Auria is a 48 track recording system for the iPad.  Currently, it’s the most feature-laden iOS DAW we’ve reviewed.  It houses an extensive catalog of effects and processors (ranging from Reverb to pitch correction) and also allows you to record up to 24 tracks simultaneously.  AAF import and export lets you transfer complete sessions between popular DAWs like Pro Tools, Logic and more.

Another cool feature is the incorporation of 3rd party plugins from plugin gurus like PSPaudioware, Overloud, Fab Filter and Drumagog.  These extra processors are available via app store purchase and range from $5 to $30.

The kicker for Auria is the hefty price tag.  At $50, it’s easily considered a very expensive iOS DAW.  If that doesn’t scare you away, then this app is definitely worth taking a look at.  What we really like about Auria is that it’s clearly geared toward serious music makers looking to get professional use out of their iPad.

GarageBand for iOS 1.2 comes as a welcomed addition to the evolutionary chain of Apple’s music apps.  Rightfully so, it’s packed with some cool new features.  For starters, we now have a MIDI editor!  It’s about time! It’s fair to say that MIDI editing should have been available since the apps conception, but Apple seemed to get it right this time in a good way.

Another cool feature is the ability to merge tracks together to consolidate and save space.  You can bounce up to 8 tracks at a time if need be.  You’ll also get some extra Smart Instruments and a much easier way of exporting and sharing your musical works with other people.

Jam Session takes sketching musical ideas to a whole new level.  This allows up to 4 iOS devices running GarageBand 1.2, to sync to a central host, making it a great tool for bands.

If you don’t already own GarageBand, you’ll definitely want to get it now!

Music Studio 2 is a complete production suite for your iPad.  One of things I like most about this app is its sound selection.  The sounds are extremely versatile and Hip Hop friendly, which isn’t always a common occurrence in the iOS music making world.

Music Studio 2 expands what was already an extremely powerful production environment.  Things like microphone recording, audio tracks, 127-track sequencer, and audio copy/paste functions only sweeten this deal.  The app comes with 100 drum loops, 65 built-in instruments and the ability to purchase additional instruments in the app store.

Detailed editing allows you to tweak anything from individual tracks to individual MIDI notes.  Transfer your files to your computer via iTunes.

Music Studio 2 offers support for CoreMIDI (in and out), Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer, Akai SynthStation 25, iRig, iRig Mic, iRig MIDI, Ampkit Link, Apogee Jam, Blue Mikey, Alesis IO Dock and iConnectMIDI.

This is a quality app for a serious music maker.  It has all of the components of a Major DAW and is arguably one of the most well-rounded we’ve seen.  Be sure to check out Music Studio 2!

Studio Mini XL is an 8 track recording studio for your iPad.  It is the bigger brother of Studio Mini, which is virtually the same other than being a 4 track recorder with a slightly cheaper price tag.  The XL version comes with a host of useful features like a ‘count in’ function for recording, the ability to import and export 16 bit / 44.1 kHz WAVE files, a drum loop section with 70+ drum loops spanning a wide range of musical genres,  the ability to monitor your input levels while recording, latency compensation, audio sync, iTunes file sharing, WIFI sync and more.  The app’s Notes section also allows you to input, organize, and keep track of lyric ideas, which is great when you get that sudden inspiration for an awesome idea.

Studio Mini XL is a solid recording platform, but I would like to see some quality processors and effects like Chorus, Delay, Compression, Reverb, etc..  Without some great processors I would hardly say that you can get a professional mix out of this app and to hang with the big dogs like Garageband and FL Studio Mobile HD, it will need to incorporate some virtual instruments to make it more complete.

Studio Mini XL is ideal for musicians or bands looking to record ideas on the fly.  If I was in a band that was going on tour, I would definitely want this app.  We could record lots of simple song ideas between shows, on long road trips and then expand upon them once we get back in the studio.

Studio Mini XL is a quality app worth the money ($9.99) and future updates are sure to make the software a better all around package.

bleep!Box is a music production suite for your iPad.  It’s comes housed with a sequencer, a synthesizer, and a drum machine.  It’s noted for its quality sounds, which is rare in the world of iOS.  I would say that the sounds are more tailored to the modern electronic producer than say a Hip Hop producer, but Hip-Hop-heads looking to create some quirky tunes will enjoy this app.

The sequencer gives you 16 steps and allows you to adjust the note, velocity, and swing of these steps.  Parameters for manipulating the tone and shape of the stock sounds include oscillation, modulation, envelopes and filters – giving you lots of flexibility.  The performance page gives you a visual of your pattern in an arrangement view and you can even loop certain segments, on the fly, to create cool FX and change ups.

Another thing I like is the fact that you can create and save your own presets.  If you’re the type who would rather play their arrangements and do less sequencing then bleep!Box has you covered.  Switch to the Pad page and easily record your own rhythms using the touchscreen pads.

The interface workflow could be a little smoother, but otherwise this is still a great app.  If you’re looking to create some electronic music on your iPad, bleep!Box is not a bad way to go.

touchAble was developed by AppBc and it turns your iPad into a controller for Ableton Live. This is a really cool app for any DJ or producer with an iPad and Ableton. You can mix, edit, and manipulate your Ableton arrangements on the fly. It comes with built-in FX, velocity sensitive drum pads and keyboards, automapping, transport and clip functions and much more. Other great components to this app are its Wi-Fi capabilities – allowing you to use this app anywhere within the realm of a Wi-Fi signal. This means you don’t have to be glued to your computer and that you can take advantage of the iPads ability to be a mobile device- although there is some latency involved.

Is one iPad not enough for you? Incorporate a second iPad to maximize the apps functionality.

There are lots of cool things about touchAble that make it worth the money, but it is somewhat expensive in the world of apps, ringing in at a lofty $25.

Nonetheless, AppBC has a solid music application for the iPad in this program. Be sure to check it out.

 
As a happy Mac owner I have long resented Image-Line for not creating a Mac version of FL Studio, which is a great production suite to own if you have a PC.  With that being considered, I am glad to see them step into the world of iOS and do so successfully.

The thing I like most about his app is the fact that you can upload your creations to the actual desktop version of software.  This means that you’re not limited to the scaled down iPad version of the program.  Another cool feature is the piano roll.  Playing complex melodies on a flat screen piano is not the easiest thing in the world so it’s nice that you can edit MIDI information in a familiar fashion to desktop software – something Garageband does not let you do.  FL Studio Mobile HD comes preset with drums, instruments, synths, and Slicex loops.  Also available for iPhone, and iPod Touch.

Programmable Step Sequencer

I will say that the program is expensive in the world of apps – ringing in at a $19.99 (for a limited time) but only a fool wouldn’t want a mobile version of FL Studio for that price.

It is perhaps the most fun and easiest to use.  A person with little if any musical talent could still have fun creating music with Apple’s Garageband for iPad and make some decent tunes too.

New Features Worth Mentioning:

Smart Instruments are included in this version of Garageband allowing you to play complex chord progressions with ease – removing a lot of the guesswork for those less knowledgeable in terms of musical theory.  By using the assistance of these Smart Instruments you will naturally start to learn what combinations of chords and progressions work well together, which is a great learning tool for any aspiring producer.

One of the other things I like about this app is the drum view.

As you can see from the image above – Garageband lays out its acoustic drums as if you were a drummer sitting directly behind a kit.  What makes this view cool in conjunction with the iPad is the ability to tap on the drums to create your rhythms and sequences.  In addition to that, the sound the drum makes when struck corresponds to the velocity and location at which you strike the drum – very cool and fun to play with.

There are some things that I am not crazy about with this app.  Most notably is the fact you only get 8 tracks to work with, making it much less proficient in big musical compositions requiring lots of tracks.

Summary

I wouldn’t look at Garageband for the iPad as a major, professional audio workstation, but more so as a fun, mobile way to lay out good starting points for your future productions.

At a mere $5 for this app – it’s a great buy for any iPad owner pursuing musical endeavors.