Getting a solid recording no longer requires an extensive home studio or engineer-level knowledge of the process. Today, the market is flush with affordable interfaces, mics, and software for home rigs, but what if creativity strikes when you’re on the move?
iZotope’s new Spire is made for pinning down ideas when you’re not near your staple recording setup. A fully contained interface and recording system, the Spire should be considered by solo artists and musicians after solid demos and playbacks of jam sessions.
The rechargeable lithium ion battery gives you four hours to make use of a lengthy menu of onboard features. A built-in omnidirectional microphone comes armed with Soundcheck, iZotope’s new technology that automatically sets gain levels from just a few seconds of playing. When you’re set, layer up to eight tracks on one project with the option to record two simultaneously.
If you really want to dial in your instrument, two quarter-inch /XLR combo inputs are on board with 48V phantom power for direct recording. Looking for more than your clean tone? The Spire comes armed with built-in amp models and effects like delay and reverb controllable via the connected app for added nuance in your songs.
The app is where this interface really shines. Connected by a fixed wifi access point in the Spire, the iOS app lets you not only add effects to your recordings but also mix them on the spot. Adjust levels, tweak panning, switch between stereo/mono, and more right from your phone.