IK Multimedia’s VocaLive app for recording live audio hits the iTunes App Store sometime today. Coupled with the soon-to-ship iRig Mic, the two make a formidable pair for creating many kinds of audio recordings: vocal performance, field recordings, etc. Video below.
Here are the specs on each, straight from IK Multimedia’s website:
iRig Mic
iRig Mic is the first handheld, quality condenser microphone for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad designed for all of your mobile sound needs. Now you can make professional audio and vocal recordings anywhere on your iOS device.app.
• Ideal for all vocal applications
• Great for all types of sound recording
• Quality condenser-electret unidirectional capsule
• Dual mini-jack connector
• Comes with apps for singers and songwriters
VocaLive
Suite of 5 dedicated real-time vocal effects plus 7 effects tailored to vocal processing that can be combined on a 3-processor vocal rig chain. Price – $19.99 for full version but there is a free version with limited features that you can try out first.
• Real time vocal processor + recording app
• 3-processor vocal rig chain that can be used with iRig Mic
• 12 vocal effects
• Built-in Recorder
• Includes metronome and vocal warm-up tools
• Low-latency for real time vocal processing
Bottom Line
I got my hands on both of them and gave them a very quick run through and I have to say I really liked how they worked in tandem. A lot of utility packed into a pretty small package. The three-way toggle on the iRig Mic makes it very useful for a variety of up-close and far-away recording scenarios. Plus, since the iRig Mic works with with any iOS app (the built in video camera, Sonoma Wireworks FourTrack, etc) I think you really get your money’s worth when you shell out $60 for it. VocaLive’s real-time effects worked for me with low latency and sounded good. Bravo!
Also know that, at the moment, owners of AmpliTube 2 for iPhone or AmpliTube Fender for iPhone cannot add the VocaLive effects into their apps. IK Multimedia posted on their site that this feature will be offered soon in a coming update.