Apogee Jam into an iPad

[msr13]

I thought I would share. I have been struggling to get clean, decent sounding recordings that I am happy with. Part of the problem is my playing, but nothing is going to improve that at this point in life.

Today, I got an Apogee Jam. It's a single input device that plugs right into an iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, or Mac. I connected to GarageBand, but I think it would work with other amp modeling systems and recording software on the Mac. GarageBand, based on my usability, has now proven itself idiot-proof.

Anyway, here is short clip. I played it clean through the Blackface model. A touch of reverb, bass at 5, mids at 5, and trebles at 3. Low gain, no trem, and no presence.

Fun devices. Easy to use. And, relatively inexpensive.

YouTube Video

[bmw2002]

Thanks for this post. I've been looking for something exactly like this. Do you know if it works with the original I-Pad (as opposed to only with the I-Pad 2)? And I really enjoyed your playing.

[msr13]

If you can get Garageband on your iPad 1, which I believe you can, then you should have no problem.

Here is a decent review about the Apogee Jam.

Apogee Jam guitar adapter review -- Engadget

And, thanks for the comment.

[Steve Z]

I bought the Apogee Jam last week to use on my iPhone. It really is a great interface to be able to practice anywhere in the house without moving an amp. I have been using Apogee Jam --> iPhone --> Garage Band App and iRealB app... a great practice rig!


Cheers,
Steve

[msr13]

Ahh, very cool. i hadn't thought that far ahead to link in iRealB. Worlds keep opening up to me.

[SamBooka]

I was planning on getting IRig.. anyone have prefereneces one over the other?

[msr13]

I didn't compare iRig in the store, but I should have. It looks like there are a few benefits over the Apogee... one is it is a lot cheaper. Two, it looks like it connects to the iPad through the headphone jack, rather than the power jack-- which means you can use it while charging the iPad. I can't differentiate sound quality, but my guess is it certainly isn't bad. As an Apple guy, the Apogee is pretty plug and play with Apple products, so that was an add value to me.

[msr13]

The other downside for the Jam is it won't work with amplitude. Where iRig will work with GarageBand.

[NSJ]

Originally Posted by msr13

I didn't compare iRig in the store, but I should have. It looks like there are a few benefits over the Apogee... one is it is a lot cheaper. Two, it looks like it connects to the iPad through the headphone jack, rather than the power jack-- which means you can use it while charging the iPad. I can't differentiate sound quality, but my guess is it certainly isn't bad. As an Apple guy, the Apogee is pretty plug and play with Apple products, so that was an add value to me.

I have the iRig, you can get it for $28 on Amazon now. By the way, my DAW at home uses an Apogee Duet, and I have a Apogee One for remote use. They are fantastic products and made to work with Macs natively. I thought about getting the Jam, but unless it has substantially better sound, I'll just stick with the iRig.

[Little Jay]

I have the iRig that I use it with my iPhone 4 to play through Amplitube (Fender free-version) and jamming along with iReal. Great practise tool indeed!But when I recorded myself with the free recorder in Amplitube I did experience some popping and other noises (although otherwise very nice soundquality). It does seem a lotter better since the last updates of Amplitube and iReal though and I don't know how it records with Garageband.

[Steve Z]

Originally Posted by SamBooka

I was planning on getting IRig.. anyone have prefereneces one over the other?

I did a lot of searching the web trying to answer that specific question. I definitely spent way too much time, but then again isn't that half the fun

There have been some good differences brought up in a couple earlier posts, but here is my take...

- There seems to have been enough comments on various forums to support that perhaps the iJam is noisier than Apogee Jam. The increased noise seems to be a part of all of the interfaces that use the headphone jack to send and return audio. The idea of the audio input being digital through the Apple product end pins tends to have a cleaner sound.
----> There were many comments thoughts that stated their iJam was not noisy at all... hmmm...

- The Apogee Jam has a gain pot on the device to adjust the gain level. I have found this extremely useful when practicing with both Garage Band and iRealB apps. There does not appear to be a master level control for iRealB and it was louder than GarageBand amp settings turned all the way so I just turned up the gain on the Apogee Jam a little to balance the mix in my headphones. Problem solved.
----> Since I have never used the iJam I don't know if there would be a sound level balance issue or not, but if there is I don't think there is really a way to boost your input level if needed.

- I also use the Apogee Jam with my iMac. Not sure if the iRig would work the same on an iMac... just something to consider if you want to use both with the same device.

Con of Apogee Jam:
- Not able to charge the iPhone, iPad, etc. while using. This is a con but not a game changer as I just charge the device before practice and all is well.

- Seems to work only with Garage Band app. Again, not a game changer as the Garge Band app is around $5. I've spent more than that for a cup of coffee from time to time.


The price difference wasn't so great once I took into account (1) likely better sound, (2) dedicated gain control, (3) able to use on iPhone, iPad, and iMac.


Cheers,
Steve

[boo]

there are many ways to connect your guitar to an iPad or iPhone: link

I have heard that an Apogee One should work also with the Apple Camera Connector Kit and an active USB-Hub.

A few days ago Tascam announced an Field Recorder Solution for iPad/iPhone which has an additional micro-USB port for charging while recording (link). This would have been nice for all the solutions of Apogee, Sonomawireworks and Line 6.

[SamBooka]

Originally Posted by boo

there are many ways to connect your guitar to an iPad or iPhone: link

Nice.. I dont have an iphone yet (next week?) but was pointing towards IRig just because I didnt know what else was out there. Apogee looks much more interesting now but no.. wait.. line 6 ??

I am litterally surrounded by vintage amps but for practicing at home I am surprised how good line6's pocket pod and a decent pair of headphones sounds.

More research required lol

[msr13]

Jim Soloway has been doing quite a bit of recording using his HD-500. Sounds amazing. The Pocket Pod looks great. Small, and does way more than the Apogee. Fun stuff.

[Steve Z]

Originally Posted by SamBooka

Nice.. I dont have an iphone yet (next week?) but was pointing towards IRig just because I didnt know what else was out there. Apogee looks much more interesting now but no.. wait.. line 6 ??

I am litterally surrounded by vintage amps but for practicing at home I am surprised how good line6's pocket pod and a decent pair of headphones sounds.

More research required lol

I have only read a little on the Line 6 interface, but the major down side is that it only works with the Line 6 app. That stated, if the Line 6 app does what you need then problem solved!

For me, having an ability to connect to Garage Band was a bigger decision factor. You are right though, there are many many choices....


Cheers,
Steve

[SamBooka]

Well I have had a Pod2.0 for 5 years and used it off and on, more for noodling around. Wasnt floored.

Since I started downsizing (selling guitars etc) I switched to the pocket pod.
I found two presets (Four on Six and Crazy Train) that I am having lots of fun with.

Point being, I am pleased with my current line 6 setup and if it werent for the fact I am getting an IPhone 4s I wouldnt even be looking at anything else lol

[msr13]

I am thoroughly enjoying these new toys. I got AmpKit, which I like better than the user interface on GarageBand (iPad versions). But, AmpKit doesn't record multiple tracks. You can export into GarageBand, though. I made a quick clip of AmpKit using Apogee. Again, pardon the playing. I also think I still had the bass too high in the mix. I used a blackface model with a touch of reverb. Otherwise clean.

Sadly, although the recordings come out better, the tone of the models don't come close to my real amps. A friend has phenomenal tone coming out of his Line 6 HD500, so it is possible. Hopefully, soon for iOS systems. Jamup looks pretty fun, and is getting great reviews.

YouTube Video

[Steve Z]

Sounds great Matt. It really is amazing how such small programs (AmpKit, Garage Band, etc) used in a portable device can create such wonderful tones.

[msr13]

Thanks, Steve.

[dleuen]

I have both iRig and Apogee Jam. I like Apogee Jam 1000x more than iRig. iRig has a very low volume and is prone to feedback. And you're limited to using headphones or an external speaker. As others have mentioned, Jam has a preamp, will let you play through the iPad speaker or haedphones, and sounds a lot better. I haven't tried the line 6 interface yet and probably won't. I'm happy with the Jam.

[boo]

Originally Posted by Steve Z

I have only read a little on the Line 6 interface, but the major down side is that it only works with the Line 6 app. That stated, if the Line 6 app does what you need then problem solved!

Sorry, but that is not correct, the Line 6 interface is CoreAudio compliant. Look here!

BTW, I found another interface called iRiffPort.

[bigboyneverleft]

I own Griffin connection cable and I am not amazed. Friend has IRIG and it is quite similar. I would try out Peavey since it is amp as well but they had some QC issues at start.
I was looking at Line6, Sonoma, Apogee products (missed Iriff, looks nice). As a result I placed an order for Sonoma, the second version. No weird cables, small metal enclosure sold me. It compatible with GarageBand and Ampkit.
Christmas -> travelling, I hope to get it in time.

[bob32069]

msr,

Don't put down your playing. I think you played great on both recordings, as well as having great tone. I enjoyed them both.

[msr13]

Originally Posted by bob32069

msr,

Don't put down your playing. I think you played great on both recordings, as well as having great tone. I enjoyed them both.

Much appreciated. Thanks.

[SamBooka]

Ok..
Iphone 4s.. Check
Apogee Jam.. Check
Amplitube .. check.. oh wait.. damn.. doesnt work
Ampkit.. check (and it works)
Guitar.. check.

Tried it tonight with ampkit. I dont have any noise issues at all.
I am new to Iphone so that is part of the learning curve. I DO hear a tiny tiny bit of latency (i think). I hear something on the initial attack. At first it was almost like anti-sag. The initial attack was stronger than i was used to. It took me a while to figure it out.

I will try garageband later once I get a better grip on checking email and weather lol

[bigboyneverleft]

Sonoma Guitar plug model 2 received. It is very solid. I am happy to throw that into a case.
I tried ampkit, garage band, guitar tone from sonoma and all of them were fine. Mobile POD indeed checks for Line6 hardware.
I think garage band is quite a deal since one can manage tracks and do more with it. Especially now available on iphones.

So no more feedback issues for me. Noise is gone as well. I like it.

[cmajor9]

The Apogee Jam (and other interfaces that use the dock connector) make a digital connection, with low noise. Interfaces like the iRig that use the headphone jack make an analog connection, with noise and crosstalk (interference) issues.