#101

I really like the Rode iXY for iPhone/iPad recording. It sounds very similar to the Rode NT4, comes in both 30 pin and lightning and can very often be found used.

4 Likes
#102

I did a huge downsizing on my last tour due to fly dates and other logistical issues and ended up ditching a Rhodes Mk II for my iPad pro running Neo Soul Keys and added the Moog Model 15 app. Was running these through a small pedal board just directly out of the headphone out and controlling using a M-Audio Key Station 61.

Apart from the fact it doesn’t look as cool, I can report the audience gave zero shits that I was doing this instead of lugging around my 40 kg (I guess) rhodes. So I guess it was a good move. Also ditched two guitar amps and a huge pedal for a modeller (Fractal AX8) in the process. Again, audience gave zero shits.

Two minor complaints though, I had problems with an iRig in the past and didn’t trust it. The lightning to USB adapter i was using was both expensive and oddly not always in stock in brick an mortar Apple resellers, a fact i unfortunately had to test after being separated from one of my bags for a couple of days.

I also can’t fully recommend Neo Soul Keys. It was fine and sounded alright, but it had some quirks about losing midi connectivity if I did a specific order of app switches during the set which i had to learn the hard way. iPad live was all in all a very positive experience though.

Finding old ones is a genius idea BTW, they would definitely run what I need and save on the accessories.

4 Likes
#103

It’s an amusing fact that, despite our agonising over the debate, audiences care impressively little about what gear we use and whether the instruments we use are “real” or not.

3 Likes
#104

On an iOS related side note: is anyone else using Endless Beta?

#105

I played with it night before last, super fun!

1 Like
#106

As a looper alone it’s incredibly interesting too! I love that I can select layers to effect (and leave others untouched) and am gradually realising that the limitations of the internal sounds are easily overcome by attaching instruments to my iRig or iTrack Pocket and recording them via the line in

1 Like
#107

What is it??? I can’t find anything in the App Store that seems to be such a thing…

Thanks

#108

It’s only in Beta so not in the app store yet but it’s on Test Flight. It’s Tim Exile’s platform for collaborative “jamming” (sort of) and it’s lots of fun. I can invite you I think

#109

https://endlesss.fm/

3 Likes
#110

Yep they really really don’t care. You can definitely add to the visual impact of a show with gear though I suppose. Can make it look more, I dunno, substantial or something.

IEMs were the other revelation for me from the last couple of years.

3 Likes
#111

What are IEMs? (Please forgive my ignorance!)

#112

In Ear Monitoring. Which I should have just said so no forgiveness needed.

When I ditched the amps I was worried about stage volume (especially given a bandmates predilection for extremely loud monitors) so I got a wireless In Ear set up. Which turned out to be a great investment as I actually use it with vocalists in the studio all the time now too (the transmitter/receiver that is, not the in ears, yuk)

edit: this kit to be exact https://www.shure.eu/products/in_ear_monitoring/psm300/p3tra215cl with IKEA Ladda rechargeable AAs, which are amazing value/quality

1 Like
#113

Ah, that looks/sounds like an excellent solution! I’ve always had issues with monitoring in venues but was connected to either a DJ mixer or small mixing desk so I just monitored through that via headphones. I had no idea things of this quality were around (and I agree completely re: IKEA batteries! )

1 Like
#114

I second the Zoom u-24 interface-- I like to plug other things into it and route the audio through ipad effects (hosted by aum naturally), adding some background loops as well. It also supports midi din, so ipad midi plugins (Rozeta, Atom) can send midi out to DIN as well. Battery powered, so works well with other portable gear.

Most of my favourite apps have been mentioned, but there’s:

  • animoog - sounds great, and can be used as a clever keyboard to send midi to other apps (selectable scales, y axis control).
  • thumbjam - lovely sampled sounds, and fun interface to play. More standalone than the others (not IAA), but can be a virtual midi source/destination
  • BS16i – handy multi-timbral GM synth that can load soundfonts. Useful for routing rozetta rhythm drum plugin to, then add some crunch and reverb with aum.
  • Garageband is really capable and the newish live loops (ableton style) feature is good. Again, more stand alone-- but of course it can host audio units too.

These are quite old, so have versions that work on older devices.

There’s a number of apps for designing custom control surfaces. I’ve been learning Lemur over the past few days (despite having owned it for years…), and I’m liking it-- but I don’t know how well supported it is any more.

Genome was a nice midi phrase sequencer, but sadly hasn’t been updated in a couple of years. It can do virtual midi though.

4 Likes
#115

Animoog was the first iOS synth I got. I’m admittedly a total Moog fanboy so it wasn’t surprising I’d go nuts for Moog apps and both thst and Filtatron are still amongst my favourite and most used apps today.

Oh, and my U24 just arrived & your post made that an even more exciting event than it already was!

1 Like
#116

Quanta pushed me over the edge into finally using an iPad in music… Enso has made me rethink some things (namely, “do I still need this EHX 2880?”)

I’ve just been using GarageBand as a host, but I’m finding it harder and harder to put off AUM.

Mostly now I’m torn between using an iPad mini 4 or an OG iPad Pro (9.7"). Theoretically the pro has more horsepower, but I like the portability of the mini. Decisions, decisions…

3 Likes
#117

I find the mini to be too small for my fat fingers! I’m considering getting a 13” pro but the new ones lack the lightning port, which I need for my Apogee Duet…

On another note, I have Enso Looper but haven’t had any time to learn it yet. Any tips for getting started?

Thanks!

#118

There’s a mini 5 said to be coming.

There are adapters available.

The tutorials by Audio Damage are very good.

2 Likes
#119

I, too, have the sausage digits but I haven’t had much trouble with the mini. Porting everything over the the iPad Pro now, though, to see if the difference is worth the extra size.

The new iPad Pro is a beast and, as @xidnpnlss mentioned, you can get an adapter to go from USB-C to Lightning.

I have’t spent any significant time with it, but I did watch AD’s video twice…

4 Likes
#120

From following Chris’s advice on the Audio Damage social media channels I went for a 10.5" Pro. I picked it up via Apple Refurb and it’s indistinguishable from new and meant that I didn’t feel guilty about spending the money I’d saved on buying a new one on apps and accessories!