Author Topic: iPhone/iPod touch recorder? (Read 11841 times)

ironbut · « **on:** March 20, 2009, 01:02:55 AM »

Has anyone heard anything about configuration or any other details on this? They started beta testing at the beginning of Feb. and I was sure someone would've leaked some info by now! Has anyone seen one in the field yet?

sunjan · « **Reply #1 on:** March 20, 2009, 06:09:58 AM »

Are we talking about future hardware that hasn't been launched yet?
Or some app/firmware upgrade that is being beta tested?

flintstone · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2009, 01:39:16 PM »

There's the Belkin Tune Studio
http://www.belkin.com/tunestudio/

and the Go Studio
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=460128

There's the Alesis Protrack
http://www.alesis.com/protrack

and the Multiport
http://www.alesis.com/multiport

and the MultiMix 8 (aslo available with 16 channels)
http://www.alesis.com/imultimix8usb

The iPod is limited to 16/44.1 WAV file digitizing, which is an issue for some recordists.

For the cost of these iPod accessories, you could purchase a fine standalone recorder.

Flintstone

sunjan · « **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2009, 07:20:26 AM »

Quote from: ironbut on March 20, 2009, 01:02:55 AM

They started beta testing at the beginning of Feb. and I was sure someone would've leaked some info by now! Has anyone seen one in the field yet?

The add-ons have been known for a long time. But what is this beta testing about, that the OP mentioned???

ironbut · « **Reply #4 on:** March 23, 2009, 10:54:36 PM »

Totally forgot about that post I made,.. sorry.
No, Audiofile Engineering is beta testing recording program for the iPhone and iPod touch. I use Wave Editor and Spectre from them and love them (actually Spectre needs a little more development). I beta tested Wave Editor 1.3 but I don't have an iPhone or Touch. Anyway, if I were beta testing it I would have a non disclosure agreement hanging over my head. So far, this is all I've seen;
http://www.bigbluelounge.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=45478&sid=e8463d245ad009664dd82405ddab7703
I was just fishing for details or slip of the tongues if you know what I mean (BTW the touch is up to 32G so far)
I sure would be cool to be able to say "It's my phone man!" and be telling the truth.

sunjan · « **Reply #5 on:** March 25, 2009, 05:34:04 AM »

Quote from: ironbut on March 23, 2009, 10:54:36 PM

Audiofile Engineering is beta testing recording program for the iPhone and iPod touch.
...
I sure would be cool to be able to say "It's my phone man!" and be telling the truth.

I dropped a PM to the company and got this:

Hey, thanks for your interest. We're essentially done. It should be up for sale by the end of the week or early next week.
Matthew Foust
Audiofile Engineering

Sounds interesting, but you'd still need to hook up your iPhone/iPod Touch with external mics and pre.

AFAIK neither of the models have a 3,5mm line input jack, so you'd still be forced to go thru the dock connector, using one of the interfaces above...

ironbut · « **Reply #6 on:** March 25, 2009, 02:29:58 PM »

Like I said, I haven't got a clue about any of the particulars. I'm hoping it might be a great bit bucket. The 32g uses a SSD so power shouldn't be a problem. And if you're already carrying an iPhone around it seems like it might be a great choice (if higher bit rates can be used). I've already bugged Matt at Audiofile about being able to import and edit 1 bit files from a Korg and they said they'd look into it. That one of the great things about these guy,.. they listen.
Hey, wouldn't it be cool if you could upload your files to an online server in something like 96/24 flac between sets so you'd have a back up or just to make room for some other big ass file.
One can dream!

rastasean · « **Reply #7 on:** March 25, 2009, 02:52:28 PM »

Quote from: ironbut on March 25, 2009, 02:29:58 PM

Hey, wouldn't it be cool if you could upload your files to an online server in something like 96/24 flac between sets so you'd have a back up or just to make room for some other big ass file.
One can dream!

Just because it can be done doesn't mean it would be it practical. I'm of the opinion it needs to be kept simple (KISS). Use a recorder, pre-amp, cables, and microphones.
for instance, everyone wants a blu-ray player but the movies for blu-ray suck. why not concentrate on making a good movie and then worry about what format to put it on.
Ansel Adams was a world class photographer and he wasn't using digital equipment.
Are yall fans of Eddie Cramer like me? What about George Martin?

i know this is strictly opinion and there will be people who buy anything just to have it.

sunjan · « **Reply #8 on:** March 25, 2009, 06:30:40 PM »

Quote from: ironbut on March 25, 2009, 02:29:58 PM

I'm hoping it might be a great bit bucket. The 32g uses a SSD so power shouldn't be a problem.

In theory the ipod/iphone should be a great recorder with some unique features (like 3G and wifi capability that you mentioned).
But for the foreseeable future it'll be way inferior to a R09-HR or a D50. Why? Because you're limited to the dock connector!
As long as the "middleware" (Blue Mikey, Alesis Protrack) suffers from severe limitations, it doesn't matter which bit bucket you put behind.
Sad, but I won't hope for this to be a viable recorder until proven otherwise...

ironbut · « **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2009, 02:53:37 PM »

Good points sunjan. I just got a D50 so I'm not in the market right now but I thought it was something that might be interesting.

sunjan · « **Reply #10 on:** March 30, 2009, 03:35:01 AM »

Quote from: flintstone on March 21, 2009, 01:39:16 PM

The iPod is limited to 16/44.1 WAV file digitizing, which is an issue for some recordists.

I wonder if 16/44 is a hardware limitation, or self-imposed by the Ipod firmware?
IIRC, rockbox only records in 16/44, so I guess it's hardware related.

For those modern iPods/iPhone that don't take rockbox, I discovered another $1.99 recording app:
http://www.iprorecorder.com/

sunjan · « **Reply #11 on:** May 04, 2009, 04:50:09 AM »

Quote from: ironbut on March 23, 2009, 10:54:36 PM

No, Audiofile Engineering is beta testing recording program for the iPhone and iPod touch.

Here's a first test:
http://createdigitalmusic.com/2009/04/24/iphone-roundup-field-recording-dj-tools-odd-iinstruments-cinco-de-mayo/

It seems to be the most comprehensive recording app for the iphone on the market, but given the limitations the reviewer still suggests picking up a standalone recorder for any serious use.

sunjan · « **Reply #12 on:** May 06, 2009, 05:22:46 AM »

Two threads explaining why you can't control the gain from the iPhone/iPod Touch. Basically, Apple blocked access to microphone gain for developers:
http://www.audiofile-engineering.com/support/forums/read.php?10,3262
http://www.bigbluelounge.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=46148

I just realized that Belkin GoStudio is not compatible with iPhone/iPod Touch, so in reality, you're left to Alesis ProTrack or Blue Mikey to control the incoming level:
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-GoStudio-Recorder-iPod-Green/dp/product-description/B001B4GG02

On the same topic, I realized Rockbox only does recording up to Ipod 5G, and GoStudio from 5G:
http://www.rockbox.org/mail/archive/rockbox-archive-2007-06/0045.shtml

So if you want to use them together, they overlap on very few ipod models:
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/consumer_electronics/index-ipod.html

Anyway, the GoStudio got thrashed when Cnet reviewed it, there are just too many factors speaking against this combo:
http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-player-accessories/belkin-gostudio/4505-6519_7-33226434.html

sunjan · « **Reply #13 on:** May 28, 2009, 02:52:53 AM »

Quote from: sunjan on May 04, 2009, 04:50:09 AM

Quote from: ironbut on March 23, 2009, 10:54:36 PM
No, Audiofile Engineering is beta testing recording program for the iPhone and iPod touch.
It seems to be the most comprehensive recording app for the iphone on the market, but given the limitations the reviewer still suggests picking up a standalone recorder for any serious use.

Another app, Rectools02, was just launched, giving Audiofile FiRe a run for their money:
http://www.yudo.jp/en/music/rectools/r02

The nice thing here is a built in wave editor, so you can track and split your files on the spot if you're on the road.
And the UI makes use of the large screen quite nicely, I think. The hardware limitations are still crippling this combo, but maybe some noobs will be able to wet their teeth and move on to more serious gear from this?

restevezes · « **Reply #14 on:** June 03, 2009, 07:09:59 PM »

what's the point on buy and carry all those connectors when you can have a much more reliable unit (h120) for less money, and more practical and easy?

sunjan · « **Reply #15 on:** June 05, 2009, 07:54:36 AM »

I agree, restevezes, but Apple geeks defy common sense.
Some of my friends are iphone fanatics, and dead set on proving that t can be used as a recorder, just to show the world that it can be done.

I've been trying to convert one guy to use established taper gear for years now, but he sticks to oddball stuff, just becuse he likes to "think different". Go figure... :-P

So I thought the second best thing to do was to point him in the right direction and get some semi-decent pulls from him, for the gigs that I'm not attending. Does that make sense?!

flintstone · « **Reply #16 on:** July 08, 2009, 07:09:07 PM »

If you insist on using your iPhone or iPod Touch to capture audio,
here's a tiny new mic that may help you get better results.

http://shop.brando.com.hk/flexible-mini-capsule-microphone-for-iphone-3g-s_p03552c0202d033.html

The tiny mic capsule appears to be monaural.

sunjan · « **Reply #17 on:** July 25, 2009, 05:51:38 PM »

Quote from: flintstone on July 08, 2009, 07:09:07 PM

The tiny mic capsule appears to be monaural.

Yeah, but that's because the mic-in jack on ipods/iphones is mono only.
So the only way to get stereo is thru the dock connector.

For any aspiring iphone taper, the only half-decent solution on the market yet is the Alesis dock thing...

sunjan · « **Reply #18 on:** July 31, 2009, 08:54:02 AM »

I was wrong above to say that Alesis was the only way to go.

Faber Acoustical have been testing dock adapter gear extensively, and posted some brilliant frequency plots here:
http://blog.faberacoustical.com/2009/iphone/iphone-line-input-frequency-response-comparison/
http://blog.faberacoustical.com/2009/iphone/dock-connector-audio-io/
http://blog.faberacoustical.com/2009/iphone/iphone-dock-and-headset-io-frequency-response/

I was surprised to see Tunewear Stereo Sound Recorder coming out on top, with almost flat response!

I was also intrigued to find that the iphone 3G model has better frequency response than the newer 3GS:

On a side note, Faber makes some pretty cool looking RTA/FFT analyzer apps for iphone too:
http://www.faberacoustical.com/products/

sunjan · « **Reply #19 on:** August 07, 2009, 07:32:31 AM »

Quote from: mshilarious on July 31, 2009, 09:06:48 AM

Could the iPhone not support a small USB device via its 30 pin dock-->USB cable? I don't know if any of the apps can support a USB interface though, and power consumption is a probable issue.

AFAIK, the iphone doesn't have a USB host controller, so it wouldn't be able to communicate with another device like you suggest.

The Alesis ProTrack has a DC jack for external powering, but for the rest of the audio-in devices you'd have to flip batteries if you intend to use the built-in mics.
Don't know if any of the other gadgets would consume batteries for line in pass-through? It's an interesting question, given that the device is totally passive and should just forward the line in signal to the iphone.

sunjan · « **Reply #20 on:** January 22, 2010, 03:19:21 PM »

Quote from: sunjan on July 31, 2009, 08:54:02 AM

Some good news for iphone geeks. Faber Acoustical just tested the Logitec LIC-iREC03P, and it came out on top, better than all models above:
http://blog.faberacoustical.com/2010/uncategorized/frequency-response-measurement-of-logitec-lic-irec03p/
But at the end of the day, you can spend your money wiser buying real taper gear rather than overpriced iphone adapters...

sunjan · « **Reply #21 on:** November 18, 2010, 04:06:07 PM »

New gear out:
http://blog.faberacoustical.com/2010/iphone/guitarjack-rocks-3rd-gen-iphone-and-ipod-touch/comment-page-1/#comment-16800
http://www.sonomawireworks.com/guitarjack/

MSRP $199, hardly worth it when you can get an M10 for almost the same money.
Just posting it here for the record...

Will_S · « **Reply #22 on:** November 18, 2010, 07:58:11 PM »

An advantage over the M10 is that you can record simultaneously from the "guitar" in (think mono board feed) and stereo mic in for a clock sync'd matrix to mix in post. Of course the Tascam DR2D can do that too for about the same price, with one more track taboot.

refrain · « **Reply #23 on:** November 18, 2010, 09:06:26 PM »

For recording with iPod/Iphone, this ancient mic from Blue (I think the first was 2 years ago, but had problems), now in the second incarnation, it has a line in and comes with soft, I think about giving it a try, since I´m always with the phone... I dont know about the mics...

http://www.bluemic.com/mikeyforipod/#/desc/

live2496 · « **Reply #24 on:** November 18, 2010, 09:45:01 PM »

I don't think anyone mentioned this but this works with the iPod Touch 1st, 2nd, 3rd generation. But not the 4G.

http://www.studiosixdigital.com/iphone_measurement_micropho.html

Their software tools work with the iPhone. I have tested the RTA and it works surprisingly well. Lots of good stuff there for testing.

H₂O · « **Reply #25 on:** November 19, 2010, 03:51:21 PM »

FWIW - You can use the iPad with the Camera Connection kit and the Sound Devices USBPre 2 as a recorder

http://www.sounddevices.com/notes/usbpre/usbpre2-with-ipad/

Maybe old news.

So maybe there is hope for the iPhone4, etc

Kevin T · « **Reply #26 on:** November 19, 2010, 04:28:24 PM »

No no stereo hw pins on iphone 4 ....apple made a giant step backwards

H₂O · « **Reply #27 on:** November 19, 2010, 04:44:05 PM »

But if they add the ability to add a USB port (i.e. via the Camera Connection kit) and it supports USBaudio (i.e. the iPad) then who cares about the stereo connection ports. As long as the USB is very low latency.

I would never think the stereo input on the iPod or iPhone would be of the quality of other gear design for the purpose of recording audio(i.e. M10) - esp since it's limited to 16/44.1Khz.