ON TRACK WITH iTRACK
By Graeme Hague
17 January 2014
If you Google Focusrite “Forte” or “Studio” consoles you’ll discover, if you don’t already know, that Focusrite manufactured some seriously mammoth studio consoles back in the 1990’s. Sure, few companies bear much resemblance to what they were – or did – two decades ago (sit down at the back, Rupert), but looking at Focusrite’s new iTrack Dock truly illustrates how far some companies have come. This idea isn’t new. Rather, it looks like Focusrite has bided its time and carefully considered what an iPad-docking device really needs. The iTrack Dock is a studio-quality Lightning iPad recording interface, featuring dual Focusrite microphone preamps plus two line inputs and an instrument DI, independent stereo monitor and headphone outputs, and a USB port for class-compliant MIDI instruments and controllers. Digital conversion at up to a healthy 24-bit, 96kHz sampling and the iTrack Dock charges and powers the iPad at the same time. Beyond all this, the iTrack Dock lets your recording app take over and that makes sense, considering the impressive capabilities of some. You get Focusrite’s own Tape app free which is, as Focusrite delicately puts it, “without the complexities of traditional music-making software.” Yep, it’s kinda basic. However, any Core Audio app will work, the iTrack Dock certainly looks cool and that Focusrite pedigree should make it sound good, too.
Australian Distributor: Electric Factory (ELFA) www.elfa.com.au
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