British audio gear manufacturer Focusrite has debuted a new interface for recording on the iPad. The iTrack Solo is a compact, aluminium-cased 2-channel interface for the iOS platform.
The iTrack Solo is a dual-input audio interface designed for recording instruments and vocals via iPad, (or with a Mac or PC computer). The interface is compatible with GarageBand and other popular recording apps, and it can be used on a Mac or PC with up to 24- bit/96kHz digital performance.
Key Features:
- Focusrite microphone input: iTrack Solo draws on Focusrite?s 25 years of expertise in high-performance pro-audio
- Made for iPad (MFi). Compatible with Mac OS X and Windows: Record with many apps including GarageBand – with up to 24-bit, 96kHz sampling
- Direct connections for microphone and instrument: Plug electric, electroacoustic or bass guitar and microphone into the front panel to record
- Signal halos for level and clip indication: Two lights surround the input level knobs to ensure you are recording at the correct volume
- Connect directly to a loudspeaker system: Rear panel phono connectors provide line level outputs to an audio system for playback
- Aluminium unibody case: Roadworthy protection for even the most adventurous musician.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goayAZy_noA
iTrack Solo features a low-distortion, low-noise Focusrite microphone preamp as used in Focusrite’s flagship Liquid Saffire 56 interface. Phantom power allows the use of top-quality studio microphones. Alongside the microphone input on the front panel, there?s an instrument input for guitar and bass.
Owners of Focusrite’s popular Scarlett 2i2 USB interface will find the layout and features of the iTrack Solo familiar. Focusrite’s “halo” indicators around the input knobs let you know if you are recording at the correct level (green) and glows red when recording levels are too high. A large monitor knob controls the output level. Monitoring can be switched to listen to your recording signal against your backing track without the latency introduced by your music software.
A supplied cable connects iTrack Solo to the iPad, powered by the included USB cable that delivers the power necessary to run the iTrack?s components. There is also a pair of phono connectors on the rear panel for connecting to an audio system for playback.
Availability: Focusrite’s iTrack Solo recording interface will be available from October 2012, at MSRP $199.99 ($159.99 street).
Midi I/O?
re: MIDI
Doesn’t look like it. I imagine they didn’t want to add to the size of the thing — even if they only did MIDI in/out and ignored thru, it would add a decent chunk to the size.
2 1/4 ins, 2 1/4 outs, and a Digital/Optical out would nave been superb.
Seems a bit under-featured and over priced.
Disagree. This is for the mic + guitar crowd rather than synth heads. $200 is actually very good: Focusrite preamps, phantom power, and most importantly, no need for an external power supply is pretty killer. Consider that many people will use this with a microphone that costs more than the iPad and the Preamp put together. I would have killed for this a few years ago when I was doing production sound for film & video, and I might pick one up anyway for use in the studio and ‘just in case’ I get called up to do any location recording. It will sell like hotcakes.
But are the preamps in this significantly better than focusrite’s other IO boxes in the same price range? They have a lot more features. And it seems the only benefit this unit has is the lack of need for external power, which I would bet isn’t a killer must have feature for that many people.
And on that note, how long would an iPad battery power an IO device and a microphone? I honestly don’t know. I could make a good prediction on a laptop battery. Anyone know?
The iTrack Solo is not powered by the iPad. It has two different cables – a regular USB cable and a “Device Link” cable. The Device Link cable plugs directly into the port on the iPad. The USB cable gets plugged into your USB power adapter for the iPad, which you then plug into the wall for power. At least, that’s what is shown on a second tutorial video on the Focusrite YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEzqlx-37HE
So, you don’t need a Camera Connection Kit or a powered USB hub to use it, but it still needs to be plugged in for power. I thought when I first saw it that it could be used for recording outside, or on the go, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.
> …and most importantly, no need for an external power supply is pretty killer.
You might be wrong here. According to Discchord.com:
> But while it has a unique “Device Link” connection for your iPad, it requires a separate USB connection dedicated to powering the unit… This is not drawing power from the iPad.
Now how valuable is this device? Personally, I don’t blame them if they went the external route. Apple screwed a lot of people when they dropped the phantom powering requirements (from 100mA -> 20mA) with a mere iOS update. On the other hand, why not just get a “real” audio interface then?
Just get a portable USB charger. I have one with 11.000mAh and it could power my Ultranova for hours.
Having the separate USB connection is really well thought out.
they should use combo jacks on both inputs so you can easily record from a stereo source, and for more versatility, (xlr-1/4inch)
If it had MIDI, I’d buy it in an instant. Without, I’m better off with a Novation X-Station.