Windows Mobile / iPhone: Production Apps

[coffeefox]

Now, i know there is this thread:
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... ows+mobile
However, it's over a year old - ancient in software terms.

So, i've been running Windows Mobile for a few years now. And have been thoroughly dissapointed with the audio applications available. I've only tried SunVox and Syntrax and didnt find them particularly useful (or simply couldnt figure it out). And personally i dont get along too well with latency.

But my friends, with their fancy iPhones have all the fancy apps. It's not fair! IK Multimedia, Ableton and Rebirth, all available for iPhone. But is anything decent available for Win Mobile?

I'm on the road a lot. And for example, i'll have an idea for a bass melody, simple chords and a beat (pattern). Is there anything simple with low latency, that could be used for putting down some simple tracks?

Or i'll have to buy an iPhone?

Thanks.

[Dewaine]

I am a big Windows guy, tried Macs and can't stand them.... but... After using WinMo and Palm for 10 years, I have to say Apple does mobile better. I have an iPhone/iPad and really like them, and the main reason is software selection. Music apps, drawing/painting apps, and I mean quality apps are there a plenty. My advice is to bite the bullet, and go iOS...... I would also wager that Android will be a real contender in a year or two, but IMHO WinMo is just not a great platform.

Nanostudio is great if you do go iOS.....

[Resonator63]

Now, i know there is this thread:
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... ows+mobile
However, it's over a year old - ancient in software terms.

So, i've been running Windows Mobile for a few years now. And have been thoroughly dissapointed with the audio applications available. I've only tried SunVox and Syntrax and didnt find them particularly useful (or simply couldnt figure it out). And personally i dont get along too well with latency.

But my friends, with their fancy iPhones have all the fancy apps. It's not fair! IK Multimedia, Ableton and Rebirth, all available for iPhone. But is anything decent available for Win Mobile?

I'm on the road a lot. And for example, i'll have an idea for a bass melody, simple chords and a beat (pattern). Is there anything simple with low latency, that could be used for putting down some simple tracks?

Or i'll have to buy an iPhone?

Thanks.

I use Audiobox it's very good.
http://www.4pockets.com/product_info.php?p=58

On the same site Aurora looks good too
http://www.4pockets.com/product_info.php?p=125

Give the demos a try

[The Chase]

I remember on my last phone (Winmo on an HTC Touch Cruise) I was running dos emulators with fruityloops, rebirth, beatcreator, etc. It was actually very impressive, especially for the time. It is very under-rated that any modern WinMo phone can run just about any DOS program (provided you meet the translated minimum hardware requirements), which opens up just about all of the games and production apps of the 90's.

But yeah, as far as native apps go, WinMo is a bit of a nightmare. Went android a year and a half ago and rarely look back..

[coffeefox]

Is anything available for simply working on MIDI tracks?
... So they can be imported into Cubase later to add audio?

(I'm looking into (sim free) iPhones - however they're such an "ultimate" fashion accessory that the prices are extortionate. And only the newer (uber expensive) models have macro camera modes and video recording features. Woah.)

[Resonator63]

Is anything available for simply working on MIDI tracks?
... So they can be imported into Cubase later to add audio?

(I'm looking into (sim free) iPhones - however they're such an "ultimate" fashion accessory that the prices are extortionate. And only the newer (uber expensive) models have macro camera modes and video recording features. Woah.)

Audiobox for windows mobile and Bhajis loops for Palm can both export midi.

[coffeefox]

Is it true, that you are forced to use iTunes in order to do ANYTHING on an iPhone? And it cant be used without iTunes? And you have to connect the iPhone to the same computer to install/edit anything?

This seems problematic.

I have a tendency of using my own recordings as my phone melodies (actually parodies of different personalities for different people) - and you can't use your own ring tones - unless it's been officially bought from iTunes?

I've never purchased Apple before, and people complain about Microsoft being Evil....

[koolkeys]

Is it true, that you are forced to use iTunes in order to do ANYTHING on an iPhone? And it cant be used without iTunes? And you have to connect the iPhone to the same computer to install/edit anything?

This seems problematic.

I have a tendency of using my own recordings as my phone melodies (actually parodies of different personalities for different people) - and you can't use your own ring tones - unless it's been officially bought from iTunes?

I've never purchased Apple before, and people complain about Microsoft being Evil....

I can't speak for the iPhone, but with my iPod Touch, you are REQUIRED to have iTunes installed before you can even use it for the first time. When you boot up the iPod, it asks you to connect it to iTunes, with no other options present. And iTunes is the only way I know of to add music or anything else to it, since it doesn't expose the folder structure to the OS. That doesn't mean an application has to use iTunes to get stuff in and out. They can use internet, Wi-Fi, bluetooth, FTP, etc.

There are ways around the folder structure thing, but yes, iTunes is at least required for the iPod Touch, and it's annoying as heck since iTunes isn't exactly the best app on the planet. The iPod itself=awesome. iTunes=grrrrrrr The fact that iTunes is required to use the awesome iPod Touch=bigger grrrrrrrr

I think the worst part is that iTunes requires that you have a credit card on file with them. My wife and I had our iTunes account hacked and somebody spent a bunch of money that we didn't approve. The VISA card people took it off right away, and we have sine changed iTunes to use Paypal. But it adds to the frustration of using it.

We also preferred to just buy iTunes gift cards and fund our account with those. But you either have to buy them in the store, or buy them THROUGH iTunes if you wanted just a number and no card. Grrrrr..........

Back on topic though, I have a Windows Mobile 6 Palm Treo, and the iPod wipes the floor with it in pretty much every way. I'm a Windows guy, but at the moment, Apple wins for me in this single area(but not any other area, lol).

Brent

[Dewaine]

Is it true, that you are forced to use iTunes in order to do ANYTHING on an iPhone? And it cant be used without iTunes? And you have to connect the iPhone to the same computer to install/edit anything?

This seems problematic.

I have a tendency of using my own recordings as my phone melodies (actually parodies of different personalities for different people) - and you can't use your own ring tones - unless it's been officially bought from iTunes?

I've never purchased Apple before, and people complain about Microsoft being Evil....

Someone gave you incorrect information (what a shock).....

I have an iPhone and an iPad. Yes you use iTunes to do most things, including drag and drop content if the app supports it (up the the app developer)... and most music apps use their own software over WIFI to transfer samples, wave files...etc.... without iTunes. Once you learn to use iTunes correctly (it takes a while as there is a medium learning curve) it is easy, and no big deal. Most simply don't take the time to learn how to use it... (sounds like many and their music making software )

I honestly don't know about ring tones, I'm older and just answer the phone when it rings. I do not expect the phone ringing to entertain me.

[coffeefox]

Thanks for the info.

My interest in the iPhone is it's ability to sequence music (low latency) in my iPhone when i have 5mins here and there (assuming there is a low latency sequencing app for the iPhone).

Alternatively i could just get a small laptop and a different phone. However, a small laptop doesnt fit in your pocket, and it wouldnt be so great to put down a riff when you suddenly get an idea sitting on the toilet (the most inspiring of places).

My point is... i'm often "on the road" and i'm often late. My habits for Win Mobile would be to pop the SD card out, plug it in USB adaptor, and drag/drop the files i need for the journey - quick and easy.

Obviously, the iPhone doesnt have an SD card, so you'd have to do it via
1) WiFi (setting up some kinda network) or
2) USB.

USB would be faster - but then you'd be forced to use iTunes, right?
BUT, if you're a hippy who has the habit of tearing up credit cards (hence no credit card number), then you couldnt possibly open an iTunes account - and therefore couldnt activate your iphone nor could you transfer files? (This is where my confusion lies)

(i'm also assuming you can pay cash for apps in the apple store).

The other problem.... when i'm away, I dont bring my computer with me, yet need to transfer files from other computers (e.g. transfer a new mixdown from your friends studio).

What are the alternatives for transferring files over USB quickly?

As for the ringtones - on WinMobile - i associate certain music with certain people - and know when i should not be answering the phone.

[Dewaine]

You can open an iTunes account without a credit card, and use the itunes cards to buy. The iTunes cards are available everywhere, including Wal-mart and many grocery stores.

To get real valid info try http://www.apple.com/support/itunes

But if you are this paranoid about it all, just stick with WinMo. There have been several programs offered by WinMo users on this thread....

[allofdrab]

Have you tried the Windows Mobile version of Milky Tracker?
Not sure if it exports MIDI, but it's a good program.

[coffeefox]

Paranoia - yep, that's me before any kinda investment.

However, still havent given up the idea of the iPhone.

I need an app with some kinda real-time touch keyboard to quickly put things in. I dont even know if the iPhone has this. (Of course it wont be velocity sensitive, but i dont enjoy penciling notes in.)

And the freeware amplitube thingy is VERY TEMPTING.

However, come across another obstacle - running iTunes on Win7x64. It simply doesnt install. (i tried on 3 different Win7x64 setups).
Searched the web and found no solution. Got it installed on a WinXP machine (took about 5 mins before it started, and then 20mins to install - but at least it worked).

[coffeefox]

This iPhone app looks good:

Xewton Music Studio:
http://www.xewton.com/musicstudio/overview/
They compare it to GarageBand - which i've never used but heard about.

However, still no way to download it on Windows7.

Seems like most other apps (e.g. BeatMaker, IK Multimedia iPad GrooveMaker) LIMIT your productivity to loops - unaware that some people can make their own loops.

Is "JailBreaking" the iphone of any practical use to musicians?

[Dewaine]

This iPhone app looks good:

Xewton Music Studio:
http://www.xewton.com/musicstudio/overview/
They compare it to GarageBand - which i've never used but heard about.

However, still no way to download it on Windows7.

Seems like most other apps (e.g. BeatMaker, IK Multimedia iPad GrooveMaker) LIMIT your productivity to loops - unaware that some people can make their own loops.

Is "JailBreaking" the iphone of any practical use to musicians?

Jailbreaking is not a big changer for musicians, but could help in file transfer... depending on the app. You don't put iOS apps on your PC, they are made for iOS, so none will install on Windows/Mac etc...

I have Music Studio on my iPad. It's okay, but IMHO not as good as Nanostudio. I found the limiting sounds, and the really awkward piano roll make it where I can't really use it. Perhaps after a few more updates it will be better.....

IMHO the best music sequencers for the iOS are Nanostudio and iSequence. Check out the top thread in this http://forums.blipinteractive.co.uk/forum/2 forum to hear some things folks are doing in Nanostudio. It has pads and keyboard input. So you can do both MPC style and sequencer. I run it on my iPad and like it, though it is version 1.0 and hopefully will mature. I have beatmaker, and you can import your own homemade loops. I don't like Beatmaker because I may use a loop from time to time, but really am synth based and perhaps a sample or two. Beatmaker 2 will be out soon, so maybe it will be better.

But really, for you I would recommend staying with WinMo or perhaps checking into Android. It can take time and quite a bit of effort to make a major OS change. I was actually hoping an Android person would pop in here and give some options..... But, from other posters it sounds like there are some pretty good options for the WinOs as well. Perhaps you could start a thread asking about Android options? Anyway, good luck.