Practice tool with IPhone App headphone amplifer?

Sherman Willden · Post by **Sherman Willden** » 2 Sep 2010 6:43 am

Would the new I-phone headphone amplifier app work well for practicing?

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ampkit/id385758778?mt=8

Richard Park · Post by **Richard Park** » 2 Sep 2010 11:02 am

I guess you'd need a USB port to run into the iPhone. I was just looking around to see if anyone sold a female USB to 1/4" phone jack cord and came across this sweet solution on a Telecaster. Step by step photos and text. Here's the link:

http://machrone.net/usbguitar/

Craig Stenseth · Post by **Craig Stenseth** » 3 Sep 2010 10:05 pm

I think you'll need this
http://www.peavey.com/ampkitlink/
or something like it, to connect your guitar into the combined mic/headphone 1/8" jack on the iPhone.

Geoff Cline · Post by **Geoff Cline** » 5 Sep 2010 8:31 am

Here is the Peavy Ampkit rig on an iPhone. The interface cable is $29. It is powered by 2 "AAA" batteries (which are used to prevent "cross-talk" when using the software). The interface has a 1/4" in for a guitar cable and i/8" out for headphones or to send signal to another device.

There are two versions of the AmpKit App Free and $19.99. You can also buy individual gear pieces (amps, mics and effects) to add to either program. FYI, the interface also allows you to use the Peterson iStrobe tuner (and is better than the Peterson cable interface...which I also have).

Pretty cool stuff. Haven't tried it with PSG yet... Works great with electric guitar. Oh yeah, it also allows recording and play back. amazing...

Bob Martin · Post by **Bob Martin** » 5 Sep 2010 10:19 am

Hi Geoff, are they shipping these yet? Also do you know if this Peavey unit will work with all of the other guitar amp and effects kits for the iPhone? The last time I checked all I could do is pre-order the ampkit peavey interface, but I plan to get one hopefully it will work with ik multimedia amp and effects for the iPhone! thanks

Bob

Geoff Cline · Post by **Geoff Cline** » 5 Sep 2010 10:41 am

Yes Bob, they are shipping. I got mine via Sweetwater (the fulfillment "partner" from the pre-order signup). The Apps were actually available before the interface (but I waited

). I don't have the Amplitude/iRig app so I don't know if it will work with that. THe interface cable does work with my iStrobe tuner (although the Ampkit has a tuner (and metronome) built in).

I can't wait to see what's available 6 months from now in terms of "add-ons" and backing track libraries.

Bob Martin · Post by **Bob Martin** » 5 Sep 2010 10:06 pm

Thanks Geoff, have you got any suggestions about the extra amps, effects and cabs that can be bought after the original purchase? I guess what I'm trying to ask is do you think the extra 50 bucks or so that it cost's to get all of the package is a good deal? I only ask because since I read this post and then I went to the app store and read several negative posts about having to spend 50 bucks more or so worth of amps, cabs, and other things to make the complete package. Anyway just asking

thanks

Bob

Geoff Cline · Post by **Geoff Cline** » 6 Sep 2010 6:28 am

Bob:

For me, for now, I'm just playing with what's in the free app--clean amp (with reverb); overdrive amp; noise gate and distortion pedal, speaker cabinets and mics. Plenty of variables. There are also a number of backing tracks and drum beats included in the free app.

After a while, I'll see what things I really want (delay seems certain; maybe another amp). But I don't think I'll ever "need everything"--don't see myself playing a lot of death metal, if you know what I mean.

Bob Martin · Post by **Bob Martin** » 6 Sep 2010 5:01 pm

Thanks Geoff, I understand that

Bob

Bob Martin · Post by **Bob Martin** » 8 Sep 2010 10:42 am

Hi Geoff, I hope you don't mind if I ask a few more questions and if so just tell me

Do you feel the sound of the setup with the ampkit interface along with the ampkit is comparable to other amp sims that a lot of us use on our computers such as "Amplitube" the computer version, or "Guitar rig 4" the only reason I ask is that if you think the quality is good and the amps along with the interface is top notch and the amp and cabs and mic's all sound pretty realistic and the complete setup is quiet I might get one for my son. His birthday is coming up next month and not long ago he got me a Boss Micro BR which is all around pretty high quality even good enough to gig and record with by running to the board or your amp without the amp sims and I'd like to get him one of the new iPod touch's with 64 gb memory and the new retina display along with this kit.

The new iPod touch is basically an iPhone4 without the phone and they have the newer A-4 fast processor so I'm sure they would run this ampkit and interface just fine.

So if you think it's high enough quality I will probably try to get him one. Oh yeah don't feel like I'm putting all the pressure on you whether I buy this for him because I've been looking at other reference sources too

Bob

Geoff Cline · Post by **Geoff Cline** » 9 Sep 2010 6:45 am

First, it works GREAT with my Sho-Bud! Backed off the output a little to avoid clipping. Can't use a volume pedal though but its a small price to pay.

Bob: Even though I only have the "free app" I'd say Ampkit is as good or better than any of the modelers I've tried (Amplitude and Guitar Rig). It is SO easy, sounds good, and is beyond convenient. I give it a big thumbs up!

Joe Harwell · Post by **Joe Harwell** » 9 Sep 2010 3:10 pm

Here's another option: IK Multimedia iRig

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/iRig

Haven't tried any yet but plan to.

Some reviews posted that were interesting.

Bob Martin · Post by **Bob Martin** » 10 Sep 2010 2:36 am

Thanks a bunch Geoff and Joe and everyone else. I think I'll pull the trigger on the ampkit and the interface. I know the ik multimedia irig is garnering a lot of attention on the app store as well as the internet and it is possibly a little cheaper than the Peavey setup, but I really like the idea of the 2 double a batteries to help take some strain off the iPhone as well as help with latency, cross talk and finally feedback.

Now the ikmultimedia irig may not suffer from any of those bad traits I wish there was someplace I could go check both of them out. I've listened to both rigs on you tube and I will say I think the ampkit seemed a little more country on the videos I listened to and I will say it sounded very good. The clean rig from the ampkit sounded very convincing and as you said Geoff it sounds every bit as good as gtr. rig 4 or amplitube.

Olli Haavisto · Post by **Olli Haavisto** » 10 Sep 2010 10:35 am

Geoff Cline wrote: Can't use a volume pedal though but its a small price to pay.

Geoff, why can`t you use a volume pedal ? My logic tells me that you use it like you`d use an amp. Steel, vol pedal and into the interface...

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 10 Sep 2010 11:54 am

Anybody know if there's an app like this yet for Droid?

Geoff Cline · Post by **Geoff Cline** » 11 Sep 2010 7:51 am

Double post (with no "delete" option) see below.

Geoff Cline · Post by **Geoff Cline** » 11 Sep 2010 7:52 am

Olli Haavisto wrote:
Geoff Cline wrote: Can't use a volume pedal though but its a small price to pay.
Geoff, why can`t you use a volume pedal ? My logic tells me that you use it like you`d use an amp. Steel, vol pedal and into the interface...

Olli:
You are RIGHT! My bad..it DOES work with volume pedal. In fact, gloriously. In my initial excitement, I must have plugged things in wrong. DOH!

But after looking at your comment I went back and now my 'Bud and Telonic pedal are playing through my phone into headphones.

This is a way cool practice tool...and a dream come true for traveling. I just heard about a jazz guitar player who is gigging with his phone rig. Guitar/clean amp sound into a PA. I'm going to try that soon.

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 5 Oct 2010 2:28 pm

Anybody using the Peavey AmpKit Link with an iPod Touch? I have a 2nd gen iPod Touch and it does not work that well with it. It appears the TRRS jack that goes into the headphone jack of the iPod does not register nice and firmly into that hole. Because of this the signal cuts out, unless I hold the jack firmly in. I think this is because the side wall of the iPod is curved and not squared off like the iPhone is. The jack does not have a solid faying surface to register against. I suspect they work well with the iPhone, however. I'm sending mine back. Can't use it. Thank God for Sweetwater and their patience and great return policy.

Olli Haavisto · Post by **Olli Haavisto** » 6 Oct 2010 5:46 am

If your iPod is an older model the jack might be recessed. You can buy adapters with a slim bodied plug and a jack. I don`t remember where, though

The plug would need to be a 4 pin model.

Alain-Yves Pigeon · Post by **Alain-Yves Pigeon** » 8 Oct 2010 6:50 am

These adapters are readily available on ebay. I've had to buy one for my 1st generation iPhone where the plug is also recessed.

Cheers,

ayp

Jerry Gleason · Post by **Jerry Gleason** » 15 Oct 2010 6:04 pm

I have to say I'm very impressed with this app. I've been able to get some really nice steel guitar tones out of it when connected to hi-fi or monitor speakers. I had no issues with the AmpKit link jack on my 2nd generation iPod touch.

The basic free app is capable of some good tones with the Peavey ValveKing, which includes reverb and 2 cabinets. I bought the "American Dual" amp (Fender Twin), Echology pedal (Boss RV-3), and the 10-Band EQ.
The twin amp model sounds very good, although the controls are limited to volume, bass, mid, and treble. No reverb /tremolo or bright switch. It's worth having just for the 2-12 cabinet model which you can use with other amps.

Even though the cost of the extra amp and pedal modules adds up, it's still not that much money for a pretty good sound rig that you can carry in your hip pocket. I spent $29.99 for the Peavey AmpKit link (free shipping from Music 123), $4.99 for the twin amp, $4.99 for the reverb pedal, and $4.99 for the EQ, which I probably didn't even need, for a total of $44.96. Not bad, really, If you already own an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. I think it's available for Droid, too. Although a tuner is included in the app, the AmpKit link works with the Peterson tuner and Cleartune, a nice plus.

It's not perfect. As good as it sounds, there are some transient noise artifacts that might make it less than ideal for a critical recording situation, but they are minor, in my opinion. Some of the controls are difficult to operate from the touch screen. Also, whenever you alter one of your setups, the new adjustments remain when you go back to it again. I'd prefer to have it default to my original settings, but I can live with it.

I haven't yet run it through a guitar amp, but from what I've heard so far, I'd definitely gig with it. I think I'd use an AC adapter to power the iPod, though.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Practice tool with IPhone App headphone amplifer?

Practice tool with IPhone App headphone amplifer?

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