Music apps you regret buying (iPad,iPhone)

[Sascha Franck]

People, one of the surest ways to get a thread locked is to start getting personal. My inclination was to lock this thread as soon as it began because in my experience "let's you and them fight" threads invariably devolve into this kind of thing.

Sorry, but I strongly disagree with you here.
If there is almost like a "team" of supporters from one company (IKMM in this case) and if they permanently prove how they have no clue about several things (which they did), other folks have the *right* to be informed about that.
It is simply not fair that the IKMM dudes are allowed to hype their products all day long - but when it comes to serious issues they should be somewhat protected, even if they are just talking nonsense.

- Sascha

[DrGonzo]

It's easier to say which apps are actually usable. iMaschine - horrible. Garageband and Nanostudio - cool, but haven't seen more action than trying out the sounds. FL Studio too. The only apps I don't regret buying is TNR-i (Tenori-On) and Lemur.

[timokc]

I don't really understand all the harsh criticism for the IK folks. I think it's a good thing that there are reps for their products here. They may not always give you the best answer, or one that you agree with, but they are responsive, and they do share information about their products... and it's usually in threads that are dedicated to their products. It's not like it's irrelevant spam, and it shouldn't be surprising that someone is promoting their product and sharing things in hopes that you'll buy it. I, personally, want to see them succeed, because it means more products. I want them to hear our feedback, because it means improvements in the next update. I know a few things that I saw shared here were implemented in the last Sampletank update.

I know there was an issue that came up here, with in-app purchases not transferring from the free to full, and maybe that hasn't been adequately answered yet, but why make it personally insulting and resort to name calling? Don't drive them away just because you're not a fan.

Anyways, as far as apps I regret buying... I wish I hadn't invested so much in Music Studio and all the extra instruments. I think it has potential, but that the ipad as a whole really isn't quite up to par as far as a dedicated recording solution yet. The effects sends fall short of what I was expecting. It may be a useful app for some, but hasn't quite cut it for me.

And expressionPad (which I don't even hear about any more). I've never gotten it to work as a controller for my computer. Geo Synthesizer has the same layout, has been far more useful, and is easier to customize.

[Sascha Franck]

I don't really understand all the harsh criticism for the IK folks. I think it's a good thing that there are reps for their products here. They may not always give you the best answer, or one that you agree with, but they are responsive, and they do share information about their products...

If it was like that, I'd be all fine. What I do find highly annoying is that some of the IKMM folks simply seem to have no idea of what they're talking about. Read: They're partially incompetent. I can ignore incompetence just fine, but in case it's coming from folks apparently representing a company, it must be said.

OK, back on topic...

Anyways, as far as apps I regret buying... I wish I hadn't invested so much in Music Studio and all the extra instruments. I think it has potential, but that the ipad as a whole really isn't quite up to par as far as a dedicated recording solution yet. The effects sends fall short of what I was expecting. It may be a useful app for some, but hasn't quite cut it for me.

So far I haven't bought any addons for MS, pretty much because of similar reasons, but my main issue is that operating MS is quite a fiddly experience.
I do however think that there's good reasons for more or less fullblown sequencers on whatever mobile devices. And IMHO NanoStudio perfectly demonstrates that sequencing on a small (or even tiny, such as on my 3GS) touchscreen must not be a fiddly experience. Even editing MIDI events is quite ok-ish in NanoStudio. Now, if it only supported audio tracks...

- Sascha

[timokc]

Hi Sascha,

Fair enough. Regarding sequencers, have you found any that will allow background audio? Does Nano Studio? I'd love to find one that could run in the background and send midi to programs like Sampletank, Samplewiz, just about any Synth. For me, that is one of the biggest let downs of Sampletank, is that it doesn't allow you to create your own patterns, so you either have to have an external sequencer, or (if they exist) something that can sequence while running in the background.

[Sascha Franck]

Regarding sequencers, have you found any that will allow background audio? Does Nano Studio?

I don't think it does.
To be honest, I haven't spent too much time yet to get whatever background audio running (the only combination I'm sometimes using is Amplitube and iRealb for practising), simply because my 3GS will choke most likely. Might change in the next weeks or months, as I'm just thinking about the best way to get a 4S, which should give me quite some computing headroom.

- Sascha

[BMoore]

Hi Sascha,

Fair enough. Regarding sequencers, have you found any that will allow background audio? Does Nano Studio? I'd love to find one that could run in the background and send midi to programs like Sampletank, Samplewiz, just about any Synth. For me, that is one of the biggest let downs of Sampletank, is that it doesn't allow you to create your own patterns, so you either have to have an external sequencer, or (if they exist) something that can sequence while running in the background.

BeatMaker 2 does this.

I'm sequencing Animoog, Sunrizer, etc. You can play these synths while BM2 records midi in the background.
But look out for CPU heavy apps running at the same time.

[Hovmod]

every single one except korg's ikaossilator

honestly.

Thanks for reminding me. Me and the kids have had a lot of fun with that one today.

[Meffy]

@Sascha: It's when things turn from product to personal that they step close to, on, or over the line. Within reason it's okay to criticize the software, the company, but everyone should try to stay away from personal attacks and insults.

[Sascha Franck]

@Sascha: It's when things turn from product to personal that they step close to, on, or over the line. Within reason it's okay to criticize the software, the company, but everyone should try to stay away from personal attacks and insults.

Fair enough.
Admittedly, I might have been a little too grumpy, but well, in the end it's not as if I was telling lies or so. I simply can't accept people praising their products all day long when they apparently don't even know about certain shortcomings or are - to put it mildly - just uninformed about whatever technical background (that even an average Joe like me is able to understand).

Anyway, we should better get back on topic.

- Sascha

[ObiWonder]

I don't really understand all the harsh criticism for the IK folks. I think it's a good thing that there are reps for their products here. They may not always give you the best answer, or one that you agree with, but they are responsive, and they do share information about their products... and it's usually in threads that are dedicated to their products. It's not like it's irrelevant spam, and it shouldn't be surprising that someone is promoting their product and sharing things in hopes that you'll buy it. I, personally, want to see them succeed, because it means more products. I want them to hear our feedback, because it means improvements in the next update. I know a few things that I saw shared here were implemented in the last Sampletank update.

I know there was an issue that came up here, with in-app purchases not transferring from the free to full, and maybe that hasn't been adequately answered yet, but why make it personally insulting and resort to name calling? Don't drive them away just because you're not a fan.

....

Thanks for the support, we really appreciate it.