There are plenty of great apps for iOS music producers, but there are a few that really stand out. Depending on what features are most important to you, you may have a vastly different opinion of certain apps than another producer. David Israel makes music using iOS exclusively, with a focus on the iPad. Take a look at the article linked below to see if there are any great apps that you’ve been missing out on.
You can read the full article here: http://smitematter.com/2013/02/02/the-must-have-ios-music-apps-in-my-process/
iPad
Audio Recording Apps For iPad
Recording audio is a great way to put your iPad or other iOS device to use. Depending on what your purpose is, you may have much different needs than the average user. Even if the biggest selling point for an audio recording app for you is its price, there are plenty of options. Sites like Soundcloud and Audioboo have their own recording apps.
You can read about some of the app options here: http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/01/5-useful-audio-recording-ipad-apps.html
Auria LE DAW Available For iPad
Reading software feature lists can be exciting if you have a use for all of the features, but if you only need a few of the features of a program, it can feel like all of the extras are just costing you money that you don’t need to spend. You might choose a different piece of software that’s less expensive and hope it does a good enough job, but more importantly you hope that it’s quite a while before you actually do need all of those “extra” features. The Auria DAW for iPad offers the best of both worlds. With the LE version ($24.99) you can later upgrade to the full version ($49.99) instead of having to buy the full version outright.
You can read more about the Auria DAW and compare the features of each version here: http://auriaapp.com/Products/auria
24-Bit Microphone For iPhone and iPad: RODE iXY Stereo Mic
It isn’t quite available yet (thought I’d get that out of the way up front:)), but you can pre-order it! It’s the Rode iXY microphone for iPhone and iPad.It plugs into the 13-pin dock connector of your device as opposed to the headphone jack like so many other iOS mics. This is incredibly cool!
I use a Rode microphone as my primary vocal mic – The Rode NT2-A, and it’s awesome, just like all Rode mics. So I’m particularly excited to get my hands on a mic made by Rode that works with iPads and iPhones. To date, most of the really good mics that work with iPads and iPhones plug into the dock connector like the iXY, but have been rather large mono mics, like the Blue Spark Digital and the Apogee Electronics MiC – see our article about those two mics here: Two New Studio Quality iPad Microphones. This new Rode mic will be an high quality mic like those two, but will be very portable and of course, will be stereo (hence the two half-inch cardioid condenser capsules). By the way, these two capsules are in the “X-Y” stereo configuration, which is why they point out and away and 90 degree angles.
The iXY will turn an iPhone into an incredibly handy and high-quality field recording device. The video recording crowd are already very much looking forward it, since it will allow them to attach the iPhone to their cameras and plug it into the external mic input (not all camcorders have external mic inputs, though – fair warning, fet one that does).
As for some specs, the mic is capable of recording 24-bit 96-KHz (sampling frequency) audio, which is fabulous. And you can record audio using any iOS audio recording app, though I highly recommend using Rode’s new recording app, the Rode Rec Audio – see more about that in our post here: RØDE Rec Audio Recording App For iPhone And iPod Touch.
OK, so you’re convinced and want one now? I know, it isn’t out as of January 11th, 2013. HOwever, you CAN pre-order yours from B&H Pro Audio! Just Click Here to do that, and it will come to you when it arrives, which is projected to be in early March 2013. Good things come to those who wait;).
Animoog V2 From Moog Music Released
Moog Music has released Animoog v2. This updated iOS app offers many user-requested features, including an available 4-track recorder and the ability to import audio tracks. You can also import tracks and record/loop multiple layers of synthesizer within the app. Finish up by directly uploading to Soundcloud or sharing with Apple file sharing.
You can read more about this app update here: http://musicindustrynewswire.com/animoog-v2-with-4-track-recorder-announced-by-moog-music/