auxCord is a simple product which does one thing and does it effectively and with the minimum of fuss. The important question is, do I need the thing it does, because if the answer is yes then everything looks very promising for auxCord. So what does it do?
auxCord allows you to connect iOS devices, or a computer capable of using AirPlay, to your computer. You can connect multiple devices at the same time - up to 100, though I don’t anticipate needing that many! You can control the individual volume, solo mute and mute state of each iOS device from auxCord and crucially you don’t need to install an app on the iOS devices you’re streaming from, the only software to install is auxCord on the host computer. If you’re an Android user you can use the AirPlay App to access this product, Mountainroad DSP report that it works well.
auxCord Software
The software comes in two versions, Standalone, which allows streaming to the host computer and out to the monitors or headphones connected to that computer, or the plugin version, which when instantiated on a suitable track in your DAW of choice allows streaming direct into the DAW for monitoring or recording. The Plugin is available as a VST3, AU or AAX Plugin for Windows or macOS, the standalone version is available for Mac or PC. Being a product which uses AirPlay it is of course iOS only so there is no Android version.
auxCord changed its name from AlpHorn to auxCord during its development, so if you’ve heard of that, it’s the same product, or what that product became. In the video below, which confusingly describes Alphorn as an ‘aux cord killer’ you can see how Mountainroad DSP envisage their product being used in the studio.
I said it was simple and that pretty much covers everything. If you look at the screen grab below you’ll see that I have routed my iPad streaming Netflix content at the same time as a podcast from the BBC from my iPhone into the Standalone version, it has to be said that Jungle Boogie changes the tone of a political podcast in a rather wonderful way… Setting up streams couldn’t be simpler. Just drag from the top right on your device like you would to connect to any device over AirPlay and select auxCord or whatever you have given the auxCord network connection as a custom name. Only when you stream some audio will the UI display the source.
Custom naming is useful because each instantiation displays as its own AirPlay destination. I created a Standalone, AAX and VST instantiation by running the standalone app, Pro Tools and Studio One respectively and was able to swap between the three instantiations easily. Creating a second AAX auxCord on a second stereo Aux Input (auxCord is stereo-only) I was able to route my iPhone to either plugin freely.
How auxCord Is useful
In use I can see this being used as an alternative to the venerable dangling minijack in the studio, so often called upon for client’s phones. The minijack itself is increasingly irrelevant as a lightning-minijack adaptor is even more likely to go missing than a headphone adaptor. Bluetooth is a viable route for this and the MBOX Studio I have in front of me is ahead of the game by sporting both a bluetooth input and output. This is great but I have to confess I’m much more comfortable with AirPlay and having a convenient way to wirelessly route iPhone audio into either the studio’s monitoring for referencing and generating ideas, or into the DAW for capture is really convenient.
Being able to share the connection with multiple devices is an improvement on using a wired connection and having not only volume but solo and mute is essential. Being able to control who has access to the monitoring is important and you have the tools you need to make sure the session stays on track if needed with these features.
auxCord is input-only, it’s not possible to route audio from the computer to the iOS device. I did wonder whether this might enable device jams using iOS instruments over the auxCord connection. Firing up the fabulous Moog Music Minimoog Model D app on my iPad quickly revealed that this connection isn’t suitable for this, the latency was far too long. Fair enough, it’s not designed for that.
When I first looked at auxCord I didn’t expect it to be staying on my computer for long. However well it worked I didn’t expect I’d think I needed it. After just a day I can say its definitely a keeper. The latency is high and there’s no Android version but I wouldn’t call those criticisms. auxCord does exactly what it sets out to do. It does it well and it’s staying on my computer because of that.
Versions and Pricing
There are two versions available. auxCord Standalone, which doesn’t include the DAW plugin versions, and auxCord Plugin, both are normally $24.99 each but are on sale at the moment for $19.99. The bundle of both is usually $39.99 but is on sale for $29.99 until 31st December 2022.