iOS Production

[SirCorn]

Hi, I wanted to let everyone know what kind of rig I've been using and ask other members of the community for some advice/feedback regarding iOS recording and production. Does anyone have any experience with this? I'd love to hear about mobile music production from people other than YouTube. lol

As far as my rig goes, I have an iPad mini, running through a Focusrite iTrack Dock (anyone familiar with Focusrite would like to know that it is a cousin of the Scarlet as it uses the same mic preamps) with lightning connector allowing me to record at 24-bit/96kHz and get some really good sounds. 

If there are any other users on the forums that produce with iOS tech, I'd love to hear about it! I'll list my setup (with links) as it stands below so you can get a better idea of what I'm working with. 

 

Tracking/Audio Capture:

2 Samson CL8 Studio Condenser Microphones  (I use other mics too, but these are the ones that get used the most)

Focusrite iTrack Dock

iPad mini

Harmonicdog MultiTrack DAW

Final Touch

Guitar Amp Simulation:

BIAS Amp

BIAS FX

Synthesizers:

SoundPrism

Caustic

Drum Machine/Loops:

Caustic

Now, at this point, I could get pretty redundant as there any many different ways to use each of the apps to get a different result, but the main thing I wanted to share was that I use the inter-app audio support of the Positive Grid apps (BIAS FX and BIAS Amp) within Multitrack DAW to get my amp sounds and often use the effects bus in the DAW for reverb/delay as they are relatively high quality. I can use BIAS for guitar and bass guitar. SoundPrism does not have inter-app audio support nor does it have AudioBus support (I don't know about SoundPrism PRO, though... haven't used it) so I am using an external device (iPhone 4, baby!) via 3.5mm to 1/4" cable into my line-in port of the iTrack Dock. This comes in handy for a lot of things like my chaos pad (SynthPad, which also does not have Audiobus support). 

 

Those of you familiar with recording via iOS will know how valuable AudioShare can be, and that is the main way I take drum loops/samples from Caustic or other DAWs (like GarageBand) and import them into MultiTrack as it is a much better DAW with good EQ, Reverb, Delay, Compression, and editing options in a very simple, user-friendly setting. Not the most complex or feature-packed DAW on iOS (not like Cubasis or Auria) but it does a good job for very cheap. 

 

Once my project is done, I bounce the track, export it to Final Touch, and start with several of their mastering presets and tweak them to my specs. I have the option to export the whole track in many different file types, bitrates, and have the option to upload directly to Dropbox, SoundCloud, email, etc... BUT Final Touch is also great for mastering tracks BEFORE they hit the DAW. Sometimes I'll send my drum track from Caustic (which may include live automation, synths, drum samples, etc...) and want it to sound a certain way before I mix in my live tracks (guitars, vocals, saxophones, hand percussion, etc...) and will give me a better idea of what to listen for and edit properly. THEN I'll bounce that, and master the whole track, making less-drastic edits to my master, and have a more coherent sounding track. 

 

This is just scratching the surface of what is available to artists via iOS and I may have said a lot of redundant things but I wanted to share what I do with others who haven't experimented with iOS music production/creation before and get some ideas from others who have been doing it longer/differently than myself. 

Thanks!

[Ridiculously Garrett]

Hey, I'm glad I'm not the only one that doesn't have actual equipment. I don't have a setup. I just have my garageband app. I know. I know. What a pleb I am. XD But it's all I have and frankly all I'm gonna have for a while. So, you're not the only one that uses iOS tech. It works pretty well, though, for being an app. I've certainly learned a lot from the little I've done.

[Nutritious]

Nice write-up and info - this is the first time I've run across most of the above.  I've been seriously considering FL Studio mobile for iOS so I can sketch out ideas and import the projects to my pc.  What I haven't seriously considered is full production via my mobile device.  Pretty impressive.

[Ridiculously Garrett]

@Nutritious

Working on PC is probably much better than mobile, but I don't mind mobile if it's all I got. Plus, it's not like I'm trying to make money off of music right now, so it all works out.

[SirCorn]

On 11/10/2016 at 11:41 AM, Nutritious said:

Nice write-up and info - this is the first time I've run across most of the above.  I've been seriously considering FL Studio mobile for iOS so I can sketch out ideas and import the projects to my pc.  What I haven't seriously considered is full production via my mobile device.  Pretty impressive.

Thanks! There is a whole big world of professional-level audio production technology available to iOS users. I'd like to show off some tracks that I've recorded and produced strictly from my iPad to give an example of the sound quality available to those who don't have an elaborate home studio or are dedicated to their iOS device. I've heard a lot of good things about the FL app and am anxious to try it out myself. Have you experimented with Caustic at all? I highly recommend it!

 

Here is a buddy of mine I recorded scratch vocals and guitar on one mic and produced the rest of the instruments in post. Tai Nishiuchi - O Death

Here is a cover of FF6's Decisive Battle Theme. Final Fantasy VI - The Decisive Battle

Edited November 15, 2016 by Pichu's Dad
Added info for conversation

[SirCorn]

On 11/9/2016 at 2:11 PM, Ridiculously Garrett said:

Hey, I'm glad I'm not the only one that doesn't have actual equipment. I don't have a setup. I just have my garageband app. I know. I know. What a pleb I am. XD But it's all I have and frankly all I'm gonna have for a while. So, you're not the only one that uses iOS tech. It works pretty well, though, for being an app. I've certainly learned a lot from the little I've done.

GarageBand has so many tools! It's a great songwriting app. The only reason many people don't consider it a "DAW" is because the level of EQ, mastering, automation, and "polish" isn't anything like a real DAW, but can be a formidable tool in composition and the creative process! Keep doing what makes your music sound good to you.

[Ridiculously Garrett]

Yeah, I've heard from a lot of people that Garage Band is the best start when integrating into DAW's. Because it's affordable, and you'd be surprised with what you can come up with when a lot of hard work is put into a project. 

[Esperado]

People dont realize how functional ipads can be for music. The split screen is great for interapp functions and recording apps are getting better with each update. 

How i use mind is to use Studiomux to send midi and audio over the charging cable which effectively makes my ipad into a vst host. Sure i cant save presets with projects or automate easily, but  im getting softsynths by big names like korg, waldorf and moog for a price that cant be beat. 

Another great use is to use them as transport controllers. I have the touchable app that turns my ipad into a multitouch controller for ableton. Its like an ableton push but more versatile and costs about the same. I cant check emails or watch tutorials on a push though  

When you consider the dropping cost of ipads these days. Theyre worth taking seriously, and im glad I'm not the only one who uses one!

 

p.s. Sugar bytes released a bunch of their popular fx vsts as apps for a fraction of the cost.