IK Multimedia iRig Stream Review

IK Multimedia iRig Stream Review

Long-Term Test

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We’re always on the lookout for a high-quality audio streaming interface for social media and beyond, so when IK Multimedia’s iRig Stream hit our radar as a solution for getting quality audio into our iOS devices, we jumped at the chance to give it a long-term evaluation. We tasked several evaluators for this review; their remarks are in quotes below.

IK Multimedia iRig Stream Review

While the iRig Stream did allow quality audio/video to be recorded into our test devices, there were way too many issues with the interface that resulted in low scores across the board. IK positions the iRig Stream as a way to “connect your music to the world” via social media, live-streams and more. Unfortunately, it doesn’t deliver on that promise.

Right out of the gate all of our reviewers noted the low build quality, featuring “cheap plastic” and “a surface that attracts every single piece of dust in your studio.” (We asked our photographer not to touch up the product images of the iRig Stream in this review so you can witness the dust issue. —Ed.)  The iRig Stream’s durability was revealed late in the review process when the main rectangular block separated from the cord and plummeted to the floor, a drop of only about 20 inches. The result? The case split open (see pictures), revealing its innards. Our evaluator was able to snap it back together, and it did work, but it was a telling moment that “[the iRig Stream] was not long for the world.”

IK Multimedia iRig Stream Quality Issues

(In addition, during photography, the iRig Stream tipped over, dislodging one of the plastic LED lenses. This wasn’t a fall. It merely fell over while on the photographer’s table. This is typical wear ‘n’ tear and nothing out of the ordinary. However, it does showcase the substandard build quality. —Ed.)

IK Multimedia iRig Stream Quality Problems

The culprit was “the idiotic connection” from the unit to the iOS Lightning cable. For some reason IK decided on a short pin DIN connection that quickly looses its tension and “dislodges at all the wrong times,” one exasperated reviewer stated in his report. IK may have thought this would be a versatile solution to utilize future cable connections, but the reality: “It’s a serious design flaw.”

Every single reviewer unearthed the same deficit and found the decision “mindboggling.” Their comments didn’t pull any punches: “Didn’t [IK Multimedia] perform any sort of product testing?” — “Where was IK’s quality control?’ — “How could they even allow this to go into production.” Yes, it’s that bad.

IK Multimedia iRig Stream DIN Connection Fail

The worst marriage since John and Lorena Bobbitt

iRig Stream Specifications & Features:

  • Stereo line input over unbalanced RCA stereo connectors
  • Audio level LED indicators
  • Sums audio sources down to stereo or mono
  • Loop-back sometimes mixes incoming signals with your device’s audio
  • Headphone out with integrated mic input for voiceover’s
  • Powered by iOS Lightning connection
  • ASIO driver Windows
  • Conversion: 24-bit A/D, 24-bit D/A
  • Sampling Rate: 44.1 kHz / 48 kHz
  • Power: USB bus powered or DC IN. (iRig Power Supply sold separately 3A, not included)
  • Metering: 3x LEDs
  • Device Connection: mini-DIN
  • Nominal Input Level: -10dBV
  • Input Impedance: 16.5k Ohms
  • Claimed Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20kHz
  • Connector: 3.5mm TRRS jack (CTIA wiring standard)
  • Microphone gain: Adjustable with numbered thumbwheel
  • Headphone Level control: numbered thumbwheel
  • Headphone Output Power: 100mW into 50 Ohms
  • Included Accessories:
    iRig Stream interface, Lightning to mini-DIN connection cable with charging features, USB C-Type to mini-DIN connection cable, USB A-Type to mini-DIN connection cable

The next stop on the IK iRig Stream “train wreck,” was their iOS app. “A convoluted mess,” cited one evaluator. And that’s being generous, considering some of the comments. Sure it works, but the usability is “just plain awful.” How about we start with an “annoying” Skip Screen that – Never. Goes. Away.  Every time you launch the app you get this screen asking you to explore the features. How many launches does IK feel you need before you understand how to use the app? Five, ten, fifty? How about always. “Ridiculous.”

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If you want to shoot video, and not just create an audio recording, the iRecorder app allows you to do that, which is great. You can even choose the front or back camera on your iPhone and you don’t have to use the iRig Stream hardware to create audio or video recordings. Unfortunately, that’s where the party ends. Once you’ve recorded something on the app, you can never delete it. It’s there…forever. We asked the Technical Support person assigned to our review about this and he never responded. It’s obviously something they’re not proud of, and we would probably keep our mouths shut as well, since this is such a miss. Diving deeper into this “dumpster fire” are the apps controls. “Does IK think their users have pencil points for fingers?” Questioned one reviewer. What she’s referring to are the minuscule buttons for crucial operations, such as the Share icon, which measures only 3mm by 4mm on an iPhone Pro Max. Yeah, that  small. Isn’t sharing what the iRig Stream is all about? Not only is the button the smallest item on the screen, but it’s the same color as everything else and “it’s buried it on the interface where it doesn’t stand out at all.” But it gets worse.

IK Multimedia iRig Recorder Skip Screen

Once you decide to export your audio or video, you can now choose the format: M4A Audio, WAV Audio, Video with M4A Audio, Video with WAV Audio, Project 1 / M4A Audio + Video + Frame Markers or Project 2 / WAV Audio + Video + Frame Markers. Once selected, the file renders and asks you how you want to export it: iTunes File Sharing, DropBox, One Drive, Google Drive, FTP or Open In… There’s no clear indication for saving your work it to your iPhone. But if you want to FTP (and how many people are actually doing that??) then there is a dedicated button. “Asinine.” Thus, you have to choose Open In… to go to yet another screen to Save Video. “The interface is so blatantly bad, I’m wondering if IK is just trying to f*#% with its users,” offered one reviewer.

What’s so frustrating about the iRig Stream is that IK Multimedia did include some sophisticated functionality into the product. You can technically connect three different inputs into the iRig Stream. Of course, via the main RCA stereo inputs, you can connect your DJ rig or studio’s output. There is a 3.5mm minijack input for headphones with a built-in microphone and there’s the Loopback feature that reportedly allows audio from your iPhone to act as a third source while streaming. We like the concept, but none of our evaluators ever got this to work universally.

IK Multimedia iRig Stream Side Views

The RCA stereo inputs record in either 24 bit / 44.1kHz or 24 bit / 48 kHz sound quality and the iRig Stream does have a nice, large jog wheel on the top for modifying the volume. It’s slightly betrayed by just three LED indicators to show when you’re clipping. We would have preferred a more traditional approach with more LED segments so you could have a better indication of levels. The apps mono/stereo meters do a much better job, but if you’re utilizing the iPhone’s better quality rear camera, you can’t view them while recording.

The iRig Stream also provides a summing Mono button that will combine the stereo inputs into a mono signal. This is useful for social media, which can only stream one channel. Thus, instead of your social media platform of choice just grabbing the Left side of a stereo feed, the iRig Stream provides a much fuller and comprehensive audio experience.

Conclusion

Even at $129, we think the consumer desires more. A lot more. IK should be saluted for solid audio quality, but there are just too many deficits for us to promote the iRig Stream to our readers as a viable solution. IK Multimedia is not that far away from a compelling product (see The Future), but we suggest looking elsewhere. Not Recommended.

IK Multimedia iRig Stream Rating: 68%

Cheers:

+ Sound Quality
+ Some Good Ideas
 

Jeers:

– Build Quality
– DIN Cable Connection
– iRecorder App
– Cheap Looking
– Some Features Just Don’t Work
– LED metering

IK Multimedia iRig Stream FutureMusic Rating 68

IK Multimedia’s iRig Stream retails for $129.99 and is available now.

 

The Future: Clearly IK was targeting a sub $100 street price, but they cut too many corners to get there. The plastic used is cheap looking, cheap feeling and just plain ugly. From the country that brought us Ferrari, Ducati, Prada, Armani, Fendi, Gucci, Zanotta, Valentino, Versace (well, maybe NOT Versace), you get the point, is there anyone in Milan who can help a fellow countryman? Anyone?  Products don’t have to look this bad. Really. They don’t.

Get rid of the DIN cable connection. Like, immediately. String would probably be better. IK needs a connection that – will – not – separate. Period.

If the iRecorder app is going to be the iPhone software interface, it’s got to be better. First off, why do you have to fully delete the app to get rid of the recordings? Why?? Just have a delete button when viewing the audio or video file. Easy. Simple. Effective. Why does the user need to pull out a microscope to see the Share button? Put it front and center. And here’s something novel. Use color. The muted grayscale doesn’t cut it.

Author: FutureMusic

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