IK Multimedia iRig Stream Audio Interface Review

The IK Multimedia iRig Stream is an audio interface specially designed for digital streaming and sharing. Today’s mobile devices make it quick and simple to share your music with the world.
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IK Multimedia iRig Stream
$119.99
Check on Amazon Check on Sweetwater
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/27/2024 02:15 am GMT

Streaming is a pretty big deal these days. 

You don’t need to be a gaming professional or musical mastermind to see the results either. Streaming can be an excellent way to market yourself or just work on your digital skills as a budding DJ or audio specialist.

All you need are the right tools and the IK Multimedia iRig Stream is a must-have for DJs.

The IK Multimedia iRig Stream is an audio interface specially designed for digital streaming and sharing. Today’s mobile devices make it quick and simple to share your music with the world, and the iRig Stream takes full advantage of that, allowing you to design amazing experiences with the convenience of a smartphone. 

Created by the masters at the IK Multimedia team, the iRig recorder combines sensational performance with simplicity. Here’s what you need to know about this solution. 

Is the iRig Stream any good? (in short)

For this price, and with so much versatility to offer, it’s hard to imagine a reason why any DJ wouldn’t invest in their own iRig Stream. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be much of a streamer, this product will help to boost your recording capabilities. 

Video Review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz3bMocuFcA

Overview

The IK Multimedia iRig Stream makes a plug-and-play solution designed to simplify the process of recording high quality digital signal audio with minimal tech.

Essentially, the iRig Stream is a portable audio conversion system that supports professionals in recording high-quality audio straight to their computer or phone.

You just connect your system to your interface, and you can access a range of great features ideal for creating content. 

The best quality iRig Streams audio works with digital mixers, iPhones, iPad, Android, and other devices.

You can connect DJ to your favorite apps, design amazing music, and then just pop your device in your pocket for use again later. 

So, what separates the iRig from similar competing solutions? 

Well, first of all, you don’t have to be actually streaming content to record audio to your computer or phone to record it.

This is ideal if you’re a producer.

You can essentially just plug your iRig Stream device into your steams audio interface and create an entire set, then upload it at a later stage.

Other great features range from direct mic input and headphone monitoring to loopback functionality and the option to record in mono or stereo.

Here are some of the top features you can expect from the IK Multimedia iRig Stream:

  • Stereo line input over RCA connectors input
  • LED indicators for right sound level
  • Up to 24bit resolution (48khz)
  • Pre-mixes and audio sources for stereo/mono
  • Headphone output with integrated mic input
  • Loop-back mixing great device audio with incoming signals
  • Access to a range of apps
  • Powered by your device (no external power)
  • Custom-created ASIO driver for better windows performance

Key Features

irig stream key features edited

The IK Multimedia iRig Stream is a state-of-the-art solution for mixing and streaming. You can connect all of your chosen audio sources to a streaming or recording application on your smartphone or device.

Once connected, it’s easy to send the digital output of your tablet, smartphone, or laptop into the iRig environment, where you can mix audio with multi channel mixers, keyboards, DJ decks, and more.

There’s also support to add your voice to your music. 

Laptop DJs can plug in a DJ controller to record DJ sets on secondary devices, like tablets or smartphones. Small and lightweight, the tiny iRig black box will fit well into most pockets and backpacks.

The rubberized coating on the device gives it more durability if you want to take your tech with you on the move. 

On one side of the iRig Stream device, you get two line level RCA inputs sockets, while the other end supports a small DIN plug, where you can connect one of three cables for USB-C, Lightning, or USB devices. 

Connecting the iRig Stream Device

iRig Stream

On top of the iRig Stream is a single input volume control system, and a set of three LEDs that demonstrate when your input professional signal is too low, high, or just at the right level. 

On the left-hand side, you’ll find a DC-in socket, which allows you to charge various battery-powered tablets or phones while the interface is connected to it.

If you want something different, there are also mono and loopback off/on switches available.

To the right of the iRig device is a TRRS 1/8 inch mini-jack socket, similar to a mini-jack on a phone or tablet.

You can use this socket for audio out in stereo, or audio in for mono. There’s also the alternative option to simply plug in a set of studio headphones and monitor the audio that way.

The headset mic input allows you to add your voice to your music. 

Ideal for DJs, there’s also the option to use a compatible adapter to include a pair of stereo headphones or speakers in your system.

This way, you can also add a separate built in mic for speaking over your music. The availability of individual volume controls for output and input is an excellent added touch. 

IK Multimedia iRig Stream
$119.99
Check on Amazon Check on Sweetwater
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/27/2024 02:15 am GMT

Setting Up The Audio

iRig Stream RCA Connection edited

Setting everything up would be a case of plugging your IK Multimedia iRig Stream into your chosen recording or streaming solution, with one of the supplied cables included.

This will also power your device. You plug your music input into the RCA inputs in options and select the iRig Stream as your input device for your phone, laptop, tablet, or alternative system. 

The iRig Stream offers some fantastic 24-bit, 48 kHz converters, so you know you’re getting a highly professional and clean signal, regardless of the platform you wind up working with.

Adjustable input gain and easy-to-read level indicators let allow you to dial in the perfect crystal clear sound quality level for your needs. 

The iRig Stream stands out as the perfect device if you’re just looking for a convenient way to record your DJ sets and music podcasts when mixing from DJ gear. Although sometimes, you can just hit “record” in your DJ software to achieve similar results, the iRig Stream allows for more versatility.

You can access streaming services without having to worry about recording options being disabled. 

Ease of Use

Creating an amazing workflow with the IK Multimedia iRig Stream is a simple, straightforward experience. You can set up your DJ controller, plug in an RCA cable from the unbalanced Master output, and attach monitor speakers from the minijack with your preferred cable.

You’ll also be able to set the master output from your DJ controller to a normal level. 

As far as recording volume goes, everything is pretty elegantly done here too. The first “low” LED light will ignite with a blue bulb to let you know when you need to turn things up.

The green central light is where you want to be ideally, while the red “high” light is great if you’re pushing things a little too far. You can easily keep an eye on how everything works and tweak it as you go. 

When you’re ready to start recording your audio, for whatever reason, you simply hit the record button on the device you’re connected to, or “Stream” if you prefer.

As mentioned above, part of what makes this device so great to work with is its versatility. 

Not only does the IK Multimedia iRig Stream work with a host of Android, iOS, and laptop devices, but it can also use many of the apps you access regularly from your devices too. You could connect to products like Audacity, QuickTime, and more.

The Stream system should work with just about any device and machine setups you can think of. 

Using Apps with the iRig Stream

iRig Stream Recorder App

Access to your preferred apps is a crucial feature of the iRig Stream. If you’ve tried sharing your DJ content on social media before, you’ll know that many applications only support mono signals.

The iRig Stream offers a great mono/stereo switch for compensation here, which gives you so much more freedom than you’d typically get. 

The Stereo environment ensures you can pass both stereo inputs as both right and left channels, with mono mixing to create a single channel.

This ensures you won’t lose anything when you’re creating music because your audio gets panned to one side. 

To get you started, the iRig Stream comes with access to iRig Recorder 3 LE, which works with all of the iPhone, Android, and iPad tech you might like.

This high-quality audio and video recording app is great for beginners who don’t have the time to seek out their own preferred app before mixing. 

There’s also an extra-impressive loopback function available within the iRig Stream. This functionality allows you to mix the output of your device with an incoming signal.

You load up your backing track of choice in the app that suits you and adds your own input via the instrument or mixer that you want to use.

Both signals then send at the same time to a live stream or recording. 

Customizing the Experience

iRig Stream External Input edited

DJs wanting to record crowd noises or MC voice-over sections within their content will need the additional input of a microphone. 

Even radio show presenters and podcasters can also benefit from this feature with the iRig Stream.

The good news is that it’s easy enough to purchase a small adapter cable separately which is split into the 1/8-inch TRRS mini-jack socket.

The next step would be plugging your speakers into the stereo-out environment and your microphone into the “mic in” part. 

The microphone input will work with any app, just like the rest of your iRig Stream experience. You also get adjustable audio, and you can connect most headphones that have a built-in microphone too.

There’s even the option to use other IK Multimedia products, like the iRig Mic Liv, or iRig Pre. 

If you’re a podcaster with a lot of audio sources to consider, or a DJ with complex audio requirements, don’t worry.

The great thing about the IK Multimedia iRig Stream is how versatile it can really be.

There’s nothing to prevent you from connecting a mixer to a device or plugging in a controller and decks to the mixer. The system can be as complicated or as simple as you like. 

Other Features of the iRig Stream

Speaking of versatility, there’s also a mono switch included which outputs from your unit in mono audio. This won’t be necessary for everyone, but if you’re using an app that requires a mono input, this will make it easier to plug up to two mono sources into the same unit.

You can mix the content internally. 

Turning on the loopback function means that the audio input into the iRig Stream from your device via USB will come back to the host. The central leveling knob will control the level you record for a little more flexibility. 

As we mentioned above, the iRig Stream can easily fit in your backpack, and it can charge from your device (smartphone, or tablet), so you don’t need to take batteries with you on the move.

However, you can charge your device with an optional power supply, just in case.

Pros and Cons

The IK Multimedia iRig Stream is a highly versatile device and an exciting part of the “Creator” Series from IK Multimedia.

Intended to support audio professionals in all walks of life, this device is beautifully suited to musicians and DJs alike. 

If you’ve struggled with the restrictions of cheaper controllers in the past, then the iRig Stream could be the solution. Many DJs know that it’s difficult to listen to your music and record it at the same time on most devices, but that’s not the case with the IK Multimedia iRig solution. You can simply plug your speakers into the included mini-jack socket and monitor your content at all times. There’s even audio volume control specifically for that output. 

More than just a great tool for recording music, the iRig Stream could be ideal if you’re planning on creating things like tutorials and how-to sessions for your DJ fans.

You can use this device to create some amazing professional content that’s perfect for building your brand online. 

With so much versatile functionality to offer, it’s amazing to think that a device like this hasn’t existed before now.

For years, DJs have been forced to use more expensive and fully featured audio interfaces, with functions they didn’t really need or want.

With the iRig Stream, that just isn’t necessary. The audio quality is great, and the functionality is perfect for all kinds of musical professionals. 

Pros:

Cons:

iRig Stream: The Verdict

Despite a wide range of features, the iRig Stream is also surprisingly affordable and deceptively simple. You can do a lot with this product without spending a lot of time getting used to the technology.

It’s one of those no-brainer, affordable products that everyone should keep in their DJ bag if they have the opportunity. 

Just keep in mind, like any device, there are some downsides to consider too.

There’s no storage bag included with the price, though the device is rubberized to make it more durable. Additionally, you may notice a little feedback on higher-gain sounds to begin with.

IK Multimedia iRig Stream
$119.99
Check on Amazon Check on Sweetwater
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/27/2024 02:15 am GMT
As the Co-founder of DJ Tech Reviews, Rory Tassell also has over 14 years experience within the music industry covering a variety of roles and disciplines such as a DJ, Music Producer, Tutor, and Studio Engineer. He is also the founder of Hyper Production, a YouTube channel dedicated to helping aspiring Music Producers make better music. You can follow him on Twitter @TassellRory or visit his YouTube channel @HyperProduction to learn more.

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