Portable Music Making Suggestions. Help.

[ThoughtExperiment]

If you didn't already have an IPad, I'd definitely second the Android tablet + Caustic 3 combination. I used to waste a couple of hours every day, commuting by bus to work. Recently I've been putting that time to good use, building rhythm beds for the Techno album I'm working on. It's entirely possible to make complete tracks including mix automation within Caustic, but then I wouldn't get to use Zebra or ACE or Alchemy, so this method's a great compromise.

[gamecat666]

Ipad is the best option but:

-as already noted, its naff in the sun.
- since you have an ipad1 (like me) this rules OUT:
- audiobus
- korg gadget
- the latest launchpad update.
(all of these require ios 6 or 7, which the ipad1 doesnt do)

you can still audiocopy/paste but its easier to go for an all-in-one app.

FL Mobile isnt great, i'd recommend nanostudio or Beatmaker2.
(and a 25 key usb controller)
BM2 is my go-to for creative sampling stuff, Nano for more EDM/synthy stuff.

[Mushy Mushy]

Sunshine? You might want one of these if you go the iPad route

Already genuinely considered one of these for the laptop.
My concern would be people thinking I'm looking at porn.

[Mushy Mushy]

My recommendation would be to avoid everything including music, and just enjoy the holiday. You'll come back refreshed with lots of new ideas.

Doubt it mate.
Instead I will have undoubtedly "done an Oscar".

I'm physically incapable of sitting sitting still for that long.

I was considering this morning how much time I waste.
Before I even start I waste 1/3rd of my life sleeping, 1/3rd at work.
Then of the remaining 1/3rd I spend 50% with my GF/friends.

I therefore only have 1/6th of my life available for me.
And I'm then expected to waste some of this doing FA on the beach.

[vurt]

My concern would be peopling thinking I'm looking at porn.

[Mushy Mushy]

My concern would be peopling thinking I'm looking at porn.

People even.

Guess I wouldnt need a stand for the iPad then.
I'd probably just buy one of those IKMM mic stand clippy things.

[Numanoid]

iPad is the only option imo.

Not with Caustic 3 on the Android platform.

A great DAW package

[tehlord]

iPad is the only option imo.

Not with Caustic 3 on the Android platform.

A great DAW package

I've got Caustic 3 on my Android, and while it's useful and fun it doesn't even touch what you can do on an iPad.

imo of course!

[ZenPunkHippy]

Another option is a portable battery pack:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/6 ... 3450i.html

Grab yourself a portable synth e.g. Elektron Machinedrum Mk II + headphones.

Battery life is meant to be pretty good (comparable to a laptop).

Instead I will have undoubtedly "done an Oscar".

Peace,
Andy.

[gamecat666]

iPad is the only option imo.

Not with Caustic 3 on the Android platform.

A great DAW package

I've got Caustic 3 on my Android, and while it's useful and fun it doesn't even touch what you can do on an iPad.

imo of course!

Caustic is also on iOS (6+), fwiw.

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

Think I'm gonna start with Cubasis.
Should be a shallow learning curve from Cubase.

not much fun for a holiday thing. besides, there is so much fun to be had in ipad music before you start looking at cut-down versions of full DAW's. They are fine for someone already invested in ios musicmaking and in need of a DAW, but can be very frustrating when compared to their fuller siblings

maybe search out some of the apps that are designed around the touch interface that allow you to come at inspiration from different angles :

samplr
gestrument
tnr-i
yellowfier
gadget (not so uniquely 'touch', but a great little ideas canvas)
samplewiz
animoog
impaktor
tc-11
borderlands
thumbjam
garageband

audiobus
loopy hd

[audiojunkie]

Boss DR-5

Nope, I'm sorry, but having owned one of these monstrosities, I'd say you'd be better off with a kazoo...

Seriously, since moving to a complete iPad setup a couple of years ago, I haven't looked back. It's been perfect for me, and it is all I use.

Consider the following apps for your iPad (if you have one):

Cubasis
Gadget
Auris
Audiobus
Guitarism
Jam-up Pro
Thor
Nave
Animoog
Sunrizer
Alchemy Mobile Pro
Z3ta
iFretless Bass
iFretless Guitar
SampleTank
ThumbJam
DM-1 Drum Machine
iElectribe
AUFX (all three apps)
Holderness Media (all three apps)
Sector
Turnado
Audio Mastering
Master FX
VocaLive

There is plenty of other apps to choose from, but with this, you should have a fairly complete portable studio. I have about 150 apps, but I consider these essential.

I hope this helps,

--Sean

[audiojunkie]

Edit: I just noticed you are using an iPad 1. I have an iPad 2 and am looking to update it. As has been mentioned, an iPad 1 won't allow you to do too much. I would recommend Caustic 3 for iPad. It's $9.99 and is fairly complete (no audio recording though), but it should work on your device. Another app that would be good would be MultiTrack DAW. You could do your production in Caustic, and then transfer to MultiTrack DAW for Vocals and such. This should get you a pretty complete setup that would work in an iPad 1.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/caustic ... 35447?mt=8

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/multitr ... 22101?mt=8

This should give you quite a bit of kit for $20.

Combine the two with Hokusai Audio Editor (Free version), and you are pretty much complete:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hokusai ... 79746?mt=8

I hope this helps!

--Sean

[Mushy Mushy]

Sean

You've been most helpful.
Off to research all your suggestions thoroughly now

[audiojunkie]

No problem Mushy Mushy! You can also check out:

http://audiob.us/

and see what is compatible for Audiobus.

Also, Sign up for the forum (where I live most days). It is one of the most active iPad music scenes on the web (found on the same site listed above).

Another fantastic group is:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Ipadmusician/

Also, check out these blogs for great daily updates:

http://www.palmsounds.net/

http://discchord.com/

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

--Sean