How to Record Vocals and Instruments into Your iOS Device

by Starr Ackerman

iOS devices like the iPad and iPhone have given us powerful mobile music-making, as well as software like GarageBand to take advantage of that power. But you still need to record your vocals and guitar, right? Well, the internal mics in iOS devices are famous for their fidelity, and there's no way to get your guitar to talk directly to them either. Fortunately, there's a solution: a piece of hardware called an audio interface provides a way to hook vocals and guitars directly into iOS devices, and this article looks at two options from IK Multimedia.

[screen shot of GarageBand] 

GarageBand for iPad 2

How do I record vocals and other sounds that require a microphone into my GarageBand app with an iPad or iPhone?

IK Multimedia's iRig Mic ($59.95) is a low-cost solution, and the only handheld condenser microphone that will plug directly into your iPad, iPad 2, iPhone, and iPod touch. iRig Mic is ideal for the singer, vocalist and songwriter on the move, but also perfect for recording speeches, instruments, performances or other sound sources in the studio, on stage or in the field.

Now, depending on the coolness of the effects for vocals inside GarageBand for iPad , you may want to record your vocals in another iPhone or iPad app like VocaLive (has 12 effects for vocals, like morphing, reverb and choir and more) and then import them into GarageBand. Same thing with your guitar or bass tracks…you might want to use AmpliTube for guitar amp sounds, or even GrooveMaker to create a drum loop and import that into GarageBand. Remember, you are only limited to your imagination (and your pocket, but at $4.99, GarageBand for iPad is pretty affordable DAW from iTunes) when you're producing music. Use ALL the apps, and all the tools to make your masterpiece!

 [something that shows iRig plugged into something]

Plug into iPad 1 and 2, iPhone and iPod touch with iRig Mic to record vocals in Garageband and VocaLive

How do I record my guitar/bass/keyboard into my iOS device?

The iRig plug adapter ($39.95) is the easiest way to get your instrument’s signal into iPhone/iPod touch/iPad. Plug iRig into your mobile device, plug your instrument into the iRig, plug headphones or amplifier to the output and you are ready to rock! This is the same recording interface that Mark Hoppus from Blink 182,

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Starr Ackerman is a consultant, public and artist representative and marketer for multiple iOS APP companies and has been published in or with USA Today, NY1 News, CNN, Fortune, 311, Dave Matthews Band, KTLA News and more. She has her own blog and is a tremendous vocalist as well.