Apogee Jam Plus USB Instrument Input and Headphone Output for iOS, Mac and PC

Product Information

Jam+ is readily compatible with iPhones, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone XS, iPhone XS, Max, iPhone XR, iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, and iPhone 5. The Jam X USB is capable of keeping up with the most discernible ears, as recently displayed in the launch video featuring Polyphia’s Tim Henson exploring the compression modes. NOTE:When installing the the Symphony Mk II 3.10 driver you will be prompted to update firmware. This firmware update does not apply and should be ignored. Do NOT run the firmware updater if prompted. The Apogee Jam Plus and iRig HD 2 are two highly popular USB inputs with many insane features. Both are quite capable and have excellent tonal characteristics. Whether you want to connect it to a mixer or your Mac, this USB input can do it all. And yes, you can use it with any guitar type, be it acoustic, electric, or bass. What’s more? You can even connect it with a piano.

Then, you get a lightning cable to connect it to the iOS devices. And if your PC supports a USB-C, that won’t be a problem either, as you get a cable for that as well. iRig HD2 Mac Models are also compatible with Jam+.The models which are smoothly compatible are MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018 - 2019), MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015 - 2017), MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2015), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016 - 2019), MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2012 - 2015), MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016 - 2019), MacBook Pro (Retina, 15?inch, Mid 2012 ? 2015), MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015 - 2017), iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019), iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017), iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015), iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019 - 2020), iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017), iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014 - 2015), iMac Pro (2017), Mac mini (M1, 2020), Mac mini (2018), Mac mini (Late 2014), Mac Pro (Late 2013). Jam+ comes with the BIAS FX Jam software bundle from Positive Grid which includes a premium selection of three amplifiers and six essential pedal effects. With Jam+ and BIAS FX Jam, you have realistic guitar tone for practicing, performing and recording. Highlights Apogee markets the Jam with the phrase “plug in, play, record”, and in my experience, it’s just that easy. Within 10 minutes of opening the box, I had the Jam unit attached to my iPad and was playing through Garage Band’s nice assortment of simulated amplifiers. The Jam comes with two interface cables, one to connect your guitar to the iPad, and one that can connect your guitar to a USB port on a Mac notebook or desktop computer. Overall, the Jam is an excellent value for the intermediate-level guitarist who wants portability and ease of recording. The Jam exceeds my expectations, enough so that I’m selling one of my main amplifiers. I sell it because I don’t play through it enough to justify keeping it. I was getting value from my iPad before I bought the Jam. But now that I play primarily through the Jam, the iPad is a real multi-function value for me. Conclusion

$1395

The Apogee Jam Plus USB input comes with three cables so that you don’t have to buy them separately. One of them is used to connect to your PC.

This flexibility for the input signal gives you extra shaping power over your sound before it's even reached any virtual amp sims you might be sending it too. Apogee says that with this at the front of the signal chain, guitarists will experience added sustain and dynamics, or can use Jam X to fatten up weaker source sounds.Now coming to its performance, the iRig HD 2 digital USB input is as good as anything. It sounds exceptionally well and captures pure, noiseless, high-resolution guitar signals at 96kHz sample rate and 24-bit analog to digital conversion. Another problem with the Jam is the difficulty of adjusting the input level to avoid clipping. The simple LED light clearly shows when clipping occurs, but the dial that sets the input level is not marked with numbers or defined settings. As a result, each time a user connects a guitar, time must be spent adjusting the signal level. For users who typically play through the same guitar set-up, a numbered dial would make this process much more efficient. The Bottom Line: Cheap, Easy, Impressive

In use, the Apogee Jam X USB is simple to set up. The Jam X USB works on both MacOS and Windows, as well as iOS if that’s what you have available; like if you’re travelling and can’t bring a computer with you. You can monitor via either headphones or powered speakers, with the Apogee Jam X USB offering ample volume for both options. While the Apogee Jam X USB is small, it’s rugged, and will endure being bounced around in a case or bag while travelling, serving as an on-the-road solution to recording if needed. The audio quality could have the Apogee Jam X USB easily serve as your main interface for home and studio recording as well! The compressor modes are really what elevate the Jam X – offering no compression at all, or three varying modes of compression, from the lowest, the Smooth Leveller, to the Purple Squeeze in the middle, and the Vintage Blue Stomp at the most extreme end, offering an ‘aggressive’ amount of compression. Compression before an amp sim can really help you shape and hone your tone, bringing new life to any existing amplifier sims you might have. The Smooth Leveller felt and sounded like a great ‘always on’ type solution, providing reasonably transparent compression, while preventing any peaks from poking through and clipping an otherwise great take. Monitoring with latency is an instant mood ruiner, making it almost impossible to record, and because of this, the Jam X USB includes a low latency mode that allows you to monitor direct from the unit, rather than after a round trip through your DAW and computer. Keep reading on about Difference Between Preamp + Audio Interface to gain valuable insights and information on the subject. Jam 96k

Apogee Jam+ Features:

Jam X is a fantastic, compact and well-built interface that enhances the range’s portable and sonic credentials. Like the Plus, we love the added extra, this time with the attitude the compressor brings, while the included 60-day trial of Neural DSP’s Archetype: Tim Henson is a welcome bonus. If you’re an iOS user you’ll find it an especially useful and portable guitar recording solution, and overall it’s agolden nugget of an interface. Specs And yes, it also has a THRU FX switch that enables you to control the type of signal going to your guitar amp. The LED is useful in that it has three colours: blue means that the Jam is connected but not active, green means connected and active, and red means that the signal level has overloaded the input. Usefully, the green LED also gets brighter when a higher signal level is present. A useful Blend option (via thebutton above the main dial) switches in direct monitoring so you hear your input signal before it’s processed through your computer, thus cutting down latency – perfect for recording in time (although our Mac/Logic setup had very little latency to start with). Jam X's built-in analog compressor introduces an all-new feature to the Jam family. Choose from 3 presets that respond to how much you drive the input gain. By applying compression before your virtual amp sim, you'll find new life in your guitar tone. With Jam X, you'll have endless inspiration developing your own tone.

However, Jam X adds a new feature unmatched by competitors: an analog compressor built right in. Apogee’s new Jam X interface allows guitarists to plug in and get creating immediately with studio-grade sound and tone-shaping compression. Guitar enthusiasts will experience their instrument in a whole new way through Jam X.

Controls of Jam+

Whether you want to send processed or unprocessed signals, the iRig HD 2 digital USB input is up for it. This enhances your playability by giving you total control over your sound quality. First things first, the iRig HD 2 digital USB input is compatible with iOS devices and PC. The devices include iPad, iPod Touch, and Mac laptops. It also comes with an audio stream input/output driver for the best experience on PCs. Next, we have the iRig HD 2 digital USB input. It is manufactured by IK Multimedia, a popular brand that develops and sells audio solutions. The display is user-configurable. You can change the colour from 10 presets or make your own via Peterson Connect, and these colours are not just useful from a visibility point of view but allow players to assign different colours to different tunings.