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Comment by LegitShady | Hacker News Reader

I think there is a lot going for the music ecosystem on ipad - lots of affordable apps, cheap effects compared to desktop etc.

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.

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I agree to a large extent, but I've been pleasantly surprised just how much audio hardware works using a USB hub, especially now all iPads have USB-C ports with the exception of the 10.2 inch entry one.

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.

I get a spare USB-C port from my Magic Keyboard. I generally plug the charger into it and something else into the on-board port, but I have the option to put devices into both ports.

The USB C on the Magic Keyboard is for power only.

Regarding aftertouch, it does support it in a way (and it's shown in the video). For many synths, after you press a key on the on-screen keyboard, if you hold it and move your finger up towards the back end of the key, it gets translated into aftertouch. GarageBand on iPad has supported this as long as I've been using it (a few years). I don't know if every synth supports it, but there are definitely some who do.

I think I have seen that some users connect AVB capable devices (e.g. from Presonus or Motu) to the USB port of iPads and got full connectivity to the other studio setup via AVB networking. Some AVB devices are quite affordably nowadays. That would also allow for great audio routing setups in a gig I assume

I have a presonus audio interface. It works 100% with my ipad pro and has for years. But if I have to take an ipad and an audio interface and and and then why do I need an ipad at all? I could be using my laptop and have more options.

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