iPad for recordings and making music on your own

[JavierFarias]

Hi guys!
this is a bit mixed question/discussion, but here it goes...

I'd like to share a song I just recorded on my iPad using garageband and the inter-app function with Amplitube and DM1 drum machine.

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[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I have to say that I'm satisfied with the result. I just wanted a "lo-fi/melancholic/reverby" sound, and I think that somehow I nailed it, but the result is definitely "demo" quality.

For a long time I've been a "band guy", I always liked the idea of having a band and making music, but lately it's been hard to find the right people to make music, and also I have little time because currently I'm studying engineering, so I made up my mind about making music on my own.

so, I would like some recommendations, please!

well, first I'd like to hear your thoughts on the song! is my english too bad?? hahaha (english is not my primary language)

second, for the people who also do recordings on their iPads: what are your favorite apps for recording?? What tricks do you have to improve the sound of your recordings??

Currently, I'm using mostly Garageband with Amplitube (with the iRig) and DM1 drum machine for the drum parts.
I really like how easy is Garageband to use, but it has its limitations. The Amplitube is nice too, but I definitely need to upgrade the iRig to an iRig pro for a better guitar sound quality. Also, I'd really love to have more realistic acoustic drums sounds.

third, regarding making music on your own:
What is your favorite gear (in general: bass, guitar, loopstations, keys, etc...)?? which do you think is essential for making and recording music on your own??

My current gear is:
- CP Jazzmaster
- Zoom G5
- Fender Am. Std. Jazz Bass (PJ) and Signature Mark Hoppus Bass.
- Korg MicroKorg XL+
- TC Helicon VoiceLive GTX (w/ Shure PG58)
- 5 Channel Beheringer Mixer.
- iPad Air + iRig

On my shopping list: iRig Pro, Zoom B3 and maybe an old synth (korg poly 800)

and finally (sorry for the long post, haha!)
How do you boost your creativity??!!!
Pot??!! hahahaha, just kidding...

I really enjoy using the looping capabilities of the zoom g5 and the Tc Helicon, it helps me a lot, but sometimes I also think it limits the way the creative process flows (know what i'm sayin'? it's kind of hard to explain :/)
sometimes it gets really frustrating for me to make a song, and then I start to miss having a band, and having the possibility to just jam and build a song from scratch, just sharing ideas and stuff...

well, I hope I didn't forget anything hahahah!

thank you for reading, I hope maybe these questions would be useful to someone too!

Javier.

 

[J Posega]

I really like the Line 6 Sonic Port for all of its various inputs and outputs.

You should try out Jamup for modeling amps and effects... Light years ahead of Amplitube, and cheaper.

I just run Jamup as inter app audio with GarageBand.

You'll find a thread dedicated to users of iOS based recording in the effects forum.

Since I'm moving soon, I expect I'll be spending a lot of time jamming to my own recordings.

 

[JavierFarias]

thanks for the suggestions! I tried jamup and it is definitely better than Amplitube!

 

[Kubicki440]

Agreed upgrade the iRig to iRig Pro or Apogee Jam (96k) that would be a good start.

I started out with GarageBand on the iPad but I also found it rather limiting. GarageBand on the Mac is much better as far as ease of use, I am not much of a touch screen recording guy.

I record my own music and play most of the instruments myself as I have moved out of the state were I had been playing in bands, so I can relate.

Your music sounds good, I think the use of Jamup combined with the upgraded USB interface (iRig pro) will most definitely improve your instrument sound quality. As far as the mixing and mastering well that takes a little time to learn but I have found EQ and compression are the two things I use the most of as well as reverb. Perhaps someone else can give better advice for the drum apps, I use the built-in drummer in GarageBand myself. I typically use Amplitube and Guitar Rig 5 on the OSX setup. I use the iRig keys in GarageBand, plenty of options.

I find that the Apple loops are inspiring to some degree, yet they are also limited. I find myself editing them to suit my needs.

Best wishes.

 

[geddy402]

Sounds exactly like what I was doing a couple months ago. Link didn't work so I could check out the tune but sounds like you've got a good start based on your gear.

I've had good success with Amplitube and Apogee Duet. I bought most of the gear packages on Amplitube when they were 50% off. Some are better than others but you can get a pretty good guitar and bass sound out of them. In hindsight I would have not used the vintage Ampeg they have because it sounds a little dead to me.

The Amplitube drums are miles better than Garageband. But they still sort of sound fake, but passable for putting ideas down.

I think the iPad is a great tool to flesh out ideas and make pretty strong demos. My plan is eventually take the songs I've recorded to some of my friends to work on. Its great when they can hear the whole thing (tempo, changes, etc) rather than just a riff or bass line.

Have fun and good luck!

 

[Darren Lipper]

Sounds cool Javier, thanks for sharing.
I've been really interested in making music via apps lately. My newest experiment has been recording full tunes with the Beatwave app on my Iphone 4s.
I've come across a few bugs and limitations, but so far so good.

I'm going to share a mini-album of this stuff once complete.

Can't wait to see how capable music apps will be in the near future.

 

[JavierFarias]

Thank you all for your inputs!!

I've been playing with JamUp, and it's definitely better than Amplitube (though Amplitube look cooler, hahaha!)

I uploaded another song and updated the other one.

If you have any question regarding how I recorded the songs just ask and I'll explain in detail!