How useful, really, is the Ipad as a synth/rompler

Keysandslots

I was hoping to get a few comments before I go out and buy myself an iPad. I do not want to use it as a tablet, I'm not a fan of Apple's overall model of working, but the iPad seems like it would be an interesting music platform. I'm waiting for Windows 8 tablets to get released before buying a tablet for general use.

I was thinking about picking up the Alesis IO Dock for interfacing with everything else, it seems to offer the most options for connectivity. I'll be using the iPad hooked to traditional keyboard controllers via wired MIDI, and I do not want to have a computer in the loop at this time. Does anyone have experience with the IO Dock that cares to comment, or should I look at a different MIDI interface?

Another, possibly stupid, question - do the various synths and romplers for the iPad support velocity and aftertouch? I haven't seen any mention of anything like this in the promos for the various apps.

Thanks

Randy

loydb · Joined: Feb 04, 2010 Posts: 393 Location: Providence, RI

I think it is an amazing controller. Its utility as a synth depends mostly on how you feel about VST/digital instruments. There's some synths that sound really good -- for digital. Smile

I have no IO Dock experience.

Once you get one, I'm pretty sure your "I do not want to use it as a tablet" stance will fall to the wayside -- it's really, really useful. My laptop is now permanently relegated to acting as an adjunct for my TV.

mosc · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 1:44 pm Post subject:

I have the IO dock thingy, and it is really worth the money because it provides much better sounding audio. It is very useful for a live set up because you can mix through the inputs to the outputs using the IO dock and not the iPad application. This makes it sort of a mixer as well, although we're very simple one. I would say there are many instruments that are worth it as a rumpler or an auxilliary synthesizer. I'm not sure about after touch.

I would say that if you are considering it, you should get it.

v-un-v · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 3:25 pm Post subject:

My iPad is brilliant for 'general use'! And for music, you only have to look at the AniMoog app to realise that this is a serious music making instrument.

The majority of people who seem to hold out on buying iPad's (mostly for slightly ridiculous Apple-paranoia) are really missing out on a fantastic tool.

Buy one now! (and make sure you get one with lots of memory)

ian-s

blue hell · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 6:52 pm Post subject:

It took me some time to get used to the touch screen on the iPhone, like instead of sliding roll your finger for better control .. not sure how that would work for polyphonic stuff tho.

Also on iPhones I've seen procedures described for altering he touch sensitivity, don't know if such exists for iPad, or if it is still needed at times. Sensitivity of my iPhone seems to have become less with time.

Edit: spelings and forgotten words Rolling Eyes

ian-s · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 8:40 pm Post subject:

The finger vibrato is ok, it's the slide up/down that I find difficult. All the keyboards that have the feature differ in the way it works. Maybe I should get an old Mac so I can develop something myself.

Keysandslots · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 6:08 am Post subject:

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your advice. Looks like I'll get a 32GB WIFI version after the Christmas break. I have an iPod Touch now that I slide into an Akai Synthstation 25 sometimes, and we have 3 Macbooks in the house, none of which I use, just can't get comfortable with them. I miss my Apple II Plus sometimes 'though.

Randy

loydb · Joined: Feb 04, 2010 Posts: 393 Location: Providence, RI

v-un-v · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 10:35 am Post subject:

I miss playing "Lemonade" on my Apple IIe!! Laughing

Keysandslots · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 11:03 am Post subject:

I'm still hoping for more advice on this so I hate to derail it but, Choplifter and Zaxxon kept us busy for awhile. I worked for an Apple retailer for awhile, selling Apple IIs and Apple IIIs. We had an Alpha Syntauri keyboard in there for a little while, very cool. It was really expensive at the time. I paid over $2000.00 for the Apple II Plus with 48kb of RAM and a floppy drive, and I certainly couldn't afford anything else.

Back on topic, I'm still curious to know if the synths on the iPad respond to velocity or aftertouch via MIDI. Could I play something like a multi-strike piano sample, and get different responses to different velocities?

Randy