USB mic for IPad or audio interface?

[dickiefunk]

Hi,

I am looking to use Auria on my iPad for recording drafts of songs and sometimes record a solo vocalist. I already have a decent studio so I only need something basic but good.
The most important part is I'd like something that records in 24bit for really low noise.
In the studio I have an Audio Technica 4040 and JZ Microphones V11 LDC mics plus a batch of decent Sennheiser E900 series dynamics so one option would be to get an audio interface with preamp built in to use these mics. The other option would be to get a mic like the Blue Yeti Pro?

I will be using this to record various singers in a wide variety of styles.

One advantage of the Yeti Pro is that's all I'd need to carry making it a very easy and portable option. However with an audio interface I get the option of using either of my LDC's that I already own. Also, some audio interfaces have midi I/O or extra inputs which could be handy if I wanted to record a piano track trigger IK's iGrand Piano.

I have a maximum budget of £200. What would you recommend?

Thanks

[khanyz]

I've been looking into this too. I've been testing Cubasis (on an iPad Air) and battery life isn't good enough for a session. If you also power the Mic/Interface it get's even worse.

For me, the only solution seems to be a Focusrite iTrack Dock. It's portable, rather than mobile as it requires external power. However, it provides power to the iPad plus I could connect MIDI Hardware.

I'm just checking on compatibility with my Akai/Korg mini controllers before I buy.

[Peter - IK Multimedia]

If you want a single-channel interface that runs at 24-bit/96kHz and is within your budget, we have our iRig PRO. I know it isn't on your list of requirements but you also get line/instrument in if you need it and MIDI IN.

[sprnva]

I'd give a thumbs up for the iRig PRO as well. It's a nice piece of kit and can provide battery-powered phantom power for condenser mics. I've also used it as a compact MIDI interface for jams/gigs with my laptop when I didn't want to carry around a full audio interface. I haven't tested how low-noise the mic input is as I only have a couple of cheap mics anyway, but it has 24-bit support.

Considering you already have a few good mics there it seems a waste to buy a usb one (even if it's a good one). So maybe look at an interface instead.

[khanyz]

The blurb says the iRig PRO is

Powered by mobile device or USB when plugged into Mac

Only the phantom power is supplied from the battery. I'd check battery life when combined with CPU intensive apps, such as FX/track heavy sessions. Also the brightness of the display has a big impact.

[khanyz]

There's some Apogee deals so the One interface is £199. Looks good but can't try it till next week.

[dickiefunk]

Thanks for all the replies! If I go for a USB mic the Blue Yeti Pro looks to be about the best of the bunch. However, if I go for an audio interface I'd like to get something with midi built into it aswell so that I can record midi piano and vocals. It would also be useful to be able to record guitar guitar aswell on the odd occasion.

I've had a quick look around and I've found the following interfaces

iRig Pro - £49

Presonus AudioBox iTwo - £81

Roland Duo Capture EX - £95

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 - £97

Alesis I/O Dock - £104

Focusrite iTrack Dock - £137

iRig Pro Duo - £147

Does anyone know how these compare regarding audio quality, latency and battery consumption?

[khanyz]

From the SoS review, the Presonus requires external power but does not power the iDevice, which seems stupid, so I rejected it.

I don't know about the iRig. I boycott IK Multimedia as I don't like their support or business tactics.

Focusrite are good quality. I've had major issues with support before, but it's been improving so am open to being a customer again.

From what I've read, the Alesis seems very rigid in iPad compatibility, as opposed to the Focusrite which fits all lightning, except the pro which can be used with an extension.

Rolands are solid, but it says the Duo Capture EX requires the Camera Connection Kit so I rejected it.

With the Apogee coming down in price, I think I going with that. It has no MIDI though.

As for latency, in my limited experience, that has more to do with the iPad than the interface but keep it at 48kHz and I can stay on the lowest setting for most things.

In Cubasis I typically have it on 24-bit/48kHz, with 5 Audio and 2/3 MIDI tracks with Comp/EQ, ~1 creative FX (delay/filter/distortion/chorus etc.) on each and Send Reverb. My battery lasts 2/3 hours of use as long as the brightness is set at ~25%. That drops quickly if I use external FX/Sounds.