iRig Acoustic vs iRig Acoustic Stage

If you are an acoustic guitar player who wants to amplify your sound or record your playing on your mobile device or Mac/PC, you might be interested in getting a portable device that lets you connect your guitar and headphones or speakers to your device.

The iRig Acoustic and the iRig Acoustic Stage are both compact and easy-to-use devices that allow you to amplify or record your acoustic guitar with your mobile device. The main differences are that the iRig Acoustic is a clip-on microphone that connects to your device’s headphone jack, while the iRig Acoustic Stage is a clip-on microphone with a wireless preamp that connects to your device’s USB port. The iRig Acoustic is more simple and affordable, while the iRig Acoustic Stage is more advanced and professional.

In this article, we will compare the features, sound quality, compatibility, and pros and cons of the iRig Acoustic and the iRig Acoustic Stage, so you can decide which one is better for your acoustic guitar needs.

The Quick Answer

If you are looking for a simple and affordable device that lets you amplify or record your acoustic guitar with any device with a headphone jack, and you don’t need an input for phantom power or batteries backup power, we would recommend the iRig Acoustic. It has a good sound quality, a 1/8 inch input for connecting to any device with a headphone jack, and is powered by the connected device (no batteries or external power required).

If you are looking for a versatile and professional device that lets you amplify or record your acoustic guitar with any device with a USB port, and you need an input for phantom power or batteries backup power , we would recommend the iRig Acoustic Stage. It has a great sound quality, a wireless preamp that connects to the microphone with a mini-XLR cable, and has a tone control knob and a feedback cancel switch. It can also run on batteries

Common Features

The iRig Acoustic and the iRig Acoustic Stage have some common features, such as:

• A clip-on microphone that attaches to the soundhole of your guitar.
• A 1/8 inch output for headphones or speakers.
• A software bundle with AmpliTube Acoustic and other apps.

Sound Quality

Both the iRig Acoustic and the iRig Acoustic Stage offer good sound quality with low noise and latency. They work well with headphones or speakers that have good sound reproduction. However, there are some noticeable differences in their sound quality that may affect your preference.

The iRig Acoustic has a simple and natural sound, while the iRig Acoustic Stage has a more enhanced and refined sound. The iRig Acoustic also has a lower output level than the iRig Acoustic Stage, which may affect the volume and clarity of your sound. The iRig Acoustic Stage, on the other hand, has a higher output level than the iRig Acoustic, which may improve the volume and clarity of your sound.

The sound quality of both devices also depends on the quality of your device’s headphone jack or USB port, as well as your guitar’s shape and size. The iRig Acoustic has no tone control or feedback cancel features, so you have to rely on your device’s settings or apps to shape your sound. The iRig Acoustic Stage has a tone control knob and a feedback cancel switch that let you adjust your sound to suit different situations.

Compatibility

Both the iRig Acoustic and the iRig Acoustic Stage are compatible with most acoustic guitars that have a round soundhole. They work with any headphones or speakers that have a standard 1/8 inch jack. They also come with a software bundle that includes AmpliTube Acoustic, an acoustic guitar simulator app that lets you create various tones and presets.

However, there are some compatibility issues that you should be aware of before buying either device. Here are some of them:

iRig Acoustic Compatibility

• The device works with any device that has a headphone jack, but it may not work well with some Android devices, even with an OTG cable. You have to check the compatibility list on the IK Multimedia website before buying.
• The device does not work with some older iOS devices that have a 30-pin connector, such as the iPhone 4s or earlier. You have to use an adapter or a different cable to connect to these devices.
• The device does not work with some acoustic guitars that have a non-standard soundhole, such as oval or f-shaped soundholes. You have to use a different device for these types of guitars.

iRig Acoustic Stage Compatibility

• The device works with any device that has a USB port, but it may not work well with some Android devices, even with an OTG cable. You have to check the compatibility list on the IK Multimedia website before buying.
• The device does not work with some older iOS devices that have a 30-pin connector, such as the iPhone 4s or earlier. You have to use an adapter or a different cable to connect to these devices.
• The device does not come with a power supply, so you have to buy one separately if you want to use it with batteries.

Pros and Cons

Price Comparison

The iRig Acoustic is cheaper than the iRig Acoustic Stage, as you might expect from its simpler design and features. The iRig Acoustic has a recommended retail price of $49.95, but you can find it online for around $40-$50.

The iRig Acoustic Stage is more expensive than the iRig Acoustic, as you might expect from its more advanced design and features. The iRig Acoustic Stage has a recommended retail price of $99.95, but you can find it online for around $80-$100.

So, the price difference between the iRig Acoustic and the iRig Acoustic Stage is not huge, considering what you get with each device. However, if you are on a tight budget or just want a simple and easy-to-use device for your acoustic guitar, you might prefer the iRig Acoustic. If you are willing to spend a bit more or want a more professional and realistic device for your acoustic guitar, you might prefer the iRig Acoustic Stage.

Which One Would You Choose?

Included Software

Both devices come with:

• AmpliTube for iOS (a guitar and bass tone studio app for iPhone and iPad that offers a vast library of virtual stompbox effects, amplifiers and other gear)
• AmpliTube for Mac/PC (a guitar and bass tone studio software for Mac and PC that offers a vast library of virtual stompbox effects, amplifiers and other gear)

The iRig Acoustic Stage additionally comes with:

• iRig Acoustic Stage Calibration Tool (a dedicated app for the iRig Acoustic Stage system that allows you to calibrate your system to your specific acoustic guitar and playing style, as well as adjust the EQ settings, feedback cancelation and other parameters)