virtual guitar gear before you buy, one piece at a time, including guitar rigs that emulate players such as Jimi Hendrix.
For the practicing guitarist the iRig HD gives you everything you need to get to grips with the world of virtual effects and cabinets, as well as the tools to create and develop your practice routine, and improve your phrasing and timing.
If you want to practice anywhere this is a great way to take everything you need. The instrument level 1/4" Hi-z input means you can plug straight in with a normal guitar lead, and the built-in high definition pre-amp with gain control and three colour L.E.D. means you can set your input levels accurately.
High quality analogue to digital converters together with digital input through the Dock Connector or Lightning connection also means your signal isn't passing through iOS headphone ports either. Better still Amplitube™ supports AUDIOBUS, which means you can chain it together with other apps. If you are planning on playing live you will need additional cables, not a standard guitar cable. If you don't want to mess about with cabling and want a “real” effects pedal to control your apps then check out the iRig STOMP (circa €44.99) or the Digitech iSTOMP.
If you’re a player who already has a guitar rig then a real-world, physical effects pedal that slots right into your pedal board makes sense. The iRig Pedal features two stereo 1/4” outs, bypass and is compatible with Amplitube™ 3.0, as well as any iOS guitar processing app that uses the iOS mini-jack.
Digitech iSTOMP (circa €99)
The Digitech iSTOMP is also a physical stomp box into which you can download effects through the Digitech Stomp Shop app (free) using your iOS device. The Stomp Shop has a growing range of e-pedals to download, including “The Impossible” designed by King Crimson guitarist Adrian Belew, a Lexicon designed reverb and DOD clones. The Digitech iSTOMP is a great idea if you love the convenience and choice of iOS but don’t want to be tethered to your device and just want to get on with playing in a live environment where fragile devices do not belong!
Line 6 Sonic Port - Mobile POD plus JAMMIT with Original Artist Mastertracks (circa €79)
Sonic Port is the latest iPad interface from Line 6 offering an exceptional digital input and all the tones that Line 6 are famous for including 10,000 Mobile POD presets designed by POD artists.
The addition of a 1/4" and 1/8" output means you can use the included Mobile POD app on your iPad as your guitar effects rig, live on stage. The Mobile POD app delivers 32 amp models, 16 cabinet simulations and 16 effects.
The bundled JAMMIT app allows you to isolate or remove tracks, jam along and even record within the original hit recordings from name artists such as Jeff Healey, Johnny Winter, Nirvana, Rush, Foreigner, Steve Miller Band, Yes, and Albert King. JAMMIT also allows you to both slow down and loop sections of the original masters so you can nail that tricky Ritchie Blackmore solo - if that doesn't cut the mustard the tracks come with guitar tab and notation.
The Sonic Port is much more suited to the live guitarist with a dedicated 1/4" jack output to plug straight into your guitar amp. If you are a previous user of the Line 6 POD effects pedal then this might be right up your street. The only thing that is missing is a foot switch capability for guitarists with only one pair of hands. Line 6 is yet to add support for AUDIOBUS which means you can't chain Mobile POD together with other apps.
Alesis iO Dock (circa €150)
If you are looking for a complete iPad music interface that's still easy to use, portable and offers real versatility then look no further than the Alesis iO Dock. Simply slide your iPad into the dock - which also protects and charges your iPad simultaneously, and then start recording, sampling, sequencing and controlling hardware right away. The iO Dock even has a video output for connection to projectors.
Two combination XLR and 1/4" inputs with individual gain control and switchable phantom power means you can insert microphones and instruments. It comes with Physical MIDI In and OUT for external hardware, and sequencers, as well as USB midi for computers where wireless is not an option.
Guitarists can input direct into compatible apps and there is a foot switch option. The Alesis iO Dock is simply an interface so you'll need to look at which apps you want to use and other technologies like AUDIOBUS or JACK to chain everything together. To get started you might want to check out the GuitarAmp (below) from Studio Devil.
Guitar Amp from Studio Devil 5 (circa €4.49)
Studio Devil has built its reputation upon the virtual tube amp plug-ins for Cubase VST, AudioUnits and ProTools. So if you are a guitarist who simply cares about tone then Guitar Amp may be all you need – a simple, no-nonsense and no-frills tube amp simulator in a virtual guitar pedal.
Studio Devil use legendary amplifier specifications to create patented vacuum tube emulation technology that recreates the sound and behaviour from the world’s great guitar amps.
The Guitar Amp has three basic modes - modern lead, classic clean and British crunch; combined with three additional cabinet “voices” and gain, level, bass and treble "pots" as well as an echo module for tape and digital delay. The result is an easy to use, subtle, sonically transparent, natural and dynamic stomp box that sounds like it is being played through a real tube amp, with a real speaker cabinet. You will still need an interface to plug your guitar into your iPad and unfortunately there is no AUDIOBUS support, which is a real shame.
There is, of course, no substitute for a great guitar amp. If you really care about your guitar sound, choose your interfaces and apps wisely - you will get what you pay for - and great guitar tone often doesn't come cheap.
Look out for bundles that lock you into costly in-app upgrades, or interfaces that only work with proprietary software. And, use your ears - nothing will ever sound quite like Rory Gallagher's VOX AC30 amplifier.
You can find out more at Rare Star Guitars - http://www.rarestarguitars.com
