Product test

Record music as easily as possible, part 1: iPad

8.9.2017

Translation: machine translated

The easiest way to set up your own music recordings is with the iPad. Here you can find out what you need to get started easily. Part 2 will be dedicated to the PC.

Although I would also be equipped to record music on a PC, I've mainly been using the iPad for years. I keep realising that I can make much faster and more intuitive progress with it and can devote myself effectively to making music instead of troubleshooting why there's no sound on channel 4 again. What many people don't believe me: the sound quality is excellent. If you like to keep things simple and don't suffer from an acute Apple allergy, I highly recommend trying out the iPad as a music recording device.

A preliminary remark: You don't need any special equipment for single-track recordings. In principle, you can simply hold out your smartphone and record with any dictation software. The sound quality will of course be modest, but it works.

This article is about multi-track recordings. For example, if you can't play the piano and sing at the same time, record these two tracks one after the other and you have a multi-track piece. The same applies if you record vocals and instrument at the same time, but as separate audio tracks, so that you can mix it later.

Multi-track recordings are more demanding. You need software that supports this. You also need hardware that can play back what you're recording with almost no delay. If there's an audible delay (known as latency), you're out of sync. The good news is that the iPad is inherently such hardware (unlike a Windows PC or Android devices, for example).

What you need

1. an iPad

It doesn't matter which model, but it should be up-to-date enough to have the Lightning connector. Some of the options described here also work with the iPhone. [[product:6191352,6344722,6344751]]

2. the GarageBand app

GarageBand can be downloaded free of charge from the App Store. The app also runs on the iPhone. It comes with everything you normally need. The instruments fit together perfectly in the mix. They are also not Hello Kitty instruments, but come from the professional recording software Logic Pro from Apple.

3. for electric guitarists, bassists, electric mandolin players etc.: Apogee Jam 96k

This small but mighty device has an input for a 6.3 mm jack plug and connects to the iPad's digital Lightning port. I have been using the predecessor model Apogee Jam (without 96k in the name) for many years and am extremely satisfied with it. The thing is small and light, you can consider it part of the cable - but you shouldn't necessarily stand on it. It offers excellent sound quality and doesn't hiss at all. It also doesn't need its own power supply. Make sure you get the iPad version: [[productlist:5965281]]

For vocals and acoustic instruments: Apogee MiC 96k

I don't have this microphone myself, but the Apogee Jam has convinced me so much that I blindly recommend it. Admittedly, it's not exactly cheap, but I don't think you should skimp on this point. This mic can also be connected directly to a Mac or PC via USB. [[productlist:5830168]]

For MIDI instruments (iPad only): Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter

To use a MIDI keyboard on the iPad, you need this adapter. [[productlist:5718376]]
This allows you to connect the iPad to the instrument using a normal USB cable. This only works with the iPad, not with the iPhone! There are also a few things to consider, more on that in a moment.

The thing with MIDI keyboards

As already mentioned, your MIDI keyboard only works on the iPad (not on the iPhone) and only under the following conditions:

It is class-compliant. This means that no special drivers need to be installed for your keyboard. This is because you cannot install drivers on the iPad.
It has enough power. This is the reason why I recommend the above adapter. In terms of connection, this adapter would also work:

Mobile device adapters

Apple Lightning to USB camera adapter

USB 2.0, USB

But you can't connect a charger here. The iPad is not able to supply an average MIDI controller with sufficient power if it is not connected to the mains itself. As long as your MIDI instrument has its own power supply, this is not a problem. However, many portable keyboards do not. For example, I use the Roland A-49, which doesn't have its own power supply. It only works reliably on the iPad if you use the adapter together with a connected charger.

MIDI controllers

EUR256,80

Roland A-49 Bk

Synthesizer

What exactly is MIDI anyway?

With MIDI, sounds (sound waves) are not transmitted, but only the information about what is being played on the instrument. The sound itself is generated by the audio software. This allows you to edit tones afterwards or freely change the sound of the instrument. MIDI is particularly important in connection with keyboards and synthesisers. Some keyboards are pure MIDI controllers, i.e. they cannot generate their own sound. This is the case with the Roland A-49 above, for example. Or this one here: [[productlist:5069304]]

However, there are also keyboards - usually somewhat more expensive ones - which, in addition to the MIDI function, can also generate sounds themselves and output them normally via speakers, speakers or transmit them to a recording device via audio cable. You can recognise these keyboards by the fact that they have a headphone output and built-in speakers. This model, for example, falls into this category: [[productlist:6411364]]

Encore: Connect apps with GarageBand

GarageBand can view other apps as effects or instruments and record their sound. This is synchronised: you can also start the recording from the other app and listen to the other tracks while recording. There are dozens, if not hundreds of such music apps. As a guitarist, for example, I use the AmpKit app, a collection of guitar amplifiers and effect devices, in this way. In my opinion, the virtual amps in it sound a bit better than those in GarageBand. The only disadvantage compared to the guitar amps integrated directly into GarageBand is that you can't change the sound freely afterwards. If I ever need an unusual instrument such as a trombone, I use ThumbJam, for special synthesisers I use Korg Gadget. But there's so much choice that it's best to find out for yourself what you need.

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David Lee

Senior Editor

David.Lee@digitecgalaxus.ch

My interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.

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