Make the Most of Your iPhone and iPad!

Hello!
I'm Kaoru, a composer.

Smartphones and tablets have become essential items in our daily lives. I imagine that many of you who shop at Sound House already own one. While they're great for staying in touch, gaming, and looking up information, did you know they’re also incredibly useful for music production?

In recent years, many products have been released specifically designed to integrate seamlessly with devices like smartphones and PCs. I’ve personally been using them since my band days, and they’ve been indispensable for music production, instrument practice, and recording. I’d love to share some of these insights with you!

May this help make your music activities a bit more enjoyable and efficient!

Now, let’s dive into some recommended products from Sound House.

IK MULTIMEDIA / iRig Keys I/O 49

IK MULTIMEDIA has been a pioneering force in developing iOS-compatible devices, even before they became mainstream.
Their products are remarkably innovative!

One standout device is their all-in-one audio interface and MIDI keyboard, equipped with velocity-sensitive pads in the top-right corner of the control panel. It’s designed for those who want intuitive, performance-ready controls. Each knob allows you to assign Control Change (CC) parameters, making it easy to adjust various settings in real-time.

With both headphone and speaker outputs, this device is versatile enough for both indoor and outdoor use. And the best part? It only requires a single cable! This is especially convenient for music production setups, where we often have to connect multiple devices like:

• Audio interfaces
• MIDI keyboards
• Dongles like iLoks
• A mouse

All of these can quickly lead to a mess of tangled cables, so having one device with a single connection is a game-changer!

With the iRig Keys I/O 49, you can quickly set up a simple, stylish, and efficient music production environment. Plus, it comes with over 70,000 yen worth of bonus software — a fantastic deal considering the device itself costs around 40,000 yen!

Even if you’re mainly interested in the software, it’s worth the purchase. One standout is **Miroslav Philharmonik 2**, an orchestral sound library that I personally find invaluable. Its sleek, sophisticated user interface is truly inspiring, and the sound quality is impressively lifelike.

This device caters to everyone, from beginners to seasoned producers, and works with iPhone, iPad, Mac, and PC. However, please note it’s not compatible with Android, so make sure to check compatibility before purchasing!

IK MULTIMEDIA / iRig BlueBoard

Introducing the world’s first wireless MIDI foot controller designed for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. With Bluetooth connectivity and a super-simple layout featuring just four A/B/C/D footswitches, this controller is streamlined yet highly versatile.

Here are some of its many uses:

○ AmpliTube App Control

You can use this controller with the multi-effects app AmpliTube, which even in its free version has robust functionality. Control preset switching, patch changes, effect toggling, and more — making a traditional pedalboard almost unnecessary!

○ MIDI Note Switching

This controller can serve as a sustain pedal for piano, a stompbox, and more. The creative possibilities are endless, limited only by your imagination.

○ Sheet Music Page Turning

Digitize your sheet music on a tablet, and you can turn pages hands-free with your foot. No more lugging around heavy music books!

These are just a few examples of what this device can do. It’s an ideal tool for musicians at every level, whether for practice, recording, or live performances. Highly recommended for any musician looking to streamline their setup!

iConnectivity / AUDIO4c

This audio interface, equipped with two USB-C ports, allows you to connect and use two devices simultaneously, compatible not only with iOS but also with Android devices.

Simply connect your devices via the USB-C port on the back to integrate them seamlessly. This setup lets you treat your iPhone as an *instrument*, allowing you to directly incorporate sounds from synth apps or other music tools on your iPhone into your projects, expanding your creative options immensely.

Note: For iOS devices with a Lightning port, you’ll need an Apple Lightning-to-USB Camera Adapter.

SHURE / MV5-DIG-A

Here’s a USB mic from SHURE, famous for classics like the SM58. It has a MODE button on the back for easy switching between settings optimized for:

• Voice
• Flat
• Instrument

These tuning options make it easy for anyone to achieve high-quality recordings without complex setup. Plus, it comes with a sleek, stylish mic stand that’s as simple as it is cool!

This wraps up our look at some great products for getting the most out of your iPhone and iPad. Nowadays, you can create a professional setup without needing a computer.

Give these a try and elevate your recording experience!

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