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.
iPad Air 4?
My iPad Air 3 has the screen freezing issue- my screen will freeze until I click the on/off button then the screen goes dark, recovers, and the iPad is ok again. It happens anywhere from 10 to 100 times per day (at least). I'm sick of it. I've reported it to Apple, there are many users experiencing the problem, Apple denies it, they have been no help at all.
I'm thinking of getting an iPad Air 4. But if it has the same issue, I'll just live with what I've got.
The iPad Air 4 has no headphone output which will significantly cramp my style. I use the lightning port/camera connection to get MIDI in so I need the headphone output to get sound out to my mixer. Getting an iPad Air 4 might mean I can't use iPad synths unless I buy another piece of gear like some kind of audio interface. So I'd need a new iPad plus an interface and now it's stupid expensive just to use a $14 synth.
I am certain folks here know much more about iPads than I do, I'm hoping for better solutions. Do any of you have an iPad Air 4 and how do you like it? Has anyone heard of the screen freeze problem with an iPad Air 4? Can I get MIDI in/audio out without breaking the bank?
What are my options here?
Comments
I understand the new iPad Air is very fast and it would be a significant step up. I’m waiting for the new iPad Pro to replace my nearly 10 year old model (even though it’s old, it’s still my favorite “computer” I’ve ever owned).
But does the iPad Air 4 have the screen freezing issue and how do you deal with no headphone jack?
I don't know if you're open to Bluetooth MIDI, but building one of these wouldn't set you back much. You'd plug all your USB midi devices into it and send that to the iPad through Bluetooth.
Audio is a different matter. You'll need a USB-C to headphone adapter, preferably with charging capability. Coincidentally there's another thread about that active today: https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/44654/recommend-portable-interface-dac-for-usb-c-no-dongles-and-power-pass-through#latest.
I’m unaware of any reports of screen freezing with the new model. The lack of a real 1/8” headphone jack is my greatest concern for all new iPad models. That by itself is the thing that I dislike most, besides the lack of a physical “Home” button.
I have been unable to fluster my Air4 at any time despite ramming AUM full of whatever I need. I was bothered about losing the button as well, but I honestly wouldn’t want it back. It’s quicker without it.
I’ve had an iPad Air 4 since December of 2020 and haven’t had any issues with the screen freezing. I’ve had minor issues with some AUv3 plugins not loading properly in AUM (mostly FRMS) but a quick close/reopen of the app usually solves that. I played four live shows over the weekend and only had one small hiccup where this happened (and I was already aware of this potentially happening so I knew how to remedy it). So, all in all it seems pretty solid machine.
“Breaking the bank” is different for everyone. You can get a reliable audio interface for $100 or less. What’s your budget?
Thank you wim for the links, I'll read through.
NeuM- I hate the lack of headphone jacks, too.
I think Tim Cook secretly hates musicians.
Id swap my freezing air 3 if I could. Pay £150 for the upgrade. Its time to fizzle out the tech,giving the company a bad rep. The no headphone out will make me make more music.
The swipe up from the bottom to get to the mult-tasking app bar (instead of double-tapping a physical 'home' button) is my only real gripe about my new ipad.
I guess I'll stick with what I've got even though I am certain someday, in frustration, I will end up throwing it off our balcony. I have no luck with Apple products, my wife's Air 3 works fine.
The Air 3 screen freeze only happens for/to me when plugged in to external power. And then only randomly, usually when using Cubasis 2. 256 GB wifi/cellular.
I've had 0 issues with my Air 4. No screen freezing. I recommend using the official 30w usb-c charger. I know when I had my 2018 pro I'd have random connectivity issues with other chargers.
@musikeer, that's an interesting observation, I will test if I get fewer issues using battery power. It would be wonderful if the solution was so easy!
@quartzite, I am encouraged by the fact that your Air 4 doesn't freeze. Do you use a MIDI/audio interface with it?
And also I always use Apple chargers and connectors etc.
Yes, I use an iConnectivity Audio 4+ that does both. I also tested it out once with a Keith McMillen K-Mix for audio.
Thank you all for your time and answers.
@musikeer I think, after just this short time, that my iPad is freezing less while using battery power. Not a scientific truth, just an impression, but thank you.
Sadly the Audio 4+, and almost all of their audio interfaces are discontinued. The only iConnectivity audio + MIDI interface in their lineup now is the iPlay Audio 12 at $600 US.
I'll look around the web for a less expensive interface for iPad but I'm pretty certain at this point, despite the money I've spent on music apps and the frustrations trying to get it all to work, I'll stick with this iPad Air 3 and stop dreaming about using it for creating music. I have a Macbook. I thought, because apps are much less expensive on iPad, that it would be a nice solution for recording but I think in the end it's not for me.
Don't give up. The Air 3 works really well,...for me, Cubasis 2 is more dependable than Cubasis 3. With a Focusrite Scarlett audio interface (or an interface of your choice) and select instruments and efx, it's a wonder. I used an Air 2 before updating to the Air 3, and even it worked great. My needs outgrew it, as far as multiple AUv3 instruments and efx. Just start simply and expand as needed. It's astonishing what can be created on the iOS platform.
I get sad too easily. I just had big ideas for my iPad and am running into a lot of problems.
I did see online a Zoom U24 that is pretty affordable, I am going to look into that.
@ehehehe The iPad 8th gen. and the Air 3 seem almost identical. I don't see the complaints about the regular iPad like I do about the Air, and it has a headphone jack. Very good thought!