How to make music on iPad?

Making music on the iPad is a convenient and portable option for musicians of all levels. Apps available on the App Store offer a variety of high-quality virtual instruments and effects to create any type of music simply with a tablet.

It is possible to create music on an iPad using sequencers available on the App Store, such as GarageBand, BeatMaker 3 or FL Studio Mobile, and using accessories such as a MIDI keyboard, a microphone using a Lightning to USB adapter as well as plugins to have more effects and instruments available.

Let’s take a look at what you can use to compose on iPad.

Why make music on the iPad?

The iPad is a revolutionary tool for music creation. It offers a unique experience for musicians, allowing them to work on their music projects wherever they are.

With the wide variety of virtual instruments and effects available, musicians can easily create professional quality tracks.

It is quite possible to make good musical productions, even a full album as Gorillaz already did in 2010 with their album “The Fall“!

“The Fall” by Gorillaz, released in 2010

The great flexibility and portability of the iPad makes it the ideal tool for both novice musicians and music professionals. Using the iPad, musicians can easily explore new ideas at any time, record tracks anywhere, add effects like on a computer, whenever they feel inspired.

In short, the iPad is not only a creative tool, but also a way to unleash creativity and realize ambitious music projects, regardless of the level of expertise.

Which iPads to use to make music?

If you’re an aspiring musician or a professional producer, using an iPad to create music is a convenient and portable option. However, before you start making music on an iPad, you need to know which iPad to choose to meet your needs.

Choosing an iPad depends on several factors, including your budget and your storage and performance needs.

If you are looking for an affordable iPad that is suitable for beginners, the 7th generation iPad is an excellent choice. It features an A10 Fusion processor and is available with 32GB or 128GB of storage.

If you need even more storage, you can opt for the iPad Air which is available with up to 256GB of storage.

If you’re looking for a more premium product, you can turn to the iPad Pro. It has an M2 processor, a 12.9-inch Retina XDR display and is available with up to 2TB of storage.

The iPad Pro is ideal for music professionals who need top-notch performance and a large screen to work on more complex projects. An internal memory of 512GB will be more than enough to make WAV music recordings.

Ultimately, the choice of iPad depends on your needs and your budget. If you’re a beginner, the 7th generation iPad is an excellent choice, while if you’re a professional musician, the iPad Pro may be more suited to your needs.

What are the best sequencers for iPad?

There are many sequencers for iPad, some of which have more features than others or are easier to use. Let’s take a look at the most interesting options.

GarageBand

GarageBand is a great option for beginning and intermediate musicians who want to record and produce music on their iPad. This app includes several features, including recording multiple audio and MIDI tracks, using virtual instruments and effects, and mixing and mastering tools to finalize the production. GarageBand’s user-friendly interface makes it easy to learn the basics of music production.

It’s easy to explore different styles of music and experiment with various virtual instruments such as guitar, piano, synthesizer, drums and more. Audio effects such as reverb, delay and chorus can be applied to add depth and texture to the production. The“Smart Instruments” feature also allows users to play virtual instruments even if they have no prior knowledge of music.

Finally, GarageBand also offers sharing and collaboration options for musicians who want to work in teams. Projects can be shared directly from the app and users can collaborate in real time on a project. With all of these features, it’s easy to see why GarageBand has become a must-have app for musicians looking to produce music on their iPad.

Auria Pro

This sequencer is ideal for electronic music producers thanks to its wide variety of advanced features. It is possible to record audio and MIDI tracks, edit, mix and master them directly on the iPad.

In addition, it is compatible with third-party virtual instruments and effects, allowing users to customize their setup to their needs.

With Auria Pro, users can also create loops and sound samples to add textures and layers to their music. The sequencer also has several modulation tools to bring their tracks to life and give them a unique sound.

The track editing features allow users to work on individual elements of their music for greater precision and total control.

Finally, compatibility with third-party virtual instruments and effects allows users to explore a wide variety of sounds and effects to customize their music.

Users can also export their music in different formats for use in other projects. Auria Pro is the ideal tool for electronic music producers looking to create music in a creative and professional way.

Cubasis 3

Cubasis is an essential software in the field of computer music production.

Cubasis is a simplified version of Cubase for iPad, and is a perfect tool for electronic music producers. With its many features, this App offers a professional quality track creation experience.

You can record audio and MIDI tracks, edit, mix and master them directly on your iPad. Plus, you can customize your setup with the app’s compatibility with third-party virtual instruments and effects.

Cubasis is very flexible and easy to use, making it ideal for both novice and professional musicians.

Its compatibility with third-party virtual instruments and effects allows users to explore a wide variety of sounds and effects to customize their music. Users can also export their music in various formats, including WAV and MP3, for use in other projects.

BeatMaker 3

BeatMaker 3 is an ideal music application for hip-hop and electronic music producers looking to create high-quality original tracks. This application offers a wide variety of features that make creating, editing, mixing and mastering audio and MIDI tracks intuitive and efficient.

With BeatMaker 3, producers can record instruments, vocals and samples directly to their iPad, then edit them to create complex arrangements. Users can also add third-party sound effects and virtual instruments to customize their setup. With the built-in mixing functionality, users can adjust volume, panning and effects levels for each individual track, as well as for the entire production.

BeatMaker 3 also offers powerful tools for loop creation, beat programming and sample manipulation. Users can create complex synthesizer sequences and bass lines using the built-in virtual instruments, or by connecting external instruments via MIDI.

Finally, BeatMaker 3 is an application that allows producers to work creatively and collaboratively. Users can share their projects with other producers, making it easy to collaborate and exchange ideas. In addition, the application is regularly updated with new features, ensuring that producers always have the latest tools to create their music.

Korg Gadget 2

Korg Gadget 2 is a complete music production solution that brings together virtual synthesizers, samplers, and drum machines. This application is ideal for electronic music and hip-hop producers who want to create complete tracks without having to juggle several different applications.

They can also record their own sound samples to incorporate into their work. Mixing and mastering tools allow producers to fine-tune their production for a professional, high-quality sound. All in all, Korg Gadget 2 is an all-in-one application that allows music producers to realize their artistic vision without limits.

FL Studio Mobile

The Image Line FL Studio Mobile app for iPad is a complete music production tool. It features a variety of virtual instruments, samplers, drum machines and effects that allow you to create professional-quality tracks right on your iPad. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced producer of electronic music or hip-hop, Image Line FL Studio Mobile is a complete solution to help you create your music. You can use the virtual instruments to create original melodies and rhythms, or import samples to add your own personal touch to your songs.

The recording feature lets you easily add vocals and live instruments to your music to create more complex arrangements. In addition, Image Line FL Studio Mobile offers a wide variety of sounds and effects to enhance the sound of your music. With all these features, Image Line FL Studio Mobile is a perfect choice for anyone who wants to create professional music on their iPad.

Audiobus

Audiobus is not a sequencer, but a powerful application that makes it easy to connect different music applications (including sequencers) on the iPad to create custom setups and complete workflows.

With Audiobus, you can record audio and MIDI tracks in one application, then send them to another to add effects, mix or edit them further.

What’s more, Audiobus is compatible with many third-party applications, providing great flexibility and diversity for music production on the iPad. So you have a wide variety of options and resources at your fingertips to create your dream music.

All in all, Audiobus is an indispensable tool for musicians and producers who want to maximize their creativity and production potential on iPad.

Choosing a sequencer depends on your needs and your style of music. It is recommended to test several applications to find the one that best suits your needs.

How do I connect external instruments to my iPad?

To connect external instruments to your iPad, you will need a Lightning to USB adapter.

There are two types of adapters: the camera USB adapter and the USB 3.0 adapter.

  • The camera USB adapter is ideal for connecting USB devices such as MIDI keyboards, MIDI controllers, USB microphones and audio interfaces.
  • The USB 3.0 adapter is ideal for connecting external hard drives and USB flash drives.

Here are the steps to connect an external instrument to your iPad:

  1. Plug the Lightning to USB adapter into your iPad.
  2. Connect the external instrument to the adapter.
  3. Open the music application of your choice on your iPad.
  4. Select the external instrument as the audio or MIDI source in the app.
  5. Start playing or recording music.

Note that not all external instruments are compatible with the iPad. It is recommended to check the compatibility of the instrument before purchasing it.

In summary, to connect external instruments to your iPad, you will need a Lightning to USB adapter and a compatible instrument. Just follow the steps outlined above to start playing or recording music on your iPad.

What are the best plugins for making music on iPad?

There are many apps available on the App Store for making music on iPad, but there are also third-party plugins that can be used to enhance the functionality of these apps.

Here are some of the best plugins for making music on iPad:

  • AUM Audio Mixer: AUM is an extremely flexible audio mixer for the iPad. It allows you to connect multiple music apps to create custom setups and complete workflows. You can also record audio and MIDI tracks, edit, mix and master them directly in AUM.
  • Audio Damage: Audio Damage plugins offer a wide variety of plugins for the iPad, including synthesizers, filters, effects and granular synthesis tools. These plugins offer great flexibility and diversity for music production on the iPad. Audio Damage’s synthesizers allow you to create sounds from basic waveforms, which can then be modified with the various filters and effects options. The granular synthesis tools allow you to create complex sound textures from simple sounds, offering a great deal of creative sounding ability.

    In addition, Audio Damage offers a wide range of effects, from simple reverb and delay effects to more complex effects such as distortion and modulation effects. This makes these plugins an ideal choice for music producers looking to add complexity and diversity to their sound palette.
  • FabFilter Plugins: FabFilter is a developer of professional quality plugins for the iPad. Their line of plugins includes a variety of audio processing tools such as EQs, compressors, reverbs, and limiters, each offering state-of-the-art functionality for professional music production.

    FabFilter EQs are known for their linear response curve, intuitive interface, and exceptional sound quality. They are able to precisely manipulate the frequency response of audio, which is essential for professional quality mixing. FabFilter compressors are also highly regarded in the music production community. They offer versatile compression options for use on a wide variety of audio sources. FabFilter reverbs are also very popular for their transparent sound quality and flexibility.

    Finally, FabFilter limiters are essential tools for professional audio mastering. They offer protection against saturation and distortion, while maintaining the dynamics and integrity of the sound. Overall, FabFilter plugins are a top choice for audio professionals looking to enhance their music production with high-quality, high-performance tools.
  • iMaschine 2 is ideal for hip-hop and electronic music producers and offers a wide variety of samples and virtual instruments. With over 4000 sound samples, you can create beats from scratch or use the samples to supplement your productions.

    Virtual instruments such as synthesizers and pianos allow you to add a personal touch to your music. Finally, the application is easy to use and suitable for both beginners and advanced producers.
  • Korg Gadget is designed for electronic music producers and offers a wide variety of high quality virtual instruments. It is possible to compose music in many different styles, such as house, techno, EDM and many others. The virtual instruments offered are very realistic and allow for a great deal of creative freedom.

    In addition, the application’s user interface is very intuitive, which makes it much easier to create music, even for beginners. Finally, Korg Gadget is regularly updated with new features and instruments, making it an ideal choice for music producers of all levels.
  • Moog Model 15 is a digital version of one of the world’s most famous synthesizers, the Moog. It offers a wide range of features and parameters to allow you to create unique and customized sounds according to your musical preferences. With this app, you can explore many styles of electronic music, from dubstep and techno to ambient and hip-hop.

    It’s easy to use for beginners, with online tutorials and an active community to answer all your questions. Whether you’re a professional musician or an avid amateur, this app is an indispensable tool for your digital music arsenal.

The choice of plugins depends on your needs and your music style. It is recommended to test several plugins to find the ones that best suit your needs.

It is important to note that some plugins can be expensive and require technical knowledge to use them effectively. Therefore, it is recommended that you study the specifications of the plugins carefully before purchasing them and make sure that they are compatible with the music applications you use on your iPad.

Conclusion

There are a wide variety of plugins available for making music on iPad. Third-party plugins can be used to enhance the functionality of existing music apps and offer a great deal of flexibility and variety for music production on iPad. It is important to study the specifications of plugins carefully before purchasing them and test several options to find the ones that best suit your needs.

Making music on iPad offers great flexibility and portability for aspiring musicians and music professionals alike. You can work on music projects wherever you are and use a wide variety of virtual instruments and effects to create high-quality music.

To make music on iPad, you’ll need headphones or speakers to listen to your music, as well as a Lightning-to-USB adapter if you want to connect external instruments to your iPad.

How to make music on iPad?