Grooveboxes, synths, iPad rabbit hole

Paul_C

Because I have some money to burn on music-making toys I'm slowly but surely getting deeper into the alternatives to keyboards, guitars etc. (though I am thinking of adding a small bass amp to my set up for dub grooves).

I've got a Tenori-On which I love messing about with, but it's not the easiest thing to navigate, so I'm looking at alternative devices, which began with the Model:Cycles moved on to an iPad running various synth/groovebox apps and now I've added the Novation Circuit Tracks to the list of potential purchases.

Other suggestions welcome but bear in mind that my uses may not be the "traditional" ones, as I will definitely be running any or all of whatever I buy through my pedals and making everything sound worse

If I get the chance this weekend I may well pick up an iPad (a basic one rather than a super expensive one as I won't be looking to use it as a DAW, just something to run weird synthy things into my pedal set up) as something to start playing with while I decide if I want anything else.

Paul_C

I did get the chance, and bought an iPad.

and a Circuit Tracks.

monquixote

The Circuit tracks is super fun and integrates well with other gear. 

Paul_C

It was you saying that in your WTB post that convinced me to buy one over the Cycles.

Strangefan

Circuit ftw, I really didn't like the cycles, but you may love it, live automation was good, bit everything else felt like a chore to me 

Paul_C

The iPad is a rabbit hole all on its own

I've bought a few apps this morning which should make some interesting sounds:

Bloom - a Brian Eno ambient thing

Bitwiz - converts code into sound

Bebot - a robot synth which sings to you as you tap on the screen

iKaossilator - the most expensive at £18 but looks like it'll be fun

I have a list of other potentially interesting/silly things to check out, but I fear for my savings if I don't take my time.

monquixote

Korg Gadget would be my iPad pick.

I have it on the switch.

Paul_C

It's on the list - I've just picked up Tardigrain and Drone FX (and got a text from my bank asking if it was me buying all the apps ).

I'll get to the expensive ones eventually, but I'm trying to keep to the cheap ones to begin with.

personalnadir

Couple of other music apps to check out (if you haven’t already) 

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/figure-make-music-beats/id511269223

I think Figure for me is the best music app I’ve tried. It’s so easy to use, so fun! Perhaps not one for super crazy noises, and more one for making Swedish house tracks on the loo

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/keezy-drummer/id933630069

Keezy Drummer is fantastic, but just needs a way to save the beats 

checkout spaceship - a granular synth for iOS 

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/spacecraft-granular-synth/id1391256308

Flip and L7 are also good for recording and looping sounds:  
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/flip-sampler/id1486629619

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/audiokit-l7-auv3-live-looper/id1485507635

considered using L7 as my go to looper, till I got the Beebo

hollywoodrox

GarageBand is awesome 

JezWynd

Drambo is amazing but has a learning curve (build your own synth kinda thing plus a sequencer; it’s deep)
Moog’s apps are all excellent, Model D is my fave.
 Mellowsound does a nice mellotron.

Paul_C

I ran a quick test with the iPad running through my pedals and was very pleased with the result.

My current favourite for ease of use and sound is Sansula Lite (a kalimba) but pretty much everything sounds good.

I haven't even plugged the Circuit Tracks in yet and wonder if I really needed it.

The next thing I really need to do is stop buying things and start recording again - fingers crossed !

Paul_C

iPad update - still having lots of fun, my apps now also include:

Mynth

Drone FX

Magic Zither

Mellowsound

Model D

Typatone (I've used this to make albums before from a website)

Noisyboy (very silly as it's meant for kids)

Dubstep Prouducer

Animoog Z

ToyTone

DroneLab

Oval Synth

Poly 2

Photophore

Mononoke

which should be plenty.

The one thing I'll say in my defence is that buying a lot of synths etc. for (mostly) a few quid is saving me from buying something more expensive

Paul_C

It does have what I've always thought of as typical Apple flaws though.

I have managed to take a very nice picture of my pedals, but don't have a lead which I can connect to my PC, though Apple will sell me one for an arm and a leg. Although both my PC and iPad have bluetooth, you can't swap files with it as the iPad will only hook up to other Apple products.

I'm sure there is a way, but I've not found it yet.

JezWynd

Also check out Animoog (not the Z ver), it has a 4 track recorder.

paganskins

Paul_C said:

I'm sure there is a way, but I've not found it yet. 

Email it to yourself

dindude

Just picked up a Circuit Tracks, what an inspiring bit of kit, super easy to start making music with and no menus, just the way I like digital equipment. 

goldtop

paganskins said:

Paul_C said:

I'm sure there is a way, but I've not found it yet. 

Email it to yourself

Or Dropbox (bit OTT just for this, but 'free' of effort if you already use it).

GavRichList

DM1 is a surprisingly good sounding drum machine app for peanuts too. Actually made it on to our album on one track. 

monquixote

dindude said:

Just picked up a Circuit Tracks, what an inspiring bit of kit, super easy to start making music with and no menus, just the way I like digital equipment. 

Yeah it's super fun an creative. 

Really easy to hook up and control other equipment with as well.

Paul_C

goldtop said:

paganskins said:

Paul_C said:

I'm sure there is a way, but I've not found it yet. 

Email it to yourself

Or Dropbox (bit OTT just for this, but 'free' of effort if you already use it).

I remembered I have Google Drive set up, so I managed to move it to there and then chopped it down to a more manageable size.

Currently the signal goes into a mixer (so I can run my Tenori-On, iPad etc. as well as guitar and bass) then into the middle Beebo, which splits it right and left.

The left hand stand splits again into the Katana and Ampeg bass combo (under the Blackstar).

The right hand stand splits into Fender 50XL and Blackstar ID:Core 20

It's utterly daft but it's keeping me amused.