IK Multimedia iRig 2 Mobile Guitar Interface, Black

Product Information

The iRig HD 2 unboxes with all the necessary cables for either a phone, tablet or USB-based connection. Since I happened to be using a Macbook Pro, I used the USB connector cable, running from the iRig HD 2 enclosure to the Macbook’s USB port. Pretty simple. The AmpliTube software can be used on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac and PC. | Image via IK Multimedia. You might have to experiment with these settings to get the mix sounding right or to avoid clipping. However, while testing the unit, I didn’t have much trouble finding workable spots for both volume and gain. Sound Quality and Tone As I previously mentioned, the best "feature" of the iRig HD 2 is the convenience and ease-of-use you get from being able to play guitar through your computer or mobile device. I could utilize lots of effects and amp models on my couch, while my wife watched TV and my kids slept soundly. Tone and volume knob changes were more subtle, and sounded best when they were both kept at 10. Convenience and Ease of Use

iRig 2 IK Multimedia - iRig 2

The volume wheel controls the master volume going to your headphones after the signal has been mixed, functioning simply as a monitor level adjustment. Gain controls signal strength at a preamp level, which means you’ll find that the more it’s turned up, the more prone your signal will be to distortion.The iRig HD 2 is IK Multimedia's second release of the widely-used iRig HD. Both units are mobile guitar interfaces that route your guitar’s signal through a phone, tablet, PC or Mac for effects processing and amp modeling.

iRig 2 Portable Guitar Audio Interface IK Multimedia iRig 2 Portable Guitar Audio Interface

So, how does a device like the iRig HD 2 benefit you? Primarily, the iRig HD 2 interface allows you to use mobile amp modeling and effects processing applications to play guitar more freely, with or without a full rig. Its most significant benefit, that I can now vouch for (more on that below) is its portability. An additional benefit (that I overlooked before trying the iRig HD 2) is that the small interface lets you plug in and play nearly anywhere. With AmpliTube 4's default amp, I used the clean channel and, at times, a little reverb and chorus layering.Even without that concern, it’s a lot of work to get all my gear together just to play for 20 minutes. This is where the beauty of the iRig HD 2, and the entire concept, really shines through. With that interface, I need only my guitar and a laptop or phone. The iRig HD 2 interface essentially routes your signal through one of either a phone, tablet or computer, allowing you to use any of those devices as a fully functional amp modeler. You can then use AmpliTube 4, or other DAWs like GarageBand and Audacity, to run amp models and effects or even to record and produce your own music. In fact, any software that can recognize and hear external audio should be compatible. This model is based on the Peavey® 5150™ head, an amp made famous by a guitarist whose combination of chops and musicianship is legendary. While testing the iRig HD 2, I could run AmpliTube on my Macbook, grab a set of headphones and play through any amp model I wanted, with all the functionality of a full guitar rig. All of this could happen in a matter of minutes, without risk of disturbing the evening peace. It’s an ideal solution that will allow me to practice more often, without having to deal with a cheap-sounding headphone amp.

Multimedia iRig 2 Mobile Guitar Interface, Black IK Multimedia iRig 2 Mobile Guitar Interface, Black

Based on the Randall® Warhead 300™, this amp is designed for the most extreme of metal tones. If you want to rattle the windows and shake the floors, this is the amp to use.

While the iRig HD 2 is class compliant with the Mac OS, I still had to set things up so it could "talk" with the sound i/o device and amp modeling software. It sounds complex, but the setup process is really simple. In a Mac, go to Settings - Sound and set the iRig HD 2 as both the default input and output device. Any guitar player can benefit from the convenience and portability of the iRig HD 2, though I like it particularly in the following situations: