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This setup illustrates the most typical configuration for using a recording app. Here, you might
record guitar through Input 1 and vocals through Input 2 into your preferred app, while monitoring
the playback – anything you’ve already recorded - via headphones or loudspeakers.
The rear panel has inputs for three types of source: microphones, line level sources (i.e., other audio
equipment) or instruments. Mics connect via 3-pin XLR sockets (you will probably have an XLR plug
on the end of your microphone cable), while line level sources and instruments use a ¼” (6.35 mm)
jack plug. The iTrack Dock has two channels so, for example, you can record from a microphone and
instrument simultaneously, with the two sources going to separate tracks in the recording app. If you
are connecting a musical instrument (a guitar in the example), use the INSTRUMENT input via an
ordinary 2-pole guitar jack. The LINE input is suitable for connecting a source such as the balanced
output of an external audio mixer via a 3-pole (TRS) jack.
Input Selection
Selection of input source between Mic, Line and Instrument (Ch. 1) and Mic and Line (Ch.2) is
accomplished automatically on the iTrack Dock – there are no extra switches. The LINE and
INSTRUMENT jack sockets on the rear panel have switch contacts that detect the presence of a plug,
and route the input connectors accordingly.
Thus, a simple “hierarchy” of input selection applies:
• On Channel 1, the LINE input has priority over the MIC input, and the INSTRUMENT input has
priority over both of them.
• On Channel 2, the LINE input has priority over the MIC input.
What this means in practice is that if you want to record from a microphone connected to one of the
MIC inputs, you must make sure that nothing is plugged in to the corresponding Line input (either
channel) or the INSTRUMENT socket (Channel 1 only).
Similarly, if you want to record from a line level source connected to the LINE input of Channel 1, you
must make sure that nothing is plugged in to the INSTRUMENT input. (This obviously doesn’t apply
to Channel 2, which has no INSTRUMENT input.)
Using Direct Monitoring
You will frequently hear the term “latency” used in connection with digital audio systems. In the case
of the simple recording application described above, latency will be the time it takes for your input
signals to pass through your iPad and audio recording app. Latency can be a problem for a performer
who wishes to record while monitoring their input signals.
The iTrack Dock is fitted with a “Direct Monitoring” option, which completely overcomes this problem.
Selecting DIRECT MONITOR will route your input signals directly to the iTrack Dock’s monitor and
headphone outputs. This enables you to hear yourself with zero latency – i.e., in “real time” – along
with the recording app playback. The input signals to the recording app are not affected in any way
by this setting.
When Direct Monitoring is set ON, ensure that your recording app is not set to route its input (what
you are currently recording) to its output. If it is, you will hear yourself “twice”, with one signal
audibly delayed as an echo.
