iConnectivity

I’m in the process of setting up the most complicated keyboard rig I’ve ever tried to put together (more on that soon), but I wanted to give a quick shout out to iConnectivity. They’re a small audio company out of Calgary, CA that make some really handy Swiss-army knife interfaces.

They make the iconnectaudio4+, and when you’re setting up a hybrid rig that has a LOT of complicated routing, their products are a game changer.

Here’s just a couple way’s I’m using the iConnectaudio4+ as the digital hub of my rig:

• I’m using the interface for three audio things: to process audio through fx on my computer, for software synths, and to input a mic for vocoder and vocal fx live. All of this could be handled by a lot of interfaces, but the following could not be done with most interfaces:

• I’m also using the second USB input on the unit to connect and power(!) my iPad for running Samplr and other plugins live. (If you haven’t heard of Samplr, it’s kind of as close and you’re going to get to an OP-1 on an iPad).

• I’m also using it route midi clock and other midi messages between all of my devices. This requires some serious filtering and routing options, and the iConnectaudio4+ has handled it pretty effortlessly so far.

• I need standalone operation so I don’t have to worry about losing the midi routing and the iPad when I’m only gigging with hardware (which is something I prefer to do most of the time). With the flash memory built in to the unit and a dedicated power supply, I don’t have to worry about hauling my computer along and not actually using it for anything but power.

Again, when I get the rig built I’ll try to post an in-depth explanation of how I did everything. In the meantime, it’s great to have good people making good products that make a difference. If you can, I recommend supporting them.