Apogee Jam is awesome (Pedals sound great through it)

[jonnyrocket]

I have been using this gadget these past two days and am very impressed. Does anybody has experience with it over here?

After trying many different devices, so far the Apogee Jam is one of the best (have tried iRig, Amplug, Allen & Heath mixer with cab simulation and Carl Martin Rock Bug). For those of you who are not familiar with this device, it is a physical interface that allows you to plug in your guitar to an iOS devices or a Mac (I think no PC support for the moment). Then with the use of modeling software/apps, you can get to use various types of amps and effects.

At first I was hesitant to try it because I really wanted a solution that allowed me to use my physical pedalboard. I tried it anyways though and am very glad I did. So far I have only used it on my iPhone using GarageBand, AmpKit (Peavy), JamUp, GuitarTone and Taylor EQ. These are all apps that have their own cab simulation, as well as various models of amps and effects. Most have a free 'lite' version and an upgrade version that includes many more amps and effects. For example, the JamUp app has the ability to use a tremolo based on the Mad Professor Mellow Yellow Tremolo if you purchase a bundle of amps/effects. I have not tried the real Mellow Yellow Tremolo nor the digital version so can't comment on how they compare.

The best of these apps in my iPhone 4, are either AmpKit or JamUp, with Garageband a close third. The Taylor EQ app is great as well as it really makes my start sound like an acoustic! You are able to choose from various body types of Taylor guitars and the sound seems very good for what it is. Of coarse, my Taylor acoustic does sound better. But I think this app is a step-up over the Boss AC-2 and AC-3 pedals.

My favorite part of the Jam device though is the ability to use your physical pedals. I don't think they adversities that nor do they recommend it, but I just tried it and was really surprised! I plugged in my EGDM 4K and the BF Model H (from tourbox) in between the Jam and my guitar and both sound amazing. Their character and response is present and there is no more hiss nor white noise than when using the drive channel of the digital amps provided on the app. In fact, so far both pedals sounded a bit better than the one provided on the app and of coarse having real knobs its more pleasurable to tweak them.

Since I have looked for a while for a good solution to using headphones with my guitar, I thought of posting this review. I still have the Carl Martin Rock Bug and it is excellent as well. I will compare them side by side in the coming days and probably report back.

If anyone here use other good interfaces that allow the use of headphones with your guitar, while providing a good tone, I would love to hear about it.

cheers!

[thesjkexperience]

+1 Fantastic little device. They had a bunch of glitches at the product introduction last year, but they seem to have it all fixed up.

Does anyone know of a good book or website to teach you how to better use GarageBand?

[mam8dg]

Agreed. I got the Jam right when it came out and and was very impressed how well it worked with pedals. It's a great tool. I wasn't able to get it to work with AmpKit, but that was a while ago, I need to try again.

I was also able to get my Apogee One to work with my iPad. You just need to find a powered USB hub and the camera connection kit.

[MBT74]

Nice.

Anyone compared it to the Sonoma Guitar Jack? (http://www.sonomawireworks.com/guitarjack/)

I want to start using my iPad to record ideas and this was the one I was leaning towards.

[jonnyrocket]

Agreed. I got the Jam right when it came out and and was very impressed how well it worked with pedals. It's a great tool. I wasn't able to get it to work with AmpKit, but that was a while ago, I need to try again.

I was also able to get my Apogee One to work with my iPad. You just need to find a powered USB hub and the camera connection kit.

Yes it does work with AmpKit very well. In fact, I mainly use it with AmpKit and JamUp. However, after several days, I might be leaning a bit more towards JamUp. It offers less amps and effects but I like the interface a bit better and the sound is just as good.

[jonnyrocket]

Nice.

Anyone compared it to the Sonoma Guitar Jack? (http://www.sonomawireworks.com/guitarjack/)

I want to start using my iPad to record ideas and this was the one I was leaning towards.

Yes I was originally interested in the Sonoma GuitarJack but saw the Jam on a GC and couldn't resist! There is a review of the GuitarJack done by engadget.com where they briefly compare it with the Apogee Jam. Check it out here:
http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/18/guit ... -2-review/