M-Audio iControl GarageBand Controller

by M-Audio

Product Features

• Control volume, pan, effects, mute, solo and record for multiple tracks
• Control parameters for GarageBand or Audio Unit instrument and effect plug-ins
• Dedicated transport buttons and jog wheel for song positioning
• Automatically recognized by GarageBand for easy setup
• USB bus-powered--no power adapter required

Product Details

• Item Weight: 3.7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0009MH5P2
• Item model number: 9900-40729-00
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,020 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)

Product Description

iControl delivers total tactile control over GarageBand. Dedicated transport buttons and jog wheel put record and playback functions at your fingertips. Its eight rotary knobs are easily assigned to track functions like volume and pan, or to parameters for effects such as GarageBand's EQ or any other Audio Unit plug-in. iControl also provides dedicated mute, solo and record-enable buttons for each track, plus a master volume fader. iControl is USB bus-powered, class-compliant, and automatically recognized by GarageBand, making setup a breeze. iControl puts you in complete creative flow with your GarageBand experience.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great product but rec'd defective item TWICE!!!, December 4, 2005

By 

Howard P "Songwriter" (Long Island, NY USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: M-Audio iControl GarageBand Controller (Electronics)

I hooked the iControl up to my iMac and without doing anything else it functioned perfectly (well almost, see below*). I tried it out on one mixdown and it made working with GarageBand much easier than using the mouse. Contrary to what some reviews in magazines have said, the "Option" button does function and is quite helpful, just read the instructions which are rather brief. However, the device is so intuitive that the instructions are good enough. I was able to access many more GB functions with the iControl than I thought possible. Based on all of the above I would have given it five stars....
*But, one of the eight rotary knobs broke the first time I tried to turn it. The knob was actually cracked. I returned the unit to Amazon for an exchange. Amazon's exchange policy is great and I am sending it back, at their expense. Meanwhile, they are sending me another before they receive the return which is good customer policy. I must say that I was hesitant to ask for an exchange rather than a refund, but I really liked the darn thing. So, I'm going to give M-Audio the benefit of doubt and hopefully I will not have any problem with the new unit. If it is not defective than I would definitely give it five stars. But, I'll have to reserve judgement until then. When I get the new one and try and it for a few days I'll update my review.

UPDATE - Rec'd second unit in exchange from Amazon and guess what, same problem. The top rotary potentiometer knob was loose out of the box and lasted almost an entire 2 minutes before it broke off. I am sending this back for a refund, no more exchanges for me. M-Audio has a design or manufacturing defect and with the experience I had (twice) I do not trust that the iControl would even make it through the warranty period. I have other mixers and gear by Mackie, Tascam etc. for years without any problems; and that equipment has been used at home and on the road. I am going to put my refund towards a USB or Firewire mixer since the second version of GB allows true multitrack recording. I will see what Mackie or Behrlinger have available. The mixer would be useful for recording. The iControl would have been useful for post-production editing, but for that I will stick with my wireless mouse. What a major disappointment.

BTW - I tried to change my rating to ONE STAR but apparently that cannot be done while editing one's review.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Thing Rocks!, August 1, 2005

By 

Robert Green "muya" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: M-Audio iControl GarageBand Controller (Electronics)

At first I was a little sceptical, but after using it, I can't imagine using Garageband without it! I can finally stand up and play, fiddle with the effects, change tracks, and record without ever having to sit down and mess with stuff. I works seemlessly, no software to install, no fuss, no muss. Well worth the money!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tightly integrated GarageBand controller., March 23, 2007

By 

Maine Writer "David" (Maine, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: M-Audio iControl GarageBand Controller (Electronics)

With the price halved from its original suggested retail price, now is a great time to pick up this gem that lets you get hands on control on GarageBand mixdowns. That, by the way, is when the unit shines. From panning, to volume, to tweaking effects, you get to avoid the annoying and imprecise mousing approach and use a unit that's solidly built with intuitive, responsive controls (even the knobs offer great "click" feedback to subtle adjustments). What's especially great is the complete integration with GarageBand. iControl becomes a seamless extension of the software. I happen to think that GarageBand is a hugely underrated, and very powerful, loop and recording package. iControl takes it to the next level.