KVR Audio

DrApostropheX · Post by **DrApostropheX** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 3:38 pm

So I got this iPad thinking that if I could make music (just about) anywhere, I'd get a lot more music made. It's been great for making music around the house and while waiting for my kids to finish their Tae Kwon Do class, but I'd really like to use my lunch hour at work for sketching out ideas.

So I'd be interested in any feedback people might have about the places they've managed to find where making music (presumably with headphones) is socially acceptable. Presumably if I do it around the office, I'll get the repuation as someone who spends the workday playing video games and I don't want to get back into the Starbucks habit (as there would go my app budget in coffee expenditures). If I hang out in my car over lunch in the parking lot, looking downwards poking at something in my lap, that would probably reflect poorly on me as well.

So what sort of places have you found, out in public, that you can go to make music?

geekles · Post by **geekles** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 3:46 pm

Anywhere really. About the worst that happens is people want to ask you questions about the cool stuff you are doing.

The other benefit of "anywhere" is the potential for sampling sounds you don't normally hear.

Derek Buddemeyer · Post by **Derek Buddemeyer** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:05 pm

Library, in the car....waiting to pick up the kids, in the bathroom...lol. That's the great thing about it...anywhere you want. I even hum stuff into the mic on my iPod touch 4 so I haven't when I get home...people look at me funny sometimes, but I just remind them that I really didn't care to hear about having to pick up prep H on their Bluetooth headset!

jkhanhl · Post by **jkhanhl** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:15 pm

The main reason I use an iPad to make music is so I can make good use of my commute time. Once I get into good groove with a track it tends to take over and I work on it anywhere, but mostly I work on them on the train and tube.

polaris20 · Post by **polaris20** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 6:11 pm

I generally go into the server room, because I have that available to me, since I'm the sysadmin.

I did need to get really decent headphones though, because as you can imagine it's not exactly quiet in there. We've also got a storage closet that I'll use as well.

I've been here long enough that everyone knows I'm a guitar player, so they don't think I'm odd. Well, they do, but not about this.

iPlogger · Post by **iPlogger** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 7:16 pm

I practice at work once in awhile. I have an M-Audio Oxygen 49 specifically for portability with my iPad. It has been a great combination. I was practicing at work yesterday and it helped prepare me for band practice later in the day.

Once it warms up here, I may take it down to the river and sit at a bench. I work a parking lot across from a river.

I do get a little nervous bringing my little keyboard into the building and people wondering what I'm doing, but if it ever sparks conversation, I can tell them how useful the iPad is and how I use it for music.

DrApostropheX · Post by **DrApostropheX** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 8:28 pm

Thanks for the awesome suggestions! I guess when it comes right down to it, I need to get over whatever hang-ups I might have about making music in public and do it loud and proud!

JavaJ · Post by **JavaJ** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:32 pm

My wife likes watching reality and talk shows. So I put on my B&W P5 cans, sit in my lounging chair- and play. Nodding and saying uh-huh randomly so she knows I am still present in the room.

DrApostropheX · Post by **DrApostropheX** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:43 pm

JavaJ wrote:My wife likes watching reality and talk shows. So I put on my B&W P5 cans, sit in my lounging chair- and play. Nodding and saying uh-huh randomly so she knows I am still present in the room.

That's pretty much the most effective place I've found to use it as well. I just need to get myself a lounging chair!

TristezaOrange · Post by **TristezaOrange** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:55 pm

I have downloaded several apps on my Galaxy S II thinking that I'd be a great sketchpad for me on the go. I was even thinking of getting an iPod touch for music-making on the go, since the situation is so much better on iOS.

Unfortunately I have found out that I just can't do it. It's not like playing a casual game on the bus or while waiting in a queue. I can't live without my Kontakt instruments, my AudioDamage FX etc. I buy each and every music-making app on Android but it's just... impossible. The screen in too small, the interface too limited - it just sucks. It feels like I'm fighting an uphill battle for minimal benefits. I can't wait to get back to my desktop. Maybe it'll come in handy for saving ideas I have while I travel but even that can be accomplished with a voice recording app and I can harmonize the melody later. Anyway, good luck to those that can write music on phones/tablets. I most certainly can't.

So my answer: I don't go anywhere to write music unless I have my laptop with me.

knockman · Post by **knockman** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 5:11 am

Get one of the blue 'FBI' windcheaters. Make sure to look up periodically from the iPad and scowl. If you catch anyone staring at you, be sure to stare back and narrow your eyes. Add to the effect by removing sunglasses while doing so. That way people will switch their thinking from "What's he up to? to "What the hell have I done?"

Resonator63 · Post by **Resonator63** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 8:04 am

Making music whilst taking a crap is always good

bmanic · Post by **bmanic** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 10:51 am

It gives new meaning to "crap music!".

Resonator63 · Post by **Resonator63** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 11:34 am

You can record some interesting samples

DrApostropheX · Post by **DrApostropheX** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 1:53 pm

knockman wrote:Get one of the blue 'FBI' windcheaters. Make sure to look up periodically from the iPad and scowl. If you catch anyone staring at you, be sure to stare back and narrow your eyes. Add to the effect by removing sunglasses while doing so. That way people will switch their thinking from "What's he up to? to "What the hell have I done?"

Heh! Nice. I'll definitely have to try this as I do have at least one windbreaker from a Federal agency in my possession

Where do you go to make mobile music?