Review: GuitarJack

Another interface I used for the testing of guitar emulators in my recent test of 11 iPhone guitar emulators was GuitarJack by Sonoma Wire Works. I was doing my testing using the GuitarJack Model 1 for the following reasons:

It was on sale when I purchased it (reduced to $49.00 USD)
It connects to my iPhone 3GS
I wanted it.

From what I’ve seen and read, GuitarJack Model 2 is way cooler (as are the iPhone 4GS and the iPad). But I can’t write about that other than to say “I want all of those things!”

But let’s learn more about my experiences with GuitarJack Model 1 and the 11 apps I tested it with. … Review: GuitarJack

Guitar Gear iOS Reviews

Review: JamUp Plug

Now that I’ve completed my articles on the amplifier emulators I have access to on my iPhone, I thought I’d write some articles on the interfaces that make it possible to connect your guitar to your iPhone. When I first started the review process I was aware of four interfaces. That soon changed to seven. I believe I am now aware of nine. The most recent interface I’ve managed to add to my collection is the JamUp Plug by Positive Grid. It’s one of the easiest interfaces to use and it’s quickly becoming one of my favourites.

Let me show you why. … Review: JamUp Plug

Guitar Gear iOS

AmpKit for iPhone

AmpKit for iPhone is the last app in my lengthy guitar playing/recording on the iPhone review journey. Strangely enough, it’s one of the apps I first downloaded when I discovered that guitar playing and the iPhone worked so well together. So my journey has almost come full circle. And I’m glad I complete the journey here. AmpKit is one of my favourites in this field.

I should point out (and therefore I will) that AmpKit comes in a free version and the fully loaded AmpKit+ (for $19.99 USD). I have the free version that I’ve enhanced with all the in-app purchases I’ve made over time to get the sounds I’m searching for. … AmpKit for iPhone

Guitar Gear iOS

Amplitube for iPhone

AmpliTube for iPhone is one of the most complete amplifier emulator packages on the market. It’s also one of the packages out there with a great number of variations for you to choose from. There is AmpliTube FREE, AmpliTube LE and the full version of AmpliTube. There are also free and full versions of AmpliTube Fender. If you start with the free version and decide you like what you’ve got, you should decide at that point if you’re likely to want to purchase in-app or if you’re better off upgrading to LE or the full version. Whatever you do, stick with one. In-app purchases don’t transfer between apps. This isn’t a fault of AmpliTube, it’s just the iOS app way.

Me? I ended up going with AmpliTube LE. Then I bought big. Let’s see what you can end up with … using my usual black and white imagery (below). … Amplitube for iPhone

Guitar Gear iOS

Amps & Cabs for iPhone

Some of the amplifier emulators you can get for your iPhone are complicated beasts (with their ability to switch pedals/effects, record yourself with their built-in recording tools or similar fancy features). This is not one of those apps. Amps & Cabs (by Ground Up Audio) is an app that gives you exactly what the name implies—amplifiers and cabinets. Then you play to your heart’s content.

Simple. And with some decent sound quality thrown in. Let’s look at it in my favourite colour styling … none! … Amps & Cabs for iPhone

Guitar Gear iOS

GarageBand for iPhone

GarageBand for iPhone is quite the beast. It’s not a simple guitar amplifier emulator, as it also has built in instruments you can play (and record) such as drums and keyboard. There are also smart instruments that you can utilise. But I’m not here to cover any of that. I’m here to tell you that you can plug your guitar into your iPhone (using GuitarConnect Cable, Ampkit Link or GuitarJack) and play ‘amplified’ guitar. Luckily you can also record your guitar playing in a multi-track recorder.

GarageBand is one complete package. … GarageBand for iPhone

Guitar Gear iOS

Guitar Amp for iPhone

Guitar Amp by StudioDevil and Quixonic is a very simple guitar amplifier emulator with limited effect options. My black and white images are not going to do the app’s red, yellow and green indicator lights any justice, but the Delay Box will be close to reality as it’s a sexy brushed metal pedal anyway.

What I can tell you straight away is that this little app works well with AmpKit Link, GuitarConnect Cable and GuitarJack. We’re off to a good start. … Guitar Amp for iPhone

Guitar Gear iOS

Mobile POD for iPhone

Today’s article is not a review like the previous articles I’ve done in regards to the iPhone apps that allow you to play and (sometimes) record guitar. The main reason being I do not have a couple of the requirements this app has deemed necessary for it to function—iPhone 4 and the Mobile In adapter.

I have looked over the app though so I can let you know it looks awesome. I can also let you know I wish my iPhone wasn’t a 3GS. I can then say with some certainty that I wish I had the Mobile In adapter. Because the Mobile POD app looks cool and if my wishes came true I’d be playing with it.

I bet it makes good metal sounds too. Damn it … … Mobile POD for iPhone

Guitar

Guitar FX Deluxe for iPhone

Guitar FX Deluxe is another app for the iPhone that I didn’t know existed until I started my recent journey of discovery. It’s also another app I purchased just to make sure my series of reviews was as complete as I felt it needed to be. That of course means I could justify the cost to myself.

What I couldn’t work out (or justify) was the other seemingly similar apps by the same developer which are more expensive and seem to be more restrictive in sound choices. They’d be the Guitar FX Chorus and Guitar FX Echo apps. At $11.99 each, I decided to focus on the Deluxe app instead. It’s cheaper and includes the Chorus and Echo effects. … Guitar FX Deluxe for iPhone

Guitar Gear iOS

GuitarTone for iPhone

GuitarTone is another recent discovery I made when searching for ways to play my guitar on the iPhone. Luckily I follow Sonoma Wire Works on Twitter and was there to see them announce the application’s release. Since then, I’ve had fun creating my own presets for hours on end. Why? Because I believe it’s one of the easiest apps to use for playing guitar on the iPhone.

Let’s get straight into this and the black and white imagery that accompanies all of my reviews. … GuitarTone for iPhone