iRig Mic HD Plugs Audio Straight Into Your iPhone

iPad and iPhone apps like GarageBand may turn Apple's tablets and phones into portable recording studio, but you probably need a better microphone than the one built-in. IK Multimedia showed off its iRig Mic HD back at CES, resembling a regular condenser microphone but plugging straight into the Lightning port.

In fact, Lightning isn't your only option. Older iOS devices can use an optional 30-pin Dock Connector cable instead, and there's a regular USB plug for hooking the microphone up to a PC or Mac.

Inside there's a 24-bit A/D convertor with 44.1/48 kHz sample rate, and a low-noise preamp. A physical gain control dial is on the outside, while the status light is actually a multicolor LED that shows basic details on sound levels.

As for software, there's iRig Recorder for iOS devices for interviews and field recording, along with VocaLive for iOS which can apply real-time vocal effects. AmpliTube is available across iOS, PC, and Mac for guitar effects, while EZ Voice basically turns an iPhone or iPad's iTunes library into a karaoke catalog.

Alternatively, the microphone is compatible with a range of third-party apps, including Apple's own GarageBand.

The iRig Mic HD is shipping from today, priced at $129.99. Normally it comes in black, but there'll be a silver version only offered through Apple Stores.

SOURCE IK Multimedia