Skip to main content

Audio at CES 2012: Griffin’s audio interface for iPad, IK Multimedia’s new iRig lineup, ION’s guitar controller, and more

We brought you some of the hottest accessories launched at CES 2012 yesterday, such as the vertical MacBook Air Dock from Henge and a new lineup of cloud products from D-link. That list also included one audio product, Griffin’s Twenty amp enabling Airplay playback on non-powered speakers, but today we bring you the rest of the most intriguing audio accessories and peripherals launched at the show.

Among them: A new audio interface for iPad from Griffin, new iRig accessories from IK Multimedia, and controllers from Line 6 and ION.

Griffin StudioConnect and MIDI Connect for iOS: Announced at CES, Griffin introduced a new audio interface/dock for iPad that provides a 1/4-inch audio in, 3.5mm jack, audio out via RCA, and separate level control for the headphone jack. It also includes MIDI In and Out and is fully compatible with GarageBand for iOS too —in case you are wondering.

MIDI Connect (pictured right), on the other hand, is a scaled back version that does not act as a dock and only provides MIDI In and Out. StudioConnect will become available in February for $150 and MIDIConnect for $80 in the spring.

IK Multimedia: The company  launched several new accessories in their iRig lineup. From left to right: iRig MIX, iRig STOMP, and iRig MIC Cast. If you are familiar with the company’s previous 1/4-inch iRig accessory for guitar, the new lineup extends the functionality allowing you to turn your iPad into a mini, on-the-go recording or live performance setup.

iRig Mix is a basic mixer that includes 2 stereo inputs with gain, treble, bass, and level controls, RCA stereo output, instrument input (TRS?), and channel cross fader. It lands for $100 in February. It will be compatible with at least the new DJ Rig app, AmpliTube, VocaLive, and GrooveMaker. Preorders here.

iRig STOMP is a classic aluminum-cast stompbox/pedal for guitar that plays nice with the AmpliTube app. This will essentially allow you to use iOS signal processing apps during live performances and incorporate them into your pedal board setup. It lands in the second quarter for $60.

iRig MIC Cast is a compact, pocket-sized microphone designed specifically for podcasts, interviews, and voice memos. The accessory plugs right into your iPhone’s headphone jack, but it also features a mini headphone jack to allow for live monitoring and a stand to prop up the device for ideal positioning. It will be available for $40 when it drops in the first quarter.

ION Guitar Apprentice: This product is essentially a guitar shaped case/dock for your iPad that includes a backlit fretboard and companion app that teaches basic guitar skills. It also has a built-in speaker with volume control, access to headphone jack, and works with any Core MIDI supported app. The Guitar Apprentice will ship to the United States for $100 in July.

The GUITAR APPRENTICE app even includes built-in effects, so you can make your GUITAR APPRENTICE sound classic, heavy or just plain outrageous as you mix and match distortion, reverb, flanger, delay effects and more. GUITAR APPRENTICE is Core MIDI and is compatible with dozens of popular iPad apps, including GarageBand®.

Line 6 25- and 49-key controllers for iOS: If you would rather skip lugging around Griffin’s StudioConnect and using your old controller, Line 6 is introducing their new lightweight, CoreMIDI controllers in 25-key ($150) and 49-key variants ($200). They are bus-powered right through your 30-pin connector, but can also play nice with your Mac over USB. As for features, it includes pitch bend, mod wheel, 1/4-inch TRS jacks for connecting pedals, and the company promises “full-sized, velocity-sensitive keys.” Both models are set to ship in early 2012.

Related articles

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s Logic Pros series.