Loopy Pro: Create music, your way.
What is Loopy Pro? — Loopy Pro is a powerful, flexible, and intuitive live looper, sampler, clip launcher and DAW for iPhone and iPad. At its core, it allows you to record and layer sounds in real-time to create complex musical arrangements. But it doesn’t stop there—Loopy Pro offers advanced tools to customize your workflow, build dynamic performance setups, and create a seamless connection between instruments, effects, and external gear.
Use it for live looping, sequencing, arranging, mixing, and much more. Whether you're a live performer, a producer, or just experimenting with sound, Loopy Pro helps you take control of your creative process.
Download on the App StoreLoopy Pro is your all-in-one musical toolkit. Try it for free today.
keyboard players live gigging with iPad apps?
Unless I'm mistaken, the vast majority of forum members use the iPad for song creation/recording. I wonder who else is using their iPad for live gigging as part of a solo or band act? I have been using a combination of AUM and Keystage for all my gigging over the past couple of months and overall it's worked out well. I wonder if AUM + Midimixer would also serve well for this. I see that Midimixer can create snapshots for each AUM file, thus changing snapshots within a setlist song to correspond with what's needed for each section of the song.
Suggestions? Thoughts?
Comments
Hello,
I started using the iPad as the only sound source (successfully) in 2019 (stopped due to Great Isolation time). I use the KeyStage and AUM, and now I'm waiting for Keystage v.2. It will be AUv3 oriented, and I'm preparing for that.
I'm waiting for 2.0 too. I know it's behind schedule. Hopefully no insurmountable problems.
My last contact with Mr developer was 3 weeks ago, and he said about some troubles with AUv3 hosting, but the last prase sounds great:
"But I'm very close."
I love that app. It's really freed me up to fully commit to live performing with iPad only
@LeesKeys I used to use an iPhone while gigging, mainly as a more flexible MIDI hub that didn't require carrying a laptop around. At the time MidiFlow was one of the best tools for that purpose, though I'm sure there are other routing apps now and most things can be done inside AUM. Keystage looks pretty cool.
You've probably done most of these already, but I remember hooking up knobs to crossfade between sounds (on external synths) or button/pedal triggers for switching presets. The "actions" panel in AUM is pretty nice. A bit gimmicky, but it was sometimes fun to hook up the rotation sensors to some CC on an external synth.
How have you found the stability? I used to have issues where sound or MIDI thru would cut out entirely, but I believe things have improved since then.
While I don't use the iPad for live performance or sound module only, I've found Camelot Pro to be the best solution for using the iPad in a workstation type format. It supports AU synths and fx, a lot like Mainstage.
I can only think of a couple of times in the past 6 months where I've had problems in my Keystage-AUM setup. Occasionally a stuck midi signal; more frequently running an IAA app (as opposed to AUv3) such as iM1 and it not responding. Keystage has been very stable.
I think we need a subgroup somewhere. For keyboardists playing live using an iPad as the sound source.
It's very specific — program changing, splitting, latency, powering, and so on.
I like that idea
Can save appstate in the case of AU?
Yes, it can save AU settings.
I see that Camelot Pro has recently been updated and is currently on sale. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/camelot-pro/id1326331127
Did I see somewhere in my research that you cannot add AUv3 effects within Camelot Pro?
According to the app description you can:
hmm. I purchased it (Camelot). About to find out what the learning curve is like
I've started using it for gigging. My favorite piano app is Korg Gadget with the Korg module unlocks.
I prefer this method because it's just one app. Audiobus is amazing because I can instantly turn on/off an effect.
I also like Reason Compact. Sadly, the recent update affected the MIDI channels. Fingers crossed that Reason might be able to look into it.
I do have AUM, although it seems to more for AUv3. I'm still diving further into it, as well as Drambo.
TL:DR
1. Gadget 2 (my current setup)
2. Reason Compact (at least until the latest update) combined with Audiobus
3. AUM (maybe with MIDI Mixer or Mozaic...I'll probably look further into Mozaic)
4. Drambo (still experimenting)
For live performances and sequencing.
I've been experimenting with two idevices
using dRambo and AUM for the configurations.
AUM hosts au instruments and effects and
dRambo is used as a utility and sequencer
to enable functions that AUM doesn't have.
AUM provides IAA compatibility whilst IAA is still around.
Bear in mind this is with two midi keyboards, two midi controllers,
two audio interfaces electric guitar, bass and a vocal mic.
It can be simplified for one idevice.
It works really well.
Tested it for two months.
I'm gigging with an iPad and a Nektar LX88+ since a couple of years (considering that good part of the 2020 was focused on band rehearsals only...).
I control the patch selection with the LX and 2 DIY button controllers connected to a USB hub. They control an instance of MidiFlow that maps the sounds and set the splits.
All the instruments/FXs are loaded in AUM. Up to now, no issues (worth mentioning) except for a bunch of initial issues with iM1.
And the iPad also runs "Paperless Music" for the lyrics and "Master Fader 5" for the control of the Mackie DL32R
I beta tested Camelot pro back before the launch and it was a buggy mess. Might have to give it another spin as I did like the basic UX and they’ve made steady improvements. My main blocker right now is MIDI fx AU support. This is where AUM (with MIDIMixer) shines for me.
The last update has a lot of fixes so maybe that took care of most of the old issues
Update: maybe Camelot Pro works great for Mac and PC, but there are still problems with IOS. I had issues with the program crashing when I tried to add particular apps. On restart, some of the apps didn't make any sound until I first went to that app's virtual keyboard and played a note.
It's a shame because the user interface is really nice, better than Keystage, but I can't deal with that lack of dependability.
You'd think by now they would have gotten it right
Argh, that's a bummer. These are exactly the sorts of bugs I experienced a couple of years ago. Too bad, agree that the interface is very nice.
I’m using an iPad for live work. Not gigging at the moment - who is? - but I do use it with my band rehearsals.
I use KeyStage with AUM, a Studiologic Numa Compact 2x keyboard, and a second keyboard connected via Bluetooth midi using a Yamaha MD-BT01.
Most sounds are generated by the Numa, but I also use Galileo 2, iSymphonic and Heavy Brass on the iPad via AUM. I’m looking at adding synths on the iPad, such as Pure Synth Platinum that I acquired in the Black Friday sale.
What I really like about the Numa Compact is that it has USB audio. So the sounds from my iPad are sent to the keyboard and mixed with the keyboard sounds. One connection into the PA, and the sound man doesn’t get to fiddle with my balance 😀
So far the experience is good. KeyStage crashed a bit when I updated to iOS 14, but seems stable now with 14.3. Main issues seem to happen when someone sends me an iMessage, that seems to crash things, but is simply solved by turning off the WiFi.
@Ali_Göktürk (Keystage dev) has been really helpful, and has produced a great app. I don’t know how it compares to Camelot Pro, but KeyStage is pretty easy to manage and has done what I need so far. Now if only all the synth devs would support Program Change properly, I’d be in business!
Only problem now is that Uncle Boris won’t let us meet to rehearse any more...sigh...
I use the iPad as a sound module for live playing.
I don’t know what to do when all the old iPads with headphone jacks die!
Currently I use AUM with iM1, Poison-202, tal-u-no-lx, And Agonizer. I use a midi controller keyboard that has faders (m-audio oxygen 61) I control the faders in AUM with those.
Sometimes I use NanoStudio2 Obsidian for my synth sounds
I have a stereo cable that is 3.5mm to the iPad and it splits into 2, 1/4” that go into the mixer
I have used DM1 on my iPad mini as a drum machine into the mixer with another cable like I had mentioned ( I really love that DM1!) I may go back to it.
I am using a Roland Tr-8 drum machine right now because I can have 4 outs (Kick,Snare,hihats, percussion) but it has no song mode
I am simple and come for the world of hardware so this is basically like having a bunch of my favorite synths in one box
All of my effects are in the mixer an XR-18 Stereo Chorus, Reverb, and Delay on individual effects busses
I've continued working with Camelot this morning. I've identified one problem app in particular. After subbing with a different app I didn't have any more issues (knock on wood). I'm going to shoot for using Camelot for this Sunday's service and will report back to the forum with my impressions.
That's great! Give us the report and "show us the way"! ANyway I'm waiting for Ali Gokturk's version 2.
I have been using my ipad exclusively for live playing at church since 2016 or so. Started with a mini 2 just before Korg Module released. I tend to be a secondary keyboardist and do auxiliary sounds (strings, hammond organ, pads, brass). I have found in my years playing that simplicity is key. Have each app in a separate midi channel and just switch as needed. Having 2 or 3 midi keyboards helps with not having to switch out between apps so often.
Hello Crew!
Keystage v.2 latest news: Mr. Dev. says, "end of January" (due to different problems; not only software)
https://www.facebook.com/KeyStageLive/photos/a.521527565132475/743030716315491/
Here is my impression of Camelot Pro after working with it for a week. Sorry it's so long. Hope some of you will find it helpful.
For the past week, I've been getting my skills up on Camelot Pro IOS enough that I could use the setup at my contemporary church service today. I have been using Keystage for a couple of years. It's been pretty dependable, but it can be awkward to use since it often involves virtual ports and running AUM in the background ( I recognize that this should be corrected in Keystage 2.0).
Still, I decided to give Camelot Pro a try. Earlier in the week, I was having lots of crashes, either because of apps labeled as unreliable by Camelot or crashes for no apparent reason. I reached out to Camelot Pro and they were VERY timely and helpful in their responses. I'm currently running a test build which has addressed some of the issues. I felt good enough about the state of things to use it this morning at church. My songs are fairly complex and often include 2 midi keyboards, one or both of which might have splits to run an additional app. A couple of things about my setup: I use an iPad Pro (gen 1), a Casio PXS1000 and Roland A49 as my midi controllers, a Korg NanoKontrol 2 to manage volume levels, an Audiofront midi expression pedal for foot switches, and a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd gen sound card.
Sorry to say that things did not go well. Some of the problems I was having: 1)intermittently when I changed from one scene (Parts in Keystage) to the next using a midi assigned footswitch, the sounds I was playing at the time of the switch got very scrambled up and I had to press the panic button to reset midi. 2)When I moved a midi-assigned slider on my NanoKontrol 2 to change the volume level of a layer, if I was in Attachment view (Camelot has a really nice PDF view built in), my screen would rapidly flicker on and off as I moved the slider. Very distracting and one time it resulted in losing the image of the attachment completely. Strangely, this flickering only occured in Attachment view, 3) After a 30 minute break for the sermon, when I went back to the keyboard and pressed a key, nothing happened. No sound from either keyboard. The rest of the band started without me while I closed and restarted Camelot (it did not crash, there just appeared to be no midi connection with the keyboards. Pressing the panic button did not help).
Aside from the technical glitches, I had trouble remembering which layers were assigned to which sliders on my NanoKontrol (you can't dedicate a cc for the volume within the specific app, but you can cc control volume for a layer to which the app is assigned). Because I was using the attachments view to see the music, I couldn't see layer volume controls unless I switched views.
Finally, remote controlling volume in Camelot was difficult because of sudden jumps in volume when a slider was moved to a different position in the next scene (something that's controlled in Keystage with a midi feature called "relative control")
As much as I'd like to feel confident about using Camelot for live gigging, I do not at this point. This morning's gig was nerve racking and greatly detracted from the joy of playing. I'll continue working with it and will let tech support know about my issues. But I'm also looking forward to Keystage 2.0 and hoping that it turns out to be just what I'm looking for.
SNIP!
Thank you, man, for this. It's a confirmation of the usefulness of KeyStage! And Mr. Göktürk is on the final lap (as he wrote to me).
Here is an interesting topic about MIDI Designer
https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/21282/ios-keyboard-rig-complete/p1
and I think is an interesting way to go. But even "old good" Keystage seems to work better. I'll miss only the sounds from SampleTank, but having the chance to save the appstate I can find some more in other apps.
Anyway, thank you so much for the real live review. That's why this forum is priceless.
VoytecG