6/4 Can the iPad be a functional music tool?
Not long after the App Store opened, music creation programs for the iPhone started to trickle in. Some were downright amazing, considering they were operating on a freaking phone. And considering a sequencer I'd demoed for Windows Mobile wanted $75 for the full version, even the "expensive" ones were a bargain and a half. So when the iPad came out, one of the reasons I jumped on it so fast was the potential for music software on it.
But so far, the story is not quite what I'd hoped. Toys far outnumber legit tools, ports of iPod software are delayed and often come at extra cost, and some of the most promising ideas haven't convinced me they're not vaporware. But useful stuff is starting to make its way into the app store.
This crazy thing is also a music toy made for loop-based "remixing" that succeeds in two key places that IK's box fails: it has a unique interface that takes advantage of the unique device, and it lets you use your own sounds and loops. You could very easily play a show with this thing, and the learning curve is zilch. Really one of the more awesome devices out there in App-land.
Now here's a real tool. But if it looks a little inscrutable, that's because it is - it's based on the trackers of yore. See, back before musician-friendly piano-roll style sequencing was popular in anything but the most high end music software, DIY computer music enthusiasts used software called trackers. And their interfaces were horrible. They can produce professional sounding results, sure - I played in a band whose producer created everything in a tracker called Buzz and it was slick as anything - but man are they hard to use. This one is no exception.
Speaking of emulating hardware devices... this one replicates an actual existing hardware device, The Korg Electribe series of hardware sequencers. And in this case, that's actually a good thing. They're based on a TR-808 style light-up step sequencer, but their strength comes from great tweakability and realtime manipulation of the sounds. Build some patterns, hit play, and twist knobs to your heart's content. This app recreates all of that faithfully and includes WAV export. And it's the only real no-brainer in the App Store right now.
It may not do as much as the promised Midipad (linked above), which also includes DJ-style scratch pads and what looks like an Ableton loop launcher, but at least this exists. The AC-7 is essentially a hardware external controller for your DAW software, the kind with transport control, motorized faders, a jog wheel, and lots of neato buttons so you don't have to navigate through menus and learn key commands. Except instead of hardware, of course it's a touchscreen. It requires a bit of setting up on the PC side (including a wi-fi MIDI driver made for... the Nintendo DS? sounds fun...), but in the end it set up much easier than any hardware controller I've ever used and worked better with Cubase to boot. I should probably note that even factoring in the cost of the iPad, the AC-7 Pro is still way cheaper than a comparable hardware device.
So what's the answer to the question in the post title? I suppose yes, although it's interesting that the one completely indispensable tool I've found so far is actually something to assist me with music on the computer rather than a standalone program. But Korg's Electribe and the RJ Voyager, along with the AC-7's capability to interface with MIDI, do point to a really fun touchscreen future for music makers.
But so far, the story is not quite what I'd hoped. Toys far outnumber legit tools, ports of iPod software are delayed and often come at extra cost, and some of the most promising ideas haven't convinced me they're not vaporware. But useful stuff is starting to make its way into the app store.
GrooveMaker (Free to $9.99)
IK Multimedia is one of the first (only?) pro music software companies to have a strong presence in the App Store. So why does their first app have "groove" - a sure sign of non-pro music software - in the title? Testing the waters I guess. The iPad is not a technologist's device, but it sure seems to me that that's a great reason why it could be a musician's device. I don't want to take pre-made loops and string them together in "remixes," but that's apparently what IK thinks I should be doing. Gotta give props to the interface, it's very nice and easy to use, but it does present a problem that most iPad apps have: it mimics a real-world metaphor too much. You could do anything with the multi-touch screen, so why do news programs look like newspapers and "groove" apps look like hardware grooveboxes?RJ Voyager (Free)
This crazy thing is also a music toy made for loop-based "remixing" that succeeds in two key places that IK's box fails: it has a unique interface that takes advantage of the unique device, and it lets you use your own sounds and loops. You could very easily play a show with this thing, and the learning curve is zilch. Really one of the more awesome devices out there in App-land.
Beatwave (Free)
Another toy, essentially, but a fun one. Essentially a matrix sequencer, with a couple drum layers on the bottom rows and some pitched sounds in the rest of the rows. The twist is, there are 4 layers, each with its own potential sound, and all the pitched notes are made to sound good. You can't screw up. You can then mix the levels of each layer, add reverb, and algorithmically "morph" the sequence. It's very cool, very ingenious, and though you can't import your own sounds, you can buy more. My biggest gripes are that the pattern has an unchangeable length and the sound overall is pleasant, new age, and background-ish. So it's a lot more about having fun than creating something with true personality.SunVox ($4.99)
Now here's a real tool. But if it looks a little inscrutable, that's because it is - it's based on the trackers of yore. See, back before musician-friendly piano-roll style sequencing was popular in anything but the most high end music software, DIY computer music enthusiasts used software called trackers. And their interfaces were horrible. They can produce professional sounding results, sure - I played in a band whose producer created everything in a tracker called Buzz and it was slick as anything - but man are they hard to use. This one is no exception.
Korg iElectribe ($9.99)
Speaking of emulating hardware devices... this one replicates an actual existing hardware device, The Korg Electribe series of hardware sequencers. And in this case, that's actually a good thing. They're based on a TR-808 style light-up step sequencer, but their strength comes from great tweakability and realtime manipulation of the sounds. Build some patterns, hit play, and twist knobs to your heart's content. This app recreates all of that faithfully and includes WAV export. And it's the only real no-brainer in the App Store right now.
AC-7 Pro Control ($9.99)
It may not do as much as the promised Midipad (linked above), which also includes DJ-style scratch pads and what looks like an Ableton loop launcher, but at least this exists. The AC-7 is essentially a hardware external controller for your DAW software, the kind with transport control, motorized faders, a jog wheel, and lots of neato buttons so you don't have to navigate through menus and learn key commands. Except instead of hardware, of course it's a touchscreen. It requires a bit of setting up on the PC side (including a wi-fi MIDI driver made for... the Nintendo DS? sounds fun...), but in the end it set up much easier than any hardware controller I've ever used and worked better with Cubase to boot. I should probably note that even factoring in the cost of the iPad, the AC-7 Pro is still way cheaper than a comparable hardware device.
So what's the answer to the question in the post title? I suppose yes, although it's interesting that the one completely indispensable tool I've found so far is actually something to assist me with music on the computer rather than a standalone program. But Korg's Electribe and the RJ Voyager, along with the AC-7's capability to interface with MIDI, do point to a really fun touchscreen future for music makers.