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Finally upgrading from iPad Air 2 (!) should I get the current iPad Air or wait to afford a Pro?
I intend to use Buttersynth as a main synth and I like stacking synths too, and will finally be able to explore newer synths releases 
I haven’t been able to use Buttersynth much with my old beloved Air2 (as soon as there’s a fast simple - even monophonic sequence from Gadget or NS2, Buttersynth implodes in crackles, and high polyphony patches are not an option). It’s the only synth I can’t use properly on the Air2 but I love the sound, possibilities and extensive mod matrix… coming from Vital, Serum, Zebra2, FM8…
Considering a 13” version as I like using chordpolypad alongside synths, bigger screen will probably be comfy
iPad Pro is a bit of stretch financially, especially in 13”. But I could wait and save if that necessary
Cheers and as always I really appreciate your input
Comments
I upgraded from my trusty Air2 just over a year ago to the Air gen 5 M1 iPad. Upgrading to the latest Air model will just be an amazing upgrade from an Air 2. I personally wouldn't worry about getting the Pro model, just get the largest storage you can get and enjoy.
Thanks, I'm super happy and looking forward, was just concerned about Buttersynth specifically, since it's the most CPU demanding synth I've used so far. Similar to using Vital Audio (which I love) also CPU heavy with high polyphony or fast arps, on desktop
Hard to judge Buttersynth as it spikes the CPU usage in AUM whenever you change a preset. On the M1 Air, I’m getting about 5% resting and around 10-15% on average on a single instance on an average complex preset. Each time I change preset, the cpu meter spikes to in the 90s, then goes back down - no sound issues.
I can usually run around 4 instances depending on complexity and notes being sounded before AUM maxes out the cpu meter with multiple notes being played on all instances at the same time. Still no sound issues encountered. This is at 48khz 128 buffer setting.
Buttersynth is just so hard to judge cpu wise, but I’ve not really found it an issue in use - there are plenty of more problematic synth apps cpu wise now.
As for using Buttersynth in a more complex or live environment, I wouldn’t do that on any iPad, as I don’t find Buttersynth the most stable app, but for recording purposes, any M series processor will cope well and they are all night and day when compared to the Air2
Thanks for the detail answer, super grateful, that's great news.
I mean I can always focus on a different set of synths for stacking if it ends up too tricky with Buttersynth...
Will be such a change
I went for an Air over a Pro due to what I considered the most important needs to me at the time. I would mostly consider a Pro if
a) money was no consideration,
b) I did a lot of scrolling on the internet, as the 120hz makes quite a difference for some.,
c) I wanted the really best and latest processor as I was pushing it to its limits, in this case I would want the high capacity models with the extra ram too,
d) I used it a lot outside as the brighter screen would make quite a difference
If you want the best bang for the buck, go for the Air and a decent storage size.
Hope this helps
It does thanks a lot
I got the M4 pro, and I really like it. My one complaint is I feel like the screen eats a lot of battery power. In a different universe, I would like advances in chip technology to result in longer battery life.
Also, this is an ignorant statement, as I am not familiar with the battery life of the Air, and I have not checked it.
Basically you want newest most powerful chip, most Ram/cpu (cores), most storage size, and the larger screen size to maximize its longevity, processing power, and usefulness.
Bye bye audio jack I guess... you might need to factor the cost of an audio interface into the equation.
Or $9.00 US for a headphone dongle. Or a hub with a headphone jack.
I have the Air 4 and 13” Air M2, since updating both iPads to iOS18, ButterSynth audio can no longer be recovered in Mixdown or manual track record in Cubasis, I contacted Arto towards the end of December with this issue, he is currently looking into fixing it, apparently other users are experiencing constant crashes just by selecting presets, so if you do get BS and it doesn’t work as intended, you will know why.
On the 13” Air M2, having the screen brightness at 60% will drain the battery fast when I am using Cubasis 3, but drop the brightness to 40% or lower and the battery lasts for hours with only a small drain whilst using Cubasis 3
Seems to me processor speed and storage are the two most important factors for consideration (others feel free to weigh in), so I’d get whatever deal gets me the maximum bang for the buck in both of those categories.
I stand with @Fruitbat1919.
For the first time in my iPad history, I had performance issues with my iPad Air 4 in 2024, crackling, crashes and dropouts.
I got an iPad Air 5 11” with an M1 a couple of months ago, very happy with it. Two things stand out in comparison: the doubled RAM from 4 to 8 GB and going from an A14 processor to an M1. I’ve had basically no crackling since the change and everything runs a lot more smooth.
Those two things had absolutely the most impact, and IMO and research, they affect the performance experience MORE in total than going for example from an M1 to an M2, or getting a Pro. Nowadays the base model processor is the M2 reagrdless of series, and it’s a very good choice. iOS is a very efficient OS and getting an M1 or an M2 is over what most people use or need and will most likely last you very long. Sure, gadget- focused people will scream loudly ”get the best, get the fastest, get the biggest!” regardless. But, they always do and powerful gadgets are indeed cool and impressive. In the end….need or want?
Most often though IMO, given a choice of three (budget, intermediate or premium), most people will get the most bang for their buck out of the intermediate choice. I got a an OK deal getting an M1, but I was ready to get an M2. Researching, the somewhat faster performance IRL of the M2 was not tempting enough, the RAM doubling and the move from an A to an M chip has proven to be way more impactful now after sometime. Sure, someday I’ll end up with an even faster processor but until then, I will make music😊. I have no issues with my Air 5, and it handles whatever I throw at it without any hickups. In one of my current projects I have 10 instances of SM2 running perfectly. With effects. Smoke would fill the room when I tried similar things with my Air 4🤣.
Sizewise, your needs must decide. I make most of my music with headphones on my couch so an 11” is very handy, larger than that I find the iPad too large and uncomfortable to handle in my hands. I have also read several people actually regretting getting the larger model, simply beacuse they felt they lost the mobility of the iPad. But, if you make graphical content, or use a piano roll extensively, or want a larger screen for any reason, of course a larger screen helps. But then again, you are approaching desktop territory and risk losing the mobility and handling advantages.
To each their own, just my two cents trying to help you man. Good luck with your choice!
(Get the Air 6 M2 11”😉)
/DMfan🇸🇪
I don’t have the Pro, but I often think that I would like a larger screen purely for having more windows open in AUM at the same time.
Having more RAM has always been the number one factor for being able to run more apps/plugins without audio crackles. The largest (and pricy) Pro models now have 16 GB RAM.
@stelvio
Always consider any choices from your own perspective first.
A large Pro model with 1tb (to get the maximum ram) would cost £1899 uk.
A large Air with 1tb would cost £1299 uk.
So, £600 for the better spec.
But how do you use them? I use my iPad in two ways, as a stand alone device and a sound module for my hardware setup. So, for myself I’m looking at best bang for buck long term. For the price of a high spec iPad Pro at the time I bought, I have over time bought my Air and a MacBook Air too.
So, while taking advice and listening to others helps, always prioritise how you use the devices and how you may in the future. Most people have at least a set budget for music gear and we have to split it between all purchases. So, my advice to you is to look at your own use scenarios and how your money can be best spent. Things like screen space may be important for using live or jamming. I would personally always choose two cheaper iPads in my setup over one with the highest spec - two 11inch screens with two full screen apps on are just much better for me than one larger screen, hence my plan for another cheapish Air down the line.
Weigh up prices vs specs vs use case. By all means get the best you can afford and buy with long term use in mind, but the best singular iPad is not always the best option. I would probably go for an Sp404mk2 + iPad Air over an iPad Pro high spec any day of the week, but your mileage may vary as the saying goes!
+1
/DMfan🇸🇪
absolutely agree with this
i went from Air 3 to M2 Pro, and the Pro has terrible battery life, is thicker/heavier and the benefit of the faster chip really isn't very noticable. My next iPad will be whatever Air is current when I want a new one
Just FYI I saw on Macrumors today that a new Air will be shipping soon
oh no, I just ordered one! 🙃
I cannot say anything bad about my iPad Air 6 (besides the obvious misses like Home button and headphone jack).
This is the small version.
But I noticed one annoyance:
The lowest setting for the speakers, just one click up from silence, is already WAY too loud for me!
I rarely use more than this first click and I would like to have the same effect only after at least 4 clicks, so that there would be some levels that are less loud.
I just re-read the article and it says the new models won’t likely be announced until March or April, and the news is that the new Air will use the M3 SOC instead of skipping ahead to M4. So honestly I wouldn’t worry about it. M2 will be great.
Don’t worry, you’ll be fine for years to come. There’s always going to be a next year with even better stuff, better specs, better everything. Don’t let it stress you. Just enjoy your new shiny gadget when it arrives, use it and make music with it😁.
/DMfan🇸🇪
+1
Just enjoy!
Swipe down from top right of screen and you can adjust the volume more precisely with the slider.
Ohhh, indeed!
That helps to reduce the loudness - somehow I never came to this idea, as I rarely use this menu.
It's not perfect, as you cannot dial in a value but need to guess - but it still solves the general problem.
Many thanks!
Just for my experience ; iPad Air does the job