Simultaneous Apps

rad3d

Starting to move from laptop to IOS for live use - primarily triggering samples and synths from external MIDI controllers. I can reproduce most of what I've been doing in Ableton with something like Beatmaker 2 and a synth app or two. But as I start to look at other parts of my live rig, I'm wondering how much of it I can also replace with a single IOS tablet (currently an Ipad Mini w/Retina). I currently use a Line6 Pod HD for guitar and a TC Helicon VoiceLive3 for harmonies and vocal effects, and there appear to be several apps that may be able to replace both of those units.

My question is - how many apps should I be able to run simultaneously on my iPad Mini 2? I have yet to run a test myself because I need an interface capable of handling all the inputs and outputs. Knowing whether my ipad can handle running all the live apps I need will determine which interface I choose to buy. Looking at an Apogee Duet for iPad (2 ins/2-4 outs) if I'm just running the Beatmaker/Synth combo (stereo keys + click track out) - though I may look at an Apogee Quartet (4 ins/6-8 outs) if I can process guitar+vocals on the same ipad (stereo keys, stereo guitar, mono vocals, click).

For example, I might be looking at running - Beatmaker 2/Waldorf Nave/Amplitube/Qneo VoiceSynth - simultaneously. Doable?

My better judgement tells me I shouldn't push this many apps on one device in a live environment - possibly get a second ipad to offload guitar/vocals (and possibly 2 Apogee Duets) - but wondering if anyone else was actually doing something similar for live use.

Will

I'm still using an iPad 3 so take this with a grain but even if I could get that combo to run simultaneously (haven't tried) I'd be pretty nervous to do it in a live set up. Nave is a beast.

One thing to consider: Beatmaker, Voice Synth and Amplitube/Jam Up/Tone Stack run on iphone as well. If you have one you could still pack lighter and spread the CPU wealth around a bit. There's also Sunrizer XS, Animoog, Magellan Jr... that run on iPhone. Or a used iPod touch.

There's also NanoStudio which can trigger samples and gives you a synth that may suit your needs. Certainly no Nave but pretty capable and super efficient—you could run it happily on a 3Gs.

rad3d

I have Nanostudio, as well, and have no problems with the built-in synth. It just doesn't look like it has enough MIDI support for my needs. Definitely seems to be more efficient to run, though.

More than likely, I'll stay with the POD HD for guitar, since I'm primarily a guitarist and can cover the majority of the setlist one way or the other if the IOS device(s) failed.

In the end, this is all about making a determination about what interface to get. If I have 2 ipads, I don't think I can afford to get both the Quartet and a Duet, but if I need more than 2 outs from any one of the interfaces, I'd prefer to have balanced outs on all. The Duet gives me 2, and there are 2 more (unbalanced) from the separated headphone out. I'm ok running a click track from one side of the HP out, but if I were to attempt to run VoiceSynth live, as well, I'd hate to run my live vocal through the other headphone out.

iConnect appears to have an audio/midi interface in the works (iConnectAudio 4+) that has 4 outs (+separated HP out), which looks like it would connect 2 iPads and allow routing of all audio between the 2 to any of the 6 outputs, as well as sharing/routing MIDI connections. Unfortunately, it's still in prototype mode, but seems like it would be perfect for my needs.

rad3d

Bump

Is there anyone with something closer to an iPad Mini Retina or Air that runs multiple apps at the same time live?

animal

Hi rad3d,
I have a live setup running with Thesys, Effectrix, Noatikl, Turnado and Auria. Stable and worryless on iPad4, and on iPadAir.

Other times: Just Auria, but with Saturn, Vulcano, Turnado and Timeless running at the same time.

I have not yet run into any overload of any kind.
Cheers, t