And yes, it also has a THRU FX switch that enables you to control the type of signal going to your guitar amp. Out of phase, split-coils, parallel wiring, all are achievable and more. And your signal path remains 100 per cent analogue - the digital bit lies in how your smartphone communicates this information to the guitar. Overall, the Jam is an excellent value for the intermediate-level guitarist who wants portability and ease of recording. The Jam exceeds my expectations, enough so that I’m selling one of my main amplifiers. I sell it because I don’t play through it enough to justify keeping it. I was getting value from my iPad before I bought the Jam. But now that I play primarily through the Jam, the iPad is a real multi-function value for me. Conclusion Now coming to its performance, the iRig HD 2 digital USB input is as good as anything. It sounds exceptionally well and captures pure, noiseless, high-resolution guitar signals at 96kHz sample rate and 24-bit analog to digital conversion.

It effectively reproduces your guitar’s unique tonal qualities, and you can rest assured that you will be getting the best tonal quality. In addition to your current reading, you may find this other article on 10+ Reasons You Need an Audio Interface worth your time. To enter the low latency mode in your Apogee Jam Plus USB input, simply press the button, and it will activate this mode. Apogee Electronics, a leader in digital audio recording since 1985, today announced the latest in its jam series of guitar interfaces: jamx. Building on the original jam interface from 2010, jamx provides the easiest way to connect your guitar to a computer or iOS device for studio-quality sound. However, jamx adds a new feature unmatched by competitors: an analog compressor built right in. Apogee’s new jamx interface allows guitarists to plug in and get creating immediately with studio-grade sound and tone-shaping compression. Guitar enthusiasts will experience their instrument in a whole new way through jamx. Key Features Whether you want to connect it to a mixer or your Mac, this USB input can do it all. And yes, you can use it with any guitar type, be it acoustic, electric, or bass. What’s more? You can even connect it with a piano.The compressor modes are really what elevate the Jam X – offering no compression at all, or three varying modes of compression, from the lowest, the Smooth Leveller, to the Purple Squeeze in the middle, and the Vintage Blue Stomp at the most extreme end, offering an ‘aggressive’ amount of compression. Compression before an amp sim can really help you shape and hone your tone, bringing new life to any existing amplifier sims you might have. The Smooth Leveller felt and sounded like a great ‘always on’ type solution, providing reasonably transparent compression, while preventing any peaks from poking through and clipping an otherwise great take. Monitoring with latency is an instant mood ruiner, making it almost impossible to record, and because of this, the Jam X USB includes a low latency mode that allows you to monitor direct from the unit, rather than after a round trip through your DAW and computer. Of course, that is made possible with the help of USB or Thunderbolt output ports. But what if your device does not have an output port? It is seen that many traditional mixers, PCs, and other devices don’t have ports on them. If you have updated to a newer device with no integrated headphone output, you can still use your headphones with this digital USB input.

The Apogee Jam X USB audio interface is currently the world’s only interface to feature analogue compression, available in varying modes to level out your guitar playing while recording, or record with no compression at all.

The Jam X USB is capable of keeping up with the most discernible ears, as recently displayed in the launch video featuring Polyphia’s Tim Henson exploring the compression modes. The Apogee Jam Plus and iRig HD 2 are two highly popular USB inputs with many insane features. Both are quite capable and have excellent tonal characteristics.

JAM is designed to capture the true tone and warmth of electric guitars. Perfect for any playing style and genre of music, JAM lets you record, practice, and jam with the authentic sound and responsive feel of a classic tube amp. Dynamic Microphones The LED is useful in that it has three colours: blue means that the Jam is connected but not active, green means connected and active, and red means that the signal level has overloaded the input. Usefully, the green LED also gets brighter when a higher signal level is present.With a built‑in analogue compressor, Apogee’s Jam X is designed to get your guitar sound right from the start. Clean Mode is the optimum option for clean, undisturbed recording since it uses the Pure-DIGITAL signal route to produce a smooth, noiseless tone. Symphony Control App only available in Thunderbolt Audio Interface mode. Firmware update not required. Mac Models are also compatible with Jam+.The models which are smoothly compatible are MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018 - 2019), MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015 - 2017), MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2015), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016 - 2019), MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2012 - 2015), MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016 - 2019), MacBook Pro (Retina, 15?inch, Mid 2012 ? 2015), MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015 - 2017), iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019), iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017), iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015), iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019 - 2020), iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017), iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014 - 2015), iMac Pro (2017), Mac mini (M1, 2020), Mac mini (2018), Mac mini (Late 2014), Mac Pro (Late 2013).

Another problem with the Jam is the difficulty of adjusting the input level to avoid clipping. The simple LED light clearly shows when clipping occurs, but the dial that sets the input level is not marked with numbers or defined settings. As a result, each time a user connects a guitar, time must be spent adjusting the signal level. For users who typically play through the same guitar set-up, a numbered dial would make this process much more efficient. The Bottom Line: Cheap, Easy, Impressive Talking about its construction, the Apogee Jam Plus USB input has a rugged metal body. Using it couldn’t be any simpler, as it only has two knobs on the front side of its body. The round knob is to control the input level.

$249

The company came into being in 2006 and is among the fastest-growing companies in the musical arena. Let’s take a deeper look at it and see how it differs from the Apogee Jam Plus USB input. This is where connectors and converters come in handy. They are the tools that are used to connect to devices with no ports. Apogee Electronics recently announced the latest in its jam series of guitar interfaces: Jam X. Building on the original Jam interface from 2010, Jam X provides the easiest way to connect your guitar to a computer or iOS device for studio-quality sound. Pressing it will engage the overdrive settings used to optimize the signals. On the other hand, the second knob engages a low latency mode that eliminates the delay which may result from recording.