IK Multimedia’s new iRig Mic HD brings hi-res recording to your iPhone

By Ryan Waniata Updated January 23, 2014

ik multimedia brings hi res recording iphone new irig mic hd

IK Multimedia makes a wide array of iOS device accessories for musicians and publishers, and today it unveiled its latest creation, the iRig Mic HD. The new mic is designed to offer a sensitive, high resolution recording solution for everything from field recording to laying down podcasts and demo tracks, all for just under $100.

The iRig Mic HD comes with everything you’ll need to start recording – just add your iOS device or Mac computer. Inside the all metal hand-held casing is an electret condenser, offering more sensitive and accurate recording than most dynamic diaphragms, without the need for an external power source. The mic’s detachable cable selection allows you to connect directly to your iPod, iPhone, or iPad via a lightning adapter, and it also plugs into any Mac computer via USB. The new mic includes a 30-pin legacy adapter for older iOS gear as well.

Perhaps most impressive is the iRig Mic HD’s digital chops, allowing you to record at studio-grade 24 bit resolution, with sample rates ranging from CD quality (44.1kHz), all the way up to 96kHz. The audio is processed through one of three available free iOS apps including Vocal Live Free, which allows for real time vocal effects processing; iRig Recorder, designed for on the spot “professional” field recording; and AmpliTuBe Free, which includes multiple effects processors for guitar and bass.

Mac users also get access to the full version of AmpliTube, as well as a selection of other free recording applications.

We got a chance to check out one of IK’s more rudimentary mics, the iRig Cast, as well as its standard iRig Mic, and both devices proved to be excellent additions to our iPhone for live recording, voice memos, and more. The new iRig Mic HD promises even better performance with professional grade audio resolution from anywhere your iPhone can go.

We’ll have to wait and hear the mic in action before we know if it’s worth throwing down a hundred bones for it, but for those who need high quality recordings on the go, it could prove to be a valuable new tool.

IK Multimedia’s new iRig Mic HD is available now.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Ryan Waniata is a multi-year veteran of the digital media industry, a lover of all things tech, audio, and TV, and a…

Audio / Video

There’s a rare deal on the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones today

Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones seen in black.

The massively popular Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones rarely appear in headphone deals, so if you've had your eye on them for quite a while, you're in luck because they're currently $51 off on Walmart. From their original price of $400, you'll only have to pay $349, but only if you hurry because we don't expect stocks to last long. You're going to miss out on the offer if you take too long, so don't hesitate -- add the wireless headphones to your cart and check out as fast as you can.

Why you should buy the Sony WH-1000XM5
The best headphones that you can buy right now are the Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones, and it's not even close. At the heart is their outstanding wireless sound, supported by top-quality active noise cancellation that uses two processors and eight microphones to block all unwanted sound, as well as crystal-clear hands-free calling using four beamforming microphones and advanced audio signal processing. The wireless headphones also offer Bluetooth multipoint connection so that you can quickly switch between different devices, touch controls for functions like adjusting volume and calling your digital assistant, and Speak-to-Chat and Quick Attention features to stop your music and let ambient sound in without having to take them off.

Audio / Video

Sony’s premium soundbars will finally get support for VRR, ALLM

Sony HT-A7000 Dolby Atmos soundbar close-up of top panel.

It's been a long time coming, but the wait is almost over. Sony's premium home theater soundbars are set to receive a software update that will add support for variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low-latency mode (ALLM), two HDMI 2.1 gaming features that have been absent since these products launched.

The soundbars in question are the Sony HT-A5000, HT-A7000, and the multi-wireless speaker HT-A9 system. All three are scheduled to receive the update this fall, but Sony has declined to share specific timing, saying only that there will be more information closer to the rollout date.

Audio / Video

What is Roku? The streaming platform explained

A roku powered TV hanging on a wall running Roku OS 12.

How do you get your Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, or Prime Video fix? Chances are it's through a streaming device or smart TV, and there's a good chance that it's through a Roku device or one running its pioneering streaming operating system. At this point, cord-cutting is old news, and Roku was one of the earliest companies to drive the adoption of web-based streaming with its self-contained, app-driven devices.

Today, watching something "on Roku" is standard parlance and the company's popular platform can be found baked into some of the biggest TV brands in the world as well as in its own lineup of streaming devices sticks, and set-top boxes. Even so, that doesn't mean you totally get what a Roku actually is. What is Roku? How does Roku work? Do you need a subscription to use it? Is it just a device you buy, or is it software?