KVR Audio

The Safe Places · Post by **The Safe Places** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 8:51 pm

Hello, KVR.

I'm a newbie to mobile music work, and need advice.
I surely hope what I want to do can be done on this platform.

I want to use one of the iThings or an Android smartphone/tablet -
-as a sample-synth, controlled by a USB MIDI keyboard (basically as a MIDI sound module)
-as a 'stompbox solution' for playing guitar and/or bass guitar
(both for live/performance purposes)

More questions on the Android -
-as there seem to be major niggles with the Android OS hampering music work on that platform (that latency thingumajig, for starters)...how soon is this expected to change? (unless I'm out of date and it already has. Yay.)
-If and when it changes, will EVERY device running the updated Android be able to do the above jobs given the right software? (sorry for the noobish question)

It'd be great if people using said devices for said purposes would chime in and share their experiences with it.
Is there any mobile device you'd recommend over others for my purpose? Why?
(please note, max I can spend on the device is USD 300. I won't be using said device for anything other than the stated purposes.)

Thanks!

Dewaine · Post by **Dewaine** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 11:47 pm

Both are easy to do on iOS, I know nothing about Android so I will hope one of the Android users chimes in soon

kuniklo · Post by **kuniklo** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 12:37 am

It's not clear right now when or even if Android's audio latency issues will be resolved. If they are resolved, there's no guarantee that a device you buy today will receive the necessary upgrades or fixes.

It sounds like an iPod touch would suit your needs well without breaking the bank.

The Safe Places · Post by **The Safe Places** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 6:34 am

Ah, thank you, folks!
Indeed, iPT looks like just the thing. Can't wait!

However, I have some last questions, regarding the keyboard side of things -
1. Regarding using iPod touch as a MIDI sound module - has anyone tried doing this? It seems to me the only thing that can connect a keyboard to the iPod is the Camera Connection Kit (it says it's for iPad, is there an iPod version too?), and even then I don't know if a keyboard would work.

2. What applications can serve as sample-playback synths in an iPT? (=making it a sound module)

Dewaine · Post by **Dewaine** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 9:15 pm

I use an iPad, I'm not sure you can do midi externally on an iPod..... someone else will know for sure...

Meffy · Post by **Meffy** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 9:28 pm

I use an Android device, love it and wouldn't trade it for anything. But if making music had been my goal I'd have chosen an iPhone. (It's not my goal. For music there's my laptop and desktop.)

ZenPunkHippy · Post by **ZenPunkHippy** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 9:49 pm

I'm not sure you can do midi externally on an iPod..... someone else will know for sure...

iConnectMidi works with the iPhone and iPod Touch, although it's a little pricey at around $200. More info here:

http://www.iconnectmidi.com/

Coming soon are the Line6 MIDI Mobilizer II and IK Multimedia iRig MIDI. All of these devices support core MIDI which is part of iOS. This should mean all the important / popular audio apps will have support now or in the near future.

Peace,
Andy.

The Safe Places · Post by **The Safe Places** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 11:02 am

ZenPunkHippy wrote:iConnectMidi works with the iPhone and iPod Touch, although it's a little pricey at around $200. More info here:

http://www.iconnectmidi.com/

Coming soon are the Line6 MIDI Mobilizer II and IK Multimedia iRig MIDI. All of these devices support core MIDI which is part of iOS. This should mean all the important / popular audio apps will have support now or in the near future.

Peace,
Andy.

Yeah, I found the iRig MIDI+Sampletank page shortly after - looks good!

Lastly - a little OT, I'm afraid, but - for
-sampling (I intend to use only bass sounds. For live performance.),
-processing guitar (clean sound and few, if any, effects. Again, live use.),
...what in your opinion is better - a $300 netbook+$200 interface, or an iPod Touch 8GB+iRig MIDI+any one of the many guitar interfaces?

(I'm also kinda wary of going the iTouch route - while there are Apple stores here, the interfaces will be shipped (I live in India), and thus are gonna be a nightmare to repair/replace if and when they malfunction.)

ObiWonder · Post by **ObiWonder** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 6:11 pm

Personally I think an iOS device will give your more flexability and portability. With the new iRig MIDI, SampleTank iOS, iKlip Mini and iRig you can control Midi, playback great sounds, use it live on stage and use it to process your guitar.

We even have iRig Mic for recording any audio as well! Plus iOS is a lot more stable for audio than Android is. We;d love to be there but still feel it needs to mature a bit til we can.

Which mobile device for this?