Griffin Technology’s StudioConnect is a standalone dock for Apple’s iPad and iPad Mini with complete I/O connections for both audio and MIDI. It comes with a short, 30-pin docking cable or for the newer iOS devices, the StudioConnect Lighting with its 9-pin cable.
In either version, StudioConnect is an all-in-one audio/MIDI interface that has a 10-watt external power supply/charger. Rear panel connections provide all I/O with 1/4-inch instrument mono input—guitars and synths, a 1/8-inch mini input jack for recording stereo line sources, MIDI In/Out jacks and stereo RCA line output jacks for connections to your stereo sound system.
On the front of the StudioConnect is a stereo headphone mini jack with a large chrome volume knob surrounded by a cool, blue glowing ring. For setting record levels, there is a side-mounted mic gain control with +6dB to +26dB of mic gain available for easily recording direct guitar or bass guitar. I like that StudioConnect firmly stays put and provides a stable platform on my desktop when I use WaveMachines Labs’ Auria or any of my Smaart Tools’ iPad Spectrum Audio Tools. StudioConnect sells for $149.99 MSRP. Visit http://store.griffintechnology.com/studioconnect-audio-interface-lightning.
By Barry Rudolph
miniBio: Barry Rudolph is a recording engineer/mixer with over 30 gold and platinum RIAA awards to his credit. He has recorded and/or mixed: Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hall & Oates, Pat Benatar, Rod Stewart, the Corrs and Robbie Nevil. Barry has his own futuristic music mixing facility and also teaches recording engineering at Musician’s Institute, Hollywood, CA. http://www.barryrudolph.
