Maybe you want to include a video demo to help sell an instrument on Reverb, or maybe you want to post your own product reviews on YouTube. Either way, Joe Shadid is here to make sure you're able to capture all the visuals and sounds you want, with some of the easiest setups available.
The first option is using the camera on your phone along with an IK Multimedia iRig Pre or another mobile recording interface. IK Multimedia makes different iRigs specifically for guitars (iRig HD, iRig 2, iRig HD 2) and MIDI instruments, as well as the dual-input iRig Pro Duo.
Unless you're using one of the guitar interfaces, which allow you to plug in an electric guitar directly, these mobile recording interfaces will require you to have a microphone as well. Instead, you could use the Shure MV88 iOS Motiv, a digital stereo condenser mic that plugs directly into your phone's Lightning connector port, bypassing the need for an additional interface.
If you're already a musician or bedroom producer, perhaps you have all you need already with a mic, a standard audio interface, and camera-equipped laptop. While the camera quality may leave something to be desired, it will allow you to monitor both the video and audio at the same time you're recording. Of course, there are benefits of this rig: A two-channel interface (or larger) and your DAW of choice will give you greater sonic versatility than a mobile setup.
The last option Joe explores in our video above is using a Zoom Q2N camera and audio recording unit, or a similar all-in-one package. The Zoom Q2N has two X/Y mics to record in stereo, a 160° wide-angle lens, and automatic detection of lighting conditions.
Be sure to watch the full video above. And if you're in the market for an audio interface, check out our new audio interface buying guide to learn all you need to know to find the right one for you.
