KVR Audio

DrApostropheX · Post by **DrApostropheX** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:56 pm

Storms wrote:I've had an iPad 1 for 2 years now and charge it every night religiously. That's over 700 connects/disconnects and no issues with the dock connector. Also, since I use it in the studio with the camera connection kit quite frequently, I would guess my actual number of connect/disconnect is well over 1000.

The actual port the dock connector plugs into is solid aluminum with a PCB in the middle. I think you're much more likely to have the dock cable itself fail, since it's only plastic.

That is really good to hear. I had a Mac Powerbook (granted, this was 15 years ago) where the power connector inside the laptop broke because I bumped the power plug a little too hard. I'll find something new to worry about now!

nutate · Post by **nutate** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:17 pm

jjmcjj wrote:One of the reviews on Amazon ripped this product due to poor build quality:

I opened up the package and saw that the two main gain knobs barely turned because they rubbed against the case. All of the knobs were wobbly and I know they will break.

These problems were not because of the seller, or poor packaging... these problems are from extremely poor product design. Every single corner was cut to make this...
I wonder if it's really that bad? I have the Tascam IXZ and it's limited, but reasonably well made. That said, if the build quality of the IU2 is similar to the IXZ, I would be disappointed, given the $100+ price difference between them.

edit: removed link due to low-post count restriction--search Amazon if you're curious.

Heh, I wrote that review. I just sent it back this morning. I was primarily going to use it as an audio input device and the gain knobs were disturbing. They were so short and I assume connected to surface mount components. I never plugged it in, it just wasn't worth it.

I'm looking around for a good audio interface (all of mine are firewire) and I'm thinking the fast track (no midi) or the lexicon lambda. I'll have to use a powered hub, but oh well. There are ways around it with battery packs also.

echologist · Post by **echologist** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 12:37 am

yep, happy with my IU2.

to recharge ipad while using IU2, first connect dock cabe to ipad, only then connect usb charger cable to IU2.

. (pays to carefully read the manual)

Storms · Post by **Storms** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 2:19 am

nutate wrote:Heh, I wrote that review. I just sent it back this morning. I was primarily going to use it as an audio input device and the gain knobs were disturbing. They were so short and I assume connected to surface mount components. I never plugged it in, it just wasn't worth it.

I'm looking around for a good audio interface (all of mine are firewire) and I'm thinking the fast track (no midi) or the lexicon lambda. I'll have to use a powered hub, but oh well. There are ways around it with battery packs also.

I'll try to take a video of my setup. It's pretty good, although the US-800 requires a power adapter.

jjmcjj · Post by **jjmcjj** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 2:42 pm

Everything changes once you bring a power cord into the equation. Then "field recording" goes out the window and portability becomes less of an issue. And the universe of audio interfaces that will work with the Ipad grows much larger.

My A&H Zed10FX, for example, works great as an Ipad audio interface with the CCK. I've read that the Apogee One/Duet 2, Mackie Blackjack, Alesis IO series of interfaces work well too, provided that all of these need some sort of power (e.g. a powered hub or a 3 prong outlet, in the case of my A&H.) I'm sure there are others that work well, too.

What I'd like is a cable with the Camera Connection Kit functionality built into one side, USB 'B' cable on the other.

DrApostropheX · Post by **DrApostropheX** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 3:27 pm

For what it's worth, my Novation Xio synth 25 which I bought years ago seems to function just fine as an Audio/MIDI interface for the iPad AND it runs on batteries

http://www.novationmusic.com/products/a ... faces/xio/

I haven't played around with it that much yet to see which functionality might be lacking, but so far as I know I can use it for MIDI into the iPad as well as audio from the mic inputs (I'll need to play with this more) and audio in from the Xio synth engine itself. The only thing I don't like about it is that the headphone pot is dirty so it crackles whenever I adjust the volume to the headphones. I could clean it, and I probably will.

Anyway, if you can find one of these for cheaps on eBay, pick it up. I'm glad I never sold mine, anyway!

kpsychedelic · Post by **kpsychedelic** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:14 pm

jjmcjj wrote:My A&H Zed10FX, for example, works great as an Ipad audio interface with the CCK.

Cool tip bro.
I also have a Zed10FX and will order the CCK with the iPad, might try them just for kicks.

But obviously, the ZED is big and heavy (well not like 4 bricks, but still), so that's why the IU2 seems appealing, for portability issues.

nutate · Post by **nutate** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:22 pm

kpsychedelic wrote:... so that's why the IU2 seems appealing, for portability issues.

I should have the ART USB Pre in my hands Monday. Of course, that only does audio, but it is very small. With a hub I *should* be able to support USB midi interfaces too.

Still not as nice a solution as the iU2 should be, but that piece of gear just rubbed me the wrong way.

jjmcjj · Post by **jjmcjj** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:17 pm

kpsychedelic wrote:
jjmcjj wrote:My A&H Zed10FX, for example, works great as an Ipad audio interface with the CCK.
Cool tip bro.
I also have a Zed10FX and will order the CCK with the iPad, might try them just for kicks.

But obviously, the ZED is big and heavy (well not like 4 bricks, but still), so that's why the IU2 seems appealing, for portability issues.

Totally agree. I'm interested in the IU2, too, for the same reason. The Ipad3 is my first Ipad, so I didn't even know a regular USB audio interface worked before I came across the Harmonicdog website (makers of "Multitrack Daw" app,) which has some good information on hardware compatibility. The Zed10 was just something I already had and decided to try. Still blows my mind a little that it works!

DrApostropheX · Post by **DrApostropheX** » Sat Apr 14, 2012 4:20 pm

I found this site useful as well: http://iosmidi.com/devices/

sonicflux · Post by **sonicflux** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 2:33 pm

Can anyone comment on using the iU2 with mics or with a guitar?

kpsychedelic · Post by **kpsychedelic** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:15 am

Seems like one more negative review on Amazon.

I dunno, I was excited but then you guys took that excitement away and now I ain't sure...

J.C · Post by **J.C** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 8:36 am

I'm still interessted in this interface.
There will always be people who wants more for less money but come on, at this Price there is really nothing serious to complain about...

Can't wait to be able to buy it in Switzerland...

sonicflux · Post by **sonicflux** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:44 pm

kpsychedelic wrote:Seems like one more negative review on Amazon.

And there's one positive review, too. Everyone seems to want to spin the iU2 in a negative light, but so far, the only complaint I've read is that if feels cheaply made.

I haven't seen anyone say that it sounds bad or that it functions poorly. Neither have I seen anyone say that it has actually broken. Still, with the lack of overwhelmingly positive reviews, I don't feel comfortable ordering one online. I'll wait until my local shop gets them in so I won't be out anything if I have to return it.

J.C · Post by **J.C** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:48 pm

Wise man

Tascam iU2 mobile interface