What would it take to tempt you to grab an iPad? These 25 apps might just whet your appetite. And if you can’t afford to buy an iPad, read on for how you can win one in AudioJungle’s new competition.
When iPads were first announced, we asked whether they would revolutionize music production. We – and many of you – couldn’t see it becoming the hub of our musical world, but thought that it might be a good peripheral device or controller.
Well, they’ve been out for a while now, and it’s time to round up a list of useful audio apps. How have they influenced your music making?
Win an iPad in AudioJungle’s iPad Treasure Hunt
AudioJungle have turned two, and to celebrate they are giving away an iPad and other prizes. To win, take part in an iPad Treasure Hunt around the AudioJungle Music Library. It’s all very tricky, and the competition closes on Monday May 31st, so you’ll have to hurry.
First prize is a 16GB Apple iPad, while the runner up wins $150 of AudioJungle marketplace credit. Head over to this thread in the AudioJungle forum to learn more.
Why would you want to win an iPad? Well, it’s a lot more fun than buying one. And you’ll find another 25 cool reasons below if you keep reading.
1. Pianist Pro
Cost: $19.99
“Pianist, the original iPhone piano, turns Professional in an all new iPad-only app with photo-realistic graphics and an unbelievable sound.”
Learn more here.
2. Synth
Cost: $0.99
“An incredible polyphonic synthesizer for your iPad. More than 40 instruments. Mod wheel. Adjustable delay.”
Learn more here.
3. Pro Keys
Cost: $0.99
“This app reached the second place on the US top (free) list! Why? Check out how beautiful is sounds.”
Learn more here.
4. Magic Piano
Cost: $0.99
“Play timeless pieces on spiral and circular keyboards, or follow beams of light – mastery requires only imagination. Play alone, or travel through a warp hole and play Piano Roulette with other performers across the world.”
Learn more here.
5. Guitar Lab
Cost: free
“TrueFire’s Guitar Lab app streams video guitar lessons with text, standard notation and guitar tab to your iPhone, iPad or Ipod Touch.”
Learn more here.
6. iElectribe
Cost: $19.99
“Korg’s ELECTRIBE.R has been coveted by dance musicians for ten years running. Today, this indispensable instrument has been born as a dedicated iPad app – the KORG iELECTRIBE virtual analog beatbox! The regular price is US$19.99; a special introductory price of US$19.99 is being offered until June 30, 2010.”
Learn more here.
7. Looptastic HD
Cost: $19.99
Create your own non-stop remixes in a incredibly intuitive way. Combine over 900 high-quality loops with your own imported samples – without stopping the music! Personalize your performance with 9 touchpad-controlled effects. Capture your moves and export them as CD-ready audio files.”
Learn more here.
8. Piano Accordio Pro
Cost: $3.99
“Awesome piano accordion! If there is one musical instrument that fits perfectly into the iPad’s big screen, you’ve just found it. Piano Accordio Pro sounds like a traditional punchy Italian accordion. It is designed to be exceptionally responsive and fun to play.”
Learn more here.
9. iBone
Cost: $2.99
The Pocket Trombone.
Learn more here.
10. Easybeats LGR
Cost: $4.99
Pro Drum Machine. “easyBeats is built from the ground up to be the quickest and easiest way to create great sounding 4-bar beats.”
Learn more here.
11. SunVox
Cost: $4.99
“SunVox is the most powerful music creation tool for iPhone/iPad.”
Learn more here.
12. bleep!BOX
Cost: $19.99
“bleep!BOX is a combination of drum machine and synthesizer box for your iPhone or iPod Touch. bleep!BOX has no samples – every sound is generated in realtime, so you can tweak to your heart’s content and kiss repetitive, cookie cutter drum beats and loops goodbye. bleep!BOX is not a simple toy – it’s powerful enough for you to make real music.”
Learn more here.
13. Bowls HD
Cost: $3.99
Automatic Tibetan Singing Bowls. “Make relaxing music using authentic Tibetan singing bowls.”
Learn more here.
14. StudioMini XL
Cost: $5.99
Recording Studio. “Check out our site for cool tutorials, video demos by some incredible musicians and more.”
Learn more here.
15. TouchOSC
Cost: $4.99
“TouchOSC is an iPhone/iPad application that lets you send and receive Open Sound Control messages over a Wi-Fi network using the UDP protocol.”
Learn more here.
16. Drum Meister Grand
Cost: $1.99
A realistic drum playing application for iPad.
Learn more here.
17. forScore
Cost: $4.99
The Musical Score Reader for iPad. “forScore was designed as a way to take thousands of pages of score with you on the go. With innovative features like the audible and visual metronome, forScore is more than just a PDF reader – it’s an intiutive experience.”
Learn more here.
18. ProRemote
Cost: $99.99
“ProRemote is the world’s first 32-channel touch-sensitive control surface that fits in the palm of your hand. ProRemote allows you to control your audio applications wirelessly using your existing wifi network. Get realtime meter data and control your rig.”
Learn more here.
19. ELECTRIFY
Cost: $14.99
“ELECTRIFY is a virtual sample-based Groovebox for your iPad. It was designed to combine the best features of existing hardware groveboxes and the ease of use of software applications in one creative touchable app.”
Learn more here.
20. AC-7 Pro Control Surface
Cost: $19.99
“The AC-7 Pro brings full touch control to your music mixing and recording sessions.”
Learn more here.
21. StudioTrack
Cost: $39.99
“StudioTrack is a songwriting tool for musicians who want to capture musical ideas and record songs on their iPad. StudioTrack works with the iPad built-in microphone and headphones. WiFi sync allows StudioTrack recordings to be downloaded to any desktop computer with a browser. Tracks can then be loaded into any recording software (DAW) to continue working on songs.”
Learn more here.
22. TabToolkit
Cost: $19.99
“TabToolkit is an incredibly powerful guitar tablature and music notation viewer, now with multi-track playback! An essential tool for learning and practising music, TabToolkit includes an audio synthesis engine so you can listen to and control the audio for all tracks individually.”
Learn more here.
23. Nota HD
Cost: $7.99
“As seen on Apple’s iPad TV commercial, Gizmodo, CNet, TUAW and Smoking Apples! Nota is a set of indispensable tools for musicians at any level. It has a piano chord and scale browser, a piano and staff note locator, a note quiz and a reference library with over 100 symbols.”
Learn more here.
24. iSequence
Cost: $6.99
“Real time playback/recording, parameter automation, built-in effects, and sound bank upgradable.”
Learn more here.
25. iRig
Cost: $39.99
A hardware/software solution for rocking out with your guitar or bass. Macworld explain:
“The first part of iRig is a small hardware adapter that lets you plug your guitar into your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. It also has a one-eight-inch jack for plugging in headphones or running out to an amp or powered speakers.
“Once you get your guitar and device set up, the AmpliTube for iPhone software becomes the real headliner. This app combines customizable stombox effects and amplifiers for making your guitar or bass sound like just about whatever you want. It comes in three editions, too: Free, LE, and Full. AmpliTube’s Free and LE versions come with different sets of effects and amps, and musicians can use in-app purchases to add more effects packages. If you want to go all-out, the Full version includes all effects and amps.”
Learn more here.
Conclusion
If you’re contemplating buying an iPad, which of these apps do you find most tempting? Do you think an iPad will make you a more productive music producer?
Do you already own an iPad? Which audio apps do you find most compelling or useful? Which of your favorite apps have we left out?
In Australia we have to wait another week until we even see an iPad. I’m still on the fence about whether to buy one or not. What can you say to push me over the edge one way or the other. Let us know in the comments.
And don’t forget to enter AudioJungle’s iPad Treasure Hunt – before it’s too late!
Enjoyed this Post?
Subscribe to our RSS Feed, Follow us on Twitter or simply recommend us to friends and colleagues!
By Adrian Try
Join our newsletter!
Create a Tutorial, Get Paid!
Have something to teach the world? Want to earn money doing it? Tutorials, screencasts, and articles published here on Audiotuts+ are largely contributed by readers just like you! We'll pay you great money for good content. Find Out More
I want to be able to walk around a concert venue with an iPad and control the FOH mixing desk. It would be so cool to be able to select tracks and faders and mix on an iPad, wherever you are in the audience.
You could even do a nice monitor mix while standing on stage using it, instead of having to rely on the musicians to tell you what they want in their monitor. It would give you added flexibility.
Have you seen the Presonous mixer and their iPad app? It allows you to have full control of the mixer through your iPad!
Just had a look. Very nice!
I have a Yamaha LS9-32 and use their iPad app to mix monitors on stage. It’s very nice.
I’m temped by all of those apps! I’m thinking of buying an iPod Touch just for the great music apps.
Very nice post.
iPad it’s too f*ing expensive.
Very interesting Apps, really made me want an iPad just for testing those things!
But, just wondering, are there any good Music Apps for the Android OS yet?
I’m currently buying an Android phone and wanted to have some music experience with this little thing.
Thanks for the good tuts on this site!
Hi Osnildo. I just reposted an older Android article from the AudioJungle forum. It might be time to have a look at the newer Android apps in the next few months.
since the iPad’s hardware ain’t “beefy” … pretty much my dream applications are wireless remote control surfaces …
A) a remote for MainStage
let me leave my computer or laptop backstage, and just bring the iPad out with me. I can stash it on a music stand and I’ve got all the control I need for changing patches, parameters, etc.
B) a remote clip launcher for Ableton
again … leave my laptop backstage, bring this out and launch clips and stuff all touchscreen. badassed futuristic flow, yo.
Hi, I would like to help you with one of those two dreams, somebody wrote a great touchosc script for the ipod/ipad, which behaves just like the apc40 or the launchpad, it even shows the red box and which clips are loaded, as does it have a sequencer and advanced parameter control, volume control, sends,…
this is the link to the ableton forum topic, I only do hope you have a mac, and make sure you download the latest installer (and keep track of the latest installers, as it improves a lot)
http://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=140282
Yeah i think they should make drivers for all the big live mixing desks Like the yamaha M7cl
so you can remotely operate the desk
hmmmmmm ;-/
You’re forgetting the best iPad music app yet:
http://earsmack.com/
I was tempted by Aurora Sound Studio HD, ok looked a little pricey but now I’ve got it I don’t regret it and use it nearly everyday. I was very tempted by a Tenorion but this has saved me a fortune and I can do more with it.
Best list I’ve seen of music apps for the iPad. I’ve never even seen Drum Meister Grand before, that looks like a great app. Thanks for taking the time to put this together.
Great list. There seems to be a heavy weighting on piano and beat/drum apps how ever. Not to suggest you did that on purpose, I believe it’s just how the industry has gone. There aren’t as many bass or guitar apps available. None the less thanks for putting this together a great resource for people wanting to make music with their iPads.
How about iPad accordion?
Haven’t you seen?
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/accordeon/id364741802?mt=8
Doodle Drummer HD is pretty good as well
ezPiano for iPad is a magical app that lets you have fun with the piano on the go. It’s released 4 days ago and is already one of the top music apps in App Store.
Barrel Tones is the best free drum app on the market.
The graphics are incredible.
http://itunes.apple.com/app/barrel-tones/id394578631?mt=8
I have the Ipad and my favorite app is absolutely touchable for ableton live
And tocuh osc for logic!
Basically an Akai Apc40 with more features and a , logic contol for a fraction of the price!
don’t go blowing 99$ on ProRemote for the love of pete.
if ac-7 pro (soon to be lots better and called ac-7 core) doesn’t suit you because you want something that had nothing but pro tools in mind, then look at v-control FIRST!
http://www.neyrinck.com/en/products/v-control
half the price or 1/10th of the price, depending on what version you want.
The most tempting application is definately the Piano app. I don’t know how to play and don’t know the actual piano key layout structure. I’ve just been fooling around on my 11yr old cousin’s electric synthesizer piano and playing Transformers Arrival to Earth the view notes.
Looking into the Joomla Web Developer application as I am hoping to see how it performs.
Musicians that use notation have been following the progression of computer screen notation for years.
As a gigging musician in L.A. – the practice is increasingly to email PDF parts to have a look. You already see a few ipads on gigs now. I use the iReal Book (which you might consider as part of your list… great app!) on my iphone and it’s been great more that a few times.
The thing I’d like to see is synchronized playback of multiple notation parts on multiple ipads.
Sounds like a big chore, but Im sure there is someone up to the task. Each player would have their own ipad, and watch the music scroll by- always knowing where they are at a glance. The interpretation and timing would be pre-set, but the effect, as I see it, would be overall more freeing for the musicians performing.
Anybody up to the task?
Hi John, thanks for the comment. I included iReal Book in another list, but still haven’t tried it out. I’m using OnSong at the moment. Hopefully I’ll try it out in the near future. And hopefully you’ll get your wish at some stage this year.
Our company has an app called iGigBook that could easily do what John wants. iGigBook is a PDF reader app that indexes popular fake books so that you can search for songs by title or composer. It’s proven invaluable for the musician that often needs to play tunes that are obscure that they haven’t memorized but have them available as a PDF or a part of a larger book. we also make another app called iGBPager which allows you to turn pages wirelessly on your iPad with an iPhone or iPod Touch. It would be possible to have a single iPhone or iPod touch loaded with iGBPager turn the page of multiple iPads at the same time. This would of course depend on whether or not the score is paged the same way for all instruments.
Thanks Phil. I’ll check it out too.
Watch this video – how to create beats on ipad and iphone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ1VwSxHvoE
I recently designed and simulated an innovative iPad app called “Top of the Charts” that allows users to quickly sort through the most popular music throughout history and learn more about each artist, genre, album, etc. The unique part is the way the user interacts with the device in order to retrieve the information. Please check it out here: http://vimeo.com/20228453
when will they do a winamp program for ipad, these apps are just toys
As a choir singer, I would be (I am, actually) very tempted by the forScore app, to keep all my scores together, easy annotations, etc.
It would be nice if Apple could sponsorize our choir as the first iPad based in the world…
WHERE IS REBIRTH!!!! THAT ONE IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!! CHECK IT OUT! search ReBirth on app store. its by propellerhead
lets face it – ipad + music apps = gimick.
music apps on ipad are nothing but toys. old technology repackaged.
i just cant take it seriously.
music technology has moved on.
Try “Guitar!” from Onbeat i downloaded it for free theres not many chords but the sounds are amazing!
Autoflip is amazing. Displays scoresheets “hears” what you are playing and… flips the page automatically. Programmers did a great job
very good ipad music apps
If you want to download ipad music,please visit here.
http://www.dvdtoipads.com/resources/ipad-music.html
The Frisco School of Music presents “iBand”. This is an advanced class taught by Gabriel Bautista with all of the instruments being iPad Apps. All of the students are taking music lessons at the school and were able transfer those skills to the various iPad applications.
The video is a compilation of the three performances they gave for the Star Power concerts at the school. They chose three Beatles tunes as a tribute to Apple (computers and records), ‘All My Lovin” and a “Hey Jude-Come Together” medley.
The iBand performers are: Allison Ponthier, 15, Lowery Freshman Center, Vocalive; Cal Simpson, 13, Evans Middle School, Guitar-Garage Band; Colin Climie, 15, Clark High School, iJ Bass HD; Idrissa Ndiaye, 15, Jasper High School, Piano-Garage Band; Montana Brock, 13, McKinney Christian Academy, Drums-Garage Band; and Gabriel Bautista, Instructor, Pocket Organ.
The Frisco School of Music teaches exceptional private and group music lessons for all ages and levels on all instruments, plus Rock School Band, Jazz School Band and summer camps. The School is located on Preston Road at Main Street.
Check it out at http://www.FriscoSchoolofMusic.com or call 214.436.4058
This many panio and keyboard apps? FAIL!
You didnt mention trak pro dj. The traktor controller for ipad.
The music app that I use is a feature from the Ghostwriter Notes app which you can buy at http://www.majorspot.com
I find the music sheet feature helpful in composing songs, and you can convert it immediately to PDFs.
Shapemix is the easiest to use and provides access to stem files. That should certainly be added to this list.
Good,very good ipad music apps.I am trying to download them.Of course,I also need some free ipad music.
http://www.dvdtoipads.com/resources/ipad-music.html
Great List, Thank you!
If you’re looking for music software for iPad, I’d suggest you to check this giant audio software database at:
http://www.440audio.com/en/software/iphone/
All software are sorted by category, and exclude thousands of junk “music” apps you would usually find on the Apple AppStore.
Worth a visit!
I used MusicTime deluxe for many years for music notation on PC is possible to have as an App for Ipod Touch?
No, it doesn’t look like they have an iPad app. I hear good things about NOTION Music, who have a good music notation app for iPad, and also Mac and Windows apps.
You should also check out iLovePiano for iPad. The app helps you understand and learn notes, positions on the staff and on the piano and it also works with an external piano (as an input device via microphone, no cables needed
iLovePiano on Facebook
iLovePiano on AppStore
Horribly gratuitous plug, I know, but I wrote a book called Make Music with your iPad. It features a bunch of the apps in this post and I hope you’ll enjoy it. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Make-Music-Your-IPad-Harvell/dp/1118145585
There is an app/book called Kasey’s Music Jams for Kids on the itunes store. It is a book or young beginners 3 and up designed to help teach them to play along with music. It is made up of 17 songs with vibrant illustrations and quirky song lyrics.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kaseys-guitar-jams-for-kids/id511771442?mt=8
Promo video-http://youtu.be/XFEI44DYr_I
I’m a guitar player and I use Rock Prodigy a lot. It has cool lessons and songs and it’s interactive. It tells you if you are doing it right or not and comes with a lot of cool features like slow down, loop, tuner…