iRig Pre 2
XLR Phantom Mic/Line to Mirrorless, DSLR, Phone, Computer or iOS Preamp
Made in ITALY
Introduction Good Bad Missing Specifications
Laboratory Measurements Performance Example
iRig Pre 2 (one phantom-powered XLR mic or line in, auto-switching 3.5mm TRRS output for mirrorless or DSLR camera, phone, computer or iOS device, 4.8 oz./135g with two AA eneloop cells, 3.5mm stereo headphone monitor out, $49.99). bigger. I'd get mine at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
This 100% all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally approved sources I've used myself for way over 100 combined years when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. I've used many of these sources since the 1970s because I can try it in my own hands and return it if I don't love it, and because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new preamp before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I've used myself for decades for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.
Other side, iRig Pre 2. bigger.
April 2021 Audio Reviews Headphone Reviews Tube Amp Reviews All Reviews
Apple 3.5mm to Lightning adapter audio quality
Introduction top
Introduction Good Bad Missing Specifications
Laboratory Measurements Performance Example
I buy only from these approved sources. I can't vouch for ads below. |
The iRig Pre 2 is an inexpensive all-analog battery-powered preamplifier to connect a single professional phantom-powered microphone or line-level XLR source to a basic 3.5mm input of a mirrorless or DSLR camera, phone, computer or iOS device. Its output magically figures out into what it's plugged and just makes it work, which is one of the beauties of this clever little device.
For use with digital inputs like USB-C or Lightning, use an $8 3.5mm to Lightning or 3.5mm to USB-C adapter, or use the iRig Pro, or iRig Pro Duo for stereo.
The iRig Pre 2 has its own headphone jack to replace the one you may have lost when plugging it into a device, and it also has a Direct Monitor so you can hear what the mic or line input is doing regardless of the recorder. While the Direct Monitor won't let you know if the recorder is working or if the levels are correct, it works with no delay so there are no latency problems as typical when trying to monitor from a digital device.
I'd get my iRig Pre 2 at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
Good top
Specifications Laboratory Measurements
Performance Example User's Guide
I'd get my iRig Pre 2 at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
Just works, regardless of what kind of DSLR or mirrorless camera, computer or portable iPhone/phone/iPad or iOS device you have. I've tried lots of adapters to plug microphones into my iOS devices, and they rarely work — but the iRig does.
Real +48 V DC switchable phantom power.
Huge gain range works with microphones or professional line levels; just turn the gain control.
High output capability (4 V RMS) lets the iRig Pre 2 drive any device.
Always active rumble/wind filter.
Headphone jack to replace the one you may take up with mobile devices.
"Direct Monitor" lets headphones play the signal directly from the preamp avoiding any delay from the recorder — but you won't hear any overload distortion or noise from the recorder, either.
Lightweight plastic case.
Batteries included.
Not that you need it, but IK Multimedia/iRig also have a free recorder app with a level meter.
Velcro strap included to attach to the rest of your setup.
MADE IN ITALY; this is the Stradivarius, Ferrari or Fazioli of preamps.
Bad top
Introduction Good Bad Missing Specifications
Laboratory Measurements Performance Example
I'd get my iRig Pre 2 at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
Feels cheap and very plasticy, but hey, for a $49.99 device that works this well and keeps the weight down, I'm not complaining.
Always active rumble/wind filter; no defeat switch.
Direct Monitor switch goes backwards; left is ON.
Missing top
Introduction Good Bad Missing Specifications
Laboratory Measurements Performance Example
I'd get my iRig Pre 2 at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
No lock on the XLR connector, so it's easy to disconnect a microphone when you're done, but be careful not to disconnect it while shooting.
No defeat switch for the rumble/wind filter.
No ¼″ or 3.5mm input; the connector is a traditional 3-pin XLR with no ¼″ cut-out.
No audio level indictor; but the app or camera you are using for recording should have that.
No battery level indicator, just a green power LED and a red phantom power LED.
No printed manual. It's online here.
Specifications top
Introduction Good Bad Missing Specifications
Laboratory Measurements Performance Example
I'd get my iRig Pre 2 at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
See also Actual Measured Performance.
Frequency response
20 Hz ~ 20 kHz ± 1.5dB
EIN (@gain min)
-113.5 dBA
EIN (@ gain max)
-92.4dBA
THD+N
-90 dBA / 0.003%
Gain range
48dB.
Phantom Power
+48 V DC.
Max current: 6mA.
Power & Battery
Two AA cells.
Life: 7 hours with phantom on, 20 hours with phantom is off, with alkalines.
Size specifications top
108mm long × 33mm tall × 40mm wide, excluding cord and dials.
4.25" long × 1.30" tall × 1.57" wide, excluding cord and dials.
Cord length: 17.1" (434mm).
Weight specifications top
4.775 oz./135.2g actual measured weight with two AA eneloop cells (alkalines weigh the same).
Quality specifications top
Made in ITALY.
Announced specifications top
Early 2021.
Promised for specifications top
Early 2021.
Included specifications top
iRig Pre 2.
2 AA Alkaline cells.
Velcro strap.
Card with QR codes with the serial number and to register the warranty.
Card with QR codes to the user manual and warranty information.
Price, U. S. A. specifications top
April 2021
$49.99 at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H.
Box, iRig Pre 2 ($3,600 Neumann U87 mic not included). bigger.
Laboratory Measurements top
Introduction Good Bad Missing Specifications
Laboratory Measurements Performance Example
I'd get my iRig Pre 2 at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
Unless otherwise noted, all are measured with a calibrated Rohde & Schwarz UPL audio analyzer at 1 kHz from a balanced source with a 10 Ω source impedance with the gain dial set to 6 and with a 200 kΩ analyzer load. Input voltages are the unloaded source voltages at the UPL; they are slightly less when loaded by the mic preamp. All voltages are RMS.
Phantom Power
+47.33 V DC, unloaded.
Gain
Gain |
|
0 gain |
-28.55 dB |
2 gain |
-3.26 dB |
4 gain |
+5.87 dB |
6 gain |
+16.517 dB |
8 gain |
+24.45 dB |
10 gain |
+25.95 dB |
Maximum Input & Output Levels measurements top
at 0.1% THD:
Maximum input |
Maximum Output |
|
0 gain |
9.532 V |
346.4 mV |
2 gain |
5.964 V |
3.74 V |
4 gain |
2.0697 V |
3.963 V |
6 gain |
600.5 mV |
4.035 V |
8 gain |
254.5 mV |
4.043 V |
10 gain |
209.9 mV |
4.043 V |
Output Noise measurements top
A weighted |
Unweighted, 22 kHz bandwidth |
|
0 gain |
-79.2 dBV |
-75.4 dBV |
2 gain |
-78.8 dBV |
-75.4 dBV |
4 gain |
-78.7 dBV |
-75.7 dBV |
6 gain |
-78.4 dBV |
-75.7 dBV |
8 gain |
-78.6 dBV |
-75.6 dBV |
10 gain |
-78.6 dBV |
-75.5 dBV |
Equivalent Input Noise measurements top
A weighted |
Unweighted, 22 kHz bandwidth |
|
0 gain |
-50.65 dBV |
-46.85 dBV |
2 gain |
-75.54 dBV |
-72.14 dBV |
4 gain |
-84.57 dBV |
-81.57 dBV |
6 gain |
-94.92 dBV |
-92.22 dBV |
8 gain |
-103.05 dBV |
-100.5 dBV |
10 gain |
-104.55 dBV |
-101.45 dBV |
Frequency Response measurements top
Frequency response, balanced 10 Ω source impedance with a 100mV input, gain set to 6 which is about a 600 mV output.
It has a permanent 60 Hz at 12dB per octave wind, pop and rumble filter. You can't switch this off.
Frequency response, balanced 600 Ω source impedance with a 100mV input, gain set to 6 which is about a 600 mV output.
With higher output-impedance microphones, it becomes a 50 Hz at 12dB per octave wind, pop and rumble filter.
THD (harmonics only, noise not included) measurements top
THD, 10 mV input with gain set to 6, which is about a 60 mV output.
While THD seems to rise at low frequencies, it's also because the rumble filter is cutting the fundamental but not the distortion harmonics.
THD, 100 mV input with gain set to 6, which is about a 600 mV output.
While THD seems to rise at low frequencies, it's also because the rumble filter is cutting the fundamental but not the distortion harmonics. THD is admirably low at this higher level.
THD, 500 mV input with gain set to 6, which is about a 3 V output.
Performance Example top
Introduction Good Bad Missing Specifications
Laboratory Measurements Performance Example
I'd get my iRig Pre 2 at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
User's Guide top
Introduction Good Bad Missing Specifications
Laboratory Measurements Performance Example
I'd get my iRig Pre 2 at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
See IK Multimedia's iRig Pre 2 User Manual.
Hint: On Mac and many other computers, the Mic input is unmarked and part of the headphone jack! To use the iRig Pre 2 with my Mac Pro (late 2013) for instance, I plug it into the headphone jack, the Mac expects the headphones to have an attached mic, and voilà, your Mac now has a phantom powered pro XLR mic input! This works the same on MacBooks and iMacs.
Recommendations top
Introduction Good Bad Missing Specifications
Laboratory Measurements Performance Example
Want a basic way to get your pro mic or mono XLR line-level source into your camera, mobile device or computer? Here you go! (Hint: remember on many computers that the mic input is combined with what's marked as the headphone jack.)
Don't forget an $8 3.5mm to Lightning or 3.5mm to USB-C adapter for use with mobile devices lacking a 3.5mm jack. Lacking a 3.5mm jack on your mobile device you could use the iRig Pro (or iRig Pro Duo for stereo) instead that connect directly via Lightning or USB-C, but they are much more expensive than using this iRig Pre 2 and an $8 adapter.
I'd get my iRig Pre 2 at Adorama, at Amazon or at B&H, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
This 100% all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally approved sources I've used myself for way over 100 combined years when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. I've used many of these sources since the 1970s because I can try it in my own hands and return it if I don't love it, and because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new preamp before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I've used myself for decades for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.
Thanks for helping me help you!
Ken.
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