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Which iPad version should i buy?
Hello my friends!
I am a new (amateur) iOS music maker and I am about to buy my first iPad...but i dont know which one is best for my case.
I mostly play with sample/fx oriented apps (ReSlice, Smplr, Blockwaves, LaunchPad, DFX by Fingelabs etc.) or playing some intsruments from Garage Band.
I love the improvisation freedom that touch technology gives, so live manipulation of samples and sound processing is my cup of tee. Sometimes i run the above mentioned apps in parallel (threw Audiobus).
Since my budget is short i think i have 3 options:
a) iPad 2017
b) iPad Pro 9,7
c) iPad Pro 10,5 (64GB)
Could the 32GB versions be enough for me or 64/128GB is a must?
Your feedback will be much appreciated!
Best Regards,
John
Comments
If you plan on using samples extensively, more space is good. I'd vote for something with at least 64Gb so that you have some room to work with.
Yes, avoid 32gb at all costs I would say. Just the apps themselves are getting much bigger before you even get to storing sounds. I went for 10.5 with 256. My phone is 32gb and it really limits you.
My God. Do NOT get anything below 128gb. You will regret it massively in a year. As an owner of a 64gb air2 I can confirm that you will.
On your list the iPad Pro 10.5 would be my pick. Getting along just fine here with the 64GB version.
Thank you guys! I got it! 32GB is out of the question! The other big issue is the chip. Could the A9 (iPad 2017) do the job?
Yes. If I was you I'd get the 128gb variant. It's pretty cheap compartively. Specially since you mentioned a sample based workflow you will run out of space with the 64gb within a year or two. That being said the 10.5 pro is pretty future proof.
I am afraid the iPadPro 10,5 (128GB) is not for my pocket! I probably would go for the iPad 2017 (128GB).
The newer the processor the longer the iPad will last, so personally I'd prioritize processor over storage (I'm stingy and have been okay with 32GB, but have limited use for storage-eating loops). The Pro versions also give you access to the Apple Pencil, if that's on your radar.
Go for the 10.5 64gb
I managed to use my ipad 4 - 64 gb during 4 long (and productive) years...just be ready to cut into the muscle from time to time
Good points! Actually i am down for the iPad 2017 (128GB) or the iPad Pro 10,5 (64GB). But, i can't decide if 64GB will be a handbrake (in the future). No, i am not interested in Pencil.
I used an air1 with 64gigs for several years then upgraded to a 2017 with 128gigs. To me the pro does not offer much more for music, given how much more it costs. I use the pro at work and even the screen that people say is so much better is just overhyped to me. I really dont care much about the speakers either.
128gig 2017 ipad is an awesome value and for music performs great. I would recommend people put the money they save towards an audio interface, cool controller, awesome headphones etc.
Another thing to consider is RAM. Only the Pro 10.5 in your list has 4 GB.
well said!
i agree with this as well.
I've been considering a new ipad recently as well (currently on an ipad4 - 64GB... still got 9GB left and have only had to delete a couple of apps in that time to make space).
I'm so torn between a 128GB 2017 ipad vs the ipad 10.5 Pro 64GB. I had been leaning towards the 2017 - but last night I was using my iphone 6s (basically same processor/RAM as the 2017 ipad has) and was getting frustrated when my phone couldn't handle all the apps I wanted to run at once (not too many actually, AUM, AB2, 2 Ripplemaker instances, Groovebox, FLUX fx app, and TF8 synth -- think Flux & TF8 are hogging the cpu here...)
Anyways, this made me stop and rethink things ... I'm wondering if the 2017 ipad will start to show it's age in a year or two - while I think the 10.5 Pro (which has a faster processor and 2x the Ram) will be much more future proof.
we are on the same page! But the price difference is big (for my "teeth" at least)!
If you can afford it, then I would 100% recommend the 10.5 iPad Pro. It's an amazing, amazing device and you will find yourself using it for much more than music, particularly when iOS11 comes in the autumn.
at this moment - I'm leaning slightly towards that - even though I can't really afford it... but I think I'm willing to live on beans and toast for the next several months. Sacrifices...
Just as an example, I've been using the Lumafusion app on it. This is a video editing app that aspires to be the mobile version of Final Cut Pro X. The 10.5 Pro laughs at 4K video files and manipulates multiple tracks of them with ease.
FYI...in my country (Greece) prices are as follows:
1) IPAD 9,7" (2017) 128GB= 413,90 €
2) IPAD PRO 9,7" 128GB= 699,00 €
3) Apple iPad Pro 10.5'' 64GB= 799.00 €
I was considering similar points as well. For me it came down to the fact that while I love the idea of lots of routing and connectivity with various apps talking to each other it is just that IAA / AB state saving / midi / the crappy file management situation etc... just makes me think the OS and apps need to catch up for me to go in too deep on a hardware purchase.
One day, maybe in a couple years, I look forward to getting a big Pro with tons of ram and storage but it would be wasted on the current landscape of flakiness and multiple somewhat goofy sort-of/unsupported conventions. I know a lot of this will be sorted in time, but by that point I will want a new iPad anyway, so why should I spend now on what may be sorta-kinda fixed later.
I have 64gb air 2 and for me the space is enough, but it might not be for some and definitely dont go under 64gb.
Processor could use a bit more power(or preferably A LOT more, so that i could use higher sample rates than the basic 48k), but its enough for loads of stuff.
What comes to screen size, well i would want a bigger screen, but its still useable. The 12" would be perfect. Then again the 12" one would be quite big to carry, and i think the air2 is perfect size for other uses than music.
So imo get the 64gb 10.5" pro if you cant afford the new 12" pro.
My advice is always go big if your budget allows. You will never regret spending the money for extra space and better performance. My iPad Pro has replaced my laptop and 99% of my hardware for music production. A higher end iPad will last you a few gens, I'm still getting decent mileage out of my Mini 2.
Compared to PC or Laptop, iOS isn't quite there yet. AU support for iOS is a huge step forward. As others have mentioned, file management is still needlessly throttled, although I'm looking forward to iOS 11's file management solution. Yes, I still get the occasional stutter/crash with multiple instrument & effect apps loaded into AUM or AB. But while I've amassed a sizable collection of music apps over the years, my workflow mostly revolves around a handful of apps that I've really connected with, and they all run very smoothly together with Ableton Link.
My first iPad was the iPad 2, back then we didn't even have inter-app audio. Each app was essentially its own sandbox. Music production on the iOS has made huge advancements since then, and I think the future is looking pretty bright
I was a PC tower guy for years and ended up buying a laptop after getting an iPad. Now I seem to invest roughly 30% of my time in each.
For me, that's the most appealing aspect of the iPad for music production: I can be productive without having to lock myself away in my mancave for hours. Most of the work for my latest project was done sitting on the couch with my wife while she watches TV. Sounds just as good to my ears as anything I put together on the old Power Mac.
I'm a space hog myself, so I shouldn't give advice. But regarding HDD space, it is very likely that support with wireless extra storage for files will be increased in the future, so the onboard storage for loops and songs you make will perhaps be less important than before. That said I would go for more processing power (Chip and RAM) and re-sell ability with purchasing 10.5.
Fwiw been using the new 10.5 for a couple weeks and love it. I previously had the 12.9 and while the extra screen real estate is nice...the 10.5 is a perfect balance of size and portability. And power. Yesssssss...precious power
go for as much GB as I can afford.
I hope to get there too. I tried to get up to 80%-%90 ipad but I have such a thing for micro edit glitch stuff these days and the PC has pulled me back.
There is no 128 GB iPad 10.5.
It goes 64, then 256, then 512.
The 256 is best value for money IMO, because it's only $100 more than the 64 GB version.
The jump from 256 GB to 512 GB is $200 more, so the 256 GB iPad 10.5 kind of hits the sweet spot right in the middle, in terms of price at least imo.
The 2017 iPad is the 9.7 inch. it does come in 128gb.