10 Music making apps for the iPhone and iPad: GarageBand, Korg and Figure
It’s not so long ago that music recording was just for people who could afford to hire a professional studio and engineer. To have the self belief that those hundreds of pounds per day weren’t being wasted came from many hours of tuition, rehearsal and performance (or in some cases just a massive ego. Artists with egos – what?).
It was difficult for budding musicians to develop, nurture their talent and grow as composers and songwriters with the stakes so high, and so the advent of the trusty four track tape recorder and, later, digital recording interfaces and affordable computer software have levelled the playing field for those of us seeking to express ourselves through sound.
Skip on 10 years from the announcement that intuitive multi-track recording application Garageband was to be a permanent fixture of the Mac Operating System and the bedroom musician is turning to the pocket home studio to get some of the best sounds around.
The following 10 apps showcase some of the very best in iOS mobile recording, from world class synths, drum machines and multi-track software to intuitive apps that will encourage a burst of musical creativity from beginners and seasoned professionals alike.
Image via Laura Kidd
Native Instruments iMaschine
This is the official mobile version of Maschine, an impressive range of professional drum machine hardware used by DJs, bands and producers around the world and retailing from £299 to £849, so this is a very exciting prospect for anyone wanting to access high quality sounds with a highly intuitive interface.
It’s not just a drum machine - beats are laid down using 16 pads and the included library of 400 samples with 25 drum kits (extended version available), the keyboard mode allows you to play melodies and chords, samples can be loaded in from iTunes and you can use the microphone to record vocals. Finish off by adding sound effects and exporting to Soundcloud or to Maschine itself.
Available from iTunes for £2.99
