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slow down the tempo and learn where the dots are displayed and make use of the old saying—repetition is the best teacher. Conclusion While picking up the guitar and just jamming, we thought that it would be convenient if the guitar had some basic scales available to light up without having to fire up the computer, plug in and open the software. That would probably raise the cost of the instrument and require another knob or interface, but that option might help turn those moments where we just want to jam into a learning experience. All things considered, the Fretlight guitar is a great instrument and system that changes the way we look at learning the guitar, especially when you compare it to the cost of ongoing lessons with an instructor and the materials etc.. The instrument is quality made, reasonably priced, and the best part is that you can learn what you want, when you want, and at your own pace. Very cool. Price: $499 More: Optek Music Systems, www.fretlight.com

Sonoma Wire Works GuitarJack 2 and StudioTrack
Professional guitar I/O and multitracking for the iPad
B Y M I K E M E T L AY

Some time ago we reviewed the GuitarJack, Sonoma Wire Works’ high-end audio interface for the iPod touch and iPhone, and the very handy FourTrack multitrack recorder for iOS. Sonoma Wire Works hasn’t been idle since then, if only because Apple hasn’t either; successful as the original GuitarJack was, the later release of the iPad and iPhone 4 required updated hardware for proper integration. The result is the GuitarJack 2, which we recently obtained for testing. Sonoma also creates apps designed to make the most of this interface. GuitarTone is a recently-released amp effects modeling app that comes free with a few basic models and allows packs of new models to be purchased within the app. The GuitarJack 2 unlocks a large number of these in-app purchases for free whenever it’s plugged in, giving users a bonus for using the dedicated hardware. And then there’s StudioTrack, Sonoma’s larger sibling to FourTrack intended for iPad use, which I used for most of my GuitarJack 2 tests. Serious hardware The GuitarJack 2, like its predecessor, doesn’t mess around. It’s a solid machined aluminum device that hooks up to your iPad (or other iOS device, it’s backward compatible to the 2nd and 3rd generation iPhones and iPods) via the 30-pin docking connector. All control is carried out in software; the box requires no external power and has no moving parts, just high-end Switchcraft jacks for a guitar or other mono input (1/4" TS) and a stereo input and headphone output (both 1/8" TRS). Just plugging in the GuitarJack 2 doesn’t guarantee that it will work with every guitar app out there, however. Some software doesn’t support audio interfacing via the dock connector because the app creators don’t see many other folks doing it. Other companies have a vested interest in keeping audio off the dock connector, because they may be selling special guitar-I/O hardware of their own. Such hardware almost always uses the 1/8" TRRS headset-mic jack
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on the iOS device to push the guitar signal into the mic jack and pull the resulting audio out of the headphone jack. That means you’ll have to test your apps to make sure they work with the GuitarJack 2. When you do find an app that works with the GuitarJack 2, though, be prepared to be knocked on your tail. Because the GuitarJack 2 uses the dock connector, all of the issues that are endemic to pushing audio through the headset jack—especially crosstalk between input and output on the same cable—simply go away. My A/B tests were uniformly amazing, with clean input, gobs of gain, and exquisitely clean output, whether I was processing guitar signals, playing virtual instruments, or just listening to tracks in iTunes. The GuitarJack 2 goes a long way toward making iOS devices sound like studio-ready audio hardware.

http://www.fretlight.com

Recording - March 2012

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