I’m dipping my toe in the box to try to lighten the weight of my live setup and add some functionality. Currently I use an Electribe for drums and sequence, a Virus for leads and pads and a Sub Phatty to shake the walls. I just picked up an Ipad on loan to see if I can use it to sequence, maybe add samples, maybe drums, control the Virus and the Moog.
I’m looking at the Minitaur to replace the Phatty and maybe as a long term plan, some outboard analog drums box. Naturally, I’m getting the Animoog. I want the whole rig to fit in a DJ booth so modules are a step in the right direction.
Are there any codes to drop the price of the Animoog?
Any advice for sequencer apps or Ipad best practice in general? Genome makes sense since the scenes metaphor works like the Electribe but something with its own instruments might be more practical.
Any favorite tools to interface with a Phatty or Minitaur for on-screen feedback of where the knobs are pointing?
Yeah, that’s definitely a “get-it-now” price on Animoog - although I’ll have to say it is worth the regular cost, i.e. $29.99 for an iPad synth that is just as capable as some hardware costing hundreds of dollars more!!
This is a good discussion site to check out music app reviews and recommendations. It’s focuses on Audiobus-enabled apps, which is probably something you’ll need for everything you want to do.
MIDI Designer - but you already know that. Don’t know of any apps that are ready-made for any of the synths you mentioned, and MD is probably going to be one of the easier “roll-your-own” controller apps to use.
See # 2.
Also -
You didn’t say which version of the iPad you’re using.
Could make a difference when you start running multiple apps.
iPad 2 is older, but very stable ~ it’s what I use, and covers everything I need it to do.
iPad 3 has a bit of a reputation for being a bit “flaky” with some music apps.
iPad mini, from what I understand, uses the same processor as an iPad 2, with (supposedly) better graphics but a smaller screen (which seems a bit self-defeating to me…)
iPad 4 is the current primo iPad, and will probably drop in price when the iPad 5 is announced - but, it uses the Lightning connector, so that currently restricts the available choices for music (and other) peripherals that can be connected directly to it. Same restriction applies to iPhone 5 and the future iPad 5.
ALSO -
If case you haven’t noticed elsewhere, the recommendation from several music developers is to WAIT a while for upgrading any device to iOS 7 that will be depended on for musical apps.
The iPad version of iOS 7 isn’t scheduled to release for a while yet anyway, so hopefully the bugs will have time to get worked out…
Also, if you wind up needing to get a MIDI interface for your iPad rig, the iConnectMIDI1 is fairly inexpensive, and works with USB, 30-pin, and Lightning iOS devices.
I tested on my gear, and works great with my iPad 2(30-pin connector) and iPhone 5 (Lightening connector).
They also make some higher-end interfaces that let you link several iOS, MIDI DIN, and USB devices simultaneously.
I have a IODock. It’s great. I haven’t done a meaningful side by side sound quality comparison but no complaints and everything just works. MIDI seems responsive enough for me.
I honestly don’t know which iPad I’m borrowing but it’s the old connector and no complaints there.
Performance is good but two apps - so a sequencer and a synth - is max before the sound drops out.
I’m looking to replace an Electribe so the requirements for a sequencer is pretty specific. I kicked the tires on Genome and ‘MIDI Pattern Sequencer’ along with some more modest sequencers. I like Genome’s ‘patterns’ approach as opposed to song approach. Using the piano editor wasn’t as easy as the one in MPS but MPS really wants you to write a whole song in there. A gripe with Genome is that if you change songs, play stops while the new track loads. Also, some usability and visibility features would be nice. MPS has these nailed. In the case of both, I thought I would be cool having a sequencer-only without sounds since I’m using outboard gear. But it is a PITA when you’re composing and takes the mobility factor out. Including a simple sound engine would probably be a good idea although I understand that’s not what they’re about.
I didn’t care for the half-dozen sample handlers I played with. Same issue in my experience, the affordable one’s where immature with a frustrating interface and the less affordable one’s were less affordable. Also, I get a one-trick-pony vibe from a lot of the apps I picked up.
I like where TableTop is headed but bummed it doesn’t control outboard gear. Of all of the sequencers i tried, this one feels the most mature but of course, it’s also the most In-App-Purchasey. I didn’t try Beatmaker or Auria partly for price and partly because they didn’t speak to me.
I’ve got G.A.S. so I’m used to buying and selling gear online. For the most part I break even except when I’ve been impetuous or researched badly. You can’t sell apps or return them really. I suspect buying a couple apps I didn’t use is cheaper than buying hardware and selling at a loss but it doesn’t feel like that when you’re doing it.
A note on the effects - I tried out a few in-line effects but haven’t reached a conclusion yet. I’ll have to pop the five bucks and try some out for real, I suppose.
My conclusion ATM is I’m not moved towards the iPad for reliable live use yet. Not having knobs is a thing when you’re under the gun. Also, switching screens to do stuff isn’t great. And things crash, which just won’t do. My guess is if I keep it for music, I’ll use it for one primary app, which will have to be a good one given the total investment.
-CCQ-
Some people Thesys for sequencing. But even more have turned instead to Loopy HD - as a looper it works well with the idea of using an iPad to quickly sketch out musical ideas. Just stick it in the recording slot of Audiobus.
For remote control of hardware synths, I’ll probably end up using Lemur. Just picked it up after it went on sale for $12 off. The difference between it and TouchOSC (which it sorta resembles) is that Lemur is scriptable - its like having LFOs on everything (faders move up and down, knobs turn, etc. all according to how you configure them).
IOS music is a wide world, and ever-growing. Good luck with your musical endeavors, whether you decide to give IOS another try.
The introduction of Apple’s Inter App Audio with IOS7 is looking to be a game changer. All the big name music apps (Garageband, Audioshare, etc.) have adopted it, and there are more in the process of adding it.
Don’t know of any apps that are ready-made for any of the synths you mentioned, and MD is probably going to be one of the easier “roll-your-own” controller apps to use.