A decade ago I reviewed the original iRig HD. Since then IK Multimedia have released a second revision of the iRig HD, a full blown guitar focussed audio interface and many more cool music making gadgets.
Their latest bit of kit sees iK Multimedia come full circle. The iRig HD X is a super portable audio interface designed specifically for iOS guitarists – sounds familiar right?
Well this time around IK have packed this wee thing with a whole host of useful features.
What’s in the box?
Inside the iRIG HD X’s box you will find:
- Some documentation and QR code to download the packaged software.
- The iRig HD X interface itself.
- A USB C to USB C cable.
- A USB C to lightning cable.
“If you’re just looking for a really portable interface to plug your guitar or bass into your iPad or iPhone, it doesn’t get much better than this.”
Slap bang in the middle of the iRIG HD X is the multi function knob. This controls all of the features of the interface.
It has a nice soft almost rubbery feel to it and it has a satisfying click when turned.
Above the knob, four blue LEDs show you the currently selected function; Headphones volume, FX/THRU, direct monitoring and Loopback+ mode.
You cycle through each of these features by clicking on the multi function knob
There is also a built in tuner you can access by pressing and holding on the knob.
On the bottom of the iRig HD X is a 1/4” instrument input where you can attach your guitar or bass and a 1/4” Amplifier output jack.
This allows you to send the processed signal (i.e. from an app in your iPad) or a direct unprocessed signal, out to your amplifier.
On the top of the interface you’ll find a 3.5 mmm headphone output and a USB-C connection to hook the iRig HD X up to your iPhone, iPad or Mac.
“The iRig is definitely back”
The addition of a USB-C port here is really exciting. Up until this point pretty much all IK Multimedia products, from streaming microphones to other portable audio interfaces have used their own proprietary connection. It’s by far the thing I like least about IK Multimedia gear as if your supplied cable fails or goes missing, you’ll need to buy a replacement direct from IK Multimedia themselves. I’m very happy to see this new iRig model outfitted with a USBC connection.
Built to last?
Build quality wise, the iRIG HD X’s fully plastic construction doesn’t feel like it’ll withstand too much heavy duty rocking and rolling. The upside of that being that it is very portable. You could stick this in your pocket when heading out for a spot of al fresco riff-age and barely feel it’s there.
The iRig HD X comes with free versions of Amplitube SE and the marvelous TONEX SE for both Mac and iOS, though it will of course work with any guitar flavoured app or plugin you care to pair it with.
If you’re just looking for a really portable interface to plug your guitar or bass into your iPad or iPhone, it doesn’t get much better than this.
If you want to take things a bit further, you can also make use of Loopback+, that lets you route channel 3 to audio apps such as TONEX for processing and then route that app’s output through the Loopback feature into your streaming app of choice.
Being able to stream live performances to your audience on Twitch, Facebook Tik Tok etc. with this little black box just proves that we really are living in the future.
