The appStore is full of recording SW, but what are we using it for? I was working on an interface for audio recording, that could take advantage of the best recording applications by adding functionality never seen before:
- recording from high quality Dynamic microphones
- connecting a Guitar directly to iPhone, making recordings wherever you are
- adding digital musical effects to any audio source played “through” the iphone-instrument module
- easy connection of the iPhone to amplifiers without any docking station
- recording from Line-level audio sources like CD players, FM radio, etc.
Device Compatibility:
iPod Touch 2G, iPhone 1G, iPhone 3G
OS Compatibility:
OS1.x.x, OS2.x.x
A photo describing different plugs of iPhone instrument is here. Pls tell us your opinion, feature requests, etc.
January 8, 2009 at 5:43 pm |
Balanced XLR Mic input with Phantom Power support, for condenser microphones!
January 9, 2009 at 6:56 am |
Yeah, it’d would be great if we can you use this for our touchpod.de podcast with xlr mics ( can u make an xlr version) ?
January 9, 2009 at 2:44 pm |
@Albert and Jon, XLR is doable, of course. Ok, we will update the design, but it will need batteries then. Which XLR mics are you using?
January 10, 2009 at 12:04 am |
I want more informations about that ! Looks great !
I use normal Jack connectors for my guitar. That could be great if I could plug it between two pedals to use it as a beatbox or a loop station !
January 10, 2009 at 1:03 am |
Yes, XLR would be nice. I use Studio Projects B1 (condenser mic) which needs the phantom power.
The use of Dynamic Mics like AKG D5 would also be possible without phantom Power.
Is Stereo Recording possible??? – For exemple from Line-Sources like Mixers for recording live gigs?
Since Firmware 2.2 it is possible to record from a stereo-Jack directly into the Headphone “input”, but the softwares have sometimes problems to Detect the Input Signal – on my ipod touch 2G it is like this. Do you know something about that?
January 10, 2009 at 3:15 am |
i am very interested in guitar/line level recording. beyond that, effects/amp simulation would be very useful, but i can live without it. if it gets too bloated, what is the advantage over a laptop-based system? i don’t need a palmtop DAW, but rather a fast and convenient 4-track for mic and line level inputs. This project looks very promising.
January 10, 2009 at 11:10 am |
does this replace the Mixer? so i just have to buy an XLR Microphone, mrn ?
January 10, 2009 at 11:10 am |
does this replace the Mixer? so i just have to buy an XLR Microphone, mrn ?
January 10, 2009 at 11:28 pm |
Great idea. Btw, how does line level signal sound coming thru the HP jack?
Isnt it calibrated for mic level?
My ideal box would be like the Smart talk Pro:
Incorporated stereo mic plus 1/8 input that accepts line or mic level.
Thru the dock off course, and for the Touch 2G…
I know, I know…
January 11, 2009 at 2:41 pm |
As I see it right, the headphone jack has 4 pins, one fore ground, one for mic input, and tow for left and right phones output. If I send the line signal through the pins where headphone signal comes out, the iPod recognizes the input source as line source.
But sometimes it doesn’t recognize input signal, and I only could test it with mono recording programs. But it seems how there is sometimes a loose contact with line input signal.
Would be interesting how it works on other iPods.
I don’t have any credit cards, so I couldn’t buy a software on AppStore which could record stereo yet. I only testet it with ones like iTalk.
January 11, 2009 at 10:25 pm |
Something that uses the dock connector and works with the 1st gen iPod would be nice… i liked the first ipod-instrument prototype
Do you have any plans for stereo input capability?
If you plan on incorporating both XLR and jack connectors, maybe you can look at a Neutrik Combo jack that can accept both in the same housing (http://www.audiogear.com/Resources/NJ6FIs.jpg).
January 14, 2009 at 4:27 am |
Cool! Wish I had an iPhone.
@Marian- did you get my email about the wiki?
January 14, 2009 at 4:58 pm |
@Shazzamy: thnx a lot, just reading your mail – makes me quite sad, but well… i will see what i can do. m.
January 22, 2009 at 5:39 am |
Where I can get that kit or the circuit to built-it
Seem to be nice to record on itouch
January 23, 2009 at 8:49 am |
@daniel: this project is iPod Touch 2Gen and iPhone compatible only. All OS versions supported until now. If you have a Touch 1G, you will need to look for the iPodInstrument project (another post here), which -unfortunately- works only with OS 1.x, or hopefully with iPhone-Linux in the future (drivers still missing).
January 24, 2009 at 10:25 am |
It looks great. I just bought an iPod touch 2Gen, where can I get the stuff to record directly from a mixer output? I mean I tried a simple 3.5mm cable as I would do with a pc mic input but of course it didn’t work because my iPod didn’t detect the signal. How can I overcome this? what kind of cable should be used?
January 26, 2009 at 8:24 am |
@MarshmallowUW: you need a 3.5mm jack with 4-ring, which is not quite available. There is some at Conrad, but of low quality. Second solution is to get an iPhone converter plug, and to hack it by connecting the source directly to the cable. Third option is to look for a 4-ring Jack cable provider, buy some ~1ooo pieces and resell them… We are in contact with a producer, but are just not sure how many people would be interested in buying such a plug (only the 4-ring Jack)
January 30, 2009 at 12:57 am |
im working on one of these myself
what’s the schematic for the iphone headset?
i think there’s two caps in the mic circuit. any idea what their values are?
February 13, 2009 at 4:47 am |
So are you taking orders for this? this seems awesome.
February 13, 2009 at 12:16 pm |
Hi marian,
where can i get this awesome addon ?
and can i already download the software ?
how much do you want ? =)
February 13, 2009 at 6:03 pm |
This is a fantastic idea. I’m actually only interested in recording line-level signals (straight from a mixer) Like MarshmallowUW. Phantom power and mic preamps are a recipe for crappy quality – better leave those things to a mixer and just capture a balanced signal.
2 Questions:
Would a signal like this require any external processing before being recording in an app like italk? Or can I just wire up a 3.5mm 4-ring to a jack?
Assuming I can just wire it up, can you tell me what functions each of the 4 rings performs?
February 16, 2009 at 5:25 pm |
hello KingLuke:
not in production yet, we can build some prototypes, if you want, but will be expensive
the SW: i personally use 4Track, a commercial appStore technology, otherwice.. if you are patient, we will submit TouchStudio to appStore in few weeks.
QueensPlanner:
-no external processing needed, we will add Line-Level input too
- top ring: L out, 2nd top: R out, 3r ring: Gnd, 4th ring: Audio In
(I though you all know it
Mrn
February 16, 2009 at 5:25 pm |
hello KingLuke:
not in production yet, we can build some prototypes, if you want, but will be expensive
the SW: i personally use 4Track, a commercial appStore technology, otherwice.. if you are patient, we will submit TouchStudio to appStore in few weeks.
QueensPlanner:
-no external processing needed, we will add Line-Level input too
- top ring: L out, 2nd top: R out, 3r ring: Gnd, 4th ring: Audio In
(I though you all know it
Mrn
February 25, 2009 at 4:50 pm |
I WANT NOW! This is a great idea and much needed/appreciated! you guys are going to make mad cash!
March 1, 2009 at 11:47 am |
hi marian,
i would like to buy a prototype, how much do you get ? Can i pay over paypal ? And how much time do you suggest until delivery
March 3, 2009 at 7:37 pm |
Ah..where do I buy that at?? Its just what I’ve been searching for.
March 5, 2009 at 11:49 pm |
On a semi-related note:
Does the 4track recorder from Sonoma Wireworks allow plugging straight in with any 3.5 mm audio source? The way you wrote the article seems to suggest it doesn’t. Thanks!
March 16, 2009 at 4:52 pm |
I’m also working on something like this to make audio I/O effects apps with the iPod touch for a school project. Did you have to do anything beyond scaling the signal to the appropriate level to get line-in to work, or did you have to do any impedance matching? Any hints or details would be very, very appreciated! I’d love to speak with you privately via email as well. Thanks and good luck!
March 18, 2009 at 2:57 am |
Great idea. I’m thinking about making something much more simple for field recording. I want to mod a video cable with the 4 ring connector split into headphones and a mic input. Is the 4th ring on the 3.5mm connector at line level or can I wire it straight to an external dynamic mic?
March 18, 2009 at 3:43 am |
With FourTrack, is there audio play-through when recording? If I built a cable with an XLR mic input and headphones output will I be able to monitor my recordings live on my headphones?
March 20, 2009 at 1:51 am |
The design above is perfect. Let’s keep the cost down and get it available fast. If i need XLR and phantom power i’ll go through my own cables and power supply.
March 20, 2009 at 1:56 am |
After you release the simple mono headphone-input version, you can make a deluxe version for the dock connector with stereo input and output.
Also, are you affiliated with Mango d.o.o? Because if you are, i doubt we’ll be seeing any of this, and it’s back to the drawing board for us (see link below).
http://www.mangodoo.net/?page=news&article_id=6
March 31, 2009 at 9:22 pm |
Progress report wanted in a big way. Any date for beta / prototype testers. Glad to pay for a prototype version if it works. (even if later ones have better features.)
April 4, 2009 at 8:41 pm |
I’m very interested in this – looks perfect for lots of applications. I can see some great applications with being able to plug instruments directly in, or taking a feed from a mixer.
April 9, 2009 at 5:36 pm |
Balanced XLR Mic input with Phantom Power!!!!!
Please!!!
this is great i need it.
April 9, 2009 at 5:36 pm |
Balanced XLR Mic input with Phantom Power!!!!!
Please!!!
this is great i need it.
April 10, 2009 at 3:39 pm |
I really like what I am seeing. I have been searching the net for some time trying to find just his solution to my input needs. I am an amateur audio geek at best and want to use this application for my 2G iPod touch with http://www.faberacoustical.com/products/iphone/signalscope/. I don’t necessarily want to use a mic in. I really would like a Line level in for recording audio and use the iPod touch as a cheap audio oscilloscope.
The link that I posted can do this from a mic input point of view but, I would really like to be able to send a audio output to a line level input my iPod touch and use it to test the frequency response of my audio gear. I know it won’t be as good as a dedicated hardware scope but, it will get me close enough.
Feature request:
XLR in with a Pad function or variable attenuator
Phantom power
April 11, 2009 at 1:45 pm |
Answers for the March posts:
@KingLuke: i can only offer my only one that is on the photo, as i had really no time to work on this in March. but if you really want it, yes, paypal is ok.
@David: Since there are some extra features that could be added easily, i suggest you wait a little, and we all come out with a complete description for a DIY solution.
4track: it records either from the built-in mic, or from the signal coming to the 4th ring of the headphone jack. this is the ring exactly used by this iPhone-Instrument project.
.
so plugging straight into an iPhone is only doable with a 4-ring 3.5mm jack (and a voltage divider and a high-pass filter, as there is a little DC there for the mic
@Chris: beyond scaling there is the high-pass filter, as mentioned above. email is on the right side of this page behind the email link, i am happy to share any knowledge about this project.
@Nick: yes, straight to the external mic, but if it is a dynamic one, i would add a capacitor just to keep the DC away, which is meant for the electret mic of the headset.
four-track does not offer play-through, only playback of the other 3 pre-recorded tracks, while recording. This opens a new HW feature request for this project, namely HW PLAY-THROUGH. If you are interested, we can look together for a simple solution, i am happy to update the design with this feature.
Play-through: no
@tim: yes, this is a good idea to use external phantom supply, however many ppl do not have it. Mango was looking for a producer, and it turned out that below 2-3kpieces it is impossible to organize anything, mainly when small providers are just closing the business.
@John Farrar: thanks for being so much interested. as mentioned above, the progress is little, and the thing requires HW PLAY-THROUGH feature for musicians, unless we all wait till TouchStudio is approved, and it gets to appStore (i personally doubt it will happen before the OS3 release with Built.in voice recording)
@Bill Van Loo: thanks, yes, it has some potential, the question is if ppl really want one.
@max: ok, then we need some AA batteries, and a voltage pump probably form Maxim, if you have some time, pls feel free to search for it..
@Brian Taveres: yes, that SignalScope is powerful tool, and really needs suitable HW. But for real measurements, it might happen that the SNR of the mic input pin we are using is simply not high enough. it is quite simple to measure it, i wonder, why nobody did so far.
conclusions: we need some extra HW doing the following:
- XLR with phantom power (for better microhones)
- variable attenuator for input (just not to let the instrument override the iphone)
- Mic level / Line level plugs (supporting different audio sources)
- HW-based play-through (for multichannel recordings)
- probably a battery level indicator for the XLR case
April 11, 2009 at 1:45 pm |
Answers for the March posts:
@KingLuke: i can only offer my only one that is on the photo, as i had really no time to work on this in March. but if you really want it, yes, paypal is ok.
@David: Since there are some extra features that could be added easily, i suggest you wait a little, and we all come out with a complete description for a DIY solution.
4track: it records either from the built-in mic, or from the signal coming to the 4th ring of the headphone jack. this is the ring exactly used by this iPhone-Instrument project.
.
so plugging straight into an iPhone is only doable with a 4-ring 3.5mm jack (and a voltage divider and a high-pass filter, as there is a little DC there for the mic
@Chris: beyond scaling there is the high-pass filter, as mentioned above. email is on the right side of this page behind the email link, i am happy to share any knowledge about this project.
@Nick: yes, straight to the external mic, but if it is a dynamic one, i would add a capacitor just to keep the DC away, which is meant for the electret mic of the headset.
four-track does not offer play-through, only playback of the other 3 pre-recorded tracks, while recording. This opens a new HW feature request for this project, namely HW PLAY-THROUGH. If you are interested, we can look together for a simple solution, i am happy to update the design with this feature.
Play-through: no
@tim: yes, this is a good idea to use external phantom supply, however many ppl do not have it. Mango was looking for a producer, and it turned out that below 2-3kpieces it is impossible to organize anything, mainly when small providers are just closing the business.
@John Farrar: thanks for being so much interested. as mentioned above, the progress is little, and the thing requires HW PLAY-THROUGH feature for musicians, unless we all wait till TouchStudio is approved, and it gets to appStore (i personally doubt it will happen before the OS3 release with Built.in voice recording)
@Bill Van Loo: thanks, yes, it has some potential, the question is if ppl really want one.
@max: ok, then we need some AA batteries, and a voltage pump probably form Maxim, if you have some time, pls feel free to search for it..
@Brian Taveres: yes, that SignalScope is powerful tool, and really needs suitable HW. But for real measurements, it might happen that the SNR of the mic input pin we are using is simply not high enough. it is quite simple to measure it, i wonder, why nobody did so far.
conclusions: we need some extra HW doing the following:
- XLR with phantom power (for better microhones)
- variable attenuator for input (just not to let the instrument override the iphone)
- Mic level / Line level plugs (supporting different audio sources)
- HW-based play-through (for multichannel recordings)
- probably a battery level indicator for the XLR case
April 27, 2009 at 4:05 pm |
Hi Marian,
please let me know much you get for the prototype and shipping to germany. Would be nice if you can give me your email adresse so i can pay by paypal directly. have a nice day.
Luke
April 30, 2009 at 12:27 am |
A stereo in would be great too, if you wanted to play stereo keyboard in or a mixer.
April 30, 2009 at 12:27 am |
A stereo in would be great too, if you wanted to play stereo keyboard in or a mixer.
May 1, 2009 at 2:24 am |
what i read here gives me hope! i am looking for a way to record to iphone 3g on line level. like having a rca stereo jack adapter to records from a mixer. i tried a mini stereo jack on line level but bias’ app won’t detect the signal. and if the adapter has an additional mini stereo jack for battery powered microphones (in terms of keeping things minimal) i definitely will support it!
May 10, 2009 at 5:16 am |
Nice project. Does it have a metronome or a count in? I could see that being useful.
May 14, 2009 at 8:57 am |
[...] the iPhone instrument By touchmods Hello. I was thinking about borrowing the iPhone Instrument prototype to some of you, so that we get more feedback, and can collect ideas in a more interactive way. What [...]
May 15, 2009 at 9:33 am |
yep! go for it! it makes perfectly sense to me!
May 18, 2009 at 8:50 pm |
Have the iPhone Instrument for a week, and tell us your experience!
http://touchmods.wordpress.com/2009/05/14/try-the-iphone-instrument/
May 19, 2009 at 7:43 am |
Yes, I have gigbaby software on my ipod touch 2nd gen. I would like to test your interface for bass guitar recording. I have several different active passive bass guitars.
May 30, 2009 at 11:15 pm |
Where can I get this and when
May 30, 2009 at 11:15 pm |
Where can I get this and when
June 11, 2009 at 7:38 pm |
David, can you pls contact Luke from this post..
http://touchmods.wordpress.com/2009/05/14/try-the-iphone-instrument/
he is the one after Steve to test it.
Thanks., m
June 22, 2009 at 6:10 pm |
Is it possible to use contact mic (piezoelectric) with this kind of method? Is it compatible with electret mic input?
BTW It is possible to use application RjDj for live feedback. You can program Your own Pd patches for signal processing. Probably You could do just no processing at all for simple recording.
Thanks a lot for the answer and Your projects!
Timo
June 23, 2009 at 11:25 am |
@Timo:
electret mic: yes, then you will need to omit the capacitor and R1, R2 in the schematic from this post:
http://touchmods.wordpress.com/2009/05/23/build-the-iphone-instrument/
Or maybe to make an extra jack hole for electret mics, which jack would have a switch inside which disconnects the capacitor, and connects the electret mic instead. If you need a schematic, pls let me know.
RjDj: I have no experiences with it, but am almost sure that it will work.
Yes, pd on the PC side is a good idea. even if the iPhone would manage the effects in real-time, probably it is good to save battery life. Timo, do you have a related page?
I mean the patches you are using, and maybe about your setup?
June 26, 2009 at 9:22 am |
@touchmod
I am a bit confused, did You mean I should use the capacitors for the piezoelectric or electret mic? I want to use the piezoelectic mic on the iphone mic port.
I am using just the mic on the headphones now, but I would like to break free from that for recording. http://www.rjdj.me/ is the site, there are downloadable paches (called scenes). I haven’t been looking for no-effects ones, but probably shouldn’t be hard to make. The main RjDj app is free from the AppleStore.
June 26, 2009 at 10:28 pm |
I mean it for the electret mic.
For the piezo, you will need to search the net, i have no experiences with that one, sorrry.
thanks for the link!!
July 15, 2010 at 12:30 pm |
this is my FET preamplifier for the iphone.
http://yfrog.com/jkpreampiphonej
I plugged my tlm102 Neuman and I recorded with rectool08
records that are truly perfect …
The preamp has a very low noise, ideal for use in condenser mic, and
and dynamic.