Best iOS sequencer for external hardware?

Dan Lavin

I know this is such a stereotypical newbie question, but I'm looking for a little guidance. I have a first generation 64GB iPad and wish to use it to control my external hardware synths. i'm not really into softsynths and just want a midi sequencer that can control my set-up.
Ideally, i'd like the sequencer to send program/bank (at least at start-up), note on/off, sustain pedal, volume, pitch bend, mod wheel,
and velocity, of course.

So far, I've downloaded the following aps and here's what I didn't like about them:
Genome: I think in terms of musical phrases (2-4 measures) not just single measures. It slows my composition style down. Also, I don't see how to send program messages.
FL Studio HD Mobile: Can only output midi on one channel. I need at least half a dozen
These are nice apps...just not what I'm looking for.

Before I keep plunking down for apps at US$20 per whack, trying to find one that works like I want it, I was hoping someone here could make a recommendation.

Thanks!

Keysandslots · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:40 pm Post subject:

http://m.matrixsynth.com/2011/11/phaedra-ipad-sequencer-first-look.html

Phaedra?

Randy

XCenter · Joined: Oct 01, 2005 Posts: 98 Location: Germany

StepPolyArp - http://laurentcolson.com/steppolyarp.html

Don´t be fooled by the term "Arpeggiator". It has a latch function and acts like a sequencer.

Dan Lavin · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 5:49 am Post subject:

Thanks Randy and XCenter,
It looks like these would work per my original description above, but I have one more requirement: I need to be able to input midi notes into a sequence by playing a midi keyboard live and not a step entry...like the old school trackers. I'd like to be able to build up phrases played on my keyboard to build up phrases. I don't do a lot of step entry.

Ideally, it would work like EZ-Tracks or Tiger Cub on my old, long gone AtariST. It's funny, the iPad is much more powerful than an old ST, but I can't seem to find anything like them now.

It looks like Music Studio or Beatmaker2 might be closer to what I'm looking for in that respect. FL Studio Mobile looked that way too, until I bought it and found it only outputs on one channel.

XCenter · Joined: Oct 01, 2005 Posts: 98 Location: Germany

Regarding StepPolyArp: "Receiving Midi notes and control from external devices"
Keeping the latch mode in mind, isn´t that exactly what you are looking for?

Dan Lavin · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:58 am Post subject:

Dan Lavin · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 6:30 pm Post subject:

OK, slight update...............
FL Studio will output on multiple midi channels. In the CoreMidi utility, just set Midi out for "Track#" I thought that was just a label and not an actual choice.

Now the only problem is that midi program # is not output afaik. I played one of the sample pieces into a General Midi module and all I got was piano on all non-drum tracks and drums on channel 10. Piano is program 1 and the default voice on power up for each non-drum channel, so what it sounded like was a piano orchestra with drums. This could still be workable as long as a hardware synths are only set to one midi channel and the patch is set-up before starting.

Dan Lavin · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 2:19 pm Post subject:

Well after checking YouTube videos, it looks like both Symphonix Evolution and Music Studio will do what I need.