IK Multimedia’s iRig HD-A is the “first digital guitar interface for Android”

irig_hd-a_Android

IK Multimedia has been providing musicians with software and recording gear for years now, with a number of affordable products available for Mac, iOS and PC. Its mobile interfaces and midi instruments allow iOS users to track and record musical ideas on the go, and today it is finally announcing its first step into the Android space…

The new AmpliTube guitar amp/effects processing app and the Android friendly iRig HD-A are the first of their kind according to IK. But there is one caveat here. Due to the limited audio production environment on Android, the processing system requires Samsung’s Professional Audio protocol/app, so it will only work on things like the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note Edge and other Samsung devices (for now). IK notes that this is just a first step in audio connectivity for Android devices and is simply the only way to get the kind of quality and functionality required at this time.

Amplitube for Android provides real time guitar processing, very similar to what we see on the iOS side, with 11 stompbox effects, 5 amplifiers, 5 cabinets and 2 microphones. With 15 recallable presets, a fairly wide selection of options and multi effect channels, it can “emulate virtually any guitar tone, from clean to crunch to metal and everything in between – the entire sonic palette is covered..”

The new iRig HD-A guitar interface is described as the “first digital guitar interface for Android that allows plug-and-play connectivity and the highest possible sound quality.” It packs a 24-bit/48kHz A/D converter, putting it on par with its iOS counterpart, along with a high impedance guitar (or other hi-Z instrument) input. HD-A has a hardware gain potentiometer with multi-colored LED level indicators and ships with an OTG cable and an additional USB cable for PC connections.

While the system may be limited to Samsung devices at this time, at least somebody is attempting to develop a music production infrastructure on the largely silent Android platform. Apple’s iOS devices have had a wide selection of musical devices available to them for a while now, from the Jamstik guitar for your iPad to the rest of IK’s deep controller and interface line, among many others.

The new AmpliTube app for Android/Samsung Professional Audio is available via the Samsung Apps store for $19.99, but there is a $10 LE version and a free version available as well. Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge owners can grab a copy of AmpliTube LE for free on the Samsung store.

The iRig HD-A interface will run you $99.99 and is currently only available from IK’s site and “select music and consumer electronics retailers”

[9to5-press-release]

The first Android guitar amp/effects app and digital guitar interface for Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note Edge and more

10 November 2014

IK is proud to announce a new breakthrough in mobile music creation, the first professional guitar processing app and digital interface available for Android. AmpliTube and iRig HD-A are now available for the latest Samsung devices running Samsung Professional Audio, like the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note Edge and more. Now Samsung users will be able to connect their guitar or bass to their Android™ device and play with the sound of the most sought after amplifiers and effects from their smartphone, anytime and everywhere!

Guitar tone on a smartphone
AmpliTube is the most popular multi-effects app for mobile guitarists and bass players. It simulates the full amplification and effects chain used by musicians to perform both live and in the studio. The new AmpliTube app for Samsung Professional Audio sports a full guitar rig made of up to 3 stompbox effects, an amplifier, a speaker cabinet and a microphone.

It comes with up to 11 stompbox effects, 5 amplifiers with 5 cabinets and 2 microphones. This lets players emulate virtually any guitar tone, from clean to crunch to metal and everything in between – the entire sonic palette is covered, satisfying the needs of even the most demanding musicians.

The app also offers 15 easy to save and recall presets and a digital tuner. It has everything that’s needed for guitarists and bass players to play, practice or perform with their new Samsung devices. The app comes in 3 flavors: full, free and LE, with the difference being the number of effects and amps included. The AmpliTube LE version is part of the Galaxy Gifts app bundle that comes as a complimentary download for Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge users* (a $9.99 gift).

*Available in most countries. Check local Samsung website for availability.

Plug and play

And now Samsung users can connect their guitar or bass to their smartphone with the new iRig HD-A. It’s the first digital guitar interface for Android that allows plug-and-play connectivity and the highest possible sound quality. Featuring a high-definition 24-bit/48kHz A/D converter, it offers a direct high-impedance input for guitars or other instruments and a direct connection to the device via the included OTG cable (an additional USB cable is also available for use with PC).

The input signal can be regulated using the onboard gain potentiometer, while a multicolor LED displays the optimal signal level. The processed sound can be monitored from the regular mini jack output of the device through headphones or speakers.

Along with the iRig HD-A, users can also choose from IK’s range of analog interfaces, like the iRig guitar interface adapter or the iRig Stomp pedal interface. Both use the mini jack for the input/output connection with the device. Now mobile guitarists and bass players have many options that suit a wide variety of needs, applications and budgets.

Real time audio processing on Android
Previously not possible on Android devices, the AmpliTube app is now available thanks to the new Samsung Professional Audio system. Available on the new Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge – and soon to be available on the Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 3 and other devices – this system allows users to process audio in real time without perceptible latency. Now Android can support AmpliTube, which means musicians can enjoy real time effects and instrument processing anytime and everywhere.

The new Samsung Professional Audio compatible devices come with Samsung Soundcamp, a free and full-fledged music studio app that lets musicians record and compose full songs entirely within the device. The AmpliTube app can be used as a standalone application but also as a plug-in inside the new Soundcamp studio for full recording and play-along uses.

Pricing and availability

The new AmpliTube app for Android/Samsung Professional Audio is available through the Samsung Apps store for only $19.99/€17.99. Free and LE versions are also available. The AmpliTube LE version (a $9.99/€7.99 value) is complementary for Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge users as a part of the Galaxy Gifts apps program.

The new iRig HD-A digital guitar interface is now available through the IK Online Store and select music and consumer electronics retailers for $99.99/€79.99. The iRig guitar interface adapter is available for $39.99/€29.99 and the iRig Stomp guitar pedal interface is available for $69.99/€44.99 (excluding taxes).

For more information, please click here

To view the AmpliTube for Android videos click here

[/9to5-press-release]

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