Discover the Secret to Affordable TONEX: iRig USB vs. HD X

[@babacool81]

That helped a lot. Thank you! I will check your other video now. 🙏🙏

[@LonelyRocker]

Glad it helped! Cheers!!!

[@BigDancin]

As an owner of the HD X, one thing to note is that the HD X does not have any input gain control. I didn't even realize that until after I spent $130 on the HD X. I spent a while trying to figure out how to adjust it only to realize I could not. IK said input gain wasn't needed on the HD X because you can adjust input gain in the Tonex and Amplitube apps. But when I plug my strat into the HD X, the amount of input gain is fairly anemic -- only about two ticks of input gain showing. I found that to be an odd choice, since IK had hyped variable input gain control in marketing earlier Irig devices. Now, muddying the waters further, IK has re-included input gain control in the Irig USB, which was released right after the surge of initial HD X purchases. If input gain control wasn't needed in the HD X, why is it a feature that they include and mention in their marketing for the Irig USB - a device that feeds the same apps? The re-inclusion of input control in the Irig USB only further added to my disappointment over its absence in the HD X.

[@LonelyRocker]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Unfortunately being such a small unit there are compromises. Clearly they prioritized loopback over onboard input gain. It’s not perfect but is a handy portable device. If you need more features perhaps a larger interface will serve you better.

[@BigDancin]

@@LonelyRocker Thanks for your response. I have larger interfaces. My objection is not really to the feature set - it is to the inconsistent messaging about the need for input gain control and the fact that the lack of it on the HD X was soft-pedalled to the point that I didn't know before I bought it (nor did I know there would be a similar cheaper device having input gain control released just weeks later). I don't need the loopback function because I'll just use it for playing and recording guitar.

[@Plexatone]

The input gain is in the software menu. Not a quick knob function but it is adjustable. The original iRig had it that way.

[@BigDancin]

@@Plexatone That's not true. Nearly all software has an input level control, but input devices nearly always have their own output control as well. The HD-X does not, and as I stated, with my strat single coils, even cranking the software input gain is not enough. As I also pointed out, in the past IK bragged when they added input control to their devices, as a favorable feature. They quietly removed it here.

[@RudyFinta-l]

The lack of input signal control is a pretty big problem with the HD-X. I own an old iRig where the input signal level control wheel exists and does an excellent job. Unfortunately this box was made of poor quality plastic and started to stick to my fingers. Well, that's awesome, especially for guitar players, so I weaned it off. Eventually, I got a Positive Grid Riff guitar audio interface. It has input signal control and other features you can find for yourself, I don't want to do a review of a competing box here.

[@Setright230]

Yeah made it to the end and have subbed to your channel. As I was looking updating my ik HD2. Thought I’d check some more of your vids. I’m a veteran pensioner ex Army Medically discharged. Now days just playing guitar and some photography, with my service dog Trooper. Once had a 14 yr marriage 2 great kids a good life of friends and bbq into jam nights playing until the sun rose. Really sucks having no transport or friends near. That few years to jam with no one, as Trooper breaks to many Strings. So I’ve come over to the digital side, but love my tube amps. Yet pretty impressed with the sounds from IK gear. Just a real downer you don’t get to use the great AmpliTube max 5.2 app on my iPad 12.9 m2 chip. Which wants $239 for 2022 complete version 4 SE, as Australia has turned worst place on earth to use our dollar converted to USA. Things get steep, think we only have 2 KZbin guitar channels. I like in the blues, but even a Fender shirt seen only 2 days ago on add very basic fender grey t shirt $49.95, pkt of good strings not odd to see $20-$28. Ernie balls $14.50 and up. Times think the planet forgets your straight up 335 Gibson $6-$7500 Easy. And the stupid move that a USA Standard you would get all the goodies , nice case, electric shielding paint in cavities, not plastic flight case as I. Not flying around the world and one pods 2 soft cases max and all better materials or you sent the cheaper made Mexico unless custom shop or specials. Seems fender caved in to standard doesn’t sound special enough for the Millenniums. So now each year we pay more get much less, with a Strat from Indonesia, China, Japan, Mexico and the USA. But a on the wall custom shop Strat even small relic. Finding one new under $6 to $6500. Is creating a smaller amount of guitarists around any more. Really crappy to hear can pick up a stat under a $1000. Down under it be pure luck or a second. Hard to support channels as winter coming and $59.95-$80 for a hoodie memberships or Patreon with everything subscriptions now even if used a couple times a month. Seems music companies must see that it’s more cheap ended of a brand often spending heaps on something never get back in Cost. Or go top of fender range non custom to get good woods better electrics bone nuts and thicker sustain blocks than those seem die cast light pieces that often don’t bring Strats back to tune when using the trem. Pedals are really ridiculous as well most are not just dollar conversion. You would think they would look deeper, yet I guess these days the money flow is there 1 and only concern, I hate hearing we are just so much more about the players and keeping music available, not playing rusted strings waiting for one to break to justify the spare pack. lol. 🫡🇦🇺🪖🦮

[@LonelyRocker]

Welcome. Glad you ate here. Yes times have changed. And prices are through the roof in many cases. And I know things can get even more expensive your way. But there is another side to this. If you look past tradition there are so many options for guitar players these days. There is a ton of cheap and free plugins and easy ways to record and just make music. Even if you play alone…like me! Find your little space and just enjoy making music and don’t let the industry make you feel down. There are options out there. Cheers mate!

[@kvazar_vl]

Best comparison. Thank you!

[@LonelyRocker]

My pleasure! And thanks so much!

[@georgegreen8836]

Is there anything modern where I can use a phantom powered mic and an electric guitar to record into an iPhone 14?

[@LonelyRocker]

A lot of interfaces can connect to ipad...The Audient EVO is one example...

[@Groovychu]

I want to thank the guitar community YALL are sick my home Alex got me into it ; I always wanted a guitar I got one this September it was so much fun I got my nephew one too I’ve been learning soooooo much game changer music has been sooooo fun

[@LonelyRocker]

Keep at it and enjoy the journey! And watch my channel!

[@GSK1983]

Thanks for the camparison. My windows laptop doesnt have a type c input do you know if it would work with a type c and standard usb cable ? Thsnks !!

[@LonelyRocker]

My pleasure. It should work but I haven’t tested this on a PC since I’m all Mac 😎

[@CoriMusic97]

Great info!! Are these interfaces mono or stereo ? I'd like to record samples from macbook to ipad

[@LonelyRocker]

Thanks! I believe the input is an instrument input so only mono in. The headphone out would be stereo.

[@Cacau165]

Using irig USB on the iPad with amplitube/biasfx/tonex, can I minimize the amplitube/biasfx/tonex and open a pdf with sheet music/notes and the amplitube will continue to work normally?

[@LonelyRocker]

I'm pretty sure you can do that with the HD-X. I can't remember if the USB can do that too. I think so but can't say for sure. I gave it away and cant test it now....

[@Cacau165]

thanks! apparently the apps have a function called “work in background” so it should work with both No video on the internet talks about this function

[@aldepi]

Which output from the iRig USB do you recommend to connect it to a hardware recorder, such as a Tascam? Many congrats anyway!

[@LonelyRocker]

There’s only one audio output so that should make it easy! 😎💪🏽🎸

[@user-yd2qz3fp7r]

I just purchased an irig usb and i cant seem to get it to work with my ipone 14 which does have the lightning connector. Ive tried multiple cables and no luck. Any gelp would be appreciated. I have already reached out to ik media with no response

[@LonelyRocker]

So hard to diagnose from here. Just be persistent with IK support. Good luck!

[@robertperalta]

Thanks for the review! I'm okay with the iRig USB for what I need. But how do you resolve tuning your guitar if the iRig USB doesn't come with a built-in tuner?

[@LonelyRocker]

My pleasure! Either you just use a regular tuner or perhaps your recording software has a tuner...

[@robertperalta]

@@LonelyRocker Thanks! Do you recommend the iRig USB or iRig HD X personally?

[@LonelyRocker]

It depends on what you need. Both good devices. If you need Loopback then HDX...if not then it really is a toss up.....

[@carpediemearth]

I read that you don't really get the full Tonex and Amplitude software with the interface, they just give you a demo/trial.

[@LonelyRocker]

That’s not true. It’s an actual license that does not expire. It’s not the full MAX bundle but you still get a lot of amps.

[@carpediemearth]

@@LonelyRocker Ok thanks

[@fat-hand]

Question I am not clear on: will the HDX output to speaker/amp carry the monitor signal that has been affected by Tonex/Amplitube? Or affected signal goes to device for recording while output is just straight from instrument to amp/speaker unaffected?

[@LonelyRocker]

With the HDX you have both options...you can pass through a clean unaffected signal or you can output the full affected signal from the software....that comes in handy....

[@azimut2azimut218]

How to fix it on a microphone stand. I couldn’t find any support.

[@LonelyRocker]

Velcro?

[@Groovychu]

Brooo ima stick around I reallly want toned fammmmm

[@Groovychu]

I’m literally recording w tonex demo rn

[@mohammadadelme7213]

why I can't connect to studio monitors like eris 3.5

[@LonelyRocker]

These don't have speaker outputs....

[@ministerdjg]

Just have to say thank you

[@LonelyRocker]

My pleasure!!!

[@GuitaAcoustics]

Do you think someone who owns an irig hd2 needs these ?

[@LonelyRocker]

Only if the new one offers a feature you really nee that your old one doesn't have. If your current device still delivers what you need it to do, save some money and keep using it...

[@arekay4929]

Has anyone actually connected the irig USB to an older iPhone/ipad with the lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter? IK Multimedia states on their website and the box it comes in, that it’s compatible. The KZbin videos that I’ve watched all states it but they don’t show it or say they’ve tested it ( like this video) Mine just arrived but I can’t get it to work. It just lights up. I’m using an up to date IPad Air 3 with the original Apple adapter. Any suggestions?

[@digitalchris6681]

Adapter and suitable cable works fine with my iPad pro and also iPhone. I have noticed the adaptor and cables need to be in place before loading the apps (TONEX and AmpliTube).

[@anthonydavella8350]

Thanks

[@LonelyRocker]

No problem!!

[@Groovychu]

Brooo pleeeaaseesssseee can i try some of your pedals im rapper just started playing guitar it changed my life I play lik 7 hours a day please let me try one I will do a review tooo

[@Sergio2006A]

Is the contest available worldwide?

[@LonelyRocker]

Within reason unless the country is too hard to ship to. Doesn’t but to sign up because I’m seeking out digital products for future giveaways and once on the list you’ll hear about those too.

[@dami2455]

does this work for dj sets??

[@LonelyRocker]

I'm not clear on your question....

[@derickalbert]

Will I still be able to use type c to lightning cable without buying ik brand cable?

[@LonelyRocker]

Yes. These are just standard cables. Nothing special about them. Any brand will do.