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How is the new iPad with music apps?

fourthtunz

fourthtunz

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jul 23, 2002
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Maine
Looking to buy one of the new 2018 iPad pros..
most of the reviews concentrate on how they look etc
what about performance?
What are your experiences with IOS music software?
I have garageband,launchpad all the korg apps, lots of the apps for making
music on the iPad.
I have an iPad air 2 and its great but it bogs down sometimes.
what are your experiences with the new iPad for making music?
Thanks!
 
Hey, just saw that no one ever responded to this. Not sure if you’re still wondering, but I have the 11” iPad Pro, which I specifically bought for the purposes of making music.

It works great! It has been able to handle any and everything I’ve thrown at it. BeatMaker sometimes crashes on me using IAA plugins, but I think that’s more of a BeatMaker problem. GarageBand runs buttery smooth.

If you’re upgrading from an Air 2, the performance difference will be significant to say the least.
 
baypharm said:
What keyboard are you using and do you have to use an adapter?
Click to expand...

Do you mean as in a midi keyboard? I use the CME Xkey Air. It uses Bluetooth and is one of the only ones I’ve found with no latency. But anything with USB should work using a USB-A to USB-C adapter.
 
Yes that is what I meant. I am looking for a small one for my new iPad Pro. Thanks, I will check it out.
 
baypharm said:
Yes that is what I meant. I am looking for a small one for my new iPad Pro. Thanks, I will check it out.
Click to expand...

It’s a little on the pricey side at $200 USD, but you’re definitely paying extra for the zero latency Bluetooth. It’s also incredibly light, easy to travel with, and looks like it was designed by Jony Ive himself. Definitely pairs nicely with an iOS device like the iPad Pro.
 
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blasto2236 said:
Hey, just saw that no one ever responded to this. Not sure if you’re still wondering, but I have the 11” iPad Pro, which I specifically bought for the purposes of making music.

It works great! It has been able to handle any and everything I’ve thrown at it. BeatMaker sometimes crashes on me using IAA plugins, but I think that’s more of a BeatMaker problem. GarageBand runs buttery smooth.

If you’re upgrading from an Air 2, the performance difference will be significant to say the least.
Click to expand...

I have a question... I'm looking to add an iPad to my collection for the sole purpose of music production, but wanted to know if anyone has experience using the new iPad model with 4GB of memory to 6GB (1TB model).

Due to workflow and potential for increased workflow, I'm leaning heavily towards buying the 1TB model specifically for the increase in memory.
 
I went with the 512GB model (so 4GB RAM) and haven’t noticed any limitations. iOS does a pretty good job of managing memory compared to say, macOS, and the extra 2GB I think is really only beneficial when working with truly massive files in say, Photoshop. I don’t think the benefit for music production tasks would necessarily be that great for the extra cost.

Having said that, if you can afford it, it can never hurt to have some extra headroom both with onboard storage and RAM.
 
blasto2236 said:
Hey, just saw that no one ever responded to this. Not sure if you’re still wondering, but I have the 11” iPad Pro, which I specifically bought for the purposes of making music.

It works great! It has been able to handle any and everything I’ve thrown at it. BeatMaker sometimes crashes on me using IAA plugins, but I think that’s more of a BeatMaker problem. GarageBand runs buttery smooth.

If you’re upgrading from an Air 2, the performance difference will be significant to say the least.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the response! The only bad thing besides the price of the 11" is the lack of a headphone jack..
I already have an m-audio axiom pro controller that I use with my MacBook and the air 2..the lack of a headphone jack makes in harder to get audio into a mixer. So no problem with crackling audio? For now I'll pick up a 2015 MacBook air and use MainStage with that. Thanks again!
 
fourthtunz said:
Thanks for the response! The only bad thing besides the price of the 11" is the lack of a headphone jack..
I already have an m-audio axiom pro controller that I use with my MacBook and the air 2..the lack of a headphone jack makes in harder to get audio into a mixer. So no problem with crackling audio? For now I'll pick up a 2015 MacBook air and use MainStage with that. Thanks again!
Click to expand...

It definitely poses a problem for me. AirPods and Beats are great for listening to music, but for programming drums in Beatmaker, the latency between hitting the pads and hearing the sound over Bluetooth is a dealbreaker.

I ended up getting a 3.5mm to USB-C adapter, but soon I’m going to get the Hyper Drive hub that has 3.5mm headphone, USB-A, Micro and regular SD, HDMI, and a USB-C for pass through charging. It’s an additional expense, but it’ll be less expensive than buying a ton of dongles and I can use it for lots of different things.
 
blasto2236 said:
It definitely poses a problem for me. AirPods and Beats are great for listening to music, but for programming drums in Beatmaker, the latency between hitting the pads and hearing the sound over Bluetooth is a dealbreaker.

I ended up getting a 3.5mm to USB-C adapter, but soon I’m going to get the Hyper Drive hub that has 3.5mm headphone, USB-A, Micro and regular SD, HDMI, and a USB-C for pass through charging. It’s an additional expense, but it’ll be less expensive than buying a ton of dongles and I can use it for lots of different things.
Click to expand...
If you wouldn't mind updating us on how this works(hyper drive hub) with the iPad, I would really appreciate it! Thanks!
 
blasto2236 said:
Hey, just saw that no one ever responded to this. Not sure if you’re still wondering, but I have the 11” iPad Pro, which I specifically bought for the purposes of making music.

It works great! It has been able to handle any and everything I’ve thrown at it. BeatMaker sometimes crashes on me using IAA plugins, but I think that’s more of a BeatMaker problem. GarageBand runs buttery smooth.

If you’re upgrading from an Air 2, the performance difference will be significant to say the least.
Click to expand...
Hi, do you have maybe an audio interface? i was thinking about an iRig HD2 for the guitar, but i dont know if I should wait for a version with usb-c. Thanks!!
 
trionic said:
Hi, do you have maybe an audio interface? i was thinking about an iRig HD2 for the guitar, but i dont know if I should wait for a version with usb-c. Thanks!!
Click to expand...

I have the iRig HD2, and I would stay far away from it. The reviews I read were great but mine sounds really bad, has a constant buzz, and the inputs seem loose.

The music industry is probably going to be one of the last to move to USB-C, so I wouldn’t keep waiting. The Apogee Jam is only $50 more than the iRig and in my experience has a much higher sound quality. That paired with my Hyper hub (which I just ordered!) should have me set.
 
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I use my MBP’s USB-C to power/USB-A/HDMI adapter to connect to power and a USB3 hub. Connected to this hub is my MIDI keyboard and Yamaha 8 channel mixer with 2:2 audio I/O. Has 4 mic preamps with phantom voltage too.

Makes it super easy to flip between using my equipment on my MBP or iPad.
 
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blasto2236 said:
I have the iRig HD2, and I would stay far away from it. The reviews I read were great but mine sounds really bad, has a constant buzz, and the inputs seem loose.

The music industry is probably going to be one of the last to move to USB-C, so I wouldn’t keep waiting. The Apogee Jam is only $50 more than the iRig and in my experience has a much higher sound quality. That paired with my Hyper hub (which I just ordered!) should have me set.
Click to expand...

I'll check the apogee Jam, thanks for your info!!
 
blasto2236 said:
I went with the 512GB model (so 4GB RAM) and haven’t noticed any limitations. iOS does a pretty good job of managing memory compared to say, macOS, and the extra 2GB I think is really only beneficial when working with truly massive files in say, Photoshop. I don’t think the benefit for music production tasks would necessarily be that great for the extra cost.

Having said that, if you can afford it, it can never hurt to have some extra headroom both with onboard storage and RAM.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply!

I was thinking the same thing as for how the memory is handled in music apps. The additional memory on the 1TB model is good and I could buy it, but I prefer to make sure I'm buying into something that can be utilized. Large 4K files in Photoshop or RAW images I can definitely see using the additional memory and while that is not a field I am currently in, it is a hobby I have slowly been getting in to. So , maybe there is a future for that as well.

Thanks again.
 
I’ve always used an Apogee Jam 96 guitar interface (works/sounds great) into my old 16Gb Air 1 via the Lightning port, S-Gear or GarageBand, then out to a small speaker via the Headphone port. Both ports are worn out and the single small speaker is lacking.

I’d like to have a better sounding/recording setup using an audio interface and a set of speakers via XLR/TRS.

I have replaced the Air 1 with a new 1Tb 12.9 Pro but with the single USB C port I’m thinking something like the Hyper Drive is needed right off the bat. You guys with new Pro’s, what USB C audio interfaces are you using? The Lightning port iPad Docks looked pretty cool but I don’t think they are USB C.
 
Codeseven said:
I’ve always used an Apogee Jam 96 guitar interface (works/sounds great) into my old 16Gb Air 1 via the Lightning port, S-Gear or GarageBand, then out to a small speaker via the Headphone port. Both ports are worn out and the single small speaker is lacking.

I’d like to have a better sounding/recording setup using an audio interface and a set of speakers via XLR/TRS.

I have replaced the Air 1 with a new 1Tb 12.9 Pro but with the single USB C port I’m thinking something like the Hyper Drive is needed right off the bat. You guys with new Pro’s, what USB C audio interfaces are you using? The Lightning port iPad Docks looked pretty cool but I don’t think they are USB C.
Click to expand...

I’ve got a Hyper Drive hub on the way. It covers all of the I/O I need for music/video production. For now I just have two dongles, a USB-A to USB-C for my interface, and 3.5mm to USB-C for headphones.

I’d recommend snagging the Hyper on Indiegogo now while it’s still $20 off the final retail price. Should ship some time next month. The earliest backers are already starting to get theirs.
 
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I'm currently deciding myself between a Surface Pro 6 and iPad Pro. And so far I have to say the Surface is the better choice. The iPad is a beast and blows away the Surface 6, however music software available on Windows is far superior to anything iOS has to offer. With less problems as far as connectivity and moving files.

Sadly the irony is the iPad Pro is the better machine, but without the software that matters not.Though, everyone's usage is different. If the iOS software meets your needs then the Ipad it is. As for me, I prefer to work in Studio One Pro along with synths like Diva and the Roland D-50 softsynth available on Win10.

I'd love to see a Win10 option on the iPad... but we all know that's not going to happen.
 
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Got the Hyper Drive Ultimate. It’s a whopper at 5”x3”x1/2”. Built solid. I’ve only had a chance to quickly plug in the Ethernet port, works like a charm. Let you know how the guitar interface/speaker works.
 
Codeseven said:
Got the Hyper Drive Ultimate. It’s a whopper at 5”x3”x1/2”. Built solid. I’ve only had a chance to quickly plug in the Ethernet port, works like a charm. Let you know how the guitar interface/speaker works.
Click to expand...

Whoa, that is massive! I didn’t know they made one with all that extra I/O. I got the one from Indiegogo that’s made specifically for the new iPad Pros. Not quite as many ports, but all the basics for audio! It says mine should ship this month but we shall see.
 
The Hyper Drive Ultimate works just fine. Plugged in my guitar to a USB port using the Jam 96, external speaker plugged into the Headphone port and USB C power plugged in. Fired up Garagedband and started playing, no problems.

One thing I did noticed is the Ultimate gets warm to the touch, not hot, but pretty warm (maybe just because of the aluminum case?). Also, without USB C power plugged in the iPads battery will get drained (first time I’ve seen the battery less than 90% since owning it, it was down in the teens in less than an hour).
 
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