Note: I'm a professional audio engineer, so some of my comments may be more technical than what the average user is gong to need (or care about)!
The iRig Stream is a handy little interface for doing both recording and live streaming. This device was tested with an iPhone 7 (Verizon version), running IOS version 13.3.1, and version 3.0.2 of the iRig app.
The interface itself is pretty straightforward. There are two RCA input jacks, designed for a nominal level of -10dBv, with an input impedence of 16.5K ohms. A mini-DIN jack connects it to an iPhone or computer, with three interface cables supplied. A 3.5MM jack on the side allows for either stereo headphones or a combo headset with mic (TRRS connection).
A switch (supposedly) allows the headphones to monitor from either the interface or the phone (see comments below). There are two small recessed thumbwheels for the headphone level and the mic level of the headset mic (if used).
The input level is controlled by a (nicely damped) rotary pot, with three LED's to indicate the level. A switch also allows the interface to sum the two input channels to mono when used with apps that only support one channel.
The interface is capable of 24 bit recording at sample rates of 32, 44.1 and 48kHz, and has a coaxial DC jack to allow the connected device to be charged using an external 5 volt supply (not included).
The app is relatively straightforward to use, and with the optional add-ons allows the user to export high quality WAV files and MP4 video files to a variety of destinations. I tested the phone using the optional Pro Bundle, which costs $14.95.
I conducted basic tests with swept sine waves and a few different levels, all of which were relatively flat. I have not had a chance to check out the quality of the A/D converter, and don't know what chip set is used. I also did not have an opportunity to test how susceptible it might be to RF interference.
In use, there were a couple of issues that cropped up.
1. The switch which allows for loop through monitoring does not function the way that one would think. When the loopback switch is in the "On" position, it will loop through the interface, BUT, it will also reproduce audio from the phone itself at an attenuated level (such as playing back a file). It DOES NOT completely defeat the audio from the device. The only way to completely turn off the audio from the device itself is to turn the level on it all the way down. When the switch is in the "Off" position it will playback a file at normal level. This a rather contrary to how a typical loop-through monitor functions.
2. When plugging the interface into the phone, it momentarily allows the source audio to be monitored, but drops out after a second or two, until the app is opened. It also does not reliably connect the headphone output once the app is opened. I would have preferred an arrangement whereby the monitor is activated once the interface is plugged in.
3. The 3 LED's for the record level indication are rather skimpy, and there is no way to calibrate the actual level the external input (mixer or other device). I would have much preferred at least a 10 segment LED indicator with some kind indication of the actual level in dB. While there is a 60 segment 3 color bargraph style display in the app, there are no witness marks anywhere on the display that would give you any idea of what the actual level is. To complicate matters, even though it is a 60 segment display, it actually only displays a 50 dB range (IE, it's not 1 dB per division). Kind of annoying...
4. I would have liked to have had a way to attach a mounting clip of some sort to be able to attached the interface to a stand, which is likely how it would be used if a phone was used in the camera mode for streaming or shooting video.
I tested the file export function to sent files to my Dropbox account, which worked without any issues (but can be rather slow depending on your connection).
In addition, I tested the interface with the Dayana Voice Record Pro app. The app recognizes the interface and allows the user to set the sample rate and bit depth, but the only way to activate the monitor is to actually be in "record". (The loop through switch seems to have no effect on this). Also, for some reason the level on the Voice Recorder Pro app is a about 6 dB hotter than the level shown in the iRig app (for the same given input level). So, certainly functional, but doesn't act exactly the way one might expect.
The user manual available online could be a bit better, but at least they included a few specifications.
Bottom line, it's not in the class of a Focusrite iTrack Solo, but for the $$ it's a handy device to have.
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