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Advice on hardware/ios integration please
Help me spend a bit of cash! I've recently sold some gear, and have would like to integrate the ipad more with new hardware if possible. Especially bringing in hardware to AUM and using effects there.
I've been a longterm ipad user for music, and have an embarrassing amount of apps (I know I'm not alone), most of which I rarely open. When I finish tracks, it's been in NS2 or Gadget mainly. I've used AUM more over the past year - I love the idea of more open-ended jams, although I haven't found a workflow that's stuck yet.
I have a small hardware collection now, and realise my music making—such as it is, these days—falls into three categories:
1)Desktop - Logic Pro X plus midi keyboard, old focusrite scarlett interface, a few plugins and occasional hardware.
2) Hardware jams - currently using Circuit Tracks, Circuit Rhythm, Microfreak, Korg Opsix, and sometimes incorporating the ipad, particularly with the Circuit Tracks.
3) ipad only (Korg nanostudio keys as controller)
I'd like to merge categories 2) and 3), and I want to experiment with ambient, soundscapes, textures... inspired by modular and hardware musicians like Cinematic Laboratory, Anne Annie, r beny, substan, State Azure. I have just shy of £800 to spend. I guess I need a new audio interface to integrate everything. Arturia minifuse 4? Then I'm thinking either Elektron Syntakt (class compliant, which is great) or Hydrasynth Explorer or a used Hydrasynth desktop (same price). Or... any other suggestions?
I bought the opsix to learn more about sound design, and I want something that will complement it. I don't own a subtractive poly, hence the Hydra as an option. Use-wise, I guess I'm looking for a modular without buying a modular, as I don't have the time or money to do it justice right now.
Any suggestions? Particularly if you own the Hydra or Syntakt, or have any other options.
TL;DR Help me buy a bit of gear for ambient/soundscapes (and more) that integrates with ios
Comments
Honestly, I think you just need an audio interface to link all your devices together.
For the iPad and the desktop, have an application that can do the MIDI and audio well (Cubasis for iPad, Logic for desktop), and allows you to easily recall the project. But leave the audio interface connected to the desktop to get the audio out of the iPad and your other devices.
Do desktop based projects in Logic since you already have that.
You can even optimize your workflow by using apps available on both platforms. But less is more. Here’s a few I found that I use…
Desktops APPS that are on an iPad | AUv3 apps
I recommend Cubasis 3 for the iPad because it has rock solid MIDI and Audio. I do use GarageBand for iPad a lot, whenever I want to do a quick project since it opens on the iPad but I made a template for Cubasis 3 for the audio interface and MIDI controllers I have. GarageBand for iOS sadly struggles with using more than 1 MIDI controller and hosting MIDI effects.
I actually learned this from my visit to Montreal where I met Marc Brault | Visiting Montreal - Season 4, Episode 11
To link them together?. In your case, I’ll recommend finishing ideas on your desktop.
I’m actually doing that - MY FAVORITE MUSIC APPS on iOS!!!
Connect all other devices into the audio interface inputs, and in your desktop template, name and arrange each input to match each device. That way, all you do is connect your iPad and other devices, and record out the audio out, then you’ll use the desktop to arrange the recording where you want.
Ultimately, your finished work is a combination of these instruments. A lot of times you won’t use all the recording and that’s perfectly fine. Remember, you are the producer. You decide what you like.
Hope this helps.
I have been on this particular journey for a while. I think you may be in for spending some cash to do what you want.
I am using various sampler apps on iOS and also AUv3 fx. My hardware is similar, OG Circuit, Monostation, RD6, TD3, BassStation2 as well as various controllers including LP Pro.
MIDI routing is a nightmare for one, I have settled on MIDI DIN to avoid all the usb routing.
For audio you will need a multi channel interface, these are not cheap. I am lucky enough to have a Scarlett 18i20 and the behringer ADAT so have lots of audio inputs for the hardware, which is the key if you want different fx on each piece of hardware.
@seonnthaproducer Thanks for the thorough response - much appreciated, and lots to think about.
@AndyPlankton I hear you on MIDI routing! And yes, I need a new audio interface. The minifuse 4 would give me more connectivity than I have now, and works with ios (and would leave enough money for another toy). Decisions...
I don't want to use a DAW on ios, as Logic is so much more powerful. Currently, my thinking is to render everything to audio and finish it in Logic.
If you're reading this thinking "this bloke doesn't really know what he wants," you're quite right. This is all part of a never-ending search for something amorphous and unpindownable.
The great thing about hardware, of course, is that although I've bought far too much of it over the past four or five years, I've been able to sell it all on, meaning I still have a budget to spend. Not so with apps and software!
I'm going to do some more thinking. Then I'll make the wrong decision.
You could get about eight Korg NTS-1s for that money
No wait, that’d be stupid
This is sensible.
I’ll echo Andy and say go with DIN MIDI.
A decent audio interface would be my suggestion over any more toys. Or a class compliant mixer.
Same recommendation here for a multi-channel audio interface to connect all the things and a midi hub to connect all synths over DIN.
but...toys....
I’m currently feeding 9 stereo audio inputs (which could be reconfigured as up to 18 mono inputs) into separate channels in AUM via a Behringer ADA8000 and a Behringer UMC1820 going through a powered USB hub, then an Apple Camera Connection Kit. Other USB inputs through the hub are various MIDI controllers. The Behringer units are not expensive secondhand. I can play and record all my hardware to separate tracks and simultaneously use the MIDI controllers to play apps and record those separately too. I basically don’t have enough fingers, so at this point I need to get a MIDI pedal keyboard.
Ask yourself what you are missing .. do not buy anything just becasue you have free money (that usually ends with you later again selling that thing and loosing some money on it) - rather save money for later when some strong GAS kicks in .. Try really question all your workflows and ask yourself what you are missing in that particular workflow ... it should give you answer what to buy ..
More great advice, and it's helping me hone in. When I started using Logic again, I realised I enjoy restricting myself, keeping the track count down, focusing on getting the fundamentals right. Which is probably why I've got more tracks finished on the ipad when I'm mainly focused on a single app.
@dendy - I hear you on GAS, but I can accept losing a little money when I sell hardware, as I've always learned something from it. I just think of it as rent. I'm currently thinking I might go for the Syntakt (you're an elektron fan, right?). I can try it for two weeks, and return it if it doesn't gel. If it does gel, I'll sell one of the Circuits (probably the Tracks, as the Syntakt would replace it), and upgrade my audio interface.
Syntakt, opsix, and ipad would give me a lot to work with.
Still thinking, but every comment has helped. Thanks.
Syntakt is amazing ... i have syntakt digitakt digitone amd analog four but if i should keep just one box - Syntakt is clear winner.. thanks to 12 channels youncan do a lot with it.. synth engines are great, analog synth part has really balls and analog master effect is great.. you can't go wrong with Syntakt
Not sure about Syntakt replacing Circuit Tracks - Tracks has 2 polyphonic synth channels where Syntakt tracks are moniphonic.. i would see Syntakt and Tracks as perfect companions (bsck then i had Tracks and they work with Digitakt/Digitone pretty well - the sound character of Tracks is pretty different from what you can get from elektron boxes
>>> 
Good point - I really like both the circuits, so don't need much of an excuse to keep them. However, the guy who made that video admits in the comments that he doesn't find them easy to work with together - he prefers to stick to Tracks on its own, or Elektron on its own.
The Syntakt midi tracks are 4-voice poly (why only 4?), so could sequence the opsix, the microfreak (got one of those too!) and/or ipad.
I think I'll probably go for Syntakt, experiment with setups, then decide what I'm keeping