Apple’s tablet has been coming for quite some time now. The little device has inspired more dreams, guesses, mock-ups and rumors than just about any other toy in history. Other companies have been racing to get their own tablets out before Apple. And maybe you’ve been dreaming of the possibility of the perfect music production machine inside a small tablet. Can the Apple iPad possibly live up to all that hype?
Today the rumors were replaced with facts. Many have been disappointed with the iPad, while others are thrilled at its lower-than-expected price. Now that we really know what to expect, will the iPad – or perhaps some other tablet – change the way you make music?
If you still haven’t caught up on the news, check out Mac Appstorm’s review of the iPad first, then come back for the rest of the article.
I’ve enjoyed using some small gadgets for music production in the past. I spent most of the 90s with a tiny Toshiba Libretto sitting on top of a Roland RD-500 running MIDI software. I also owned a small Windows 3.1 tablet, and more recently produced music on the tiny Roland “Personal Music Assistant”. Small gadgets can be useful for music production.
How useful will the iPad be? And how much will the iPhone OS compromise that usability?
Media Player
There is little doubt that the iPad will be a very good media player – it runs the same software as the iPhone and iPod Touch – only larger. The larger size makes it a very hefty music player, but will be a benefit when watching movies and surfing Youtube. And the 10 hour battery life will keep it playing longer than your iPhone.
One concern may be that you now have yet another device to sync with your massive MP3 collection. In his article iTunes for Composers, Ryan Leach describes a program called SimlifyMedia which allows you to access the media collection on your home computer on your iPhone from anywhere. The iPad may be a good use of that program.
How would you rate the iPad as a media player?
Audio Storage
The iPad will be coming out in 16, 32, or 64 GB versions. If you want to use the iPad to store your music portably, you’ll want to choose the 64 GB version – you won’t get a USB port or SD card slot, so there is no way to increase the storage.
However, it does come with 802.11n Wi-Fi. That will make it quite speedy when accessing files wirelessly on your home network.
Does the iPad have enough storage for your needs?
Sheet Music
The iPad is light and slim, making it very portable – it has a great form factor for sitting on a music stand. It also has a big emphasis on ebooks. I don’t know whether there is currently any sheet music available for the iPad, but I can imagine having all of my chord charts stored on the device, placing it on top of my keyboard, and following the music as I play.
Mazin is on the same wavelength, and posted this photo of his sheet music on a Toshiba tablet, placed on his piano ready to be played.
If you already have a large collection of sheet music on paper, this may not be for you. Could it be the way of the future?
Music Keyboards
You type on the iPad using an on-screen keyboard. You play games on it with on-screen controls. Would it be practical to play music the same way? This mock-up of the “Macbook touch” suggests it might be worth trying.
That may be OK for short and simple passages, but for real playing we’re going to need a real keyboard. While the iPad doesn’t have a USB port, a USB adaptor to the iPhone-like 30-pin connector may be practical. It looks like the iConnectivity guys (among others) are on the job.
Have any of you tried something like this on your iPhone? Does it look promising?
Audio Inputs
The iPad comes with a built-in microphone (which may be OK for capturing some sounds), but what about attaching a real microphone?
Again, a number of iPhone-loving audio companies are coming up with solutions. If you’re interested, check out these articles:
- Use an external microphone with the iPhone iPhone (Mac OS X Hints)
- Audio breakout cable for ipod/iphone (Ben-tronics.com Blog)
- Connect your pro XLR microphone to your iPhone (TecnoTur)
That means carrying around extra gear, which makes the device less convenient and portable. Is it worth the extra work?
Audio Production Software
I can’t imagine using something this small as my main production machine, but for something portable the 9.7 inch (1024 x 720) screen and 1GHz Apple A4 Chip processor sound pretty good.
But you won’t be able to run your usual DAW software on this device – at least not unless Apple port Logic Pro (or even GarageBand) to iPhone OS. So you’re stuck with using iPhone apps.
In an AudioJungle blog article Joel Falconer describes some of the audio applications available for the iPhone. Unfortunatly, none of these really look like DAW replacements. And when I scroll through the iPhone audio apps that have become available since that article, I’m still not convinced there is anything out there that will get the job done.
What do you think? Have you found an iPhone audio app that you’re happy with, and will work on the iPad? Or do you feel it’s likely that Apple will port one of their own audio apps to the iPad?
Conclusion
Today I feel much less positive about producing audio on the iPad than I did yesterday. The rumors were much more compelling than the facts! The lack of ports and cut-down operating system make this device less than ideal for music recording.
Do you feel that the slim and light form-factor make up for this? Or do you feel that the promise of the iPad platform will have Apple and others producing acceptable DAW software for the device?
On the other hand, dozens of companies are clamoring to bring out tablets with an ample supply of USB ports, and an operating system that can run full-featured DAW software. Are you tempted by the alternatives?
Or do you see tablets as being a useless fad that will pass away, leaving you happy and content on your iMac or Windows machine? Let us know in the comments.
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Simple answer, no.
^^^ agree
We might see some nifty proof of concept applications for music production, but the device itself in no way has the capacity to do any intense audio production.
I see amazing possibilities. I have tons of ideas that would be possible in near future. Just imagine a version of Mainstage 2, or to be used as a controller of your Daw.
First comment was in year 2010.
Now it’s 2012, and on my iPad2 I have Korg iMS-20, Animoog, SynthStation and a lot of more other synths, that I using for production in my tracks. Also I use MusicStudio when I have inspiration, for making short edits for the next ideas realizing at studio…
So, i say YES! ;)
The iPad looks interesting and I am curious to see whether it wins or flops for Apple. i’m kind of on the fence on whether or not to buy one too.
Certainly would be interesting as a control surface. I’m sure there will be a developer gold rush as with iPhone OS which will again revolutionise the way we consume media but I can’t see myself carrying around my iPhone, MacBook & an iPad to get through my day at the office. Lack of input/output options is disheartening. But with such beautifully designed seductive tech I’m sure I won’t have much trouble ‘justifying’ a purchase!
No. Just one more gadget to play with and to get distract of making music.
agreed….with all the “cool new ways to interface”, it seems to take away time from all the “cool new tunes” we (at least “I”) should be making…..haha
Well, given that Apple have iWork for iPad, perhaps we might see a Garageband for iPad? We will probably never see Logic for iPad, but there might be more mileage in it in future…
…maybe a stripped-down version of Logic Express (24 tracks, no signal processing?) The raw audio tracks could be synced with your PowerMac G5 at home (doesn’t everybody have one?) and processed / EQ’d there. EXS24 could provide click/drum sounds (unless, of course, you record the drums live.) Also, I smell a great opportunity for an iPad-only MIDI/instrument interface to plug into the docking port ($$$!)…
i think at best it could be a midi controller for a laptop rig
Definitely not. The iPad could have been revolutionary had Apple designed it differently, but it seems it’s literally a giant iPod Touch with 3G. It doesn’t even run Flash, and yet much of its appeal is supposed to be as a web device.
I can understand the possibility of using it, a sizable touchscreen, as a control surface, but why do that when you could also use an actual tablet computer that runs an actual computer OS (something far more capable than the non-multitasking iPhone OS)?
Flash is useless in this day and age. This non “actual computer OS” is precisely what allowed for such a wonderful user experience on iPhone and now iPad.
Oh, for cryin’ out loud!!! Apple said nothing, NOTHING about producing a music production device!!! This is EXACTLY what I HATE about rumors and speculation. Everyone wants every Apple product to be exactly what they want it to be. They want it to meet only their needs and to Hell with everything else. And then, when the device does come out and it doesn’t meet their wildest fantasies, it’s Apple’s fault! BS!!!
So, the iPad isn’t a “music production” device? No, it isn’t. Nobody ever said it was or would be. Don’t buy it, then.
OR…you COULD buy it for what it DOES do and enjoy it. Your choice.
Sorry…had to vent there for a minute.
T.
erm, this blog is a site about music production.
can you blame people for looking at it’s music production potential?
It’s so hard to resist feeding the trolls.
Nice article Adrian! Until the users actually gets their hands on one, they’re not impressed! Simply don’t see the potential the device can have. A scaled up version of TouchOSC on the iPad would be very useful. It would replace my KorgNano (since the keys keep popping off) instantly. I would use it to remotely control Logic for AFK recording sessions. I see a huge potential for developers to creative new intuitive, unique, multi-touch production-based apps.
Keyboard controllers will come:
http://alphawebinc.com/RobGD/?p=698
I totally agree Terry:
http://alphawebinc.com/RobGD/?p=761
It sucks.
I believe that iPad will be an unsuccesfull design like the one Apple produced back in 1998 called Newton, it’s lack of ports tell us that it is not an expendable device, it just do what it says to do.
But again, once they make a lot of money selling these devices to technology hungry people, they will eventually improve its specs so that the first generation becomes rubbish. I don’t like the way Apple configures specs for new devices. iPad’s basic model comes with 16gb hard disk,
really??? I think iPad is an improved kindle. For 500 dollars, and I am sure they’ll sell it for 500Euros here, you can buy a very reasonable piece of technology to do everything.
I think it has potential, but that potential would require it to be more than it is right now (read: multi-tasking)
Developing iPad apps that output MIDI control would be awesome. Scenario: Connect to a MIDI network via Wi-Fi to remotely control lighting, audio levels, instrument cues, filters, video, etc.
Macs are notoriously easy to set up networked MIDI.
well, i think it would be pretty nice to have one of those as a controller for your DAW. (Maybe a bit overkill, but whatever?!)
For example using it with an effect-rack in Ableton Live, where you could see the actual rack, and didnt have to map all you controls..
But the connection would probably be made over the wifi, and im not sure if its fast enough to stream the image, without to much latency…
But im just dreaming here! ;)
I think the controller idea is something you’ll see developed pretty fast for the iPad.
Having an XY pad on a touch screen and faders/modwheels is something that is totally doable.
As for WiFi transmission, definitely fast enough for simple MIDI messages which are tiny in size.
You’d have to be a real tech geek to buy one just for that though!! As for music production? Probably not up to it, although I’d love a large screen version of Technobox that I have on the iPhone for 303 stuff!!
Nope. No chance.
It lacks the hardware and the software capabilities.
However, it will sell well, no doubt.
The masses lack thinking capacity and anything having an Apple logo sells.
I can’t even begin to tell you how many things are wrong with your last statement.
T.
Its ok. Don’t let other’s ignorance get to you.
The lack of an OSX kills all potential, you are better off with a tablet PC instead of one of these because you would have something very important, a fully functioning OS
Ummm…what do think it’s running, Windows?
About iPad sheet music, I just read that Muzibook announced new apps releases at http://www.iphonesheetmusic.com
I can’t wait !!!
Lemur? ¬¬
that is exactly what i thought, the ipad is going to be the most important midi controller of this decade… you’ll see!
My first thought was that the iPad could be an awesome poor mans Lemur. (http://www.jazzmutant.com/lemur_overview.php).
$500 vs $2000. Sexy!
Is the iPad perfect? Hell no! Am I interested in getting one? No freaking way! (The lack of multitasking is what killed it for me.) Is the iPad pure awesomeness for what it does? You bet!
It’s easy to criticizes the iPad for all it lacks – no camera, no ports, no multitasking, no “true” OSX (still OSX though), no HD video output, no flash support etc. – but bear in mind that we’re talking about a first generation hardware here.
So hang back and dream about future possibilities instead of focusing on current limitations. Let the “sucker fanboys” get the first and maybe second generation while we’re waiting for the iPad Pro.
I and my Macbook Pro won’t loose any sleep over it. We’re too busy producing awesome things :-)
I give up. I just love how so many people can dismiss a product they’ve never even used or even touched, for that matter!
Multi-tasking? How many things can you do well at one time? Can you watch a movie while checking your email? No. Can you browse your photos while browsing the web? No. Can you play a game while playing another game? No. So, why are you complaining about multi-tasking???
No camera? You’re right. It doesn’t have one. You know what does?? A CAMERA!! Use one!!!
It seems to me that everybody complained about another recent Apple product and how it wasn’t everything they fantasized it would be when it was first announced. It was called the iPhone. Gee, how did that one turn out??
T.
LOL…A CAMERA!! Use one!! I love it. Besides, it would be an awfully big camera to be holding up in front of your face, and trying not to jiggle it around while you tried to press the “shutter”, yes?
Terry, take a deep breath and count to ten… thousand ;-)
Don’t take it personal that some of us use our machines differently than you. It’s all good.
As an graphic and audio professional I constantly have between 5-10 apps open and I’m switching back and forth. Do I play two game simultaneously? No. Do I browse photos and the web at the same time? Not really. Watching a movie at the same time as checking mail? Well, actually… that happens but that is another story ;-)
What I do on the other hand is to work on a track in Logic, switch over to Audiofinder to find the sample I’m looking for and once found switch back to Logic or maybe I work on some graphic in Illustrator which I then import into Photoshop only to switch back to Illustrator. I could give a lot more examples but you get the picture.
So the point isn’t that I’m actually working in two programs at once but more that I can switch back and forth between a multitude of applications WITHOUT having to close one application and then open the next, only to have to close that one and open the first one again when I want to switch back.
As for the camera, I wasn’t really talking about one to take pictures with, I have my DSLR for that, but instead a camera directed toward you for video chatting purposes. The IMac and Macbooks already have it so why not the IPad?
Such a camera could also be used for security purposes. The IPad is a mobile device (DUH!) and as such has a higher risk of getting stolen.
We already have face recognition in iPhoto so why not have that as security as well?
Passwords? Pah!!! Either they are easy to crack or hard to remember.
Imagine just picking up your IPad and it instantly recognize you as it’s rightful owner and unlocks itself. Now that would be sexy!
The iPad wasn’t made to run any of the things you describe as multi-tasking. So, why are we still complaining that it doesn’t multi-task???
When will YOU be building your own iPad-like device so it can do everything YOU want?? Or is it easier to complain about Apple?
T.
Ok then, how about running mail, iwork, calendar and maybe an IM client at the same time? The IPad certainly was meant to run those things…
I have no problem with people who do not want to multitask, I’m kinda liberal that way…
But you know what, for some of us multitasking is extremely important and why not allow us to have that opinion?
Why would I want to build my own hardware? I have been a Mac user and Apple Fanboy for the last 16 years and my current Macbook Pro/Mac Mini/IPhone does all I want and then some!
And for the record, I never complained about Apple. All I said was that the IPad does not meet MY needs. At no point I said it was a bad product.
Seriously dude, you need to count way higher than ten thousand.
You’re wrong about the screen resolution – it’s 1024x768px and I demand that you change this to avoid confusion. Check your sources better next time maybe.
The fact that the screen is 4:3 doesn’t only add further fact that it won’t actually support HD movie playback, it also makes it backwards striving and not at all convenient for browsing the web.
Why should we be forced to work in small 1024px-spaces when we’ve just become comfortable in 16:10 widescreen resolutions? I think the Apple iPad is utter crap and I see no possibility in using it for music production.
Actually – it doesn’t have anything the iPhone already has, except for bigger screen, but still embarrassingly small and low-res. I see more potential in iPhone and Android-platforms that a big floppy touchpad that doesn’t even have USB.
Thanks Anton. The screen resolution typo has been fixed.
Sigh….The iPad isn’t for us. It’s for the stuff they mentioned in the presentations on it. It does that stuff really well and it will sell like hot cakes. What this is a sign of in my opinion, is Apple testing the waters for redesigning interfaces for other pro apps that can be run on an iPad pro at a later time. Just kick back and watch the show. This thing is going to blow up.
I’ve not read the above replies, but it could work for live set ups as a drum machine or sample loader when used with something like Ableton. Not sure how well it would perform, however, but it could definitely work.
Only thing I’d be wary of would be damaging the screen by pressing the screen too hard or something.
OSX and some connectivity options, like USB, would have made it irresistable. But now… well, I allready own an iPod Touch…
Ha thankfully I think T is still counting…
Not really interested in one myself – as somebody already mentioned, I have an iphone and a proper mac – This is literally just a ‘gadget’.
The concept has been around since I can remember, but I guess technology has now just about made it all possible but it’s still just a toy.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure the technology with revolutionise the way we work in the future but until that time, why not just get a macbook for a similar price?
I agree with the Lemur thought…
The iPad docking connector is basically a USB, although it is [probably] encrypted.
With the right software, this wo uld be the MIDI link, and the iPad would be a LEMUR (as in Jazzmutant Lemur).
Somebody will need to write the software, though.
And possibly crack the USB connection :)
Yeah, I’m probably gonna get one of these things just for the heck of it. I’m a gearhead from way back, so I’ll use it the same way I use my iPod right now (except I’ll be able to see the screen better…) I don’t think it’s ever gonna be stand-alone-DAW-platform-capable because of its current storage limitations, but then again, you never know what the propeller-heads at Apple have cooking up in the back room. Pretty soon, they’ll be able put the Library of Congress on the head of an atom, so anything’s possible…
They need to make a kaoss pad app for the ipad. The pad would have to have a few more imputs/outputs but it would be ace. Actually scratch that just buy a kaoss pad.
I think the killer music app for the ipad hasn’t been created yet.. but there are a few really music programs not covered in the article that you listed. One of them being an almost exact replication of an Akai MPC2000. The ipad and the $20 charged for that program could create a very portable solution for producers.
I see plenty of potential for the iPad in music. I’m sure it would make a fantastic midi controller for most daws out there provided someone goes ahead and makes the app. Better music apps will be developed to work on the A4 chip, and they’ll be much more enjoyable to use on a larger screen. Will it all be aimed towards the music professional? No way, but for a hobbiest like myself, I love the idea of throwing a few beats together while sitting on the couch with a glass of wine.
MusicReader Digital Music Stand is also preparing a IPad release:
http://www.musicreader.net/index.php?target=news&mode=details&news_id=38
Hey!!! what’s going on with you guys!!! what about the automap iphone/ipod touch app from novation!!! i’m not saying that the ipad it’s good enough to hold a DAW just on itself, but just imagine how much would the automap app would improve your music production workflow by the mixing/controlling abillities it offers (not to mention the reallness factor of digital mixing)!!! i just think it’s great! and can’t believe how hasn’t anybody talked about it yet…
We need Macbook Touch and that’s the point!!!
As for Sheet Music, eScore for iPad has been available at iPad App Store from day one: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/escore/id364907245?mt=8
This is as stupid as when Apple stuck to the one mouse click joke or people said Mac will always make better CPU’s fact Im a Genius they should Hire me I know How these things are gonna pan out always like before they make these stupid decisions
No USB LOL
64Gig LOL
No Web Cam LOL
For what it is Its great A huge iTouch
If no one buys them then they will redesign But there are a couple million idiots out there
who will purchase this demo and then purchase the final product later V 2 or 3 using the buying dodos
to fund the development of an unfinished product but the young are more intelligent than the + 35′s
and are falling for corporate scams less and less all the time
Here is the truth the world is changing and fast its not the same as it was 20 years ago
when Steve Jobs Ideas were revolutionary in today’s world they are just average.
Lets face the facts these Old Geezers are competing against each other Bill Gates etc
Get some brains hire some young guys or gals like me to give the public what they want.
People would rather spent another $200
For the Needed features Then the product will fly out the door
Oh I bought one as
To read music scores
To Type messages
To get emails
To listen to Mp3′s
And play around with half baked apps
Sarcasm For all the intellectually Challenged
Wow, I can’t imagine reading sheet music like that. Yet, it seems like the future is here.
I’m going to go for it and start playing the piano with this incredible gadget!
I just love the whole concept of the tablet computer iPad is though I fear its still far from being able to carry production software like graphics, video and audio editing. Never the less, I imagine this little gadget could be use as an interface to a cloud server that hosts heavy duty production software via unlimited broadband internet, making it possible to move wherever you want to go with your production capability inside a slime tablet. I believe this is a feasible development that engineers should consider. We can rent the software instead of buying it, save files, share them online online and only download what one MUST use for any other purpose! This may have more cons than pros for now but well, that’s FOOD FOR THOUGHT!
Cool article! nice one audio tuts+
My fav ipad music video is the following…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyMhCg_wkN0
That’s a great video, Jonny. Thanks for sharing.