Partnering with Agile Partners, Peavey Electronics has announced its version of iRig -- AmpKit Link, a high-fidelity electric guitar interface that works with the AmpKit amp and pedal recording studio app for Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.

AmpKit is a free app with a built-in Gear Store that will be available soon in the iTunes App Store, and AmpKit Link is available for pre-orders now.

The AmpKit Link audio interface connects any electric guitar, bass, or any line level source with an output to an iPhone, IPod touch, and iPad. The new AmpKit Link can also be connected to headphones, powered speakers, or a PA, raising the audio fidelity bar for the iPhone platform.

Its CrossTalk Eliminator solves the feedback problem inherent in existing unpowered iPhone interfaces, according to Peavey. Unpowered guitar interfaces suffer from feedback when using headphones, says the company, and AmpKit Link is a powered device with circuitry that virtually eliminates that kind of feedback. Together, the AmpKit app and the AmpKit Link audio interface provide guitarists with a convenient way to jam via their mobile device.

The AmpKit app offers 15 different pedal types to choose from, and it lets you run as many as a dozen or even more effects pedals at a time. Available effects include multiple distortion and fuzz pedals, reverb, delay, 10-band EQ, octave, chorus, flanger, phaser, vibrato, noise gate, and compressor. The free AmpKit app includes 3 pedals, with 12 additional pedals available in the Gear Store and more to come.

Regarding amps, AmpKit comes free with the Peavey ValveKing, and more amps can be purchased from the app's built-in Gear Store. Currently there are 11 amps and 19 amp channels available, with more being promised for the future. Each amp in AmpKit is modeled after the real amp's actual circuitry and includes individual controls that match up with the most important knobs and switches on the actual amp. Many amps include multiple channels; the Peavey ValveKing, for example, includes both Clean and Lead channels, which is almost like getting two amps instead of one, notes Peavey.

The free AmpKit app includes two cabinets for free: the Peavey ValveKing 4 x 12 and ValveKing 112. You can add up to 11 more cabinets as you add amps through the Gear Store; AmpKit's user interface makes it easy to choose from a wide range of cabinets, mix and match cabinets with different amps, and save your favorite setups.

What's more, AmpKit allows you to select your choice of recording mic and mic positioning as well. The app includes two microphones free and makes six additional mics available in the Gear Store. All are said to have ultra-low latency.

In addition to the amp, cabinet, pedal, and mic simulations, AmpKit includes other tools and functions for recording and ReAmping, making backing tracks, and tuning and tempo-checking. AmpKit allows you to record as you play; it records both dry, unprocessed guitar audio and wet sound that has run through the amp and effects chain. The app also lets you upload your favorite songs and play along, or record your own backing tracks. Likewise, its built-in tuner and metronome let you play like a pro.

The AmpKit Link guitar interface may be pre-ordered from the Peavey online store or from dealers, distributors, and retail stores for $39.99. For more information about AmpKit or AmpKit Link, please visit Peavey's Web site at peavey.com.