> Having a full DAW on the go is a killer feature imho.
Macbook?
Macbook?
1. Touch first is important because your instruments are touch as well. Being able to record my live instruments and not have to switch to a trackpad to move between UI elements seems small, but it really keeps me in the zone.
2. Same point above, but basically being able to switch between my live instrument and an on screen virtual one is a big deal to layer up an idea. Can’t do that easily with a trackpad or mouse.
3. There’s something to be said for the mobile platforms single app as a focus model. I know you can full screen a Mac app, or split screen on an iPad, but having a singular focus helps reduce distractions.
4. Weight/portability are quite different. Maybe a MacBook Air would be better, but I take my iPad Pro to more places with me than I take my much heavier MacBook Pro . I’m already taking it to draw on the go, so this is just one more thing I can do without needing to buy a new device or take a heavier one.
Edit: oh and number 5 is a big one. I can put my iPad Pro in my existing music stand that works for me at multiple heigh levels. There are laptop stands that might work too, but I already use my iPad for sheet music, so it’s already a convenient setup.
At the same time I don't think the device itself is built with the connectivity for the kind of music making I think about. If all your synths and effects live on the iPad and you don't care about after touch maybe, but if you want to hook external gear up the iPad just isn't made for it.
no headphone out. requires an external audio interface to connect to hardware synths. not an aftertouch capable control surface. Not really portable if I have to lug a bunch of supporting equipment to make it usable.
Given how many USB accessories now work with the iPad, I really really wish Apple would relent and at least give us two USB ports on the side like the MacBook Air.
> being able to switch between my live instrument and an on screen virtual one is a big deal to layer up an idea. Can’t do that easily with a trackpad or mouse.
Keyboard shortcuts exist. Failing that, it's one click on my trackpad to switch channels.
> There’s something to be said for the mobile platforms single app as a focus model.
There's also something to be said for multitasking desktops that give you the flexibility of both.
It's a neat option for people who already use Logic Pro, but touch-enabled DAWs have existed for over a decade (and they all kinda suck - ask me how I know). Besides the form-factor of the iPad being fairly convenient, there's no way I'd trade-in my laptop's IO and OS for a mobile one. The iPad doesn't offer enough flexibility to replace my DAW laptop.
Every time you’ve replied to one of my comments in the past, it’s been very binary in terms of workflows and the discussions always devolve.
So this time I’m leaving it as: I explained why it’s a big deal for me. If you have your own workflows or needs, so be it. But it’s irrelevant to why I like it.
I don’t need velocity for a quick idea for example. I just need to get the idea out as quickly as possible. Besides, you can always connect an external midi keyboard or audio interface to an iPad as well.
> Besides, you can always connect an external midi keyboard or audio interface to an iPad as well.
Sure? Everyone can use class-compliant USB audio hardware. Android and Linux both support it, for whatever that's worth. Both of those OSes even support audio plugins, too.
Not everyone can install MPE drivers or get that Focusrite interface set up properly without software though. That's why I still carry a laptop, it may not apply to everyone.
It's also a great form for many kinds of creative applications, and it's a very hassle-free, it just works experience for those.
For the record, I find touchscreen interfaces rather underwhelming. I've tried to love my iPad for creative purposes but I just find trackpad/mouse + keyboard faster and more versatile.
Of course - both pale in comparison to physical buttons. I dream of a touchscreen with really convincing haptics. That would be the best of both worlds.
Workflows are subjective and contextual. I too use a Mac for a lot of audio work, and I’m not suggesting that one replaces the other in all forms.
I’m simply saying why this is a big deal for that one part of my workflow that had a hole which a Mac doesn’t cover.
The whole “touch vs not” discussion doesn’t add much because it’s not a binary. It’s only a subjective preference for me in my workflows in a specific context.
I’m simply elaborating on why I prefer an iPad in this context. Rebuttals are pointless as a result because it’s not a debate, it’s an elaboration of choice.
So again, I would say to people: “you do you” because my workflow doesn’t impose or force other people’s choices with their own trade offs.
If somebody says "I think x" I've always felt it was entirely reasonable to respond with "I disagree because y" - that's not being argumentative, it's just having a conversation.
You're not the first person that seems to feel differently about whether or not it's impolite to respond in this way. It just always surprises me when I hit this particlar difference in communication preferences.
though part of the issue is “I disagree because Y” is not relevant because it’s an opinion with no negative effect on those who disagree (as opposed to say opinions on very factual science). So “I disagree because Y” is implicitly a rebuttal.
Instead , the subtly different “I see where you’re coming from however for me Y” is not a rebuttal. It’s an acceptance that two views may exist simultaneously and be equally valid.
If you look at the responses of the person I responded to, they’re always in the form of “well I need this so it makes no sense”
Note that they never acknowledge that others may not have the same needs or views. There’s an absolute way in all the interactions I’ve had with them.
The simple act of accepting another’s perspective changes the post from a negation to something that builds upon it.
What's the human version of Postel's Law?
So what? You can get an idea down without either. It's not about making the final performance (though you can also program the DAW piano-roll this way just fine too).
>And then if you want to plug in hardware, you have to either settle for one thing and no charging or buy a dongle.
God forbid you have to buy a $20 dongle, or like, just use the device without one, and enjoy merely 10 hours of use instead of 15.
> God forbid you have to buy a $20 dongle
God forbid the iPad ever exposes a second USB port worth of IO bandwidth.
Actually, I take it back. Knowing Apple, I'll get my wish fulfilled with 2 Lightning ports and some MFi cable DRM...
That said, I don't like playing on a screen. I'm a long-time piano and keyboard player so I just hook up an external instrument. But I was pleasantly surprised by what I could do just on the iPad with GarageBand.
it would be cool to have both apps (final cut for vids and logic for trax) running at the same time with "integration" such that you can swipe btwn video and sound editing on the same final output...
(I jest!)
For wide multicolumn IDE/text-editor layouts, spatially-mapped fader banks and/or organ drawbars might also make useful scrollers.