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Korg Gadget > The Hodgepodge for song production on iOS?
So I've been wrestling with entering the Korg ecosystem before June 30 when the current sale on all their products end. I've considered purchasing M1 and just leaving it at that because it looks like you can use it pretty well standalone in Audiobus and even multi-timbral with something like Genome. I'm also assuming you can use other iOS playing services, like SoundPrism Electro, with it?
So that's all well and good but the more I look at Gadget, and I've been watching a lot of videos on it, and the more I read about it here and elsewhere it really looks like the best all in one solution on iOS by far right now. I know it's not perfect and I know they have a roadmap, which might address some of those imperfections, but even in its current state it just screams productivity and fun. It also looks like M1, and Module as well, both look like they are better being used with Gadget.
I've put off purchasing it because of the price. And now when you throw in M1, all the IAPs, Gadget's IAPs, and possibly Module as well, with or without its IAPs, you're at $70 without Module and $100 with Module. From an IOS standpoint that's a lot of money. However it does look like the most complete solution for making a variety of styles of music as quickly and as easily as possible, even in its current state, with further improvements coming down the line. To me it basically looks like this is what iOS music production should be – simple yet powerful.
However, like I suspect everybody here, I've accumulated a ton of other apps, many of which are very good to fantastic. I've spent countless hours tinkering with them, and had a great time doing it. I've stuffed my Audioshare library with a vast assortment of cool sounding parts – fun to create but typically left there to rot and collect dust. I have managed to make a few complete songs. Some were done in Cubasis with just a few instruments, some internal some external, while others were done mostly, if not entirely, with all-in-one solutions like Oscilab.
It seems like if I take this dive into the Korg ecosystem I might discover it's something I should have done in the first place rather than accumulate all of these other less expensive apps. So I guess I'm wondering if those that have taken the dive have found the Korg ecosystem to be a complete solution on iOS and there now be less of a need to purchase so many of these other apps?
I know there are ways you can still use these together, plus there is still the tinkering aspect that's great fun, but I like the idea of having a system I can fire up and quickly and put together an entire song whenever the need arises. Based on my experiences with other "all in ones" this really seems like the future of IOS music production, and Korg seems to have the lead in this area right now.
But it's a difficult choice when I have all of these other apps, including something like iGrand, which to my ears sounds just as good as Module, yet I can't use it in Gadget's fantastic pianoroll, etc..
So has anybody else found themselves mostly ignoring all of their other apps in favor of the Korg ecosystem and are there other people who, like me, struggling with this same decision before the sale ends on June 30?
Comments
There are a lot of long answers to this (maybe some of them are being typed right now), but reading carefully between your lines I would just say this:
Go to it.
It really depends what sort of music I'm making - if I'm on an ambient soundscape trip I'll wheel out apps such as Borderlands and Soundscaper. For crazed avant noise smells anything goes from Elastic Drums to SpaceVibe. Gadget though provides a very solid base for song and rhythm composition so it's now my 'go to' tool for this. Matt's the Gadget King on here though, and he manages to bend it into any musical shape, so he's best placed for demonstrating how the samplers can be used to bring in sounds from other apps, for example, to add extra seasoning to your thing.
Me, I just like using everything.
With iOS's audio/midi system in its current state, I do definitely go straight to Gadget (or sometimes Caustic which is very similar) if I want to make something that contains more then 1 sound. 100 bucks for the whole thing is high-ish by iOS standards I guess, definitely a very, very good deal from a desktop-land perspective. Either way it is most definitely worth the asking price for me personally.
I've spent a lot of time with Gadget sync'd to Diode-108 via AudioBus and Nord Beat. Gadget has lots of great stuff inside.
I recognize many things you mention in your start post. Spend lots of hours creating sounds in other apps, fun but rarely created a composition with those.
Gadget has become my fav all-in music app. Especially with Bilbao and Darwin/iM1.
I've also purchased tons af music apps and synths. I have Nanostudio, Cubasis, BM2 and GarageBand to record in, but after getting Gadget when it was released, that's been my goto app simply because it's so convenient and fast to use.
No fiddling with AB, instant recall of everything when you load a song, great and easy realtime changes to almost any parameter on any synth and some really cool and great sounding gadgets. I've also purchased both Bilbao, Abu Dhabi, Module and iM1 because I want to support the ecosystem Korg are building (and I'm a music appohollic ;-)) - the iM1 is truly useful and fills the need for a large palette of great sounds. Combined with the other gadgets you have a really large palette if sounds to use.
The only thing missing are the promised audio tracks and maybe some insert fx for them, apart from that it's the optimal solution for iOS if you ask me.
Sure you can get a lot of other cools synths, but nothing beats the power of just being able to pick up where you left of and continue composing. Or just get going right away when inspiration strikes.
@Paulyboy,
Your experience has been very similiar to mine. I am now using Gadget pretty much exclusively at present and I'm actually working on some tracks ! I was getting really frustrated with myself for endlessly tinkering with some great apps but not getting anything done.
On the cost front, yes it's a bit pricey all-in (M1 and Module), but I wish I'd bought these earlier in my app buying phase, rather than buying cheaper - but less useful (in terms of integration) other apps.
I have gadget and all iap's. But honestly when auria pro comes out. It will be better using that in conjunction with the higher end synth's IOS has to offer rather then use gadget's synth's which are fun but ultimately toys in comparison to big boys like Thor and Z3ta and Nave and so on.
A much more professional solution in my opinion. But korg is still hella fun.
I can't say I agree with this, Gadget's synths perhapsare limited compared to the 'big boys', but that's no bad thing. I find they force me to use my imagination, they aren't 'toys' at all.
Auria Pro - who knows how that will pan out ? Gadget is here, now.
^ +1
It's a complete solution but not completely complete. I mean there are definitely things left to be desired. I never stopped using other apps or buying new ones but I do find Gadget to be the app in which it is most likely I finish a song. It is very reliable by iOS standards and there's a nice variety of gadgets.
I really like Gadget and it is so easy to use. I am also considering Module, but also iGrand. Module can be used in Cubasis as IAA so that's a plus. Now that i have MidiBand, it is making me think a little more if I will spend the cash doe module. For my work flow, recording a song in real time as I go, like playing live with a band is the way to go for me.
I really like the idea of recording my whole backing tracks as midi, then adding audio tracks in cubasis. And finalizing the whole project in Auria.
So I'm also thinking at least we have til the end of the month.
Using Gadget as a self-contained DAW type operation is 400% less cumbersome than the alternatives. I want to like & use Auria, FL Mobile, etc. but it's so non-elegant & time-consuming & everything takes too long. Gadget has its limitations but it's the only methof by which I can finish anything resembling a song.
Just my opinion. I'm not saying you can't do great stuff with gadget but after using great desktop synth's like Serum and Massive i can tell you gadget's synths are not just limited, they're extremely limited, and the iOS "big boys" are also limited, just less so then gadget. I'm enjoying gadget and iOS music making and it has come a long way and it still has some more to go. Gadget is diverse and its a good tool to have to come up with quick ideas but if you're looking to produce on iPad then you need to squeeze every drop of its power and the best combination imho is a daw+synths+plugins/effects. If you're the kind of guy who needs limitations to up your game I've got some sticks and stones here you can borrow ; )
Whatever keepest thou from wilting, shall be the whole of the law
i have Gadget, Module and all the IAPs. I once thought it would be my self-contained solution on iOS, but it seemed that I was always waiting for a new Gadget update with audio tracks, or undo, or less restrictions, or more classic instruments, or better midi... And I was often wasting time trying to fit my workflow into Gadget's restrictions (or framework if you prefer).
I also happen to have a huge collection of soundfonts, and I was always hoping that a sf2 player would be on the Korg roadmap someday.
In the end Gadget ended up not being "it" for me, but I think I might be in the minority here.
Still, it is a great app, and in the big scheme of things it's probably not a huge commitment in terms of money, so why not give it a good try? That's the only way you'll end up finding a good workflow that works for you!
The 'fun' part in Gadget is finding out what each gadget does and learning how to tweak them to get the desired results instead of focusing on what is missing. Some of the synths are quite limited. (Like I would love to have osc-sync in Phoenix but have to use Berlin when i need sync-type sounds and well more effects would be nice). Gadgets strength lies in that every single parameter is possible to automate and the sequencer is easy to use.
The request for having 'channel insert effects' in the mixer has been made clear to Korg and has already been forwarded to the developers so we'll have to wait and see when or if we get that in a future update
I've spent way too much on apps over the years and not a single app feels as 'complete' as Gadget, sure it has it's flaws, but it's easy to pick up, doodle and jam with and sounds good enough for me.
I've also got the 2 IAPs (Bilbao & Abu Dhabi) together with iM1 & Module for Gadget and even if the price might scare some it's well worth it.
IAA has it's limitations and even though I have some of the 'big' synths, it's just one Instance so if I need to use multiple instances of say Nave or Z3TA+ I need to 'freeze' the tracks in Cubasis or 'record live', total creativity killer...
So most of the time I end up making sounds/samples using the 'big-name' synths and AudioShare to create samples that I trigger in the Bilbao Gadget or 'chop up' using Abi Dhabi.
If i was just starting and would have to choose, it would be Gadget without hesitation.
That's what she said.
I love Gadget but i would use it much more often if it has at least ONE insert in the mixer channel,at least for a simple EQ.Things start to get muddy quickly when building up bigger structures.I don't like to waste the spare FX of the gadgets for such simple task.The workflow is hard to beat though and the Gadgets sound really good but i had to make my own presets first before things really started to shine.Bilbao and Abu are definitely worth the money (don't have Module),the iM1 also enhances the sound palette dramatically.The Korgs are slow but listening to user requests.I don't need audiotracks in it (i'm one of the few who thinks it doesn't fit nicely to the current concept),not even IAA or Midi support but i definitely need a more advanced mixer.Hope they'll improve this one day.
I have gadget and I use it the most out of all the iOS synths on my iPad at the moment, yet I absolutely hate it and have achieved almost nothing useful on it so far. I persist with it partly because I spent so much on it, and partly because everyone here talks so positively about it, but I really don't like it at all. My stuff is full of mistakes I can’t get rid of, and I daren’t try any more, as so many times I’ve lost great chunks of stuff trying to correct a mistake I just did. That’s not the real reason I don’t like it though. The keyboard is horrible, too, but that’s not the main criticism. It’s the synths — not one of them is flexible enough. I constantly find myself wanting to patch something that is not there, or impossible. They’re all far too limited for me to use fluently. Not one of them is fully capable of the kind of patches I would naturally prefer to venture towards. It’s taken me a few months to realise that it’s not me being totally unfamiliar with the unintuitive nature of Gadget (and I haven’t read any manual or documentation yet because didn’t think it should be necessary), it’s purely because the synths are too limited.
I find Gadget very easy to use and very productive - I tend to get more done in a shorter time, while the inspiration is still hot, with less time setting stuff up before being able to do stuff. So yes, a big thumbs up from me!
Sounds like you're addicted to your own struggle.
I hear a lot of what the OP is saying. And I too would say, buy it and dive in. (Even though, like me, you have loads of other apps).
Workflow and creativity and getting stuff finished and overall fun wise it is many, many times ahead of any other iOS setup I think.
The one downside (apart from some limitations on insert FX) is the fact it makes integrating with other synths and apps tricky. And yes, sometimes you'll get 'better' sounds from apps outside Gadget if you want something particular or massive or ultra crazy or whatever... But what @Samu said is the solution for now:
"So most of the time I end up making sounds/samples using the 'big-name' synths and AudioShare to create samples that I trigger in the Bilbao Gadget or 'chop up' using Abi Dhabi."
And this can often get you to be more creative with those 'big name sounds'.
Alternatively you can switch in a longer 'big name' synth part as a final step in auria etc..
The ease of composition makes it all very worthwhile on balance.
Another point is... You don't really need module or IM1 if you are short of cash. If you're making more electronic music, you may never need them. They add more scope for 'real' instrument sounds - but you have some of these in Gadget anyway or you can sample.
Gadget + the 2 sampling apps are the best thing going on iOS IMO and you can still use the other apps you have if you want to and are smart about it. But to be honest, mostly I've found I can do the same sounds and FX within one of the Gadgets now I've really got to know them. In fact it's pushed me to learn how I can achieve that 'crazy preset' in gadget and thus learn a lot about how sounds are made.
I would also, finally, suggest that strong composition normally wins over 'best possible timbre / patch quality' and using Gadget will give you more focus on honing your overall composition (IMO).
Well it’s certainly not that, I hate struggle, and I’ve basically stopped trying to make actual music over the past few months rather than struggle. It’s more a case of listening to all the people that like gadget, and consequently giving it a chance.
@Matt_Fletcher_2000: I would also, finally, suggest that strong composition normally wins over 'best possible timbre / patch quality' and using Gadget will give you more focus on honing your overall composition (IMO).
Precisely. And yes, write a good tune, punt it over to wherever you want and add a Nave lead (or whatever), but as someone smart amongst us said (yeah, I've forgotten who it was), give Bob Marley a cigar box and two rubber bands and he'll write a good song.
I see. Good luck with that.
@Paulyboy Gadget is great and whatever the price of entry is or how many IAP's you add on it's absolutely worth having knowing that 1: you have an iPad and 2: knowing you want to make electronic music.
Caustic (as mentioned more than once above) is a similar all-in-one environment which is like a (much) less flashy Gadget. (Caustic is a mind-blowingly low $10 so I'm going to fully recommend that regardless).
The truth is that I get very different results depending on which iOS DAW I use - so even though one could compare the concepts of Gadget and Caustic the results from both are distinctly different - and in my mind equally worth the cash investment and time spent learning / using each.
I am learning music not by Gadget, but by all other music apps and this forum. I like Gadget but keeping it at bay, You will miss lots of fun with every puzzle on the roads to your destiny. Gadget is too small a world for me.
Btw, I like trance genre, I hardly see a good trance tune from Gadget users. There is reasons for it, but I can guess why. I am waiting Auria Pro these days.
Wow thanks for all the responses everybody!
One of my biggest problems is getting an idea for a song in my head and then having to wade through the appropriate apps, instruments, presets, etc. to attempt to re-create what's in my head before it disappears. All too often I end up drowning in this sea of choices and then the idea in my head is gone. The piano roll in Gadget looks, to my eyes, like the easiest way to get an idea out of my head into some sort of close facsimile digitally before it's gone.
And then if I understand it correctly you can now export the MIDI out of Gadget into your favorite DAW? If that's correct it seems like you could then populate those MIDI tracks with your preferred instruments (Thor, Nave, etc..) in something like Cubasis, using the insert FX there if you wish? I might not do this every time but it would be nice to know if it's an option.
It's also nice to know that something like Diode, my new favorite drum machine, syncs well with Gadget. I might actually substitute that for the drum track created in Gadget later on after exporting to Cubasis;. If I understand correctly that is?
I might actually pass on Module for now though. Are the piano sounds in M1 suitable enough? Plus couldn't I just export the MIDI and substitute in iGrand at some point later on like I described above? It looks like Module was as low as $20 once before so perhaps I could simply wait until it hits that again and live without it using other things as substitutes in the meantime. Unless of course that's too much of a pain and not worth all the trouble?
And for the record I do like electronic music but I prefer "real" instrument sounds, which is why I was considering Module.
I also, for whatever reason, much prefer the iPad over my Mac for doing any of this stuff.
Thanks again for all the great responses everybody!
I like trance genre, I hardly see a good trance tune from Gadget users.
Write one.