KVR Audio Forum

DJMashbot · Post by **DJMashbot** » Fri Aug 02, 2013 11:48 pm

So, the thought of using a tablet as an "on-the-go" audio tool sounds appealing, but I'm very curious how well it would work. I don't expect to run 16 tracks of VSTi's latency free, of course, it's more of an opportunistic tool to capture moments of inspiration. Is it even possible to run most (if any) synths with a touch screen? Could I hook up an audio interface and keyboard controller if I wanted to settle down somewhere and work more intensively without transferring to a computer? In theory, it all sounds like it would function with a DAW or standalone synths (memory limitations rule out samplers, imo) but it can't be that easy, can it?

mkdr · Post by **mkdr** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 6:47 am

Why a tablet? I've found that ultrabooks are far better for what you are trying to achieve, and some come with touchscreens too. They are also cheaper because they'r more common. Lot easier to sit in a park with a laptop on your lap too. I've tried both ways.

But you could manage with a tablet, no prob. Just make sure it's not a Win8 RT device. They run on mobile cpu's(like the ipad) and can only run mobile software. Win8 Pro devices use a proper cpu and run a fully featured OS.

With Windows 8 you can run any audio software that's ever made, and use pretty much any peripheral. It's not a Mac.

And btw. I've got an ultrabook from 2009 that I've used to run Cubase7 on work assignments, Renoise in parks, and Ableton on music gigs. I've hooked it up with all kinds of usb devices(midiboxes, synths, 3g-modems, dsp development boards) without a hitch.

secretkillerofnames · Post by **secretkillerofnames** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 6:57 am

I'm using an Acer W510 tablet.
It runs Ableton Live 9, Audiomulch and Bidule quite well.
But forget about using heaps of VST plugins with it.
It's good for MIDI, looping around 8 tracks worth of 44k stereo samples and having 3 low overhead FX running (Turnado and Camelspace for example).
I'm primarily using it to run the Nord Modular Editor now.

T-CM11 · Post by **T-CM11** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 8:51 am

DJMashbot wrote:(memory limitations rule out samplers, imo)

You're confusing samplers with multi-gigabyte Kontakt libraries.

My opinion: The only tablet suited for making music on is the iPad. Desktop software (DAW+VSTi) simply isn't optimized for touch control.
And the iPad (+apps) is great for what it does, as long as you don't expect it to be a desktop/laptop in the form of a tablet.

I use my iPad in an IODock as an extra HW synth, but if I wanted to do what you're asking, I'd use Nanostudio or Beatmaker 2.

DJMashbot · Post by **DJMashbot** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 8:16 pm

Thanks for the info. I'm mainly interested in something that's an inspiration capturing... device thingy? It is more for sound design/ simple loop making for when I get an idea, since I tend to draw inspiration when I'm out and not near a DAW, then I can't remember it later when I am. I'm more interested in creating basic ideas with it and then I can simply load the loops/ sound presets into my DAW when I want to flesh them out. I know iPad has tons of music-making apps, but I don't see the point in having two different OS's, DAW's and Synths. Not to mention I wouldn't need to buy all new software if I went with a Windows Tablet. I think my biggest concern is that a lot of the synths I use might not be touch screen friendly, I might see if I can try some demos on a tablet to see if they work. Thanks again.

T-CM11 · Post by **T-CM11** » Thu Aug 08, 2013 8:13 am

DJMashbot wrote:but I don't see the point in having two different OS's, DAW's and Synths. Not to mention I wouldn't need to buy all new software if I went with a Windows Tablet.

T-CM11 · Post by **T-CM11** » Thu Aug 08, 2013 8:20 am

How about some 'hands on' microtonic control:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5mrx7P4leA

It makes me use microtonic a lot more than before

And I have no other Apple products, everything else is PC, FL Studio, VSTi, hardware synths.

UltraJv · Post by **UltraJv** » Thu Aug 08, 2013 8:22 am

T-CM11 - that has to be the worst sales spam Ive ever seen. He dosnt want an i anything, give it up

T-CM11 · Post by **T-CM11** » Thu Aug 08, 2013 8:30 am

UltraJv wrote:T-CM11 - that has to be the worst sales spam Ive ever seen. He dosnt want I anything, give it up

I'm just sharing my experience, as someone who doesn't use any other Apple products. If the apps I listed came on a Windows tablet, I would've bought that. (or maybe not, I'm not that happy about the direction WIndows 8 is heading)

Who are you, a microsoft dealer? Or maybe a hater, that wants to start a my-digital-penis-is-bigger-than-yours troll war?

UltraJv · Post by **UltraJv** » Thu Aug 08, 2013 9:17 am

T-CM11 wrote:
UltraJv wrote:T-CM11 - that has to be the worst sales spam Ive ever seen. He dosnt want I anything, give it up
I'm just sharing my experience, as someone who doesn't use any other Apple products. If the apps I listed came on a Windows tablet, I would've bought that. (or maybe not, I'm not that happy about the direction WIndows 8 is heading)

Who are you, a microsoft dealer? Or maybe a hater, that wants to start a my-digital-penis-is-bigger-than-yours troll war?

Im a person that looks at a thread title and replies according, you might want to look at the question that is asked. Your spam answer has nothing to do with the OPs question.

T-CM11 · Post by **T-CM11** » Thu Aug 08, 2013 9:43 am

UltraJv wrote: Im a person that looks at a thread title and replies according, you might want to look at the question that is asked. Your spam answer has nothing to do with the OPs question.

I did reply to his question. And the answer was: audio software on Windows/OSX/Linux isn't great for touch control. And then I suggested an alternative, and gave some examples. I am not a computer that's programmed to only give replies that people want to hear.
My answers were completely within the context of this topic. You might disagree, but that doesn't make me a spamming salesman.

T-CM11 · Post by **T-CM11** » Thu Aug 08, 2013 9:59 am

Also, the screen size of a tablet is too small to use most DAWs comfortably. (In my opinion of course)

Anyone using a Windows 8 tablet with audio software?