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ProgRocker

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 24, 2018
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As a relatively non-tech guy who is considering purchasing an IPad Pro to use mainly for music production I was wondering what other uses I could find. Other than the usual, what interesting creative ways have you found for using an IPad ? And specifically what apps are you using ?
 
Sketch club, without a doubt.
Then remote for iTunes
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As a relatively non-tech guy who is considering purchasing an IPad Pro to use mainly for music production I was wondering what other uses I could find. Other than the usual, what interesting creative ways have you found for using an IPad ? And specifically what apps are you using ?

Progrock is moog, Korg and other synths, I’d change my avitar from spinal tap to something more ELPish
 
There are plenty posts on this board that provide in-depth information on how people use their iPads just browse a bit further and check out the recent threads on why iPad is useful and why to buy an iPad.
That should provide plenty for a start.
 
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Aside from the typical browsing and productivity stuff I like using Duet display to turn my IPP 12.9 into a second monitor for my MacBook Pro when I do Finalcut Pro work.
 
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As a relatively non-tech guy who is considering purchasing an IPad Pro to use mainly for music production I was wondering what other uses I could find. Other than the usual, what interesting creative ways have you found for using an IPad ? And specifically what apps are you using ?

I find the iPhone more useful than my iPad for mobile recording and for using effects and apps like iRig etc. For editing, archiving and more complex stuff usually end up transferring the file to the Mac to protools / garage band.

The iPad is in the middle and really (For my use) just does the same thing as the iPhone with a bigger screen. I like the idea of using the iPad (bigger screen etc) but the iPhone / Mac combo seems less complicated for me.
 
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If you have Apple Pencil and a compatible iPad/iPad Pro and like to handwrite notes, Goodnotes is like a dream.
 
Apple Books, Netflix, TubiTV, FX Now, TBS, Safari, Email, Skype for Business, ummm just an over computer for me. I even do some coding on it :). Oh oh and Duet display for a second monitor.
 
You have lots of answers here, but I can help by suggesting a couple of really great file manager apps for music production:

1) AudioShare — you probably are already familiar with this one. It can interface with many other music apps and works as a nice central file manager for all your music files. It also plays well with Dropbox, and if you use iCloud Drive to store files, you can use the built-in Files app to move files between iCloud Drive and AudioShare.

2) If you have the need to upload and/or download music files from FTP sites, Documents by Readdle is a great file manager app that allows you to do this very easily. You can add in the credentials to all the FTP sites you work with, and then it’s as easy as drag and drop to upload or download from those FTP sites.

In general, you can do just about anything you can do on a regular computer. You just have to find the right app or apps, and your workflow will become different based on how those apps function.
 
Thanks guys, there's a lot of interesting and informative ideas here. I'm looking forward to the next gen IPad Pros being released !
 
As a relatively non-tech guy who is considering purchasing an IPad Pro to use mainly for music production I was wondering what other uses I could find. Other than the usual, what interesting creative ways have you found for using an IPad ? And specifically what apps are you using ?

I’m an iOS musician. AUM is an absolute MUST as well as it’s companion app AudioShare. I also use MultiTrack DAW (stable and very finger friendly) but perhaps not as full featured as Auria. I’m not a huge fan of Cubasis. Seems like they crammed too much visually and it’s sort of a UI overload. Every time I use it I want to go back to Multitrack again.
JamUp Pro for my bass and guitar amps (as well as pedal effects). Some really well done emulations. Though, not sure if it’ll be supported as they’ve moved more over to their Bias Amp and effects apps.
I can’t say enough great things about AUM.
Similarly, Audiobus too.

For stufff that isn’t music related, GoodReader is basically a filesystem for your iPad. Very well done.
Also, Workflow (which Apple bough and is transforming into Shortcuts in iOS12)
Pixelmator, Filmic Pro, Motiv Video (and Audio), Sketches Pro
 
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I’m an iOS musician. AUM is an absolute MUST as well as it’s companion app AudioShare. I also use MultiTrack DAW (stable and very finger friendly) but perhaps not as full featured as Auria. I’m not a huge fan of Cubasis. Seems like they crammed too much visually and it’s sort of a UI overload. Every time I use it I want to go back to Multitrack again.
JamUp Pro for my bass and guitar amps (as well as pedal effects). Some really well done emulations. Though, not sure if it’ll be supported as they’ve moved more over to their Bias Amp and effects apps.
I can’t say enough great things about AUM.
Similarly, Audiobus too.

For stufff that isn’t music related, GoodReader is basically a filesystem for your iPad. Very well done.
Also, Workflow (which Apple bough and is transforming into Shortcuts in iOS12)
Pixelmator, Filmic Pro, Motiv Video (and Audio), Sketches Pro



Thanks for your input. Let me ask you, what are the main differences between iOS DAWs and their PC/Mac counterparts ?
 
Thanks for your input. Let me ask you, what are the main differences between iOS DAWs and their PC/Mac counterparts ?

Well, there’s two ways to answer this question. One way is technical and the other is more philosophical. On a technical side, a PC/MAC daw probably has a larger amount of plug ins one can use. Though iOS now allows for Audio Units and using things like Audiobus and InterApp audio greatly improves the scope of the iOS daws. But PC/MAC daws have a substantial lead when it comes to plug ins and such just because they’ve been around so much longer. On the daw itself, something like Auria is gonna be as close as you’ll get to say Protools or Logic. Though you’d have to research it to see if it’s a daw that works for you; some are more midi centric than others. Etc.
On a philosophical note, I just prefer iOS as a platform over the PC/mac varient. I find the mouse clunky and in a way, you could say the iPad is “closer” to the music than a laptop by its form factor. Much in the way a dedicated touchscreen is on say some Yamaha keyboard workstation. I’m just more productive on an iPad because of its main criticism, it’s limited scope. The paradox of choice on laptop grinds me to a halt.
The iPad has come a LONG way in a short time. It’s very powerful, seems to be very stable, and though sometimes I have to sorta peck and hunt for some solutions, I’d still prefer it. I’ve used it as a dedicated sound generator for live instruments, a looping machine (Loopy - amazing app), all while being controlled with MIDI footswitches. In a live environment, a laptop seems like cheating. But somehow an iPad (being that it’s close to the above mentioned Yamaha workstation) seems more “real” to me.
Apart from the initial cost of the Daw (normally $10 to $50) the cost of AU plug ins is usually small. You can get excellent results, with a fraction of its PC counterpart.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
 
For stufff that isn’t music related, GoodReader is basically a filesystem for your iPad. Very well done.
Also, Workflow (which Apple bough and is transforming into Shortcuts in iOS12)
Pixelmator, Filmic Pro, Motiv Video (and Audio), Sketches Pro

Yeah, GoodReader is a must for iOS. I would say it’s the most important 3rd app that’s available for iOS. There is supposed to be a update on the horizon.. if they change it to subscription base model, I’ll still be interested in... cause of how much I actually use it.

From moving files over to diff apps, extracting files.. changing files.
 
Thank you for the excellent write-up. Very informative.

I do agree with the paradox of choice, as that is what initially drew me to iOS. I found, at least for myself, that PC/Mac could stifle creativity. Whereas the 'limited scope' of iOS I believe could bring a more productive writing environment through a less is more approach.

I do see a place for PC/Mac Daws after the initial creative phase, but for a writing creating tool I believe iOS would be the better way to go.

When I hear of the 'limited scope' of iOS I'm reminded of the multitude of great classic rock albums written and recorded with far less. Sgt Pepper, Brain Salad Surgery, Dark Side Of The Moon, Fragile, ect.




Well, there’s two ways to answer this question. One way is technical and the other is more philosophical. On a technical side, a PC/MAC daw probably has a larger amount of plug ins one can use. Though iOS now allows for Audio Units and using things like Audiobus and InterApp audio greatly improves the scope of the iOS daws. But PC/MAC daws have a substantial lead when it comes to plug ins and such just because they’ve been around so much longer. On the daw itself, something like Auria is gonna be as close as you’ll get to say Protools or Logic. Though you’d have to research it to see if it’s a daw that works for you; some are more midi centric than others. Etc.
On a philosophical note, I just prefer iOS as a platform over the PC/mac varient. I find the mouse clunky and in a way, you could say the iPad is “closer” to the music than a laptop by its form factor. Much in the way a dedicated touchscreen is on say some Yamaha keyboard workstation. I’m just more productive on an iPad because of its main criticism, it’s limited scope. The paradox of choice on laptop grinds me to a halt.
The iPad has come a LONG way in a short time. It’s very powerful, seems to be very stable, and though sometimes I have to sorta peck and hunt for some solutions, I’d still prefer it. I’ve used it as a dedicated sound generator for live instruments, a looping machine (Loopy - amazing app), all while being controlled with MIDI footswitches. In a live environment, a laptop seems like cheating. But somehow an iPad (being that it’s close to the above mentioned Yamaha workstation) seems more “real” to me.
Apart from the initial cost of the Daw (normally $10 to $50) the cost of AU plug ins is usually small. You can get excellent results, with a fraction of its PC counterpart.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
 
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