MusicRadar Verdict
If you're happy fighting the level settings, AmpKit has all the iPhone guitar metal you'll need.
Pros
- +
Good high-gain amp sounds. Re-amping feature. Downloadable backing tracks.
Cons
- -
High maintenance amp settings. No access to iTunes.
MusicRadar's got your back
AmpKit Link is a rather ugly piece of white plastic that looks more like a part of a burglar alarm. The kit contains two AAA batteries - an LED lights when a guitar jack is plugged in - and there's the necessary 3.5mm headphone connector and a 3.5mm jack for connecting to the iDevice.
You can either use the free AmpKit app, buy the AmpKit+ bundle for £11.99 or purchase individual amps, mics, and effects - this could get expensive, as the add-ons range from £1.79 to £3.49 each.
A metronome, tuner, and recorder are included. Backing tracks can be downloaded via WiFi, but there's no iTunes access. The free AmpKit includes eight presets and one amp and cab, based on the Peavey ValveKing amp. This behaves like a real high-gain amp: it's noisy and it feels like feedback is lurking around every corner.
AmpKit depends on the overactive noise gate - at the default setting it cuts off way too fast. We don't like fiddling with input levels for individual presets - not on an iPhone app, anyway.
Unusually, there's a re-amping feature, where a recorded part can have a different amp model applied to it afterwards implying Peavey see this as a studio tool too.
If you don't mind the high maintenance, AmpKit will make a great mobile shred machine!
Future Music is the number one magazine for today's producers. Packed with technique and technology we'll help you make great new music. All-access artist interviews, in-depth gear reviews, essential production tutorials and much more. Every marvellous monthly edition features reliable reviews of the latest and greatest hardware and software technology and techniques, unparalleled advice, in-depth interviews, sensational free samples and so much more to improve the experience and outcome of your music-making.
"He’s stabilised now, which is brilliant": Brian May’s wife Anita Dobson gives fans a fresh update on his progress
"He's a brilliant actor so I’m sure he’s going to be completely believable as me": Bob Dylan has just endorsed Timothée Chalamet’s Bob Dylan impersonation
“Reimagined for the 21st century by renowned British luthier Patrick James Eggle”: Shergold unveils Masquerader Standard Series, an affordably priced, imaginatively spec’d S-style with a P-90/humbucker combo