This isn’t going to be a very long review — iKlip, from IK Multimedia, is a one-trick pony that does its one trick quite well. And what, exactly, is that trick, you ask? According to the IK Multimedia propaganda it’s a “universal microphone stand adapter for iPads.”

If you’re not sure what that means, a picture is surely worth thousands of words, so may I ask you to please direct your eyes to Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1: iKlip in action mounted on the vertical part of mic stand

Photo courtesy IK Multimedia

Figure 2: iKlip in action mounted on the horizontal boom of mic stand 

Photo courtesy IK Multimedia

Setup

Everything was easy. Initial assembly took but a minute with just one screw that needs driving. And attaching, removing, and adjusting the angle of the iKlip is easy using one or both of iKlip’s big knobs. Check out Figure 3 to see how all the pieces fit together.

Figure 3: Exploded parts view of iKlip 

Illustration courtesy IK Multimedia

Inserting and removing your iPad is simple as well — just slide it into the iKlip and it’s safe and secure.

Fabricated in Italy of thermoplastic, the iKlip may very well last a good, long time, but it feels a little cheap to me. For the price I expected something more substantial, like cast aluminum or stainless steel. That said, I’ve purposely played rough with mine — throwing it into a crowded duffel bag with other gear over and over — and I haven’t damaged it yet.

Testing

I’ve used my iKlip for rehearsals as well as live on stage at MacObserver’s Cirque Du Mac 8 as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4: iKlip on my mic stand on stage at Cirque Du Mac 8 

Lousy photo courtesy of Bob LeVitus

I used it to display guitar tablature charts and song lyrics and it was awesome. I can’t tell you how much better this setup is than the music stands and random pieces of paper taped to mic stands, monitors, and the floor, which is the way I’ve always done it in the past.

I have only one complaint — you have to use a screwdriver to switch from portrait to landscape orientation, which is annoying if you expect to switch orientations often. I prefer using my iPad in portrait mode when I play, so this never bothered me, but I still think it should be easier to flip your iPad a quarter turn.

The bottom  line

iKlip is a great idea with a slightly flawed execution. Still, if you want to use your iPad when you perform or rehearse, it’s a winner.