iOS Audio & MIDI Interfaces

It would be hard to name an industry that hasn't been revolutionized in some way by the digitalization of the world over the last few decades. The music industry is undoubtedly one of the best examples, with today's tech making it possible to pack a full recording studio into one small gadget. An iOS audio MIDI interface is all you need to get started making music with your favorite Apple device.The first step will be to match the interface to the device and instruments you want to use. For example, a USB interface is perfect for connecting a MIDI controller to your MacBook, but to do the same with an iPad you'll need an audio interface with the right connector. Some use standard 1/4" jacks or 1/8" mini-ports to accept analog audio signals, so you can connect an electric guitar to the input and listen in with any standard pair of headphones. It's all about what you want to connect.Once you're plugged in, an iOS interface will let you use your MIDI controllers, synthesizers, mixers and instruments with Apple's GarageBand software or other studio apps. You'll compose and arrange music right on your iPad or Mac, then save your work as a WAV or MP3 file to upload it to SoundCloud, put it on your iPod, or share it however you like.For everything you need to get started from scratch with digital recording, take a look at an all-in-one package like the IK Multimedia iRig PRO Recording Studio. Or, if you're a guitarist, you might use the Apogee JAM interface to play, record and jam to your heart's content—or a smart pedal from Zoom, combining the venerable stompbox with the power of iOS to give you an unlimited palette of downloadable sounds and effects.There is an interface to suit every need and every iDevice, which is great news for the musical technophile. Whether you want to make a full-featured compact recording studio with your Mac or turn your iPad into an ultra-portable digital amplifier, making the connection is a simple matter of picking out the interface that offers the features you need.