IK Multimedia iRig UA Guitar Effects Processor and Interface for Android

Product Information

The IK Multimedia iRig UA is a universal digital guitar effects processor and interface for Android devices, offering near-zero latency processing with the included AmpliTube UA guitar and bass multi-effects app. This is a excellent piece of hardware that will benefit from a wide range of apps, but they just aren’t there. I had hopes that the size and portability associated with it would allow me to drag my guitar to work so I could jam on my breaks. It features a built-in 32-bit digital signal processor, a 24-bit A/D converter, a crystal clear low-noise preamp and an ultra-compact enclosure.

Only towards the tail end of last year did Google introduce class-compliant support for USB audio interfaces in Android 5. You can use it as a pro-quality digital audio interface with Samsung Soundcamp, a full-fledged DAW music studio app that lets musicians record and compose while on the go. The thing about amplifying any signal is that, unless you've got a good preamp, the process of amplification tends to add noise.

I would recommend checking your device's specifications or contacting the manufacturer to confirm its compatibility with USB OTG and running Android 4. to test with, I’m going to assume that those with it will have an output level adjustment for using the device as an output source for other audio. Well, yes, you can just hook your guitar up to your device's headphone jack using something like IK's own iRig adaptor. Android continues to lag behind iOS in terms of music producing apps and overall stability and functionality when it comes to audio production, so it’s not surprising to see less interest on the Android side of things. I have had installed amplitube ua in some devices before, but now when trying to reinstall it it says the application was built for previous versions.

It comes with more free stuff, including 25 gear credits and T-Racks Classic in addition to Amplitube Metal, which is free with both. The front of the box carries an image of the UA and a guitar so you know what instrument it is aimed at along with the nomenclature of the product. iRig UA is a universal Android solution that is able to produce rock solid performances, high-quality sound and near-zero latency on virtually any Android device running Android 4.

A versatile system, iRig UA can also be used as a 24 bit digital recording audio interface when it’s connected to either a Samsung Professional Audio-compatible or Android 5. IK Multimedia has done away with this and released the iRig UA, which carries out all the audio processing in a tiny no bigger than a bulky credit card. The lack of a holster means I have to put the UA somewhere else, such as on a desktop along with the phone, and use a 2M cable.

The iRig HD-A and iRig UA both support Android devices and have a lot of overlapping features but there are a couple of key differences between them. There’s also exclusive content available from IK’s immensely popular AmpliTube Slash and AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix™ collections. There's also a cool 1/8" jack input so that you can connect an external device and jam to your favourite tunes whilst connected to amplitube! All the cables you need to connect it to the latest devices are included, and iRig HD 2 is class compliant so it works with all your devices and computers. Only iRig HD 2 gives you so many player-centric features in such a compact, affordable and professional level mobile guitar interface.

Or, in other words, it offers the plug-and-play performance that mobile musicians with Android devices crave. Also: it works on a PC as well as phones - not something they advertise - all you need is a phone to USB connector, and find the driver on the IK forums.