Grooveboxes, synths, iPad rabbit hole

Paul_C · February 2022

Because I have some money to burn on music-making toys I'm slowly but surely getting deeper into the alternatives to keyboards, guitars etc. (though I am thinking of adding a small bass amp to my set up for dub grooves).

I've got a Tenori-On which I love messing about with, but it's not the easiest thing to navigate, so I'm looking at alternative devices, which began with the Model:Cycles moved on to an iPad running various synth/groovebox apps and now I've added the Novation Circuit Tracks to the list of potential purchases.

Other suggestions welcome

but bear in mind that my uses may not be the "traditional" ones, as I will definitely be running any or all of whatever I buy through my pedals and making everything sound worse

If I get the chance this weekend I may well pick up an iPad (a basic one rather than a super expensive one as I won't be looking to use it as a DAW, just something to run weird synthy things into my pedal set up) as something to start playing with while I decide if I want anything else.

Paul_C · February 2022

I did get the chance, and bought an iPad.

and a Circuit Tracks.

monquixote · February 2022

The Circuit tracks is super fun and integrates well with other gear.

Paul_C · February 2022

It was you saying that in your WTB post that convinced me to buy one over the Cycles.

Strangefan · February 2022

Circuit ftw, I really didn't like the cycles, but you may love it, live automation was good, bit everything else felt like a chore to me

Paul_C · February 2022

The iPad is a rabbit hole all on its own

I've bought a few apps this morning which should make some interesting sounds:

Bloom - a Brian Eno ambient thing

Bitwiz - converts code into sound

Bebot - a robot synth which sings to you as you tap on the screen

iKaossilator - the most expensive at £18 but looks like it'll be fun

I have a list of other potentially interesting/silly things to check out, but I fear for my savings if I don't take my time.

monquixote · February 2022

Korg Gadget would be my iPad pick.

I have it on the switch.

Paul_C · February 2022

It's on the list - I've just picked up Tardigrain and Drone FX (and got a text from my bank asking if it was me buying all the apps

).

I'll get to the expensive ones eventually, but I'm trying to keep to the cheap ones to begin with.

personalnadir · February 2022

Couple of other music apps to check out (if you haven’t already)

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/figure-make-music-beats/id511269223

I think Figure for me is the best music app I’ve tried. It’s so easy to use, so fun! Perhaps not one for super crazy noises, and more one for making Swedish house tracks on the loo

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/keezy-drummer/id933630069

Keezy Drummer is fantastic, but just needs a way to save the beats

checkout spaceship - a granular synth for iOS

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/spacecraft-granular-synth/id1391256308

Flip and L7 are also good for recording and looping sounds:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/flip-sampler/id1486629619

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/audiokit-l7-auv3-live-looper/id1485507635

considered using L7 as my go to looper, till I got the Beebo

hollywoodrox · February 2022

GarageBand is awesome

JezWynd · February 2022

Drambo is amazing but has a learning curve (build your own synth kinda thing plus a sequencer; it’s deep)
Moog’s apps are all excellent, Model D is my fave.
Mellowsound does a nice mellotron.

Paul_C · February 2022

I ran a quick test with the iPad running through my pedals and was very pleased with the result.

My current favourite for ease of use and sound is Sansula Lite (a kalimba) but pretty much everything sounds good.

I haven't even plugged the Circuit Tracks in yet and wonder if I really needed it.

The next thing I really need to do is stop buying things and start recording again - fingers crossed !

Paul_C · March 2022

iPad update - still having lots of fun, my apps now also include:

Mynth

Drone FX

Magic Zither

Mellowsound

Model D

Typatone (I've used this to make albums before from a website)

Noisyboy (very silly as it's meant for kids)

Dubstep Prouducer

Animoog Z

ToyTone

DroneLab

Oval Synth

Poly 2

Photophore

Mononoke

which should be plenty.

The one thing I'll say in my defence is that buying a lot of synths etc. for (mostly) a few quid is saving me from buying something more expensive

Paul_C · March 2022

It does have what I've always thought of as typical Apple flaws though.

I have managed to take a very nice picture of my pedals, but don't have a lead which I can connect to my PC, though Apple will sell me one for an arm and a leg. Although both my PC and iPad have bluetooth, you can't swap files with it as the iPad will only hook up to other Apple products.

I'm sure there is a way, but I've not found it yet.

JezWynd · March 2022

Also check out Animoog (not the Z ver), it has a 4 track recorder.

paganskins · March 2022

Paul_C said:

I'm sure there is a way, but I've not found it yet.

Email it to yourself

dindude · March 2022

Just picked up a Circuit Tracks, what an inspiring bit of kit, super easy to start making music with and no menus, just the way I like digital equipment.

goldtop · March 2022

paganskins said:

Paul_C said:

I'm sure there is a way, but I've not found it yet.

Email it to yourself

Or Dropbox (bit OTT just for this, but 'free' of effort if you already use it).

GavRichList · March 2022

DM1 is a surprisingly good sounding drum machine app for peanuts too. Actually made it on to our album on one track.

monquixote · March 2022

dindude said:

Just picked up a Circuit Tracks, what an inspiring bit of kit, super easy to start making music with and no menus, just the way I like digital equipment.

Yeah it's super fun an creative.

Really easy to hook up and control other equipment with as well.

Paul_C · March 2022

goldtop said:

paganskins said:

Paul_C said:

I'm sure there is a way, but I've not found it yet.

Email it to yourself

Or Dropbox (bit OTT just for this, but 'free' of effort if you already use it).

I remembered I have Google Drive set up, so I managed to move it to there and then chopped it down to a more manageable size.

httpwwwarrowheadguitarscoukpics2022rigjpeg

Currently the signal goes into a mixer (so I can run my Tenori-On, iPad etc. as well as guitar and bass) then into the middle Beebo, which splits it right and left.

The left hand stand splits again into the Katana and Ampeg bass combo (under the Blackstar).

The right hand stand splits into Fender 50XL and Blackstar ID:Core 20

It's utterly daft but it's keeping me amused.

JezWynd · March 2022

GavRichList said:

DM1 is a surprisingly good sounding drum machine app for peanuts too. Actually made it on to our album on one track.

Some of the kits sound very good and it’s easy to use. There’s a new version out but I’m not sure if an upgrade is necessary for my uses.
My most recent score is AUM, a mixer/recorder which can be loaded with virtual instruments and also analog audio input. I’m finding it very complicated and might have to resort to printing out the manual but when it is in the hands of someone who knows what they’re doing it’s an amazing tool. I’m new to computer music and midi, and grasping the language and terms is my first hurdle. The depth and complexity of the sounds you can create make it worthwhile though.

monquixote · March 2022

Paul_C said:

I haven't even plugged the Circuit Tracks in yet and wonder if I really needed it.

I hooked my Circuit up to the IPad the other day and I can really recommend it.

The Circuit can sequence the iPad and programming with nice velocity sensitive pads is much nicer than pecking away at a touch screen.

Paul_C · March 2022

I'll give that a try at some point - the Tracks is currently sitting in its box at the moment.

Funkfingers · March 2022

For wibbly wobbly noises and Radiophonic randomness, it is hard to beat the Arturia Buchla Easel V soft synth. (I downloaded the free demo and use it to create loops.)

KORG ARP Odyssey software is capable of generating electro percussion and Eno scapes.

Paul_C · March 2022

Funkfingers said:

For wibbly wobbly noises and Radiophonic randomness, it is hard to beat the Arturia Buchla Easel V soft synth. (I downloaded the free demo and use it to create loops.)

KORG ARP Odyssey software is capable of generating electro percussion and Eno scapes.

That Arturia synth isn't in the app. store, are there other ways to acquire things like that without dealing with Apple direct?

Funkfingers · March 2022

My mistake. Arturia Buchla Easel V is not offered as an iOS app … yet.

Instead, it runs on a computer as either a standalone or as a plug-in instrument within a DAW. It probably demands a screen large enough to show what the controls and patch cables are doing.

Meanwhile, three classic synthesizers are offered plus an electronic percussion synthesizer. Check those out while the 50% sale is on.

If I could only choose one, it would be the Prophet VS softsynth. Plenty to learn within one instrument.

personalnadir · March 2022

If you’re connecting an audio interface to your iPad, or using lots of audio apps, it’s worth checking out AUM. Let’s you route and mix audio and midi. It works nicely with my interface too:

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/aum-audio-mixer/id1055636344

personalnadir · March 2022

For any iOS users out there MusicTech.net have some great lists of apps that are worth checking out for instance:
https://musictech.com/guides/buyers-guide/best-sound-design-apps/

Among there you can find Vosis: an app that lets you make music using images as an input!
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/vosis/id783342051

d8m · April 2022

Welcome to the rabbit hole!

I don't play guitar as much these days(life) so my iPad has become one of my main sources for noisemaking.

Couple of my favourite apps:

Pure Acid

All in one Acid groovebox, simp TB-303 bass and TR-808 / 707 / 909 drums all under one roof with a brilliant sequencer and onboard effects.

Koala Sampler

Simple and intuitive sampler with almost limitless depth, my daughter has great fun with this one going round the house recording noises then sequencing them up into little riffs/beats.

Honourable mention for anything by Bram Bos , Hammerhead is probably my favourite IOS drum machine.

Easter just around the corner aswell so there will likely be some good sales on.

Any specific questions feel free to message me

monquixote · April 2022

I've just ordered a Polyend Tracker to go with my Circuit Tracks so I'm even deeper down the hole!

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Grooveboxes, synths, iPad rabbit hole

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