iPad x Desktop, Focusrite Aims for Simple, Premium Recording Interfaces [Pics+Vids]

Focusrite Forte is a professional 2 in, 4 out portable USB audio interface for Mac and Windows, designed to deliver analogue sources to your DAW at the highest possible quality. It features two remote-controlled mic preamps with the unrivalled sound quality you would expect from Focusrite. Forte partners these with superb digital conversion at up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution. Built into a solid aluminium case, Forte features a colour OLED display, touch controls and a single large control knob for intuitive operation, with DAW integration and much more.

iTrack Solo provides the best solution for recording your instruments and vocals using an iPad. Featuring a Focusrite microphone pre-amplifier and an input to record directly from electric and bass guitars, iTrack Solo is the perfect way to expand the audio capabilities of your iPad using Garageband or any other music-making app.

Although it is an Apple certified “Made for iPad” device, iTrack Solo is also fully compatible with your PC or Mac computer and comes with a host of free music making software including Ableton Live Lite and the Focusrite Scarlett Plug-in Suite.

Focusrite iTrack Solo summary:
• Made for iPad
• High Quality Mic Preamp
• High Quality Outputs
• Rugged Metal Unibody Case
• Unique Signal Halos
• Direct Monitor Function
• Included software for Mac and PC

The pitch here is simple: combine a Focusrite mic pre with an iPad interface. The downside: full-size I/O means a form factor more like a desktop interface, so I don’t think this will satisfy people wanting an ultra-compact iPad in and out with no-compromise sound. But if you’re willing to pair your svelte iPad with something that looks more like a PC accessory, it could still be fantastic – and we’re talking substantially less weight than a laptop and its big power brick, so still optimal for mobile recording, without question. (Benjamin Weiss from DE:BUG Magazine recorded 24 hours of live music at a session on which I played at about:blank here in Berlin. This would have been an ideal substitute for the audio interface.)
24-bit, 96 kHz audio interface you can use with any iPad app.
Works with Windows and Mac, too.
“Low-distortion, low-noise” mic pre straight out of Focusrite’s high-end Liquid Saffire 56 interface.
Phantom power, so you can use your condenser mic.
Instrument input ideal for guitar and bass.
Monitor knob for output level.
“Halo” indicators around input knobs show if your signal is too hot (by changing from green to red).
Layout, functionality, guts adapted from the Scarlett 2i2 USB interface.
USB power via included cable.
Rear-panel phono connectors for line-level output.
Aluminum unibody case.
MSRP $199.99 / $159.99 street.