iRiffPort Digital Audio Guitar Connection

I got this unit to replace an iRig with a lower noise input, mostly to use my iPad or iPhone as a travel amp and practice amp, but I've also been able to use it in recording which was an added bonus.First, I play on a church worship team and our team leader often sends us YouTube links for songs he wants us to learn. Ampkit is the only amp sim app I've tested so far that continues running even when YouTube is playing. However, when I was playing through the iRig, I got horrible feedback whenever I tried to turn the guitar up anywhere near an audible level, more so than the other apps I had tested to that point. When I switched mic sims out it helped the problem a little bit but not much. Since Ampkit simulates mic'ed cabs I thought it was just an issue with the app since that's what mics do in real life. Wrong--problem solved with the iRiffPort. I'm able to crank up the amps now to where I can get it to replicate tube-like sustain/feedback since now I can boost the gain enough without a ton of noise and hiss. Since a lot of modern worship guitar work is very atmospheric that's really important to be able to replicate in practice beyond just learning notes/chords.I chose the iRiffPort over the Apogee Jam because of the extra audio out in addition to headphone out. I successfully used my iPad as an amp and recorded the processed output from the audio out jack into my laptop-based DAW. I'm getting ready to record on a project a friend of mine is working on and now that I know this works I may just leave my beloved Vox Tonelab pedal board home and use my iPad instead!! Well, maybe not, but at least I have another option. :)I also used it with a small powered 8-channel desktop mixer I have to record on the iPad (I used GarageBand, but don't see any reason why other iOS DAW apps won't work). This is an alternative to those who want to record through the digital input but don't have a USB recording interface+Camera Connection Kit. I plugged the guitar end into the mixer main out so I can record with anything that I can plug into the mixer. I recorded vocals in addition to guitar and bass through the mixer. I found it easiest to monitor through the headphone out rather than through the mixer, but since you can route the output back to the mixer for monitoring both are options. Since my mixer has phantom power I can use my standard (non-USB) condenser mic with this setup.My iPad is in a ClamCase and the recessed plug fits perfectly without my having to take it out of the case. However, since my iPad is usually oriented horizontally in its case I have to occasionally make sure the iRiffPort doesn't become unplugged. If I have my iPad positioned vertically it's no longer an issue. Very minor issue given all I can do with this device!Finally, customer support is amazing. If you have an iRig or another competing device, make sure to go to the company's website and click on the Trade Up link if it's still there when you order. I did so on a holiday weekend (New Year's Eve, which was a Saturday) and received an email back within 10-15 minutes when I wasn't expecting to hear anything until normal business hours.Overall I'm very happy with the iRiffPort.UPDATE--I also used it live in church with Ampkit this past weekend. I ABed it along with my usual setup (a VOX Tonelab LE--we can't use "real" amps in church). Sounded great, low noise, and no one knew when I switched between my normal setup and the iRiffPort/Ampkit combo. What I practiced with the YouTube video our worship team leader asked us to listen to and learn is exactly what I got live. No problem with the cable since I have my iPad oriented vertically on a music stand. Line out was flawless. Perfect for all my needs.

The iRiffport is probably the best interface for an iOS device on the market right now with price, portability, and and function kept in mind. The main draw is that it utilizes the dock connection for input/output and thus minimizes noise to basically zero. I've owned the iRig which utilizes the headphone jack, and those types of interfaces, though cheaper, are far worse with interference and hiss. The only other interfaces I know of that use the dock is the Sonoma Wirework's GuitarJack and the Alesis IO Dock, both of which are more expensive or may be overkill for what you need.The iRiffport isn't perfect, but as a whole, what it does, it does very well. I like the headphone jack that is located near the 1/4" input jack has a metal ring which makes for a durable and long lasting connection. On the dock connector side, there is a line out port but that one appears to be plastic. I wish they were both metal but it's not a big deal. The cable is about 6' long and lighter than your standard guitar cable and in white. Despite the weight, the connection to the dock piece seems very well made and I can't see that it would come apart after repeated use in a live environment, so that's nice plus. If I were to make any design changes, there would be two in this area. One, make the cord black. It's a bit too glaringly white but I suppose it could be a good thing in a dark room. It just sorta screams iOS Device ! Next, though the 1/4" jack plugs in fine and stays in my bass, I never felt that 'snap' in that I get from my regular cords. Though, that's a personal preference, and like I said, it was never a problem. The cord has never fallen out.As a bass player, I used the iRiffport with the GK App. I A/B'd the difference between the iRiffport and the iRig. The difference was startling. Where the iRiffport was quiet, and the signal was robust, the iRig was a interference mess. Granted the iRig was a 3rd of the money, but ya get what ya pay for. Speaking of which, I took a picture of the iRig and sent it to PocketLabWorks and they gave me a $20 discount off the iRiffport as a sort of trade-up program. Nice.All in all, I'm very happy with this interface. It makes for a great practice tool and as it's all-in-one, I just keep it in the case if traveling. I always have either my iPhone or iPad with me, so it's just plug in and go.The GK Bass App is pretty cool too. There's no perceived latency and playing with preloaded music from the iPod App is just a matter of selecting the tracks and adjusting the mix. My only wish is that it would allow an App like TuneIn Radio to play so I can practice using the GK App to internet radio - a good way to work on chops and different styles on the fly.At first glance, a hundred bucks seems like a lot, but in the end, it's about having quality and a tool for practicing more. I feel like the iRiffport satisfies both of those objectives.

OK, first off: this thing doesn't work with Amplitube, which is what I originally purchased it for (yes, I know Amplitube doesn't use USB style input NOW), but that's ok, as PocketAmp and others from Pocketlabworks are OK for "road use"...BUT, my main reservation is that the pin connector does NOT firmly stay plugged into the hole on my iphone and ipad. I don't know if this is a single unit issue, or if it's a design flaw, but I checked the iriffport closeup and it does have some latches on the pin plug. It may be that the cord and plug itself are just too heavy. I would like to see this redesigned to be more stable so I can rely on it STAYING plugged in when attached to a mic stand, or propped up at a table, etc. Right now, I have to lay my ipad down, and just hope that no one bumps it.IF that problem gets resolved, this is a 4.5 star review. I still thing a better design would have formed a more reliable plug. There's something about the plug that just isn't "balanced". We need it to clip on as well as clip in in order to be absolutely foolproof for those who might want to use it live.Other than that, the "unicord" concept is awesome. I love only having to have my headphones with me. With the iRig, for whatever reason, I never would have both my cord and my headphones at the same time, but I do like using Amplitube better than PocketAmp. I cannot believe that there is no tuner in Pocketamp, but of course there are better apps than PocketAmp; however, the Pocketlabs people REALLY MUST put a tuner into this software IMMEDIATELY...Hopefully we'll see this unit redesigned a bit more elegantly ASAP. Do that, and you guys will have a MONSTER on your hands. Right now it's a little "iffy" to recommend.