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iPad/iPhone Music Production app thread

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FYI, Rebirth is cheap ATM. It looks to have gone through a number of price increases/drops in the past few weeks and I don't know whether it's actually a good iteration of it or not, but I just thought I'd let all of you know :)
 
Rebirth is a fun blast-from-the-past if you used to use it back in the day but isn't much use these days for production purposes.
 
Fusebox said:
I can't be of any assistance when it comes to Reaper or FL Studio but for Ableton I connect the Alesis iO dock outputs to my soundcard inputs and a set of MIDI cables from the iO dock to my soundcard.

Then I either record live audio into a track on Ableton by playing the touchscreen keyboard on the iPad, or I send MIDI notes from Ableton to an iPad instrument or I use the iPad as a controller for a VST instrument.

For example:

Play live part on Animoog, record the audio to track 1.

Send a loop of MIDI notes from the PC to the Sunrizer synth on iPad, record the audio to track 2.

Send a series of chords using SoundPrism from the iPad to the Absynth VSTi instrument on the PC, recording the chords as MIDI notes on track 3.

Send a loop of MIDI notes from the PC to my Monotribe hardware synth and then send the audio from the Monotribe through Filtatron on the iPad and record the audio to track 4.

Lots of different ways of getting the job done, the main thing is getting a DAW software that you're comfortable with and either an Alesis iO Dock or a set of USB <-> MIDI cables and the camera connection kit.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6794059705_452206d5c6_z.jpg
Click to expand...

Much appreciated, hope I wasn't much of a bother. A last question though, what sound card do you use for your PC(?)? I have an old X-Fi Fatal1ty with some MIDI in ports, but I assume it's pretty poor for music production. Or perhaps it's decent enough for a starter like me, dunno.
 
that's way decent. as long as you're not running on-board audio you should be fine for starters. get recording!
 
Wanted to recommend a new synth app called SpaceLab (universal):

http://spacelabapp.tumblr.com/home

It might look bad in screens, but it works surprisingly well on the iPad. It's a fairly modular synth, not too many options but it can still output a good variety of great-sounding sounds. And best of all, it's dirt cheap!
 
One of the big reasons I wanted an iPad was to create electronic music on it. I could've bought one a year ago but I kept holding out for the retina display. Now that I finally got it I downloaded the app I was looking forward to the most and holy shit it has not disappointed.
iSequence is just perfect for me. Not to complicated for someone that's starting out, but way more than enough to make some really awesome sounding stuff.

I've been messing around with melodies and basslines today and this what I came up with. It's not finished since I spent no time on the progression of the song, just a quick dirty edit. Little bit of cheesy trance, but I like it for my first song produced on an iPad.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8732349/Trancey.wav

(Sounds way better with headphones or good speakers)
 
Dartastic said:
The one in the OP. It's just... 30 something dollars. I know, it's a steal, blah blah blah. Still. Urgh.
Click to expand...

iElectribe and iMS-20 are both Korg apps and are both in the OP. :P

They're great app but $30 for either is a little bit much, I got them on special for half that when they first came out. You might want to wait for a price drop.

BeeDog said:
Haven't messed around too much with that (don't have an Alesis yet :(), but I think so! Either way, you really can't go wrong with the app. Only costs a buck.
Click to expand...

True dat! I'll grab it.

DJ88 said:
One of the big reasons I wanted an iPad was to create electronic music on it. I could've bought one a year ago but I kept holding out for the retina display. Now that I finally got it I downloaded the app I was looking forward to the most and holy shit it has not disappointed.
iSequence is just perfect for me. Not to complicated for someone that's starting out, but way more than enough to make some really awesome sounding stuff.

I've been messing around with melodies and basslines today and this what I came up with. It's not finished since I spent no time on the progression of the song, just a quick dirty edit. Little bit of cheesy trance, but I like it for my first song produced on an iPad.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8732349/Trancey.wav

(Sounds way better with headphones or good speakers)
Click to expand...

Sounds good man, very punchy kick drum.
 
I think back to Music Production in the mid 90s compared to now, and it's really quite amazing where we are. Pity the music being made is worse.
 
Fusebox said:
Sounds good man, very punchy kick drum.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Yeah, I really like hard hitting kick drums.

Shaneus said:
It's not bad, but on a device where you can't have two discrete stereo outputs, it's pretty worthless IMO.
Click to expand...

I guess it wouldn't work for live mixing so much, mainly just to record mixes.

So how does cueing work? The songs cue through the headphones, but it only actually records the track that's live and has the fader up?
 
Sobriquet said:
It'll work with a mono splitter, which is fine since club systems are in mono anyway. Not that I would do a club gig solely with an iPad.
Click to expand...
I haven't heard any club systems that are in mono! Anyway, being so used to monitoring using a stereo signal (I tend to use both sides of the headphones rather than the ol' one-ear-and-shoulder route) so using mono is kinda jarring for me. But if you're comfortable with it, no reason why it's not totally workable!

I've actually had a bit of a play with that DJ software just using regular headphones and mentally splitting the monitor and the proper output... it's hard as fuck to get used to it, but kinda satisfying if you're on the go.
 
Does anyone know of any metronome apps (preferably free) that can do crazy time signatures? My drummer buddy keeps writing shit in 7/8 and worse and it's a bitch to play along to! I need some practice :)
 
I'm having so much fun playing with nanostudio on the ipad. I made this little track last nite with it, many notes are out of place but I was so excited with the process that as soon as I recorded all I shared to souncloud lol. Btw how convenient is that? Lovin' it.

Nu dawn
 
AmpKit+ dropped to $9.99, 1/2 price

recently updated to include retina graphics, couple new pedals and the Trace Elliot 1215 bass amp, touted as "..the first modern bass amp simulation available on iOS..."
 
JDeluis said:
You need a Y-adapter.
http://youtu.be/UP5qpCExyls

I might pick it up.
Click to expand...

I bought a cheap stereo to dual mono adapter the other day so I could cue through headphones, and it works decent. Griffin makes an official cable for it (http://www.algoriddim.com/djay-ipad/accessories/dj-cable), I don't know if it does anything different than a generic one though.

What I'm really interested in, and this is strictly for fun / playing around / learning, is the iDJ Live controller (http://www.algoriddim.com/djay-ipad/accessories/idj-live). I watched a review for it on The Verge, and it indicated that it was pretty decent for the price ($89-$99). I also discovered there are some higher quality versions that are designed for the Mac version of the software - that you could probably actually use for a gig (again, not crazy professional but not cheap plastic either). I will probably eventually get the cheap iDJ Live and if I really like it, and want to step it up a notch, look into the high quality versions for the Mac (I have a nice MacBook Pro so that expense is taken care of).
 
railGUN said:
I'm considering an app called DJay and a device called iDj Live. Anyone have any experience with either of these apps or devices. The iDJ Live looks kind of cheap, but I'm not expecting Tech 1200's level quality here, just something to play with.

http://www.algoriddim.com/djay-ipad

http://www.numark.com/product/idjlive
Click to expand...


Djay is the best dj app available right now, but more are coming down the pipeline

http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2012/03/musikmesse-2012-best-of-the-rest/

Ipad djing is really taking off.
 
for those that didn't get it when it was cheap before,
looks like Animoog is gonna go on sale tomorrow (4-1)

down to $3 for iPad $2 for iPhone (from $30 / $10)
 
Is there anything like iMaschine for the iPad, or better alternatives? Looking for something with an old Akai MPC drum machine sampler type feel to tap out some beats. Get SynthStation?

MadPad looks pretty awesome in this vein.
 
Heel said:
Is there anything like iMaschine for the iPad, or better alternatives? Looking for something with an old Akai MPC drum machine sampler type feel to tap out some beats. Get SynthStation?

MadPad looks pretty awesome in this vein.
Click to expand...

beatmaker 2 is your best friend.
 
Animoog is a must, get it while it's hot.

About a similar app to imaschine for beat making, I have imaschine but I can't stop pimping nano studio, I easily prefer using the later, imaschine is too basic and it server right that purpose but I would try nano if you don't have it. I don't have beat maker but as soon as I get a card I'll chip in.
 
railGUN said:
I bought a cheap stereo to dual mono adapter the other day so I could cue through headphones, and it works decent. Griffin makes an official cable for it (http://www.algoriddim.com/djay-ipad/accessories/dj-cable), I don't know if it does anything different than a generic one though.

What I'm really interested in, and this is strictly for fun / playing around / learning, is the iDJ Live controller (http://www.algoriddim.com/djay-ipad/accessories/idj-live). I watched a review for it on The Verge, and it indicated that it was pretty decent for the price ($89-$99). I also discovered there are some higher quality versions that are designed for the Mac version of the software - that you could probably actually use for a gig (again, not crazy professional but not cheap plastic either). I will probably eventually get the cheap iDJ Live and if I really like it, and want to step it up a notch, look into the high quality versions for the Mac (I have a nice MacBook Pro so that expense is taken care of).
Click to expand...

Damn! That first video in the page really makes me want to purchase the controller.

I'm now curious at what the more expensive options offer.
 
So I am thinking of buying the SynthStation 49 for my iPad... I really want to get into music production and I've already dicked around with FruityLoops and GarageBand for iPad.

Has anyone used this or know anyone that has since I can't find any videos online about them... it looks decent.
 
Guys check out Figure by Propellerheads on the AppStore. It's limited but it's great fun and it sounds totally bad-ass when you get a loop cranking.
 
iKaossilator is a lot more capable from what I've been reading, although I think I've seen some posts saying they prefer Figure's interface.
 
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