Attention guitarists, bassists, singers, interviewers, podcasters and tech-geeks.

I received a product for review that is gonna make you scream “Cowabunga!” It is called the iRig and comes to you from IK Multimedia. An array of Apps and peripherals that turn your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad into a virtual studio. I should inform you I received these materials (the iRig mic and Apps) in exchange for this review. At first glance you may think...“Yeah OK studio sound on my phone, right” But I am here to tell you that this is no gamer toy or empty promise. How would you like to have a complete Fender rig in your pocket? I mean amps, pedals, recorder, mixer all of it! Allow me to run down the components and share with you their abilities.

First the iRig Mic. This microphone is a unidirectional condenser-electret capsule with a windscreen and housed in rugged metal. I has a dual mini jack for real time monitoring. Just plug the iPhone earbuds into the jack and then plug the jack into you i-device and you are ready to rock with your free downloaded Apps. Of course the Apps are upgradeable in a variety of ways depending on the App. More on that later. The iRig Mic also comes with a mic clamp and a carrying case. There are three settings on the mic for low, medium, and loud gain. So you can customize for almost any situation. This is a well built, comfortable, easy to use mic that retails for $59.99.

The real magic is in the free App VocaLive where you can record audio and use real time effects to process the sound. With vocal processing power that includes choir, harmonizer, pitch control, vocal doubling and more. Furthermore, you can upgrade through in App purchases. There is also the iRig Recorder that allows quick and easy capture edit and processing on the go. The multi track audio can be mixed down and sent through the App to your email as well. With a suite of effects, multiple tracks and editing this is a, must have, for musicians, speakers and reporters on the go. The amount of downloadable effects, workstations and virtual instruments is simply astounding. I found downloading, navigating and the user interface very friendly and intuitive. Even registration was a snap in the App. OK thats the mic/voice side of things next up... Instruments!

The AmpliTube iRig ($39.99) component is essentially a female 1/4 inch jack with a mini jack extension that connects your guitar or bass and headphones or external speaker to your iPhone, iPod or iPad. Downloading the free AmpliTube App opens up an array of sound options before you even start grabbing from a myriad of add ons. The dozens of sound pedals, effects and presets available is staggering. In short this thing “kicks ass” I was blown away at the sound as I listened to what I was playing on my guitar as I tweaked the knobs and altered the sound this way and that.

Then I downloaded the free AmpliTube Fender App and found a whole other world of tech goodies. If there is a sound you have been going for it is probably available. I was like a kid in a candy store with the different add ons that range from $1.99 to $14.99 bundles. But there is more. You can buy packages for sounds like heavy metal, Jimi Hendrix, Riffs and even drum packs to complete your composition.

There are so many different things to write about but I have limited space so I suggest you visit target="_blank">ikmultimedia.com and just soak in all the electronic goodness. Whether you are the voice or the string slinger you will find yourself salivating at the mouth wanting everything.