Any thoughts great or small would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Hi Philip what do you want to know?  I love my virtual controllers but I don't use it much because by the time I turn all the apps on and got everything to talk I could be making music.  I'm also trying to work out what's the best application for these devices. Ie are they better off being used as an instrument such as a synth or a drum machine. Or as a virtual controller. On saying that. One thing they are good at is a record button when you are recording away from your computer. 

Peace Ben

Thanks Ben,

You've read my question perfectly ... as the same questions (as yours) arise ... with this new and pioneering portable music creation.

"Making music" is also key for me ... and don't want to slow down via gadgets.  I spend a lot of time in motels with the laptop studio and an sm58-like dynamic mic.

I'm feelin my way around with on-the-road keyboards ... like nanostudio, garageband, etc.

Tons of questions ... like:

1) Do they plug into USB (like a midi controller)?


2) Do they even work?

3) Is android better?

4) Do they improve workflow?

5) Do any have fader-sliders ?

6) Do any work as plugins?

7) Do some employ *strong* rex files for beatz loops?

8) Can the drum-machines map to MIDI?

Etc.  (the list goes on and on)

An audiophile friend of mine showed me a BUNCH of iPhone instruments: guitars, drum-machines, pianos, etc etc.  Time would fail to inquire your experience with these (and other synths) as well.

Thanks bro!

Hi Philip, lots of questions and not many answers.  Ok maybe I have some.  Firstly my biggest problem with my Ipad controller app is it's not the top of the line 50 buck one (yes this is a virtual contoller with faders and the ability to contol effects).  Which would allow me to use it with effects as well.  Now I would normally jump in and pay my 50 bucks but the technolgy just keeps on keeping on.  And what I mean by this is the new touch screen monitors and X2's ability to use these new monitors.  My Ipad has a little screen, it would be nice to have a decent touch screen monitor to mix on.  So you see my problem, I buy a 50 dollar app or I pay a few bucks more and get a touch screen monitor.  On saying that when I do a little more work in the future I will buy the app and probably the monitor.  And I will use both more.

This leads me to the next point which is these devices as instruments themselves, now in the studio I am a little dubious about using them because of how to get a decent sound out of the device.  Yea you have a balanced 3.5 mm jack but I am not convinced that you are going to get the best sound.  And why bother?? When you have very decent VST's that come with Sonar.

But on saying that where these devices will excell is live, and I caution you here I have yet to test this premise but I will at some point this year.  But theoreticly on your Ipad or Iphone you have a myrid of synths and drum machines.  My idea is to strip down my writing style to just an accoustic guitar and use the ipad via Reason (the software) as a basic drum and bass synth.  You circumvent the need to take a much larger laptop on stage and also negate that risk.  Of course you could use both and then the possibilties become even more amazing.  Basicly you could switch between devices, much as a DJ does but only your a real musician and your playing the devices and an instrument.  And this is where the technology is catching up, you can buy a midi input for your Ipad and or IK Multimedia have a contoller keyboard.  And IK multimedia are bringing out a bluetooth midi foot controller and you could even, possibly use a Behringer FCB1010 foot controller as well.  So I think you can start to see the possibilties, Yea??

As for the other questions, such as how you connect the devices, it's either via a wireless network, bluetooth or a input device designed by Apple.  But mostly wireless and I could run you through how to set this up.

I'm not sure about REX players or samplers.

Finally android is a toy and to be avoided at all costs.  Reason: there is not the infrustructre, controller keyboards and interfaces for android nor are there the apps.  This may change but at the moment it's only Crapple.

Peace Ben

One thing I forgot to mention is that the Ipad can also be used as a mini recording facuilty with very good input options.  I noticed Philip you said you record on a protable laptop with a SM57.  Rather than take a whole laptop with you, you could get one of these https://www.alesis.com/iodock there are a number of other devices like this as well and bingo.  You can also get Cubase for the Ipad now, yes a fully featured DAW and there are at least two other DAW's for the Ipad that I know of as well.  Would I mix on an ipad, No but I would def use it as a mobile recording device much easier than carting a laptop around.  There are a number of mixers that use the Ipad as a brain these days too, Makie and Behringer all have at least one of these.

Ben

Well ... you are still quite a bit more advanced in this then I, Ben.  I'll be focusing more on your ipad and iodock options ... as I become more experienced in this new technology ... especially as I become 'safer' with X2a.

(My laptop workflow performs almost as well as my home studio, fwiw ... but I'm forced to use the mouse *too much*.)

I've started studying nanostudio ($20 ... not purchased yet) and the freeware MidiDesign ... both for iphone.

I can't figure out how to get MidiDesign to *design* a small keyboard (yet) ... which would be ideal ... before going for the knobs and sliders and all.

Please keep your inspiring thoughts coming (on this thread) ... as you deem.  I'll do the same with my feeble pioneering, too.  

Hi Philip, I have a better undertanding of what you want now.  Don't go messing about with designing a control interface, not even I do that.  I have had a go and man is it boring.  My suggestion for you is either Touchosc, it is a controller that you can design a controller interface for but comes with many templates and is perfect for what you want to do.  It's only 5 bucks!!  The other option is the AC7Core mini, it has the normal stop-start record button scenario but also has a channel strip and faders too.  And again only 5 bucks.  Both can be wired to your computer via the power/USB cable or wireless.  If you want a hand with setting up the wireless, let me know. 

One more thing, one of the problems with this new technology is how fast it becomes obsolete.  The great thing is even if you upgrade your phone or your ipad, is you can keep the old one and use it as a dedicated contoller or synth.  Giving you more processing power if you were thinking about doing a live show.  This last peice of advice Philip is general and probably doesnt apply to you.

Peace Ben

That is awesome Ben!

I've just spent the last few hours trying to con-figure Alchemy-Mobile (free version) to automate MIDI (via the rtpMIDI WIFI port method) ... and have only been able to get Sonar to MIDI-OUT to my iphone's-Alchemy-Mobile -- hahahahah!  (The exact opposite of what you know I'm trying to do).

Yeah; I certainly don't want to re-invent to many wheels ... and you understand exactly the thing to use (hopefully with low latency, etc.)

So I'll rest it and try your vital ideas tomorrow (Lord-willing).

Utmost thanks and blessings!

OK, I have *a* great solution!

$15 for Alchemy Pro (iPhone) yields the rtpMIDI port to MIDI control the MIDI track in Sonar!

(Note: I consider $15 a bargain for what it did for me.  I was able to do sliding piano and  legato-arpeggios swiftly for my latest re-incantation ("Time Slips On") ... with 1msec latency ... with the WIFI personal hotspot set to 'on' and the cable connected (via rtpMIDI).

That saves my 'piano-fingers' from sliding on my Fantom's weighted keys, etc.

Alchemy also does sliding-bends (which I haven't tested yet).  

I'm hoping it will allow 'better' sliding guitars (via MIDI bending) ... but if not, Alchemy contains sufficient whammy-peddle distortion guitars + 'granular guitars' that produce samples like sliding-guitar sirens and such.

'Extreme thanks and blessings, Ben, for helping inspiring me thus.

You are most welcome Philip, I am always happy to help you and others when it comes to the new tech!!

Peace Ben