Uploaded July 2012 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

---

My excitement over this product suddenly evaporated when I did a Stereo recording session and discovered that the StudioConnect's GAIN adjustment does NOT work on the Stereo input. In fact, it seems to only work on the MONO input, which is ridiculous because I need to record in Stereo. Furthermore, no where in the product documentation, product ads, or even the trade show videos you can find here on YouTube indicate that the GAIN Adjustment won't work on both inputs. With this being an otherwise outstanding product, the failure of the Gain to adjust the Stereo input is very disheartening and transforms it into a $150 charging station.

►My StudioConnect unboxing video is here:
youtube.com/watch?v=3803CK1s2kc

►AUG.11, 2012 UPDATE: I contacted Griffin and they basically told me they were sorry the StudioConnect didn't live up to my expectations. They did not offer to take the product back. They only said they value feedback from their customers. Furthermore, as of today (two weeks after I contacted Griffin), their website still does not clarify the purpose of the Gain control. Go there now:

web-beta.archive.org/web/20150221155434/http://store.griffintechnology.com/studioconnect-na17132

SPECS
Audio in:
• 1/4" mono
• 3.5 mm stereo
• Gain control

Had Griffin written that section as follows, I would not have mistakenly purchased StudioConnect thinking its Gain control worked on the Stereo input too:

SPECS
Audio in:
• 1/4" mono, with Gain control
• 3.5 mm stereo

►JULY 2016 UPDATE: I still use my StudioConnect each Sunday to record about 90 minutes of audio into my iPad3 using the TwistedWave app and of course the tape deck for gain control. The only problems seem to occur in the summer when its a bit warmer. Although we have A/C in our recording studio at church, the AC adapter still gets so burning hot that the power starts to cut out after about an hour. The power flickers the blue ring of light around the volume control, and of course the recording cuts out too. Interestingly, the Apple iPad charger is smaller than the StudioConnect AC adapter, yet it never has overheating problems. The StudioConnect's A/C adapter is clearly a cheap, of-the-shelf adapter from China. Again, it works, it just overheats, which can interrupt your recording.

►APRIL 2017 UPDATE: I purchased a small fan to blow air on the A/C adapter. That works well to keep heat under control most of the time, but reducing screen brightness on the iPad also helps quite a lot. As I mentioned previously, if the AC adapter gets too hot, it will interrupt your recording session.