Apple Setups: iPad Music Studio

This weeks featured Mac setup is… well it’s not a Mac at all actually, it’s an iPad-only setup! That’s right, coming to us from Jurgen V. is a minimalist music studio based entirely around an iPad. Read on to learn what added hardware and specific iOS apps allow for an iPad to become a music producing workstation.

What do you use your Apple gear for?

My iPad setup is used for dance music production. I bought my iPad 2 and have been exploring its limits for a while now. Having been into dance music all my life I wanted to build something different based on the iPad, which is an incredible device!

I create dance music, so midi controllers and really good apps are essential and work great together. Thanks to the portability of the iPad, and the variety of pro-sounds and pro-apps, you can create and re-create anywhere, then hook it up to the monitor set-up and master the audio.

My work is all based on creativity. I am not a person who sits around waiting for the best ideas to come to me, I’d rather be out in the world to record samples and take inspiration from all around me – the iPad allows this.

Tell us a bit about the hardware in your iPad setup

This is what works for my setup:

• iPad 2 – 16GB Wi-Fi model
• Belkin FlipBlade adjustable stand for iPad
• Auralex MOPAD Isolators for speakers (you need these !)
• 2 Tannoy Reveal 501A Channel Studio Monitor (speakers)
• XLR to MiniJack stereo cable (high quality)
• Genelec 9000a studio volume controller (cannot do without!)
• ROCCAT Apuri Active powered USB Hub
• Blue Yeti USB Microphone
• Launchpad Mini USB Midi Controller

Yes, that is it!

The monitors (speakers) are powered and have a really clean sound with plenty of depth, this combined with the volume control gives you all the power you need for a compact set-up like this. Although the iPad works great as is, for a little more control you really do need a separate midi controller, and that’s where I use the Launchpad Mini. It’s very compact but still a great tool, and it is compatible with almost every app I use.

The microphone is for sampling everything else, the quality is great for my type of music.  

What are some of the iPad apps you use most often?

Cubasis is what I use as my DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), combined with AudioBus and Audio Copy, you can get all the sounds from all your different apps directly into your DAW, so there is no need for extra instruments. Just play > record > export > import > create, all on the iPad.

The iPad apps I use to create my music include:

• Audio Mastering
• iMaschine
• Cubasis
• Moog Filatron
• KORG Gadget
• Novation Launchpad
• Novation Launchkey
• Nanologue
• ReBirth (for your dirty TB303 sounds)
• iVoxel voice synth vocoder
• AudioBus
• Audio Copy
• DropBox for cloud file storage (which everyone should have)

I use Audio Master for the final mixdown.

Do you have any tips for someone looking for a similar studio setup?

If you want to build a basic studio like this do not go cheap, buy some good quality products, hardware, and apps that suit your music style. If you are not sure, just talk to an expert and ask all the questions you need answered. The key here is think before you buy! 

Play on !! 

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Do you have a sweet Apple setup you want to share? Whether it’s a Mac, iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, or all of the above, answer these questions about your hardware, usage, and send in a few high quality pictures and it may be featured on OSXDaily!