September 2010 \ Features \ Plugging Into the Palm of Your Hand: iPhone & iPod Guitar Interface Roundup

Plugging Into the Palm of Your Hand: iPhone & iPod Guitar Interface Roundup

Jordan Wagner

Peterson iStroboSoft Adapter Cable (with iStroboSoft), Griffin Technology GuitarConnect (with iShred), IK Multimedia iRig (with Amplitube), Sonoma Wireworks Guitar Jack (with FourTrack), Peavey AmpKit LINK (with AmpKit), and PRS Cables GuitarBud Cable
Premier Guitar September 2010
(7 of 7)

PRS Cables GuitarBud Cable
Paul Reed Smith has made a name for themselves by merging guitar building techniques of the past with revolutionary, modern styling. So, it seems only fitting that they would see the futuristic benefits of a portable recording studio that can also fit in your pocket. Indeed, the company was one of the first to the game with the GuitarBud cable from PRS Cables, released in January 2010.

The GuitarBud cable is pretty standard, build-wise. There’s a separate input jack to plug in headphones, and separate male plugs for the iPhone’s headphone jack and the guitar’s input jack. Again, I would have preferred a ¼” input rather than their own output plug, as I would prefer to use an external instrument cable. The simplicity of only needing one cable to record was a major benefit, but if the cable starts to short or loses a solid connection altogether, the entire product would need to be replaced.

The GuitarBud is the only interface that does not have a corresponding app, so I tested it with other popular apps. Grabbing a 1978 Ibanez Iceman, I ran the GuitarBud cable into the headphone jack of my iPhone, and fired up Sonoma’s FourTrack software. Striking a few chords resulted in a lot of clipping, which I was unable to completely dial out since the iPhone doesn’t have an option to reduce the jack’s input level. A softer touch helped, but I wasn’t able to achieve the volume and punch that I wanted with a gentler playing style. The cable seemed solid and sturdy, and there wasn’t any crackling when coiling it up in my hand. For an inexpensive, simple solution for recording, the GuitarBud cable is a good choice that is hampered by the lack of an input level control on Apple’s devices.

MSRP: $29.99
prscables.com

In this roundup:
Peterson iStroboSoft Adapter Cable (with iStroboSoft)
Griffin Technology GuitarConnect (with iShred)
IK Multimedia iRig (with Amplitube)
Sonoma Wireworks Guitar Jack (with FourTrack)
Peavey AmpKit LINK (with AmpKit)
PRS Cables GuitarBud Cable

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Comments

 (18 comments) display by
UsernameComment
Bob
on 04/02/2012 		I bought an irig, lots of noise and issues. Bought Apogee Jam, haven't had a single problem yet. Am gigging with it and Ipad. Works great.
Sledgebeast
on 12/05/2011 		Most of these interfaces look like they are probably just a simple cable connection. Can't you use the various iphone apps mentioned with any of these interface's ?

For example couldn't I use the iRIG connection with the ampkit software?
Dave
on 01/20/2011 		I see 2 of the best User friendly interfaces were left off of the review. The RapcoHorizon IBLOX and RapcoHorizon i-JAM
Ben
on 10/06/2010 		p.s. according to Sonoma, Guitarjack does support Ampkit although you have to load up FourTrack to set your levels before exiting and loading up Ampkit.
Ben
on 10/06/2010 		I have had Amplink for two weeks and great fun. Good effects and clean tones; the distortion is decent with effects but not as good as my Blackstar Duel preamp. Best thing is the convenience of having lots of backing tracks loaded up at your fingertips. There is some hiss but I woudn't know if this is better than any options as haven't tried them. I am so taken with the neatness of the solution am looking to get Guitarjack now to eliminate the hiss. Then I may sell a couple of pedals to fund it. My Boss TU-3 can go for a start as the Polytune app does a great job!
ManUsmell
on 10/06/2010 		Great article. Well needed here. Think I'm gonna go with the AmpKit
Daniel
on 09/28/2010 		Actually what I read was that the Ampkit link sounded the best, and the sonoma was a more precise piece of gear. The problem with the Sonoma is that you have to use out board guitar modeling gear, like the stuff Line 6 or Boss offer. Considering that the guitar jack costs $199, why bother? You can buy the Boss digital mini 4 track (sorry but I can't remember the model number although its about the size of a ipod touch) used in nice shape for around that price. And that has guitar modeling and effects built into it. I own the Ampkit Link and the iRig, and the Ampkit sounds much better. Not to mention that you can record and send your recorded part to any email, or even to your facebook account. I also have Four Track, but I found out the hard way that its not compatible with either the Ampkit or the iRig.
Carlo
on 09/27/2010 		It seems that IK multimedia solved the issues with the Ipod Touch 4 gen
hlestringman
on 09/21/2010 		Does anyone know if there is a similar app for the Blackberry product line. Those of us in the business world would like to know since that is a corp.device many of us have. Thanks!
Carlo
on 09/10/2010 		Beware that the IRIG/Amplitube does not work on the new Ipod Touch 4 gen



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